Active NorCal May/June 2015

Northern California’s Sport, Fitness and Outdoor Magazine

™

May/June 2015 - Issue 9

Quest For Gold

Megan Rapinoe

conquering the cal 100 lassen eruption: 100 years later on the move with shasta trail runs

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Live Events Not only do we provide you with pre and post active event coverage, but we give you live updates from the best events around town. Watch videos, see pictures and read live

Bike Month

summaries of events as

May is Bike Month! There are so many biking

they unfold.

events going on throughout the North State.

With so much going on, it can be hard to

t

keep track of all the different happenings

around town. You’re in luck though. Visit our

Active Community Advancement: Save Olsen Barn

Events page, and get dates, descriptions and

Many of the active op-

to preserve historic proper-

registration information about all Bike Month

portunities available in

ties, we let you know how to

events.

NorCal revolve around

make a difference.

May/June Digi Edition

cooperation between the public, landowners, non-profits and government agencies. From

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Print is great, and it’s nice to have a hard copy in front of you, but did you know that you can also view every edition of Active NorCal for

free on your laptop, tablet of smartphone for free on our website? Just visit activenorcal. net, and click on the digital editions tab.

state and national parks to historical Olsen Barn, we cover local active landmarks that you

can help maintain and preserve. Whether it’s building trails, cleaning up the river or donating

Active NorCal #TransformationChallenge Have you heard? We gave away a six-week workout and diet plan courtesy of Crossfit Redding to Active NorCal Transformation Challenge winner Carrie Diamond. We’ll be documenting her six-week journey to transform her life.

Stay tuned to our website and social media pages to get updates on her progress.

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May/June 2015 Active NorCal

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a t h s a t n h o s M e k i B Bike Challenge

May 1-17 Win prizes for simply riding your bike!

Events throughout May!

May 3 – Streets Alive! In downtown Redding May 6 - Bike to School Day May 8 - Spring Spin Celebration at the Sundial Bridge Ride (May 6) or Dine (May 12) with a Transportation Official May 15 - Free pancake breakfast with valet bicycle parking May 20 – Ride of Silence May 22 – Bike-In Outdoor Movie Organized rides, yoga, social events and more!

www.shastabikechallenge.org

contents

May/June 2015 Features

Quest for Gold

Departments

20 Megan Rapinoe

4

From her humble Redding upbringing to Olympic gold glory, Megan Rapinoe’s journey to the top of the soccer world has been anything but ordinary. With the help of her family, we trace Megan’s incredible career as she gears up to achieve her ultimate goal of winning the World Cup.

6 Photographer

pg. 20

12 Biking 14

Reaching the top of your sport requires a lot of hard work. Kevin Crye, Owner and CEO of Upper Hand Athletics, and trainer for Megan Rapinoe explains the dedication and strategic approach needed to become a professional athlete.

pg. 16

Just For Fun

pg. 38 38 History

28 World Cup Preview

Spotlight 8 Fitness

26 Taking an Elite Athlete to the Next Level

Publisher’s Note

Get amped for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada. In our comprehensive preview, we analyze all 24 teams in the tournament, discuss the United States’ chances of World Cup glory, predict line ups and take you through the numbers.

44 Outdoors 48 Humor

34 Redding Soccer Park

Soccer is exploding in the United States. Facilities like Redding Soccer Park have played a huge part in raising the level of the sport and expanding its influence at the local level.

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Cover photography by Howard Smith/isiphotos.com

May/June 2015 Active NorCal

3

Publisher’s Note

Living in a Drought Summer is coming…

While the summer is typically greeted with open arms as our yearly window to enjoy our great waterways, this year it’s a little frightening. That’s because winter seemed to leave before it even arrived. It’s a drought, ladies and gentlemen. This is no secret. Its effects are being felt all around us: In late April, The California Department of Fish and Game closed the Sacramento River north of Highway 44 to all fishing in order to preserve the winter-run of Chinook Salmon, which experienced a devastating run in 2014. The closure is controversial considering that other recreational activities are open to the public on that stretch of river. That aside, I think in this case being overly-cautious is the best option, and that’s coming from someone who is rarely cautious.

Shasta Lake will once again look more like a river at some spots (I still have trouble looking off the side of Lakehead Bridge). Though it’s important to remember it will still be one of the largest lakes in the California, boasting 180 miles of shoreline even at 50 percent water capacity. Unfortunately, the lake tourism will take a hit because of the empty lake perception. Resorts will struggle, so it’s important that our local community supports them as much as possible during this time.

Back in January, the community tried to keep a positive outlook as we watched the Mt. Shasta Ski Park close for the winter, but the economic effects are too obvious to deny. Mount Shasta City businesses saw their revenues plummet during their regular tourism season. The Ski Park will try to weather the storm, or lack thereof, by expanding their summer repertoire, including a full-service mountain biking park and an increase in events. We must treat the Ski Park like a close friend, and support them through the good times and bad.

The group of young people behind Revive Redding has proposed a 1,000 foot waterslide down Placer Street in Redding in July to bring awareness to the drought and education on water conservation. They’re calling it Refresh Redding. Sure, this proposal seems a little odd, considering the slide would use up to 15,000 gallons of water (I would liken it to bringing awareness to obesity by having a hot dog eating contest). But let me make something clear: I am in full support of this group, and I am in full support of this event. Water conservation can be a boring subject, and I am always in favor of creating interest in otherwise uninteresting topics. Plus, doesn’t it sound like a blast?

There is no getting around the impacts of the drought. We have an uphill battle ahead of us. During these times we have to be very considerate of water conservation, preservation of nature, the state of our local businesses and, most importantly, wildfire control.

Remember, a green lawn is no longer fashionable in this climate. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.

Stay Active!

Zach

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

activenorcal.net

Publisher Zach O’Brien

Editor

Chip O’Brien

Content Manager Ross Lawrence

Business Development Brien O’Brien

Sales Manager Kevin Reinhart (530) 355-3018

Art Director Adrienne Rosone

Active NorCal is published bimonthly by Active NorCal, 1350 Placer Street, Redding, CA, 96001, (530) 247-7330, Copyright 2013.

All rights reserved.

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photographer spotlight

Anni Graham

We are constantly being asked where we get our stunning photography. Many of it is done by the Active NorCal editorial staff, but we are always looking for local talent to provide a visual variety and really bring our articles to life. With that being said, we introduce to you Anni Graham who has provided us with the past two cover photos for Active NorCal magazine (January/February and March/April editions). We sat down with Anni to discuss her life behind the lense.

To see more of Anni’s photography, go to annihasacamera.com.

1. What is your background and how did you get into photography?

I fell in love with photography the first time I ever used a camera, which was in my high school yearbook class. My pictures were pretty horrible though. I couldn’t understand how to make the camera capture what I wanted it to capture. I want on to study photography at a community college taking all the film, digital and Photoshop classes I could. This is when I realized my fascination with travel and documentary photography.

I went on to study photojournalism in South Africa, which was when my work really started polishing up, and people started recognizing me as an actual “photographer”. I now have my own freelance business and continue to self-teach travel documentary photography.

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

2. What photography work have you done?

I worked on several documentary photography projects in India and soon I’ll be doing one in Kenya (I will be in Africa in May).

I’ve photographed several weddings in the US, Australia, Germany and India. My work has been featured by Goal Zero, Backpacker Magazine, National Geographic, Tenkara Rod Co., Active NorCal Magazine, Limitless Generation, and I’ve occasionally done freelance collaborations with jewelry, clothing, and makeup companies.

3. Why did you move to Shasta County?

I moved to Shasta County to get out of the horrible traffic in Los Angeles and to study Environmental Conservation and Outdoor Recreation at Simpson College so I could have a deeper understanding of the subject I hope to work on full-time.

activenorcal.net

4. What do you like most about living in Northern California?

Northern California is a hidden gem, with so many beautiful outdoor recreation places nearby; I’m shocked that many people have no idea about it. I’m a short drive from volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, the beach and a stunning 14k mountain. Any given weekend, you can plan a day trip to mountains, waterfalls or even the beach.

5. What are your favorite things to shoot as a photographer?

My favorite subject is the outdoors. I love shooting landscape and adventure photography. I also love traveling and capturing people and different cultures. A typical picture you might get from me would probably be a person doing some kind of outdoor activity in a stunning landscape.

NORCAL

fitness

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Influencing A Generation

By Ross Lawrence

For fighters of all backgrounds, UFC 1 or the first Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993 put a debate to rest that had been raging for centuries. The argument, “What hand-to-hand fighting style would win out in a battle royale?” UFC 1 was organized by Jiu Jitsu Master Rorion Gracie and featured wrestlers, karate experts, judo guys, boxers and Brazilian (Gracie) Jiu Jitsu practitioners. With the eightman tournament, Rorion sought to show the dominance of his Brazilian fighting discipline. His confidence in the field of Gracie Jiu Jitsu was not misplaced. His younger brother, Royce Gracie, would put all doubt to rest as to the superiority of the martial art.

