Mercer Island Sausage Pull race  (held on Sat Oct 10, Washington state)

Flat conditions.

Greg Barton 1:46:27  1st.

Team “Canada”
Warren(war dog) 1:56:38. 3rd
Chris 1:57:15.  About 4th
Matt 2:04:57. About 7th
A dark cloud continued to follow Chris’ racing as he ended up caught in a maze of sideways rowing boat at start. Lost 1 minute de-oaring his craft. Did 13 kph alone for first 25 min to catch up to warren, john day, double outrigger pack.   Later he admitted that he has been trying to “perform” without his lucky racing ritual of wearing pink frilly woman’s underwear beneath his black tights. Let’s all wish him best of luck on this challenge in the future!

War dog’s collar got pulled at the finish by Local legend John Day who got him by a flea’s whisker at the finish line. Great race for the dog.

Warrens group avg 12KPH avg
Me 11kph avg
Both behind double outriggers. Well I was anyways!

Very scenic course. Only about 15 surfskis. Lots of rowers. apres-race smokies for all.

Upon getting on the road, Chris proclaimed “well, that’s the last race of the year for me”. The year lasted less than a minute until he committed to a deep cove sprint race and an Inne-Outte. Then we got lost.

Matt

A few surf ski paddlers took part in the “Length of the Lake” race which takes place on the Okanagan Lake from Vernon to Penticton.

The race is a mixed event from outrigger OC1, 2 and 6, to single ski, double ski. Paddlers can paddle solo or in a team. Teams can be done in an alternate skip or one paddler per leg. There are five legs. Total distance 100km.

From a surf ski perspective there were two solo single entrants viz Derek Cook, and Keith Major. There was a double surf ski team of Rievers / Larry and their team buddies of (sorry can’t remember their names – maybe Mike/Rick !!??). There was a singles team of two paddlers from Nelson ….names ??Actually the reason this report is late was so that I could catch up with the names of the paddlers on the results – but the results are quite inconclusive. Any way then there was the singles team of five paddlers of who were myself, Matt Nuttall, Bill Harford, Jerome Truran and Neville Mayton.

A total 25 teams started the race. Due to the strong headwinds that blew for most of the course only 12 teams finished! This race is typically a down wind event and the forecast the night before was supposed to be a down winder ….but it wasn’t to be.

Leading from the start was the doubles team of Larry and Rievers. They paddled leg 1,3,and 5. They were followed my the mixed bag of outriggers and our first paddler of the leg who was Bill. Following Bill was Matt who had a great paddle and caught up a few places. After the second leg the doubles team were still ahead. I then paddled the third leg from Bear creek to Peachland. From my perspective things looked quite daunting. As you stand on the bank and wait for your team paddlers to arrive you look out and see the route ahead…a full on head wind with 2 to 3 foot chop….and 24km to go! All I was really concerned about were the solo paddlers of Derek and Keith.

Anyway after much of the grind and passing a few more boats I passed over to Jerome who paddled the fourth leg. He started at a blistering pace into the headwind and after about half an hour after turning at Squally point found himself in a nice comfortable tailwind position. He caught up another position. Our last and final leg was paddled by Neville who also took off like a lightning bolt and managed to maintain our position to the end.

So the first boat in was the doubles team of Larry/Rievers and X/X. Our team was second, and was then followed up by 10 other teams that managed to finish. All in all a great race. It was nice to paddle in a warm clean lake with some awesome surroundings. The team format made it interesting and I could only imagine how much more interesting it would have been if we were able to round up another singles surf ski team or two.

Anyway, I’m leaving the best for last. To me the most inspiring performance of all the paddlers was Derek Cook from Nanaimo. His mission was to paddle the entire race solo in his single ski. I remember waking up on race day and thinking this is going to be a tough one for Derek and Keith. As the day progressed it got more and more windy. I was waiting my turn at the start of the third leg. Derek was ahead of out team. I went down and helped him with his boat while he got refreshments. In speaking to him I was amazed at his determination. Everything was against him. The wind was stiff and it had been a solid grind so far. Up ahead like I said before it looked bleak. Yet he was going for it with a die hard attitude. I haven’t seen this kind mental strength in a long time. Anyway he took off and about ten minutes later I was on my way. I caught up to Derek just before the bridge and he was still steady making good progress and still determined. It was rough out there. We had a quick chat and I wished him luck knowing deep down in theses conditions his cause was futile…..but you never know. It so happened that he made it to the end of the third leg (65km) but was told by race officials to retire because of time restrictions. A brave and valiant effort – had conditions been favourable there was no doubt in my mind that he would have completed the race.

