The Challenge
K38 in Northern Baja.
Calves up and over the Dub's Peak Dogg Pound Bowl.
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE
The K38 Baja Challenge is an annual surfing invitational patterned after the original Billabong Challenge events of the late 1990's.
In Billabong's case, a group of the world's best surfers were brought together at famous (and often remote) locations to battle each other in a unique, open-ended contest format. Contest results were subjective and generated by both a professional judging panel as well as peer group input. Billabong Challenge locations ranged from the inaugural event at Gnarloo in Western Australia to Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa, and then to Indonesia and other parts of Australia before the contest series was eventually abandoned. However, the spirit of the Billabong Challenge lives on in the current Rip Curl "Search" contest series, which is now part of the Foster's ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).
In the case of the K38 Baja Challenge, a group of diverse (and sometimes talented) surfers are brought together to compete in a unique format that borrows from the handicapping formats often seen in golf. The winner is the surfer who answers "The Challenge" - or the ability to clearly surf beyond their current capabilities. This format allows surfers from all backgrounds and skill sets to compete openly in the spirit of healthy competition; and similar to golf, the surfers with the highest handicaps are often the surfers with the most upside in terms of scoring the win. This format forces the top seeds to consistently surf to their ability while encouraging more novice surfers to push themselves to higher levels of performance.
Origins
The inaugural K38 Baja Challenge was born from a single communication, which is now referred to as "the email heard around the world":
From: Tom Adamski
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 11:47 AM
To: Ryan Allshouse; Michael Story; Dan Williams
Cc: Matt Walton; Jacob Palmer
Subject: K38: Odds
Boys,
Good times ahead for us on this Mex trip. And although we’d like to think that we’re all just going to relax and have fun, the reality is that we’ll be watching each other closely to see who’s performing to their potential in the water. A little friendly competition is nothing to shy away from; in fact, it makes those Pacificos go down smooth at the end of the day. That being said, I’ve compiled some stats for the oddsmakers of the bunch to consider as we head towards this monumental event. Who will be the K38 King and surf beyond themselves?
48 to 1: DAN WILLIAMS
Thinks he surfs like: Kelly Slater
Actually surfs like: Scott Farnsworth, circa ‘84
DW NOTES:
Hailing from Texas doesn’t help your surf career – although Dan has risen to the levels of Ken Bradshaw and Walt “Saddlepants” Finney as the most lauded surfers from the longhorn state. Groomed in the late 80’s inland environment of mullets, Oakley blades, jeeps, waterskiing and Coors Light, Dan’s surf style hearkens back to a simpler time in surfing when neon wetsuits, iridium lenses and Zinka ruled the scene. His early surf heroes include ‘Turtle’ from the movie the North Shore. He will not fail to make more than one misguided surf reference on this trip (example: ‘hey dudes, did you see that peeler)? Dan’s strengths are his tenacious competitive spirit, all-around athleticism and fabulous tan. He may need to nut it up if it gets overhead and not fake some random injury, resulting in him taking pole position on the most comfortable chair in the house while K38 does its thing.
DW RATINGS:
Athleticism: 9
Paddling: 8
Wave knowledge: 4
Competitiveness: 10
Pacifico factor: 9
X factor: 5
36 to 1: TOM ADAMSKI
Thinks he surfs like: Pancho Sullivan
Actually surfs like: An overweight painting contractor
TA NOTES:
When a surfer hits 200 pounds, they might as well either a) hang it up, or b) ride a fun shape (unless they are Pancho Sullivan, Chris Malloy or Buffalo Kealualana). Tom has done neither, and his surfing shows this lack of discretion. Although friends often allude to his ‘power’ and being able to ‘put a board on a rail’, what that really means is ‘if you lost about 25, you might be able to surf’ and ‘you almost fell over on that dribbler’. To exacerbate the situation, Tom’s newfound hobby of fatherhood which now includes a year or so of 4 hours of sleep a night hasn’t exactly honed in his skills, which were questionable to begin with. His surfing reminds you of a beautiful forest...and the lumberjack that is pounding the sausage McMuffin with egg in preparation to cut it all down. If Tom actually gets the opportunity to surf waves powerful enough to push him, don’t be surprised if he hacks a fairly impressive turn (one turn..that’s it) - and then proceeds to the beach as he attempts to regain his breath (which won’t happen). He’ll then be in the second most comfortable chair next to DW, monopolizing the stash of Pacificos. Tom often hears, “if the conditions were right, you’d be ripping!” The conditions have been “right” a total of 3 times in Tom’s 20 years of surfing. Rates higher than DW only due to the X factor.