Looking back on one of Royce Gracie’s bouts from UFC 1, you’ll see a relatively short, skinny Brazilian going up against fighters who’d best be described as monstrous piles of muscle. As the bell rings to start the fight, you’re not expecting Royce to win. If anything, it looks likely that he’s going to be escorted off the mat on a stretcher. In almost every fight though, his surprising quickness flings his opponent to the ground. Suddenly he gets them in a hold, and before you know it he’s walking away victorious (and relatively unscathed I might add).

Royce’s triumph at UFC 1 and subsequent tournaments popularized Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and influenced a generation of fighters that clung to the discipline.

Carlos Zapata, Owner and Head Instructor at Charles Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Redding, was one of the many young fighting enthusiasts influenced by Royce Gracie and the early UFC competitions. Growing up in the 80s, Zapata looked up to martial artists like Chuck Norris. However, recognizing

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

the dominance of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after watching the Gracies, he switched his focus to Gracie Jiu Jitsu. His early adoption of the discipline has had a profound effect on his career and personal life.

“I used to sit around with friends debating who would win—wrestlers, boxers, kung fu guys, taekwondo people,” recalled Zapata. “That riddle was solved in 93’ when Royce Gracie faced masters from all disciplines, and walked away victorious.

I was thinking to myself, ‘whatever that

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Search Gracie Redding on Facebook, or call (530) 646-7346 to learn how you can get involved with local Jiu Jistu.

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Brazilian guy is doing, I want to do that because he is beating up everyone.’ He showed that Jiu Jitsu is a style that enables a smaller guy to beat a bigger attacker.”

Since the early days of UFC, both the competition and Jiu Jitsu have evolved.

Early tournaments had no time limits and laughably few rules (no biting or eye gouging) as well as very little knowledge of grappling (ground fighting) among the fighters. These days, UFC bouts have much more rules, but almost all the participants have a comprehensive understanding of Jiu Jitsu techniques. Therefore, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has garnered a larger, more diverse following. The complete nature of the martial art as well as its selfdefense applications has propelled it into the mainstream.

“With the techniques Jiu Jitsu uses, it’s a complete martial art,” stated Zapata.

“There are different elements within the broader discipline. For example, you have the self-defense aspect so it teaches you what to do if someone grabs you, or has you at gun or knifepoint. There’s the portion where you’re standing up that looks a

lot like judo. Then, you have the striking component with punches and kicks.

Grounding fighting or grappling though is what we spend the most time on because we’ve learned over time that most fights end up on the ground.”

Beyond the physical aspects of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the fifth element of the sport is the philosophy. Gracie Jiu Jitsu influences how participants live, how they eat and even how they carry themselves on a day-to-day basis. The unwritten doctrine of the Jiu Jitsu states that you should treat others how you want to be treated.

On and off the mat, Jiu Jitsu instructors hope to convey that words and actions have consequences. They attempt to show students that you pay for each one of your mistakes.

“We teach that everything on the mat has to transpire to the real world,” expressed Zapata. “If there’s no connection between the mat, and the real world than we’ve completely failed as a martial art. When you’re in a fight, every single one of your emotions comes out, and you’re forced to deal with them. I try to

help people manage those emotions in a constructive way both when they’re sparring, and in their everyday lives.”

In addition to teaching accountability and discipline, Gracie Jiu Jitsu promotes living healthy lifestyles. The sport’s philosophy is one that endorses health, fitness and longevity. The idea being that if you want to continue practicing Jiu Jitsu into old age, you must take good care of yourself as well as your sparring partners and students.

As a means to ensure the safety and longevity of students, Zapata’s studio puts beginners into an introductory program where they can start slow with others of a similar skill level. Instead of teaching students to kick or punch each other, Jiu Jitsu is all about getting your opponent to submit or tap out. Submissions train martial arts practitioners how to fight in real life situations while ensuring that no one gets hurt. After the starter course, students start to earn certain belts based on their rank. With each new rank, participants are allowed to perform more complicated techniques. As people earn new ranks alongside

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

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each other and fall in love with Jiu Jitsu, it nurtures a strong communal spirit.

“We really do have a close-knit group of people who train here,” expressed Zapata. “Of course, we have competitive teams for both the kids and adults, but that’s not our biggest focus. If anything, we want to be a place where you can come in and meet a bunch of strangers, and if you show dedication to Jiu Jitsu you’re going to make some lifelong friends.”

People of all ages and interests get into Jiu Jitsu. Many enjoy the self-defense aspects, some enjoy the camaraderie that comes with practicing with friends each week and others want to physically challenge themselves and get into shape. There are a few misconceptions, however, when it comes to the martial art. Some people are intimidated to sign up for a class because they associate Jiu Jitsu with hardcore UFC or Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights. They think they’ll be training with vicious fighters. In reality, Charles Gracie Jiu Jitsu is full of caring, friendly people that do their best to accommodate new arrivals.

Just like Royce Gracie influenced a whole generation of fighters, Zapata seeks to spread the reach of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the North State. For him, the most important thing is seeing the progress and growing confidence of his students as well as building a close-knit community of people committed to Jiu Jitsu. The discipline is as much about improving people’s everyday lives as it is about fighting.

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“I’m in a business where I am so fortunate because every single day I get rewarded,” said Zapata. “I get to hear people’s stories about how they used Jiu Jitsu to make their lives better. Seeing that as well as watching my son fall in love with the martial art means more to me than any medals or championships that myself or the gym has won.”

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May/June 2015 Active NorCal

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biking

5

for the Finest Mountain Biking

By Ross Lawrence

NorCal mountain bikers are blessed and blissed. With epic trail systems in nearly every part of the North State, you’re never far from the next great ride. With May being Bike Month, it’s time to grab your bike out of the back of the garage and set out on a summer’s-long quest to explore the biking paradise we’ve found ourselves in. To get you motivated, we’ve listed and described some of the best local areas to ride.

See you on the trails.

Courtesy of Carson Blume

1

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

With its huge number of trails, waterfalls and recreational opportunities, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is one of the best places in the North State to spend an active day. For mountain bikers in the area the park serves as a summer utopia with its generally cooler temperatures, abundant shade, waterfalls, wildlife sightings and a range of trail options.

Boulder Creek Loop Length: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Intermediate According to locals, this trail is a must-see for avid mountain bikers new to Whiskeytown. With a tough 1.5-mile climb, it’s not for casual riders, but all your vertical progress is rewarded with a

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

fast, fun downhill section. It’s a great summer ride because there’s heavy tree cover much of the way.

You can cool off at scenic Boulder Creek Falls and there’s five creek crossings along the way.

The Chimney Length: 8.3 miles Difficulty: Intermediate A fairly challenging trail, The Chimney is adored by those familiar with the Whiskeytown area. The route features some of the most striking scenery in the area including Brandy Creek Falls. Stop and enjoy all the natural waterslides along the way to cool off. Be prepared to climb for about 5.5 miles (1-2 miles of single tracks) then enjoy some awesome descents. Prepare to carry your bike for part of the way.

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Swasey Recreation Area

Close to Whiskeytown, there’s something for every mountain biker at Swasey Recreation Area. The place has rides for beginner, intermediate and advanced bikers as well as more than forty miles of trails. Swasey remains one of the best places in the North State to hone your mountain biking skills. All of the routes in the park are marked based on difficulty, and the trails are well maintained.

Wintu Loop Length: About 3 miles Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate The Wintu Loop is a good trail to warm up for the tougher stuff at Swasey. It’s also a good place to have a relaxing ride, and take in some epic views of Mt. Shasta, Lassen Peak and diverse landscapes. Wintu Loop begins with a few hundred feet of moderate climbing which will get you a little sweaty. After the ascent, the trail flattens out until you hit a long, enjoyable downhill section. If you lack experience, watch out for a few sections of loose rock.

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Terminator Length: 8.8 miles Difficulty: Insane Just like you wouldn’t want to mess with the Governator in his prime, you probably don’t want to mess with the Terminator (trail) unless you know what the heck you’re doing. This unpaved single track is not for the faint of heart. It’s full of difficult switchbacks, steep descents and will pump you a healthy dose of adrenaline.

3

Weaverville Basin Trail System

A masterpiece of a trail system, the Weaverville Basin System boasts nearly 40 miles of amazing trails that circumnavigate the small town of Weaverville. With it’s wide variety of picturesque features including historic mining ditches, old growth forests, wetlands and old logging sites, it’s worth visiting just to take some pictures. The system proves the amazing things that can be accomplished when private citizens, government agencies and landowners work together for the mutual benefit of the active community.

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

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Length: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Intermediate Don’t be discouraged by the name. This is a thrilling downhill trail with large sections of single track that turn into a fast and easier double track at the bottom.

Weaverville is a beautiful place, and this trail exemplifies that. On your trek through, see stunning views of the Trinity Alps, Weaverville Basin and Mount Shasta.

Bidwell Park

4

Bidwell Park much like Swasey Recreation Area has terrain that caters to bikers of all abilities. Middle and Lower Park provide plenty of routes for those acquainting themselves with the sport of mountain biking. On the other hand, areas of Upper Bidwell boast trails that challenge even the most skilled daredevils.

Come see us for all your cycling needs.