Another thought on the race after taking part in it was just how well Jeff and Katia had done last year in this race. Not only did they complete the entire race – they were the overall winners too – and like I say one only really appreciates their effort when you see for yourself what it is all about.”

 On a different note: just a heads up that the Bridges Outy race takes place next weekend on the 18^th at 1pm. Get down to Victoria this is a fun race of about 10 to 12km. We start in the Gorge and head out the harbour where it could be interesting and then head back in to the Gorge. See you buggers there!

26-Sept     Bellingham, Wa.

This is always a fun race, lots of different types of boats come to this race…rowers, sea kayaks, river kayaks, surfskis, OC-1, 2, and all sorts of rowing shells. The Canadian contingency consisted of Best Fast and John George (in a Huki double), Chris D (Uno), Warren Bruce (V10), Trista Bilmer (her new Honcho ski) , Paul Hansen (wooden kayak/ski) and myself (V10 Sport).

It was a beautiful sunny day.  There had been some reports that the wind was to kick up big time as the day progressed; however, upon arrival to the lake it was pretty flat and calm.  The event was extremely well organized, great directions with parking, coffee and registering.

After a quick pre-race meeting, everyone set off to hit the water. The race committee decided that they would kick off all of the rowing shells 10 minutes before the rest of the paddlers.  This seemed to work out fine;however, once the rowing shells started the rest of the gang didnt seem to want to wait around…everyone was pumped to get started.

After a bit of jockeying around for position and a few last minute boats trying to squeeze into the front, the horn went off and the race was on. I tried to place myself next to a double ski and a OC-2, unfortunately they were super fast off the line and i wasnt with them for long.  Luckily, there were many other boats to ‘tag’ along with. Maybe after 5 minutes into the race i was coming up to a paddler that seemed to have flipped out of their surfski. It appeared to be Chris D.. With a quick chat indicating he was ok i kept pressing on, knowing that in a short while he would be on my tail…. then passing me.  I was trying to hang on to Paul Hansen’s wash but he was too strong and was slowly pulling ahead.  At this point I was pretty much on my own except i knew there was at least one OC-2 team that seemed to be a few feet from my stern (i could hear their voices).   Soon enough Chris came along side of me, telling me his paddle got caught under an OC-2’s alma causing him to flip.  I didnt have much sympathy because even with flipping over he still was going to pass me!  I did muster up a ” go gettem tiger” as he zipped by me but i think he could tell my heart wasnt in it!! :~)

Just after the half way point one of the OC-2 teams and  Sherri Cassuto in her ski began passing me. We duked it out going back and forth for a while but my endurance gave out and both passed me.  I tried to stay on their wash up until we went under the bridge, then they put a 1-2 boat gap in between.  It was a  fast paced race for me and great competition.

Trista said she went slow,  getting adjusted to her new ski but still managed to come in at a decent time.  Ben/Johnny finished in the top 10, Warren in 16th, Chris D. in 19th and Paul Hansen in 25th….a great day for a paddle and the food afterwards was excellent (as always).

Results can be found at http://www.salmonrowandpaddle.com/results.php

Pictures are on the Sound Rowers.org site under the Photography section

Sept 22, 2009

This past Tuesday was the last race of the season. Folks came out in record numbers.  This race was tagged the ‘Doubles’ Showdown race, given there are now a bunch of folks with double skis out there, fellow paddlers have been asking Bob to set aside one race for some head to head double ski racing.