TA RATINGS:
Athleticism: 4
Paddling: 5
Wave knowledge: 7
Competitiveness: 8
Pacifico factor: 9
X factor: 8
22 to 1: MATT WALTON
Thinks he surfs like: Matt Walton
Actually surfs like: George Greenough
MW NOTES:
Groomed in the silky smooth point breaks of SB county, Matt is a quiet, unassuming individual that lets his surfing do the talking. He is a relatively unknown quantity on this trip, although he has had multiple sessions with Ryan Allshouse. Rumors of Matt growing up inland has hurt his street cred, but he’ll have the opportunity to offset those rumors at the first paddle-out. He’s got the surfer build – lanky and strong – but wearing a wetsuit constantly may slow his paddling down a bit. He’s attacked his passion for surfing with a vengeance over the past couple of years, but he’ll need to pull out all the stops vs. this group of veterans in order to establish dominance up the point. Most likely to impress any ladies that happen to be nearby will smooth carves in the water and acoustic serenades on the beach.
MW RATINGS:
Athleticism: 8
Paddling: 7
Wave knowledge: 6
Competitiveness: 4
Pacifico factor: ?
X factor: 6
18 to 1: JAKE PALMER
Thinks he surfs like: “Who’s that pro dude...you know, the one who gets all the chicks?”
Actually surfs like: Nat Young
JP NOTES: Have you ever met someone who just has it too easy? Every sport they try, they dominate just based on sheer athleticism while keeping the most mellow, laid back attitude ever? Enter Jake Palmer, otherwise known as “The Dogg”. If you like a sport and decide to introduce Jake to it, you have about 3 weeks or so before he’s better than you – and about 5 weeks before he realizes it and makes you feel bad. Surfing is no different as Jake put aside his love of mountain biking and skiing long enough to move to San Diego, meet and marry his wife and then proceed to learn to surf quicker than anyone in recent history (outside of Mike Lambresi). Don’t be surprised if Jake picks off the wave of the trip, rides it to the sand and steps off on the beach to a group of beautiful senoritas handing him cold Pacificos. He will then poach your dry towel, shower with the remainder of the hot water, drink the last beer, fall asleep sideways on the only couch after eating an entire pint (your pint) of Ben and Jerry’s. He will not get fat or tired, nor will he ever miss a session. Oh yeah: he’ll outpaddle you for that set wave as well.
JP RATINGS:
Athleticism: 10
Paddling: 9
Wave knowledge: 4 (but he doesn’t need any)
Competitiveness: 6
Pacifico factor: 8
X factor: 9
9 to 1: RYAN ALLSHOUSE
Thinks he surfs like: Kelly Slater
Actually surfs like: Tom Carroll
RA NOTES:
20 years of surfing is wearing well on this guy. If the K38 challenge was held in lefts, Ryan would be in pole position for a win – but he is slightly less effective in rights (although his showing last year in Samoa was the stuff of legend). His forehand attack is potent at 2 or 12 feet and he is out to follow Slater’s lead in the ‘guys over 30 who still rip’ category. The resemblance to Tom Carroll in the water is uncanny, as if Ryan is channeling the two-time world champ into a new era. Watch for his frustration level to rise if back-to-back waves don’t go his way...he may head case the rest of the session and paddle down the point claiming “this place sucks”. He will stick landings on weightless turns that you’d otherwise write off while being the consummate gentleman in the water when it comes to wave selection and priority. His endurance will be a big factor down the stretch, and if he’s in position for a win coming into the final day...you better bring it. However, don’t worry about guarding your beer: it takes about 1.5 beers before Ryan turns bright red and passes out. He claims this is due to his ‘Asian blood’, but he’s about as Asian as I am. Which ain’t much. Do watch out, however, for any leaf tobacco you might bring to chew. Between Tom and Ryan, a good deal of Beech Nut may be consumed.