Middle Trail Length: 8.4 miles Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate Middle Trail serves as a nice contrast to the more unforgiving, technical trails in Upper Bidwell. You start off on a smooth, mostly even dirt path, which leads you to some rougher, moderately technical climbs. The path finishes with steep and exhausting yet short, less technical climbs. For beginners, the road that runs adjacent to the trail allows respite for trickier areas along Middle Trail.

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South Rim Trail (Upper Bidwell Park) Length: 9.8 miles Difficulty: Advanced Being on the quieter South section of Bidwell, the South Rim Trail provides a bit more peace than other areas of the park. Starting off steep and technical, the trail takes you to an area with sightings of beautiful Big Chico Creek. You then drop down into the canyon below via “Tennis Ball Hill,” which will likely be the highlight of your day. Watch out for rattlesnakes.

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Run by the Bureau of Land Management, Susanville Ranch Park is a 1,100-acre area that encompasses 65 miles of trails. Somewhat akin to areas of Bidwell Park, this park has more desert-like features and conditions.

Visitors will find very few others there adding to the experience. A little off the beaten path, the property is worth checking out if you have a couple days. Filled with rocky, but fun to cruise single tracks, the ranch has been designated as one of the best places to mountain bike in California by mtbproject.com.

Super D Length: 3.7 miles Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced This is one of the most highly recommended downhill routes in the area. The Super D starts quickly as it takes you down a large fall line near old logging roads. Then the route leads you to a rolling segment with wood features, jumps and berms. Riders enjoy the last part of Super D as it is almost completely . downhill.

NORCAL

Trail and additional information courtesy of Albert Sanchez, and everyone at Redding Mountain Biking Club.

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March/April 2015 Active NorCal

15

just for fun

What Goes Into 100 Miles?

Conquering The Cal 100

By Ross Lawrence

Tom Gomes

Tom Gomes

The Idea Competitor in last year’s Cal 100, certified paddling instructor and member of Shasta Paddlers, Tiffney Ottobani: “Fifteen years ago I wound up in a wheelchair, and it was a

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

Lisa Thomas

What really goes into 100 miles? 528,000 feet? A short road trip? An insanely long run? If you’re talking about the California 100 (miles), you’re looking at months of intense training, new friendships, three checkpoints, rapids, an ungodly amount of paddling with about a hundred or so sore, exhausted bodies. The California 100 or Cal 100, which takes place this year Sunday, May 24th pits paddlers from far and wide against a 100-mile section of the Sacramento River starting near the Sundial Bridge, and finishing near Chico, CA. Featuring a wide range of human-powered vessels including kayaks, paddleboards, surf skis and canoes, the Cal 100 is the quintessential Northern California paddling event. Considering the importance of the Sacramento River to the local community, the race gives participants a unique opportunity to experience the waterway and its vibrant surroundings. Like anything worth doing though, finishing the 100-mile course requires hard work. Racers must start preparing months in advance, and even after that, completing the Cal 100 requires ridiculous mental and physical strength.

The best way to learn about something is by going out and doing it (except brain surgery). Unfortunately, we can’t take every Active NorCal reader paddling on the Sacramento River.

What we can do is take you through the Cal 100 experience from the first day of training to the finish line and beyond.

difficult process learning how to function again after that. It’s challenging because everyone tells you, ‘you can’t do this, you can’t do that.’ Kayaking really helped my rehabilitation, and it was about the best physical therapy I could have done. So the idea to do the Cal 100 was a way to show what I could do.”

Of course, not everyone who decides to take on the Cal 100 does so after a serious illness. If you like to physically challenge yourself, whether you paddle often or not at all, the Cal 100 provides a one-of-a-kind test of endurance. Many who decide to compete build lasting friendships with other competitors. The social component motivates many to take on the daunting challenge.

Otherwise, cruising the beautiful 100-mile course allows racers to experience a source-to-sea waterway like few have before them. Since the course meanders through a relatively benign section of water, it’s a great way for people to build paddling skills.

If you really seek to get in touch with the NorCal’s incredible outdoor surroundings, the Cal 100 is the event for you.

“The venue—the Sacramento River is unique because it has a lot of diverse features,” stated Ottobani. “It’s got rapids, it’s got flat water. You’ve got all the wildlife, and each section has a different sort of beauty to it. The river is so important to us. It’s

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stunning, it’s a draw for tourists and it feeds the farmers down south economically. This event brings awareness, and allows us to enjoy such an essential local watershed.”

Training Twenty hours on water whether you’re frantically paddling or just floating seems like a ludicrous amount of time. However, that’s about how long some racers spend in the Sacramento River during the Cal 100. It makes sense that participants begin training months in advance. Not only do competitors need enough stamina to complete the course, but they must also cope with rapids, freezing cold water and any unexpected obstacles.

Though many who plan on racing start preparing before spring, local organization Shasta Paddlers holds training sessions several times in March, April and May on different sections of the river. Others get ready by doing laps on the flat water at Whiskeytown Lake. Taking your paddleboard or kayak into rougher ocean water also builds endurance in addition to testing how your vessel deals with rough conditions. Those who wish to go the extra mile can take a safety or instructor certification class to train for the race.

It’s important for racers to try each section of the Cal 100 course prior to the event so they know how to navigate through the varying obstacles they’ll face. When it’s dark, and participants can barely see where they’re going, possessing at least a rudimentary conception of the course is essential.

“As far as training goes, get your butt in the boat as much as possible, and get to know your boat,” said Ottobani. “Make any ad-

justments you can if your boat is not right because you don’t want your legs falling asleep or a back cramp. You don’t want to change anything the day of the race. Also, you may have to change your diet so you have more energy to burn during the race.”

Weeks before the main event, paddlers from around the world converge on the North State’s favorite waterway to familiarize themselves with it. This short period prior to the race is a great time to get on the water and meet others passionate about endurance and water sports. While the actual Cal 100 race only lasts a day, the event is really a weeklong affair. Headwaters Adventure puts on a social paddle, river clean-up and subsequent barbeque the Sunday preceding the race. Also, the day before the actual competition, all the participants have their boats inspected, and attend a huge meeting at the Sundial Bridge amphitheater.

The Race On a warm (soon to be scorching) May morning, competitors begin to trickle in to the starting area just north of the Sundial Bridge half awake, and hopeful about the long day ahead. With the sun barely emerging on the horizon, swarms of racers say farewell to family and friends, and dip their vessels into the freezing water. Months and months of intense preparation have lead to this anxious moment. The gun sounds, a shot in the dark, and the daylong journey begins.

Twenty three miles of relatively fast moving water (for the Sac) separate competitors from the first checkpoint at Rooster’s Landing in Anderson. The first leg generally goes off without incident barring any unexpected difficulties. Even in the early stages of the

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Cal 100 though, participants must conquer rapids, brave the cold water and be sure to ingest a steady stream of food and water.

“I tell people to bring plenty of food and water,” stated Ottobani. “You should have at least a liter and a half of water at all times, and you should be drinking some every 10-15 minutes even if you’re not thirsty. Bring plenty of fuel. I’ll be taking hardboiled eggs, apples, peanut butter, raisins and my electrolyte shock box. I try to eat something every hour.”

Pulling into the first checkpoint, paddlers are greeted by a support crew (hopefully), medical professionals, bathrooms and a food and water table. Each racer gets out of his or her vessel, gets cleared to continue by a nurse, doctor or EMT and starts getting ready for the next leg. Gathering an encouraging support crew comprised of family and friends can mean the difference between completing it and falling short.

“It was really a mental challenge between the second and third checkpoint because I was by myself for so long,” recalled Ottobani. “I had nobody in front, nobody behind, and I thought I had taken a wrong channel. Pulling into the third checkpoint, I was practically in tears. My support crew was so helpful because they gave me the strength to continue, and just helped me relax.”

With the Cal 100, the emphasis is on safety. Along with the medical examinations at the end of each leg of the race, there are safety boats positioned throughout the way, search and rescue teams and a rule that all racers must help if they see someone struggling. In the paddling community, a general spirit of camaraderie and goodwill exists that puts the safety of fellow paddlers above all else.

“We all help each other, and if we see people in danger, we help in any way we can,” noted Ottobani. “The majority of paddlers have completed safety courses, so we know the right way to do things. It may not seem like it from the shore, but the river can be very treacherous, especially the temperature. Towards the end of the race I couldn’t see anything, and ran into a gravel bar.

A former Navy guy behind me did the same thing, and we decided to finish the race together. That was really helpful because I was starting to freak out.”

The Finish Ottobani: “We pulled in, and hit the finish. My husband was there, and he gives me a big hug. I couldn’t believe I was done. I was in tears because it was just such a relief to finish. I started at 6 a.m. and finished at 11 p.m. I couldn’t get out of my boat. All the adrenaline, and I was freezing cold because I had fallen in the water earlier. It’s a journey that started 15 years ago, and not only had I finished, but I placed too. It was particularly emotional for me, but I imagine everyone the completes the Cal 100 must feel an incredible sense of accomplishment.”