Some of the double I saw were : Bob & Warren Bruce, Mike Fitz and  Paul S., Gareth and Chris D., Dion and Jim N., Darryl R. and Matt, Sean and myself, Jeff and Katja, the Folmer twins in a K2, Ben Fast and John George, Jeff H (Bellingham) and Adrienne(Van) , Kirk and Morris (Bellingham),   Lina  andAndrew.  The course was head out ot the 5kt can make a left go towards the other 5 kt can, head to the dock go under and repeat the circuit for a total of 3 loops.  Short race but the pace was very fast. I dont have the final race results (they havent been posted yet on the DC site) but i believe they were something like: Gareth & Chris, Kirk
and Morris, Mike Fitz and Paul S., Bob and Warren, the Folmer twins, Dion and Jim, Jeff and Katja, Sean and myself, Darryl and Matt, and Ben and Johnny….Jeff H/Adrienne my apologies as i dont know wherre you guys finished and apologies if i miss any other doubles.

Really fun race and afterwards was the wrap-up party with tons of swag, food, & brew.  The winner of the Epic surfski was Dale R….(aka the stand up paddle board guy).

Dale took some photos of the race, and i have attached a link to the pictures. If anyone has a better suggestion on how to store and display pics, let me know.

Warren Bruce and Tom Hoskins gave me some of their comments to post.

Comments from Warren –Bob and I started off to the right of the line – when the race finally did start. I remember someone jumping the line and the start being delayed for a minute or so. Not sure if it was Daryl or Matt but given they were in the same boat let’s just blame the boat. We had a clean start and held the lead around the first and second turns and then settled into the lead pack consisting of  Mike Fitz and Paul, Chris and Garreth, the Folmer twins and our guests from Bellingham Jeff H and Adrienne, Kirk and Morris.  It was a tight pack and the lead changed a few times with congestion on the turns and the occasional “paddle hitting boat” sound. It was on the final lap that we graciously let off the pace and let  Chris and Garreth, the Bellingham boys, Mike and Paul take the lead – which I believe was the finishing order. We finished in fourth place and the twins finished behind us.
As this was the last race of the season in the Tuesday Night Race series I’d like to thank Bob and the team at Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak for a great summer of racing.

Comments from Tom (THINK EVO)–  I drafted the first “Triple” with Brian, Bridget and Alex  Wong in their First Nations motif wooden double. We passed two singles that I never could have passed alone, and finally lapped someone. Rounding the marks I had to swing wide to stay on their tail. When I got behind, I had to do a gut-wrenching sprint to catch up. At the finish I cut narrow on the last bend and sprinted past, but didn’t have the heart to finish before them. Thanks for the ride guys!

Comments from Gary–I was in a glass Fenn XT with Sean Gibson. We had a great start but soon the lead pack was ahead of us and we were pretty much leading the front of the second pack; however, little did we know that Darryl and Matt were close behind in their double and that they would be our competition for the rest of the race.  Just after the first 5kt can the chase boat came around and sent some big wake our direction. Darryl/Matt being wave experts took advantage of this and passed us by a boat length; however, Sean had his Wheaties that morning and wasnt going to let them stay in the lead.  We powered down a bunch of hard strokes and again we were in front of them but no more tha 1-2 boat lengths. The race of the race was an all out hard paddle, trying to keep Darryl/Matt from passing us.  They gave us great motivation and i dont think we would have paddle as hard if they werent right on our tail.  Lucky for us, the race wasnt long and we were able to hang on…great fun.

Here’s a quick glance of Upcoming Surfski Events  

Sunday Sept 20th

Warren Bruce primed a bunch of folks via an email he sent yesterday (Saturday)saying that the tide and wide conditions were just right and that there were 6-8 ft waves to play with.  This got enough of folks thinking “I’d better get out there while I can”…..so Bob P., Ty Gee,  Chris D and Curtis were in a double, Dave R. (San Fran Dave), Matt, Warren and myself all gathered for the event.

 There were definitely white caps and there was no problem seeing waves form and break from the shore. I got there at about 10:30 and Warren was already getting his camera taped to his boat.  I had to leave by noon so i jumped in the water first to get warmed up.  The rest of the gang came along shortly thereafter and i dont think anyone was disappointed.

