This week's featured paddler is Jay Moriarity, a legendary surfer/waterman who left us way too soon. Kim,
his wife, was nice enough to fill out the questions on his behalf and with the Jay Race coming up on June 13th,
it seemed appropriate to post this now in honor of Jay.

Jay, halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey

Name: Jay Moriarity
Hometown:  Santa Cruz, CA
 
Years Paddling:   
8 + years.
 
Weekly Mileage:   
Approx. 15-20 miles
 
Preferred board length to paddle:   
12' stock.
 
Favorite Paddle route:   
Pleasure Point to New Brighton Beach Loop..
 
Favorite race:   
Paddle Across the Bay (Santa Cruz Harbor - Monterey Harbor) It was a Love/Hate thing...
 
I Started Paddling Because:   
Training for Big waves and Surfing.
 
Best Paddling Experience to Date:   
Any Glassy Mornings.
 
Favorite Thing About Paddling:   
Being in the Ocean.
 
Thing I Hate Most About Paddling:   
Bad Wind chop.
 
What I Tell Myself to Motivate on Days I Just Don't Want to Paddle:   
I think of Mavericks and paddling into a Big Wave.
 
Best "Oh Crap" Moment While In Middle of Ocean:   
When I saw a Great White thrashing on something inside of the moored boats in Capitola, CA....,Also getting disoriented in the fog once.
 
iPods While Paddling: Godsend or Good Grief?   
Metallica or Tool.
 
There's a Head High Swell on a Glassy Day.What do you do? (surf or paddle):  
SURF.
 
Paddling Season (which month to which month):   
All Year long.
 
Bright and early, or nightcap?    
Both.
 
Downwind paddle or wait for down winds (glassy):   
Glassy, Windy, anything goes...Like going Downwind, but I do paddle back Home to the Point, so it can be kinda brutal on really windy days.