It’s difficult to imagine the feeling one gets from finishing a 100mile route on the beautiful Sacramento River. The barbeques and festivities the week following the event gives participants a chance to reflect on the magnitude of their accomplishments. Many leave in utter disbelief of what they’ve achieved. Others go on to seek out similar challenges. One thing is certain—doing the Cal 100 is a transformative experience. So, what really goes into 100 (California) miles? A hell of a lot more than 528,000 feet.

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Megan Rapinoe

By Zach O’Brien

Nicole Miller

Many of us have keystone moments, a flash in time that proves to be transcendent, catapulting our lives down a path previously unknown; the proverbial fork in the road.

I can’t speak for Megan Rapinoe, but I would have to imagine her moment came in the 122nd minute of the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal match against Brazil. With Brazil holding on to a 2-1 lead against the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), the match seemed all but over. Right then, the entire soccer world was anticipating an unexpected, early tournament exit for the U.S. Megan had other plans.

On arguably the largest stage on the planet for women’s athletics, Megan subbed into the game and blasted a long, precise cross to her teammate, USWNT veteran Abby Wambach, for a headed goal that would tie the match in one of the most exciting plays in the one of the most exciting matches in World Cup history. The lofted pass could not have deviated an inch either way or else the game may have been over. Watching it live, the moment seemed surreal as if a divine intervention had placed the ball on Wambach’s head. It was a magical moment for Megan, her teammates and the entire nation. It would become the defining play of the U.S. Women’s 2011 World Cup with looped replays following the match on ESPN’s Sportscenter and other national media outlets.

“It was epic and it’s still considered an epic sports moment,” said Megan’s mother Denise Rapinoe, who was at that fateful game in Germany. “Ath-

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letes have their defining epic moment and that was definitely Megan’s.”

That year, the U.S. went on to the finals where they would lose to Japan in a penalty shootout. The end result of that World Cup was surely disappointing, but it would solidify Megan as one of the world’s premiere female soccer players and would distinguish this generation of USWNT soccer players as top class.

For Megan, it was the heroic culmination of a lifelong pursuit of her dreams.

Born on July 5th, 1985, Megan was 11 minutes younger than her twin sister Rachael. The two sisters were the youngest in a household of five kids born to Jim and Denise Rapinoe.

Jim and Denise acknowledged that the 2011 World Cup cross against Brazil was incredible though neither expressed surprise or disbelief. After all, they had seen Megan and Rachael surpass expectations time and time again.

Being the two youngest in the family, Megan and Rachael had older siblings constantly challenging them. The family moved to Palo Cedro when the twins were almost two years old. Megan and Rachael found refuge on one of the only soccer fields in the small town.

“We lived across from Cow Creek Church and there was a soccer field there,” recalled Jim. “Their older brother Bryan taught them how to play soccer. So they just lived over there.”

It may have been the twin’s competition amongst their siblings that helped them excel at athletics, or maybe it was their natural talent—probably a combination of the two. But even at an early age, they were starting to get the attention of onlookers.

“We really didn’t know anything about soccer,” said Jim.

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“They were playing on their under-8 team and one of the coaches was watching Megan and said to me, ‘that girl’s going to play in a World Cup’ and I was like, ‘what the heck is a World Cup?’” Megan and Rachael were always great athletes, standouts in basketball and track all the way through high school, but soccer was always at the forefront. Being as talented as they were, they played on boy’s teams when they were young, but there was some resentment amongst their male teammates and some parents. They didn’t like the fact that the girls were playing competitive soccer with the boys. After all, the twins were ahead of a lot of the boys.

So Jim and Denise set out to create their own competitive girls’ team, recruiting players from all over Northern California to play in top tournaments. It was the only way to truly challenge them. When the Rapinoe twins got to high school, the team disbanded and the twins began to play for Elk Grove United south of Sacramento requiring them to adhere to a demanding travel schedule during crucial times in their lives.

Considering they were being compared to other “small town athletes,” it was important to constantly temper expectations.

“Up here they were really good,” recalled Jim. “A lot of good, local athletes go out in the world and kind of fizzle out. So I would say to them, ‘You guys are really good, but let’s keep our heads on straight.’”

As the twins began to venture out around the country, not even the world of elite soccer could keep them down. They went down to Sacramento, and they were standouts. The same was true when they played in the Bay Area and San Diego and Texas.

Everywhere they competed, they were the talk of the town. They passed each new test with flying colors.

“It was important to keep them in an environment where they were being challenged,” explained Denise. “I didn’t know about them playing in World Cups, but we were always thinking about college.”

The Rapinoe twins had their dreams realized at a young age when they accepted full scholarships to play for the University of Portland soccer team. Megan didn’t play in 2004 in order to

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compete in the U-19 Women’s World Championship in Thailand, but she, along with Rachael, made up for it the following year when they led the Portland Pilots to an undefeated season and the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.

Megan was a star in her freshman season starting 25 games and scoring 15 goals with 13 assists. That season, she earned many honors including NSCAA First Team All-American, Soccer America First Team Freshman All-American, NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team and West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.

Megan was beginning to attract the interest of U.S. Soccer officials. She even had a chance to make the World Cup team

at the ripe age of 20. As a sophomore in 2006, she was among the nation’s leading scorers with 10 goals and two assists in 11 matches, and then she went down, tearing the anterior crucial ligament (ACL) in her knee.

As Megan recovered, Rachael began to shine switching from defender to forward and becoming one of the Pilot’s main offensive threats. In 2007, the curse of the Rapinoe knee struck Rachael as she ruptured a previously torn ligament in her knee.

Rachael retired from competitive soccer shortly after. If that wasn’t enough, the following season, Megan suffered her second season-ending ACL injury creating realistic doubts for her impending professional career.

Megan and her twin sister Rachael grew up learning the game of soccer together. They played on several teams coached by their father, and eventually ended up as teammates on University of Portland’s NCAA Division I soccer team. A force to be reckoned with at the college level, Rachael’s soccer career was cut short by a devastating knee injury.

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Nicole Miller

If you can call the 2011 World Cup Megan’s ascension to soccer notoriety, then you can certainly call the 2012 London Olympics her rise to legend status.

“We were always thinking college and an education for Megan and Rachael,” recalled Denise. “But then we were watching them excel at that level. We started thinking about the National team and professional careers, and then they both blew out their knees. A lot of times those injuries are career ending, so it was devastating.”

In 2008, Megan showed everyone her resolve and dedication starting all 22 matches for the Pilots. Her tremendous final college season was highlighted with five goals and 13 assists earning her West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors, Soccer America First-Team All-American and NSCAA Second-Team AllAmerican.

Despite Megan’s contracted collegiate career, she grabbed a remarkable 30 goals and 28 assists in 60 games, and would forego her final year of college eligibility to enter the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft. She was selected as the second overall pick in the draft and would go on to have a stellar start to her professional career with several domestic teams, and short stints in Australia and France. She currently plays for Seattle Reign FC with famed USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo. In 2013, Megan was the Reign’s leading scorer despite taking part in only 12 of the team’s 22 games.

If you can call the 2011 World Cup Megan’s ascension to soccer notoriety, then you can certainly call the 2012 London Olympics her rise to legend status. In the tournament, she showed signs of her international dominance by providing many memorable moments.

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Her most unforgettable moment came in the semifinal match against Canada where she scored two crucial equalizing goals in the 54th and 70th minutes to keep the Americans level. Her first goal was an incredibly rare type of goal called a Goal Olimpico— a corner kick that goes untouched by anyone before going into the net. She became the first player, male or female, to score a Goal Olimpico in the Olympics.

Coming off the devastating loss in the World Cup Final match to Japan, the USWNT had redemption on their minds, and they showed the world that they could be champions. In front of 80,000 fans at London’s famed Wembley Stadium, they defeated Japan 2-1 with the game winning goal coming from Carli Lloyd in the 53rd minute. That goal was assisted by, you guessed it, Megan Rapinoe. She finished the Olympics with three goals and a team-high four assists. Megan’s performance put her on the list of finalists for the Sports Illustrated Most Inspiring Performers of 2012 award.

In the world of soccer, legacy is typically defined by a mixture of achievements at the club and international levels. That’s a great sign for Megan whose international career is far from over.

Her achievements and honors all seem to be icing on the proverbial cake that is her career. Recently, she had her 100th international “cap” (appearance) during a friendly against New Zealand in St. Louis, a statistic that speaks to her incredible consistency.

On July 5th, 2015 the world will set its’ eyes on Vancouver for the Women’s World Cup championship match, pitting the two top teams in arguably the top sport in women’s athletics against

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each other. The USWNT knows that it’s a tall task to make the Final, but they are ready for a World Cup run.

The world calls it football, Americans call it soccer. When it comes to the women’s game, the latter might be the correct term. The U.S. women have fared well on the international soccer scene having won two of the past six World Cups, and never placing outside the top three teams. While the men’s teams have never been able to gain their footing on the international stage, the women have been a dominant force, and Megan is a member of the current breed of international soccer superstars.

Approaching the prime of her career going into her second

World Cup, Megan surely can’t help but think that there’ll be few opportunities for her to win the competition in the future.