RA RATINGS:
Athleticism: 9
Paddling: 9
Wave knowledge: 8
Competitiveness: 8
Pacifico factor: 2
X factor: 6
5 to 1: MICHAEL STORY
Thinks he surfs like: Mark Occhilupo
Actually surfs like: Mitch Thorson
MS NOTES: No one is better suited to an all-bros Mex trip than Story. Generous, happy and thoughtful, Story will give you the shirt off his back - unless that shirt is attached to a set wave, of course. He’s a South Carolina boy who’s done tour of surfing duties on both the east and west coasts, and he knows more about surfing, surfers and the whole scene than you’d care to know (but you’ll probably end up finding out). If Story starts a sentence with “there was this one time” or “I remember this guy”, run for the hills. A father of 5 boys, Story needs this trip as a way to get back to his surfing and good times with good friends. His knowledge of Mex will come in handy for all of us, and his backhand attack will make us all stop paddling and watch. He’s been known to gouge some heavy turns on waves like K38 and he won’t be letting up on this trip. His love of music and shooting video will also supplement this trip nicely, as will his stash of surf videos. If there are barrels to be had, Story will find them, which puts him in the catbird seat for a huge K38 showing. He’ll be the one hooting you on in the water and cooking up a killer meal for everyone in the casa while he sizes up his next session and plots for that killer spot on the couch. Story has an opportunity to cement his ‘surf guru’ status on this trip – but it will take his best stuff.
MS RATINGS:
Athleticism: 8
Paddling: 9
Wave knowledge: 9
Competitiveness: 7
Pacifico factor: 8
X factor: 9
The K38 Baja Challenge is an annual surfing invitational patterned after the original Billabong Challenge events of the late 1990's.
In Billabong's case, a group of the world's best surfers were brought together at famous (and often remote) locations to battle each other in a unique, open-ended contest format. Contest results were subjective and generated by both a professional judging panel as well as peer group input. Billabong Challenge locations ranged from the inaugural event at Gnarloo in Western Australia to Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa, and then to Indonesia and other parts of Australia before the contest series was eventually abandoned. However, the spirit of the Billabong Challenge lives on in the current Rip Curl "Search" contest series, which is now part of the Foster's ASP World Championship Tour (WCT).
In the case of the K38 Baja Challenge, a group of diverse (and sometimes talented) surfers are brought together to compete in a unique format that borrows from the handicapping formats often seen in golf. The winner is the surfer who answers "The Challenge" - or the ability to clearly surf beyond their current capabilities. This format allows surfers from all backgrounds and skill sets to compete openly in the spirit of healthy competition; and similar to golf, the surfers with the highest handicaps are often the surfers with the most upside in terms of scoring the win. This format forces the top seeds to consistently surf to their ability while encouraging more novice surfers to push themselves to higher levels of performance.
Origins
The inaugural K38 Baja Challenge was born from a single communication, which is now referred to as "the email heard around the world":
From: Tom Adamski
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 11:47 AM
To: Ryan Allshouse; Michael Story; Dan Williams
Cc: Matt Walton; Jacob Palmer
Subject: K38: Odds
Boys,
Good times ahead for us on this Mex trip. And although we’d like to think that we’re all just going to relax and have fun, the reality is that we’ll be watching each other closely to see who’s performing to their potential in the water. A little friendly competition is nothing to shy away from; in fact, it makes those Pacificos go down smooth at the end of the day. That being said, I’ve compiled some stats for the oddsmakers of the bunch to consider as we head towards this monumental event. Who will be the K38 King and surf beyond themselves?
