Name: Mike Jones
Hometown: Carmel, CA

Age: 55
Years Paddling: 5

Weekly Mileage:
6 to 25 depending on when.

Preferred board length to paddle:
14 ft

Favorite Paddle route:
Carmel Beach to Stillwater Cove Pier to Ghost Tree to Cypress Point for stunning scenery both above and below the surface. 

Favorite race:
Santa Cruz Pier to Capitola Pier. It’s “unofficial.”  Great vibe, amazing scenery. It’s fun to paddle through the lineups and hear a few hoots. And last year, unofficially, I got a great unofficial result. The Jay Race is also a great one.


I Started Paddling Because:
It’s just me and the ocean. I found out in 2003 that the annual Carmel Surfabout has a 1-mile-plus “distance paddle” for surfboards only. I was just getting back into surfing after a 30-year break (including 20 years living in Minnesota). The idea just intrigued me, and I figured it would make me a stronger surfer. The first time I got to Stillwater Cove during the evening “magic hour” sun, I was hooked. Then I did the Pier to Pier at Mike Eaton’s suggestion and that just closed the deal as far as I was concerned.  (Thanks, Mike for much advice and two great boards … and your mantra: “It’s the motor.”)

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
Dolphins sometimes hook up and crisscross under my board for up to six or seven minutes. They light me up. They’re the best training partners because you just want to go fast and keep it going.  I really respect their power and grace, and I love their playfulness.

Favorite Thing About Paddling:
Being on the ocean amidst awesome power and beauty. It’s a world away from all else.

Thing I Hate Most About Paddling:
Plastic in the water. I take a mesh bag and pick up what I can.

What I Tell Myself to Motivate on Days I Just Don't Want to Paddle: 
Could be like this on race day. Better go.

Best "Oh Crap" Moment While In Middle of Ocean:
#1:  Lightning struck out towards the horizon. I’m a mile from where I started. #2: What’d I just pet at the bottom of my stroke????

iPods While Paddling: Godsend or Good Grief?
Haven’t tried it, haven’t wanted to. I like leaving everything I can back on land.

There's a Head High Swell on a Glassy Day. What do you do? (surf or paddle):
Take out my eleven-foot Eaton pintail and do both.

Paddling Season (which month to which month):
February (start in Maui) thru October.

Bright and early, or nightcap?
Prefer bright and early – but nightcap is good, too.

Downwind paddle or wait for down winds (glassy):
Glassy. But I’m looking forward to doing more downwind. Never wait, just go.