Plus, four years is a long time to wait for any athlete. For Megan, this year has set her up perfectly for World Cup glory.

“I think this is her prime,” said Denise. “She’s had one full World Cup, so she has the experience and her age is great for this type of tournament.”

Her past injuries are proof that a professional sports career can be fragile. As they say, Father Time is undefeated though Megan is far from being the oldest member of USWNT. Her teammate, defender Christie Rampone, will turn 40-years-old during this year’s World Cup. Rampone’s not the only one with a birthday during the World Cup though.

If everything goes as planned, on July 5th, 2015 the Rapinoe family will converge on BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada to watch Megan play the biggest game of her career, the World Cup Final. That same day, they will also be there to celebrate Megan and Rachael Rapinoe’s 30th birthday.

“We’d like for Megan to get a big ol’ birthday present,” said Jim. “Now a World Cup trophy would be an excellent birthday present.”

Taking an Elite Athlete to the Next Level When University of Portland sophomore Megan Rapinoe was sidelined in 2006, it could have completely derailed what was shaping up to be a promising career in women’s soccer. An ACL injury can be fatal to those hopes, but Rapinoe was undeterred.

Rapinoe’s career could have been described at that point as both budding and meteoric in its potential. Even the most dedicated of athletes, though, often fail when it comes to properly taking care of their bodies. Before training with CEO/owner of Upper Hand Athletics, Rapinoe didn’t necessarily have the best eating habits for a top athlete.

“Before I met Kevin, I was eating pizza with a soda for lunch,” recalled United States international Rapinoe. “I was crashing hard at the end of the day. Learning about nutrition was a major factor in me being able to balance everything and be successful.

The idea of snacking throughout the day was a breakthrough moment for me as an athlete.”

Upper Hand Athletics preaches a holistic and individualized approach to athletic training. Crye’s methods helped Rapinoe and her sister Rachael immensely on their road to soccer stardom

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at the University of Portland. Megan and Rachael’s parents, Denise and Jim, sought out Crye’s assistance because they felt the girls needed more individualized workouts and fitness education.

“They were both dedicated athletes at an early age,” observed Denise Rapinoe. “Kevin really educated them, and gave them focus by individualizing their training, which was vital. He made Megan do pool workouts, which she hated, but they ended up being a huge part of her recovery after her ACL injury.”

Crye’s guidance as well as his health and fitness knowledge set the foundation for what Megan Rapinoe would eventually need to become a professional athlete, and an Olympic gold-medalist.

At a young age, 14, she began to realize the level of commitment it would take to become one of the best soccer players in the world. Truth be told though, Crye and others are not surprised at what Rapinoe has been able to achieve as a professional soccer player.

“Megan had and has what it takes,” lauded Crye. “I knew that she had something special when I first started working with her. I just wanted to provide whatever tools I could to help her along the way—education on nutrition, training tools, whatever it took.”

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A lot can be said about Megan’s resume—College National Championship, Olympic Gold Medal, an almost uncountable list of individual awards—but it’s the responsibility she has accepted as a role model and great human being that makes her hometown community proud.

She has been featured in numerous national publications including Sports Illustrated and the New York Times. She’s made appearances on The Daily Show with John Stewart, The Today Show and Good Morning America. She has signed endorsement deals with Samsung and Nike, and has been featured in numerous commercials.

Most importantly, she has been a great ambassador for the people of NorCal having been named to the Shasta County Sports Hall of Fame. Also, the City of Redding has designated September 10th each year as “Megan Rapinoe Day.” The soccer celebrity also hosts a yearly youth soccer camp at Redding Soccer Park.

“I don’t think you could have a better spokesperson for soccer than Megan Rapinoe,” said Eric Keating, Program Development/

Tournament Director at Redding Soccer Park. “She has an energy about her that is just really infectious. When she’s around, she’s like a light to the moths. She steps into the facility, and everyone goes crazy. Obviously, much of that is down to her achievements, but just her personality and her energy is pretty cool. She came up and became incredibly successful at a time when this area got very little exposure. She brings her love for soccer back to this community, which is pretty cool.”

Megan’s time is now. From learning the game of soccer on an isolated field at Cow Creek Church in Palo Cedro to playing in a giant stadium in front of the entire world, you can say Megan Rapinoe’s accomplishments need no vindication. To this day, her resume speaks volumes to her as an athlete and human being. But that’s not enough. She wants World Cup glory, and she wants it bad.

When asked whether they think Megan would prefer to win an Olympic gold Medal or a World Cup, Both Jim and Denise replied quickly and in unison, “The World Cup.” “The World Cup is the pinnacle of their sport,” said Denise.

“And we’re going to go win it.”

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Kevin Crye of Upper Hand Athletics has helped train thousands of North State athletes. Visit upperhandathletics.com to learn more about his world class training techniques.

Nicole Miller

Redding is not necessarily known as being a hotbed of future professional athletes. However, Upper Hand Athletic’s tenure in the North State has produced several professional athletes including Nick Parent of the Chicago White Sox minor league farm system, Brody Angley, player for Israeli professional basketball team Maccabi Haifa and Daniel Nava, outfielder and first baseman for the Boston Red Sox. His training methods really make the difference.

“The explosive training and plyometrics were the thing that really brought me to the next level,” expressed Megan Rapinoe.

“I was never the biggest, fastest or strongest, but I was quick and agile. Working with Kevin really helped me build up my whole body, and built the foundation of my training. It taught me what it means to be an athlete off the field, and in the gym.”

Going forward, Denise, Megan’s mother will get a fantastic Mother’s Day gift this year. She’ll be going to San Jose’s Avaya Stadium on Sunday, May 10th to watch as Megan is recognized for her 100th cap (international appearance). Megan is just the 31st woman to notch this milestone for the US National Team.

Their match against the Republic of Ireland kicks off at 11:30 a.m., and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1.

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World Cup Preview

By Ross Lawrence

The red, white and blue were going to win.

Ten times out of ten, the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) would win against Japan in the 2011 World Cup Final. I’d never been surer about anything in my life. Other than a narrow loss to Sweden in the group stages, and a tight win against Brazil, the USWNT had been dominant throughout the competition. Added to that, in 25 previous matches with Japan, the US had never lost. It was a lock, a guarantee that they’d leave victorious, but much to my disappointment, the soccer gods had other ideas.

After more than 120 minutes played and four goals scored, #4 in the world Japan had beaten #1 United States on penalties in a match for the ages. It was a miracle of epic proportions – one that has left a bitter taste in my mouth for over three and a half years. Luckily, it’s nigh time for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada where the USWNT will look to atone for their loss in the 2011 final. Things have been looking bright for the US women in recent years as they grabbed an Olympic gold medal in 2012, and followed that up by winning the recent 2015 Algarve Cup after defeating several world-class opponents.

I look forward to seeing how the US performs, but more so I’m excited to see some of the best teams in the world square off. The 2015 Women’s World Cup will provide another opportunity for casual and hardcore fans alike to congregate around the TV and watch some high quality soccer. And if packed bars full of American fans cheering on the US men’s team last summer are any indication of the rising popularity of soccer in the US, the fanfare surrounding this year’s tournament is going to be off the hook.

To keep you in the know and get you excited for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, we’ve created a comprehensive preview.

Learn the tournament format, discover key teams and players and hear our predictions:

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Group Preview

Preliminary 23-Women Roster for 2015 Women’s World Cup

2015 is the first year that the Women’s World Cup will feature 24 teams up from 16 in 2011. As a result, this year’s competition will have six different groups (A-F) with four teams each. Groups were chosen last December. The six seeded, or highly ranked teams were each put into a different group, and a random draw with three pots of six teams (the remaining 18 teams) determined the final composition of the groups.

The USWNT is stacked at almost every position. Selecting the starting line-up will prove an unenviable task for Head Coach Julian Ellis, but possessing too many great options is a good problem to have heading into the World Cup.

Group A – Canada (#8), China PR (#16), New Zealand (#17) and the Netherlands (#12) Touted as the second toughest group in the World Cup, Group A will be no cakewalk for host nation Canada. Though Canada boasts numerous star players including goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc and forward Christine Sinclair, they may struggle against a speedy, young Chinese team as well as aggressive New Zealand. Look for prolific goal scorers Yang Li and Manon Melis of China and the Netherlands respectively to cause trouble against Canada.

Predictions: Despite a tough group schedule, I expect higher seeded Canada to combine a few goals and rock-solid defense to advance from group A with seven points. I foresee the up-and-coming Chinese impressing, and finishing second in the group while the Netherland’s star strikers will overcome a strong yet fruitless challenge from New Zealand to finish third.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit) Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers) Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)

DEFENDERS (8): Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars) Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash) Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars) Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash) Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit) Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC) Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC) Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)

Group B – Germany (#1), Norway (#11), Thailand (#29) and Ivory Coast (#67) European teams Germany and Norway are clear favorites to finish first and second in that order in Group B. Best team in the world, Germany, has a tendency to perform well in big competitions, and possesses many top performers such as forward Anja Mittag and former world player of the year Nadine Angerer. The Norwegians aren’t likely to face much resistance in the form of Thailand and Ivory Coast either. Bringing calm and experience, Norway’s midfield maestro Ingvild Stensland will look to guide a team jam packed with attacking talent.