48 to 1: DAN WILLIAMS
Thinks he surfs like: Kelly Slater
Actually surfs like: Scott Farnsworth, circa ‘84
DW NOTES:
Hailing from Texas doesn’t help your surf career – although Dan has risen to the levels of Ken Bradshaw and Walt “Saddlepants” Finney as the most lauded surfers from the longhorn state. Groomed in the late 80’s inland environment of mullets, Oakley blades, jeeps, waterskiing and Coors Light, Dan’s surf style hearkens back to a simpler time in surfing when neon wetsuits, iridium lenses and Zinka ruled the scene. His early surf heroes include ‘Turtle’ from the movie the North Shore. He will not fail to make more than one misguided surf reference on this trip (example: ‘hey dudes, did you see that peeler)? Dan’s strengths are his tenacious competitive spirit, all-around athleticism and fabulous tan. He may need to nut it up if it gets overhead and not fake some random injury, resulting in him taking pole position on the most comfortable chair in the house while K38 does its thing.
DW RATINGS:
Athleticism: 9
Paddling: 8
Wave knowledge: 4
Competitiveness: 10
Pacifico factor: 9
X factor: 5
36 to 1: TOM ADAMSKI
Thinks he surfs like: Pancho Sullivan
Actually surfs like: An overweight painting contractor
TA NOTES:
When a surfer hits 200 pounds, they might as well either a) hang it up, or b) ride a fun shape (unless they are Pancho Sullivan, Chris Malloy or Buffalo Kealualana). Tom has done neither, and his surfing shows this lack of discretion. Although friends often allude to his ‘power’ and being able to ‘put a board on a rail’, what that really means is ‘if you lost about 25, you might be able to surf’ and ‘you almost fell over on that dribbler’. To exacerbate the situation, Tom’s newfound hobby of fatherhood which now includes a year or so of 4 hours of sleep a night hasn’t exactly honed in his skills, which were questionable to begin with. His surfing reminds you of a beautiful forest...and the lumberjack that is pounding the sausage McMuffin with egg in preparation to cut it all down. If Tom actually gets the opportunity to surf waves powerful enough to push him, don’t be surprised if he hacks a fairly impressive turn (one turn..that’s it) - and then proceeds to the beach as he attempts to regain his breath (which won’t happen). He’ll then be in the second most comfortable chair next to DW, monopolizing the stash of Pacificos. Tom often hears, “if the conditions were right, you’d be ripping!” The conditions have been “right” a total of 3 times in Tom’s 20 years of surfing. Rates higher than DW only due to the X factor.
TA RATINGS:
Athleticism: 4
Paddling: 5
Wave knowledge: 7
Competitiveness: 8
Pacifico factor: 9
X factor: 8
22 to 1: MATT WALTON
Thinks he surfs like: Matt Walton
Actually surfs like: George Greenough
MW NOTES:
Groomed in the silky smooth point breaks of SB county, Matt is a quiet, unassuming individual that lets his surfing do the talking. He is a relatively unknown quantity on this trip, although he has had multiple sessions with Ryan Allshouse. Rumors of Matt growing up inland has hurt his street cred, but he’ll have the opportunity to offset those rumors at the first paddle-out. He’s got the surfer build – lanky and strong – but wearing a wetsuit constantly may slow his paddling down a bit. He’s attacked his passion for surfing with a vengeance over the past couple of years, but he’ll need to pull out all the stops vs. this group of veterans in order to establish dominance up the point. Most likely to impress any ladies that happen to be nearby will smooth carves in the water and acoustic serenades on the beach.
MW RATINGS:
Athleticism: 8
Paddling: 7
Wave knowledge: 6
Competitiveness: 4
Pacifico factor: ?
X factor: 6
18 to 1: JAKE PALMER
Thinks he surfs like: “Who’s that pro dude...you know, the one who gets all the chicks?”