Predictions: Juggernaut Germany will win this group with nine points barring any heroics from the talented Norwegians. Look for Norway to build momentum from big wins against Ivory Coast and Thailand that will lead them to the later stages of the tournament.

MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars) Morgan Brian (Houston Dash) Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC) Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City) Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash) Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City) Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux (Western NY Flash) Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC) Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars)

Group C – Japan (#4), Switzerland (#19), Ecuador (#48) and Cameroon (#53) 2011 World Cup holder Japan will look to go from strength to strength as they take on highly rated Switzerland and weaker teams Ecuador and Cameroon in Group C. Japan retains many of its core players from last World Cup including skilled midfielder Aya Miyama. The resilience and technical strength of Japan will be hard to counter. Ecuador and Cameroon are at similar stages in their development as they are still trying to show that they can field teams to compete at the highest level.

Predictions: Cameroon and Ecuador may show flashes of potential and young talent, but will ultimately finish third and fourth in Group C. I see a strong Japan finishing with maximum (nine) points, and Switzerland convincingly locking down the second spot.

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Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City) Abby Wambach (unattached)

Our Predicted Starting Line Up Goalkeeper: Hope Solo (GK) Defenders: Ali Krieger (RB), Whitney Engen (CB), Becky Sauerbrunn (CB), Kelley O’Hara (LB) Midfielders: Megan Rapinoe (RM), Shannon Boxx (CM), Carli Lloyd (CM), Tobin Heath (LM) Attackers: Alex Morgan (ST), Abby Wambach (ST)

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HELPING HEROES REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL THROUGH

Chiropractic Care DISABLED VETERANS VALUE CHIROPRACTIC CARE WHILE COMPETING IN TRIATHLONS

Several disabled war veterans— all members of the Team Semper Fitriathlon team—value chiropractic care for their health and in improving their abilities to effectively compete.

These veterans regularly compete in triathlons, venture races, marathons and 10 K races—competing against a variety of professional athletes, amateurs, and both disabled and able-bodies athletes.

Prior to these events and after, they are treated by chiropractors who support the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. Dr Bill Morgan, Staff Chiropractor for the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland feels privileged to be a part of their “ Competing in these events has actually made my life ten times better and has given me tremendous self-worth. After any race, my upper body is in pain because I do it all with my hands and arms. Following chiropractic care, I find that I perform and feel better.”

— Iraq war veteran, Eric Frazier, leading hand cyclist who suffered a paralyzing injury to his spinal cord

To find your chiropractic teammate in health, visit: www.calchiro.org.

extraordinary perseverance.

For information about Team Semper Fi or to make a donation to the team please visit www.semperfifund.org

Group D – United States (#2), Australia (#10), Sweden (#5) and Nigeria (#33) Identified as the “Group of Death,” Group D contains three powerhouses in the USA, Australia and Sweden in addition to best African squad Nigeria.

The USA and Sweden face off in the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup. Sweden narrowly (2-1) beat the Americans in 2011’s group stage, and will look to do so again this year. However, the United States has possibly its strongest team ever, and boasts quality and experience in all areas of the pitch. The young Australian team is still settling in a bit after a coaching change several years ago, but they have plenty of talent. Many anticipate that the Nigerians can earn the distinction of “Cinderella story” if they can put off-field issues aside, and perform to their full potential.

Predictions: While I expect the Americans to advance, I predict Sweden will either defeat or draw them under the direction of former USWMT coach Pia Sundhage. So, Sweden barely wins the group, USWNT second and Nigeria pulls an upset or two to advance to the knockout round.

t ques for

2015 Women’s World Cup

By The Numbers 24 Teams Host Nation (automatically qualified): Canada Teams from Asia: 5

Group E – Brazil (#7), South Korea (#18), Spain (#14) and Costa Rica (#37)

Teams from Africa: 3

Group E seems to offer the most interesting spectacle. Soccer-crazy Brazil knows how to play the beautiful game, and recently, have shown that they can compete with big-time opposition including the United States. Spain has almost too many attacking options with Barcelona FC’s Vicki Losada, forward Natalia Pablos and midfielder Sonia Bermudez creating and scoring chances. Similarly, South Korea has a range of goal scoring players who play quickly. Costa Rica might prove a surprise package as they’ve brushed aside a number of top sides in the 2013 Gold Cup. Predictions: With a slightly less high-flying, but more balanced approach, I think Brazil will narrowly emerge #1 from Group E with the prolific Spaniards grabbing the second spot. Costa Rica will upset favorite-for-third South Korea to earn a place in the Round of 16.

Teams from North and Central America and Caribbean: 3 Teams from South America: 3 Teams from Oceania: 1 Teams from Europe: 8

Group Games Groups: 6 Teams Per Group: 4 Group games: 18 Points For A Win: 3 Points For A Draw: 1 Points For A Loss: 0 Teams To Advance From Group Stage: 16

Group F – France (#3), England (#6), Colombia (#28) and Mexico (#25) France appears to be clear favorite in Group F. They’ll look to experienced midfielder Louise Necib for continued success after 2014 wins against Sweden, England, Brazil and Germany. France’s versatility allows them to seamlessly change the point of attack. England possesses a strong team that has thrived under the tutelage of Welsh Manager Mark Sampson. Don’t expect anything magnificent from the Brits, but they have a balanced team with solid players in all positions. Mexico has shown glimpses of class over the last few years, but has often looked disorganized and dull. Ranked #28 in the world, Colombia is a bit underrated considering their consistent performances lately. The South American side has a strong defense, which always gives you a chance.

Predictions: I see France winning this group in style (nine points) with plenty of goals and intricate play. England will finish second excluding any major screw-ups that have plagued their men’s team. I anticipate Colombia defeating Mexico, and unceremoniously knocking them out of the Cup.

Group Stage Game Duration: 90 minutes (plus stoppage time)

Knockout Rounds (Single Elimination) Knockout Round Games: 15 Regulation Game Duration: 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) Extra Time Duration: 30 minutes (plus stoppage time) Penalty Rounds At The End Of Extra Time: 5

NORCAL

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Kicking Past the Fields with Redding Soccer Park

by Ross Lawrence

Places define our lives.

Whether it’s your childhood home, school or church, when we search back in our minds we inevitably end up in familiar settings.

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

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Yet, there’s nothing particularly special about a house or chapel on its own.

These spots hold significance because of fond memories they hold, activities they hosted and the people who filled them.

No one would necessarily rave about four turf fields, a

snack bar and elevated seating.

However, if you combine those elements with a community in love with soccer and lacrosse, a lot of smiles and cheering fans, what you’ll find is something extraordinary. The success of non-profit Redding Soccer Park showcases the ability of sports

to bring people together and nurture a strong, like-minded community.

“I think the Soccer Park has been an integral part of making the soccer community here bigger and better,” said Head of Program Development at Redding Soccer Park and lifelong

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soccer player, Eric Keating.

“To have a facility like this, it becomes a focal point. It’s kind of like a church. You have a bunch of like-minded people coming together every week to do the thing that they love.”

During Keating’s childhood, soccer had little exposure in

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Soccer has not just emerged as a fixture in NorCal, but it’s gaining momentum throughout California and nationwide.

NorCal. Many local high schools lacked a varsity soccer team and it was difficult to find a good team to play on. Since then, especially with the rise of Redding local Megan Rapinoe to legendary status, soccer has found a comfortable home in NorCal. In fact, the rapid growth of the sport served as the main motivation for constructing Redding Soccer Park. Running out of room for league matches at schools and parks, organizers determined a new facility was in order. Pooling support and funding, people from the soccer community banded together to build what you’ll find at Redding Soccer Park today.

Soccer has not just emerged as a fixture in NorCal, but it’s gaining momentum throughout California and nationwide.

The recent success of the US Men’s and Women’s National Teams has prompted many to start following soccer at the international level. With television coverage from overseas, masses in the US can tune in to watch world-class talent in Europe and elsewhere. It’s a phenomenon where many Americans have become diehard fans of English, Italian, German and Spanish soccer clubs. Closer to home, Major League Soccer (MLS), America’s domestic league, continues to grow at an exponential rate.

“Growing up when no one really cared about soccer, it’s crazy seeing how it’s expanded around here,” said Keating. “Sacramento has the Sac Republic, which will be an MLS franchise soon.

You have to see their fan base. They’re not even in the MLS, and they’re selling out games. I was at the airport in Las Vegas watching the youth nationals (United States v. Spain), and it seemed like every single person in the terminal was watching – it was standing room only. It’s awesome to see that kind of passion for the sport.”

Though Americans are a little late to the party considering the worldwide reverence for soccer, it’s built up a zealous following that rivals NFL or MLB fandom. More global exposure to soccer builds hype and produces converts, but only through grassroots, local efforts can the sport continue to develop sustainably.

Without a high quality facility to advance in the sport, and for diehards to meet each other, it’s difficult to grow a strong local soccer community. Redding Soccer Park seems like the perfect spot to nurture the soccer-craze, and get more people out on the pitch kicking the ball.

“I had goals and dreams of becoming a professional when I was a kid, but my opportunities were pretty limited,” recalled Keating. “Now I have the chance to manage a facility where hopefully kids that have those same aspirations can live their dreams.

You have coaches out here helping develop the youth of the next generation, which is pretty cool.”

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Without taking away any fun, Redding Soccer Park brings more organization to soccer in the area. Teens and adults looking to play soccer in a low-pressure environment can come out on Wednesdays and Sundays for pick up. Every Saturday, 26 Undersix (years old) squads match up with each other, which is quite the spectacle. It’s a fantastic way to get your young children out and active in a safe, nurturing environment. Whatever your age though, the park offers something as long as you bring your passion for soccer along with you.

Continually expanding their efforts, Redding Soccer Park hosts several camps and large-scale tournaments. Kids can take advantage of the unique Megan Rapinoe Camp as well as a Challenger Camp that helps aspiring soccer stars learn new skills in a fun environment. It’s the tournaments hosted by Redding Soccer Park that really show the strength of the soccer scene in the area.

Last year, the SMASH Cup held at the park accommodated 70 teams making it the largest tournament to date in the area. Keating even ran out of space at the soccer park, and had to move games to local high schools and colleges.

“The SMASH Cup is by far my favorite tournament,” noted Keating. “The event is tied in with charities NorCal Think Pink and the Love and Light Foundation, which support breast cancer research and awareness. We try to help those causes raise money, but more importantly, we get to expose kids to challenges in the community as far as what people are going through.”

For Keating, teaching and facilitating soccer goes far beyond making young people better passers or shooters. Through sports, the soccer park seeks to show kids how to deal with challenges in their everyday lives. It’s hard to solve your communities problems by kicking a ball, but learning to overcome adversity, work with your teammates and give it your best effort are skills that will help you for a lifetime.

“If we’re not teaching kids something beyond the sport of soccer, we’re failing,” expressed Keating. “Sports are a great vehicle for teaching kids the fundamentals of life. There’s struggles and adversity everywhere in life, and sports teach you how to approach different obstacles.”

It’s fantastic that we have a facility like Redding Soccer Park, but what’s more extraordinary is the culture, momentum and energy to which the park has contributed. Kids are growing up learning to play at a first rate location, but they’re also realizing through the park that they’re part of something bigger. Young people are playing in a place where professionals have developed before them, and where people religiously flock to each week. Redding Soccer Park is bigger than me or you. It’s bigger than soccer – it’s a community, a school, a cultural center and a great spot to get active.

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NORCAL

beer brothers Brought to you by Chase and Wes Jensen of Redding Distributing

N

othing is better during Redding summers than enjoying a cold beer on the lake. The hard part is navigating through the crowded beer selection to figure out what to load up your ice chest with.

can skunk a beer’s flavor in in a matter of seconds. Other nice session beer alternatives are New Belgium’s Slow Ride, 21st Amendment’s Down to Earth, and Anchor Brewing’s California Lager.

A day at the lake for a lot of people is an all day affair so remember to be safe when choosing your drink of choice! Beer is a great alternative because it tends to be lower in alcohol. With so many top-notch Session IPA’s on the market craft lovers can enjoy a beer like Lagunitas Daytime at 4.65% ABV without sacrificing flavor or falling off the boat. If you are a lager fan, try Sierra Nevada’s Nooner Pilsner. It is a German Pils that weighs in at 5.2% ABV and it is available in a can! The beauty of beer in a can is it is easier to transport, doesn’t break, and it stays colder longer. It also is the best form of protection against sunlight, which

If you are looking for a beer that packs a little more of a punch and will pair nicely with your BBQ dinner look no further than a solid American porter like Deschutes Black Butte Porter or Fall River Pittville Porter.

The roasted maltiness of these porters will pair lovely with any burger and cut right through the fat. For refreshing fruity ales go with a Shasta Lake classic in Lost Coast Great White or venture out and try a Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. Leave the regular lemonade to the kiddos! If you can’t seem to catch a fish take down a Mad River Steelhead to make yourself feel better! Drink safe and enjoy another amazing year at the lake! activenorcal.net

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history

Exploding on the Scene from a Volcano Near You

by Chip O’Brien

NorCal would get “active” real quick if a plume of ash suddenly belched from Lassen Peak or Mount Shasta. Sleeping giants occasionally do wake up. These two majestic volcanoes are within easy sight of many locations in the North State, and we seldom think of them as anything but stunning scenery. But like human beings, it’s what’s under the surface that counts.

One hundred years ago, just a nanosecond in geologic time, Lassen Peak awoke from its slumber and rearranged the landscape. Shasta’s last eruption was in about 1796, which is like yesterday for a volcano.

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When Lassen blew in 1915, there was still 30 feet of snow at the summit. Scorching hot rocks and ash mixed with the snow creating a gigantic avalanche that cascaded down the mountain, and ended up in Hat Creek four miles away.

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Could either Mount Shasta or Lassen Peak erupt again in our lifetimes? Geologists say yes. In fact, they claim there is a one in four chance Mount Shasta could erupt again within our lifetimes.

While these Goliaths may seem to have erupted a very long time ago, the possibility exists any year or any day that history could repeat itself. We know a great deal about Lassen’s last episode, but obviously less about Shasta. Methods for predicting volcanic eruptions have improved with advances in technology, but in the end predicting eruptions is a lot like predicting the weather. You think you know what’s going to happen, until you don’t.

Shaking things up Lassen Volcanic National Park is, of course, throwing an eruption anniversary party this spring. Between May 22nd and 25th the park is hosting a number of fun, educational activities deigned to get families out of the house while promoting a better understanding of volcanism and what it was like when Lassen last blew.

The park has scheduled a full agenda including a celebration, commemorations, presentations, evening campfires and even star gazing activities. Rangers will lead walks through the Devastated Area describing how the last eruption altered the landscape. USGS scientists and park staff will lead a tour of the Sulphur

On May 22nd 1915, a powerful explosion burst through the crater at the top of Lassen Peak blowing rocks and ash some 30,000 feet above the volcano. The eruption was visible from more than 150 miles away.

Health Seminars

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for Scheduling and Subject Matter

The Sulphur Springs visible on the main road near Lassen Volcanic National Park’s South Entrance remind visitors of Lassen Peak’s devastating potential.

Works hydrothermal area describing how hot water fits into the volcanic setting. There will also be detailed presentations on Lassen’s eruption a century ago.

Lassen’s last rodeo The following description is paraphrased from the USGS document A Sight “Fearfully Grand”—Eruptions of Lassen Peak, California, 1914 to 1917 By Michael A. Clynne, Robert L. Christiansen, Peter H. Stauffer, James W. Hendley: Lassen first showed signs of coming to life on May 30th, 1914 with steam explosions near the summit.

These continued for almost a year, more than 180 releases in all, expanding the summit crater by 1,000 feet. On the evening of May 15th, 1915, the first lava was sighted spilling down the flanks of the volcano and filling in the summit crater. A few days later on May 19th another explosion created a new summit crater. There was still 30 feet of snow at the summit, and the hot rocks created a half-mile-wide avalanche that spilled down the side of the volcano and into Hat Creek four miles away.

As the snow in the avalanche melted it mixed with volcanic materials to form a mudflow called a lahar.

This then raced down Lost Creek canyon for another seven miles. Hat Creek Valley was flooded with muddy water on May 20th, which damaged several

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ranches in the Old Station area. Floodwaters headed down Hat Creek to the Pit River, over 30 miles, and witnesses claimed the muddy waters killed many fish.

Of course, there were salmon and steelhead in all these waters back then. More lava spilled from the summit on the 19th and 20th reaching down the mountainous flank another 1,000 feet.

The next powerful explosion happened around 4:00pm on May 22nd blowing rocks high into the air above the summit. Shortly thereafter a column of volcanic ash and gas rose some 30,000 feet above the mountain, which was visible from 150 miles away. A pyroclastic flow, an angry burst of hot gas and rock blasted down Lassen’s flank at up to 450 miles per hour and 1,000 degrees clearing three square miles of virtually everything in its path.

Another mudflow (lahar) was generated by the pyroclastic flow that again blew 15 miles down Lost Creek and releasing another blast of muddy water down Hat Creek. Volcanic ash flowed down the mountain and fine volcanic ash blew in a northeasterly direction as far away as Elko, Nevada. Smaller eruptions continued between 1914 and 1917, and steam continued to leak from the calming volcano well into the 1920s.

Today the science of volcanic eruption prediction is far more advanced than it was in the dawn of the 1900s, but it is far from foolproof either. Most volcanoes “announce” their pending activity as long as years in advance to only a matter of days. Fortunately the prevailing winds typically blow from West to East in NorCal, so volcanic ash from another eruption would most likely be blown away from major population centers along the I-5 corridor.

This, however, is no reason to get too comfortable.

There are too many ways future eruptions could cause catastrophic problems for North State residents and visitors, not to mention traffic on I-5 and even airline routes worldwide.