Actually surfs like: Nat Young
JP NOTES: Have you ever met someone who just has it too easy? Every sport they try, they dominate just based on sheer athleticism while keeping the most mellow, laid back attitude ever? Enter Jake Palmer, otherwise known as “The Dogg”. If you like a sport and decide to introduce Jake to it, you have about 3 weeks or so before he’s better than you – and about 5 weeks before he realizes it and makes you feel bad. Surfing is no different as Jake put aside his love of mountain biking and skiing long enough to move to San Diego, meet and marry his wife and then proceed to learn to surf quicker than anyone in recent history (outside of Mike Lambresi). Don’t be surprised if Jake picks off the wave of the trip, rides it to the sand and steps off on the beach to a group of beautiful senoritas handing him cold Pacificos. He will then poach your dry towel, shower with the remainder of the hot water, drink the last beer, fall asleep sideways on the only couch after eating an entire pint (your pint) of Ben and Jerry’s. He will not get fat or tired, nor will he ever miss a session. Oh yeah: he’ll outpaddle you for that set wave as well.
JP RATINGS:
Athleticism: 10
Paddling: 9
Wave knowledge: 4 (but he doesn’t need any)
Competitiveness: 6
Pacifico factor: 8
X factor: 9
9 to 1: RYAN ALLSHOUSE
Thinks he surfs like: Kelly Slater
Actually surfs like: Tom Carroll
RA NOTES:
20 years of surfing is wearing well on this guy. If the K38 challenge was held in lefts, Ryan would be in pole position for a win – but he is slightly less effective in rights (although his showing last year in Samoa was the stuff of legend). His forehand attack is potent at 2 or 12 feet and he is out to follow Slater’s lead in the ‘guys over 30 who still rip’ category. The resemblance to Tom Carroll in the water is uncanny, as if Ryan is channeling the two-time world champ into a new era. Watch for his frustration level to rise if back-to-back waves don’t go his way...he may head case the rest of the session and paddle down the point claiming “this place sucks”. He will stick landings on weightless turns that you’d otherwise write off while being the consummate gentleman in the water when it comes to wave selection and priority. His endurance will be a big factor down the stretch, and if he’s in position for a win coming into the final day...you better bring it. However, don’t worry about guarding your beer: it takes about 1.5 beers before Ryan turns bright red and passes out. He claims this is due to his ‘Asian blood’, but he’s about as Asian as I am. Which ain’t much. Do watch out, however, for any leaf tobacco you might bring to chew. Between Tom and Ryan, a good deal of Beech Nut may be consumed.
RA RATINGS:
Athleticism: 9
Paddling: 9
Wave knowledge: 8
Competitiveness: 8
Pacifico factor: 2
X factor: 6
5 to 1: MICHAEL STORY
Thinks he surfs like: Mark Occhilupo
Actually surfs like: Mitch Thorson
MS NOTES: No one is better suited to an all-bros Mex trip than Story. Generous, happy and thoughtful, Story will give you the shirt off his back - unless that shirt is attached to a set wave, of course. He’s a South Carolina boy who’s done tour of surfing duties on both the east and west coasts, and he knows more about surfing, surfers and the whole scene than you’d care to know (but you’ll probably end up finding out). If Story starts a sentence with “there was this one time” or “I remember this guy”, run for the hills. A father of 5 boys, Story needs this trip as a way to get back to his surfing and good times with good friends. His knowledge of Mex will come in handy for all of us, and his backhand attack will make us all stop paddling and watch. He’s been known to gouge some heavy turns on waves like K38 and he won’t be letting up on this trip. His love of music and shooting video will also supplement this trip nicely, as will his stash of surf videos. If there are barrels to be had, Story will find them, which puts him in the catbird seat for a huge K38 showing. He’ll be the one hooting you on in the water and cooking up a killer meal for everyone in the casa while he sizes up his next session and plots for that killer spot on the couch. Story has an opportunity to cement his ‘surf guru’ status on this trip – but it will take his best stuff.
MS RATINGS:
Athleticism: 8
Paddling: 9
Wave knowledge: 9
Competitiveness: 7
Pacifico factor: 8
X factor: 9