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Original Recipes.

Original Shack. today. The most immediate concern must be keeping the now-burgeoning North State population safe while trying to second-guess Mother Nature. Everyone hopes that any potential eruption would be small and quick with no casualties, but the opposite scenario is equally possible.

The fact that Lassen became a park in 1916 would either help or hinder the impact of an eruption on people, depending on the time of the year. During summer the park is bursting with tourists, hikers and campers that would need to get away in a hurry. During winter the park has very few people in it, but the heavy mantel of snow in the park at that time would surely cause flooding that could effect the communities of Old Station, Cassel, Hat Creek, Lost Creek and the Pit River.

Mount Shasta’s close proximity to I-5 and communities like Mt. Shasta, McCloud and Weed elevates the possibility for human injury. Some or all of these communities could require evacuation, not to mention what might happen to the McCloud and upper Sacramento Rivers if mudflows were to inundate them? How far could these go? All the way to Shasta Lake? Would the dams hold? If not, then what?

Volcanoes spew terrifying volumes of steam and volcanic ash into the atmosphere, so suddenly the way the wind is blowing becomes critically important. Ash will travel much farther if the weather is fair compared to during a rainy spring. If Lassen or Shasta came to life again there is the possibility volcanic ash (inches or feet) could fall on the 1-5 corridor disrupting transportation, clogging engines and making it hard to breathe. Lassen last erupted off-and-on for almost ten years. What could ten years of falling ash do to the outdoor paradise we live in?

Living with two “active” volcanoes close by comes with potential benefits and threats. Of course, there is no place on earth that is totally safe. Natural disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis, fires, floods, tornadoes and droughts are serious threats somewhere on the planet we call home. They tend to bring out the very best, and worst in people.

While no one really considers Northern California a dangerous place to live, it’s good to acknowledge the volcanic past of the region, and that history tends to repeat itself.

NORCAL

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outdoors

Shasta Trail Runs Stoking Active Passions

by Ross Lawrence

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

An instant is all it takes to ignite a passion—one defining moment that alters the course of your life. Maybe your epiphany comes when you’re bobbing through rapids in a kayak on the Sacramento River, or enjoying a refreshing waterfall hike in Whiskeytown. With NorCal’s infinite number of outdoor activities, you never know where or when you’ll find your new active obsession. For NorCal runner Mark Swanson, taking part in a trail race on the Pacific Crest Trail near Lake Tahoe sparked his zeal for trail running. On his journey, Swanson has completed ultra marathons, traveled all over the country, become friends with dozens of like-minded people and now, he seeks to awaken the active

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passions of others with his organization, Shasta Trail Runs.

A late-adopter to running at age 42, Swanson opted to take a leisurely jog to the end of his driveway one day – something that changed the course of his life.

Though out-of-shape, and not used to running, Swanson slowly pushed himself further and further each day. After entering a few local races, he headed off to Lake Tahoe to compete in his first trail running event. Halfway through the race, he’d already become hooked on trail running.

“It was the longest, highest altitude race, and I’d never done trail runs prior, but it was fabulous,” recalled Swanson.

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

“I just couldn’t believe the tremendous views and beauty. I was converted right there. It’s so fun being out there amongst the trees and mountains and wildlife. Being able to go way out into the backcountry, and making a daytrip out of it instead of three or four days is really cool.”

Before he knew it, Swanson was trekking all across the country to support his trail running addiction. He competed in the Barkley Marathon in Tennessee, which is one of the hardest races in the world. He also completed ultra marathons in Colorado and Hawaii among other places. Along with loving the races, Swanson found his way into the close-knit, laidback trail running community.

“Trail running gets you to travel, and there’s a lot of places right here in Northern California that I would have never found out about if it weren’t for running,” said Swanson. “When I meet another trail runner, we can talk and talk and talk forever. It gives you an interesting connection with people, and has made me more of an extrovert.”

One of Shasta Trail Runs’ goals is to nurture a strong North State community of runners, and overall active individuals.

The club strives to get people out enjoying the amazing local trail system. They do that by hosting five different trail running events throughout the year. Each one has a unique course and theme. Their last run, the 4MPH Challenge held at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area appeals to runners of all levels. During the race, participants attempt to run six miles in a 90-minute period as many times as possible. Shasta Trail Runs also holds more treacherous, longer races for experts such as the Meow Marathon in May. Also, as sort of a counterpart to the Redding Marathon, Shasta Trail Runs plans to hold a trail marathon along the Sacramento River next April.

For Swanson, being part of the North State trail running community means much more than showing up at trail runs. Those that get heavily involved discover new trails in the area, and pass them on to friends. Hardcore trail runners are committed to conservation and the environment, and volunteer their time to ensure that NorCal remains a paradise for active people. The trail

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Beyond hosting trail runs and spearheading volunteer efforts, Shasta Trail Runs wants to help people adopt an active hobby or obsession.

running culture possesses a collective spirit that pushes the sport far beyond simply jogging in the wilderness.

“One of the things that we want to do is get some trail building teams out because if you’re a trail runner, volunteering is a big part,” noted Swanson. “Letting people know what goes into constructing trails gives you a greater appreciation for the amazing system we have here. If you’re a trail runner, you believe in preservation and conservation, and respecting the areas that you’re running in.”

Beyond hosting trail runs and spearheading volunteer efforts, Shasta Trail Runs wants to help people adopt an active hobby or obsession. While trail running remains a focus of the organization, Swanson hopes that people who attend his events, and the broader NorCal community take advantage of the amazing outdoor features available here. He aims to have people leave his races with a desire to get out, and get active whether it’s through mountain biking, kayaking or trail running.

“We want people moving, and if you’re not a runner, go hop on a mountain bike or stand up paddleboard or anything really,” stated Swanson. “If you don’t like trails, but like running, get involved with SWEAT Running Club or similar organizations.

Getting outside and doing something helps you psychologically, mentally, emotionally, physically, and socially. I want residents of Shasta County, and elsewhere to enjoy the scenery, and do something other than watch TV or play video games.”

While your first trail running experience with Shasta Trail Runs might not lead to you running a 100 miles during a rain storm in Hawaii like Swanson, you’ll meet a friendly group of like-minded people, and you’ll be compelled to explore more of beautiful Northern California. Even for the most intense adventurers, discovering all new outdoor activities isn’t nearly the same without an organization at the helm giving you recommendations, and showing you the ropes. Shasta Trail Runs and related groups, beyond endorsing their respective disciplines, strive to provide participants with a spark of inspiration. That’s really what it’s all about—nurturing people’s passion to get out and get active.

NORCAL

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Humor

Life Lessons on Cypress Avenue

by Chip O’Brien

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Active NorCal May/June 2015

Lissa Jensen

It was one of those July days when you could have baked a honey-baked ham on the blistering sidewalk. I had made the mad dash from my air-conditioned truck into the store in record time and the frigid air inside smacked me in the face.

The mid-day traffic on Cypress Ave. was moderate, and heat rose from the concrete surfaces in shimmering waves.

I’m not sure what I needed at Office Depot that day, but whatever it was put me in the front of the store facing the big plate-glass window looking out on the street.

I heard it before I saw it. The WOKAWOKAWOKWOKA sounded like a rusty jackhammer while a hailstorm of sparks exploded from underneath a slowing car.

It eased over to the side of the road and came to a stop, the problem pretty obvious. The driveshaft, that long cylindrical thing that connects the engine to the rear wheels, had become dislodged from the rear axle and one end was lying in the street.

A woman cautiously got out of the car. As I watched she took a quick walk around the car and, seeing nothing out of the ordinary, dropped to one knee and peered underneath. She had to notice the huge chunk of metal lying on the street, because how could she not? I could see it from at least a hundred feet away. What happened next amazed me.

She got back in the car, cranked the engine and hit the gas pedal WOKAWOKAWOKWOKA (sparks spraying everywhere as the driveshaft flipped and flopped on the surface of the street), and again, WOKAWOKAWOKWOKA, (more sparks), and again, WOKAWOKAWOKWOKA. She

could have floored that car for a hundred years and she wouldn’t have budged.

Right about then a police officer pulled up behind her lights a-flashing, and I went back to shopping.

Still, thoughts of that woman and her failed attempts at getting her car to move have stayed with me all these years. She appeared to be hoping for a different outcome each time she hit the gas pedal, like maybe the driveshaft would reconnect itself. While she clearly lacked an understanding of the basic mechanical concepts involved in making a car go, I had a lingering feeling she was also telling me something about life.

At first when I thought back to the incident I chuckled, assuming I was way too

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smart to ever do such a thing. But life has a sneaky way of spinning things around on you, turning even the most absurd situations into glittering mirrors reflecting your own life back to you.

I still laugh when I think back to the woman revving that broken car, but I laugh at myself too. How many situations had I been in where I hadn’t grasped even the most basic principles involved, especially regarding relationships?

I suppose I’m like most guys. Without help I think about relationships at least once every other year, but I’m trying to do better. Like cars, relationships quit running smoothly without regular maintenance.

When there is a disconnect, life stops moving forward and sparks fly.

NORCAL

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