LOTS of big rollers, swells, current ripping from one direction and waves another. The wind wasn’t that strong but it didnt matter it was just enough to oppose the tide and create some excellent conditions.

I was definitely the rookie of the bunch, Matt, Ty and Warren were  zigging left and right and catching some decent rides.  Dave R, having lived in San Fran & paddled there,  was right at home.  I had my share of ‘practicing my remounts’ but came out of the experience totally hooked.  Chris and Curtis were did well in the double; however, they said that since the double takes on so much water, it was hard to get the boat moving in between some of the waves.  I actually had the same issue where it seemed i would be able to surf down a wave for 2-3 seconds then i would hit the back of the wave in front of me….get stalled, then head down the wave then hit the wave in front of me, etc.  It took about 4-5 of this sort of cycle until i felt like i had enough of speed up to actually do some real surfing. Other than my technique, i think the waves were coming too close together.  Not saying that i didnt catch some super fast runs, it was just that the type of waves were all over the map.  Back on land I saw that Paul Hansen was daring with his wooden kayak/ski and he said he was out for a short while.

GREAT day…thanks to Warren for getting this event rolling.

Sept 16th

If anyone is going to miss the Tuesday night races here in the Cove (I’m sure I will – Thank you Bob and crew of DCCK)  after next week’s season ender, head down to Bellingham to race their Wednesday night series. I attended last night’s race with Bob and Kim. Their race is a little more informal with no registration, no race fees and no-one keeping track of the results. The race starts in three waves with the slower OC 1’s and canoes starting first, then the single surfskis and finally the double surfskis with about two minutes between each wave. The 3.6 mile course takes you around the north end of Lake Whatcom with the launch at Bloedel – Donovan park.
Travel time from North Vancouver was 45 minutes to the border, at 3:00 pm the border lineup was about 15 minutes (straight through with Nexus pass) and 30 minutes or so to the race start.
I had a good race in the V10 supersport passing a few v10s and a v12 and a few Hukis. I noticed there was a lack of Think boats in attendance so we have to get Darryl to load up the trailer again and do a shorter version of the San Francisco trip.

Just a quick update on last night’s race, but first note on next week’s race and party.  Next week, 9/22 is the last race of the season.  It is being classified as the official Doubles Race.  Bob was hoping anyone owning or with access to a double ski come on out and take part of the race to see who is the fastest double!   Given it is getting dark early, the course will be doing a few laps right in the cove;  this should prove interesting at the turning marks where mostly likely a few doubles will have to ‘play nice’….we shall see.  Immediately after the race will be the year end wrap-up party right next door at the yacht club. Advanced tickets are strongly advised, just call the DCCK  store to reserve you tix.

OK, as for last nights race, i must say from where i was paddling, it wasnt too thrilling as there werent alot of boats around me.  The overall turnout wasnt as big as usual, it might have been due to a shutdown of Hwy 1 (police action).  Here’s who i saw that did show up: Ben Fast in his single, Lina and Andrew in their double ski, Chris D still breaking in his new UNO, Marshall H & Brody in a double XT, Warren in his super charged V10 ‘Sport’, Darrell Pearse, Mike Fitz & Reid in a double, Rod Hope, Greg Hope,  Bernd (V10 Sport), the Folmer twins in a K2, Dion in an Uno or Legend (either one he is fast in so boat doesnt matter!), Paul Hansen in his hybrid kayak/ski, BoB Putnam and Ken S. in the new Elite and Sean and myself in a XT double.

The course was to go round Hamber, round Boulder, round Grey Rock, round the 5 kt can then home.  The pace was fast as usual with Mike/Reid double, Dion, the K2 twins and Bob/Ken double in the lead;  very close behind was  Chris D then a few boat lengths back,  Sean and I.  As we crossed over to Hamber, the order stayed the same (i think); however, Sean and I took time to catch our breath from the fast start and those in front put some distance between us.  As we hit Hamber, Chris had fallen off of the front pack and was paddling solo by himself, he was going at a very good pace because Sean and I were back to paddling hard and we were about 5 boat lengths behind him. We hoped he would start getting tired as the race went on.   Knowing that we couldnt make it to the front pack, Sean and I were going to hang behind Chris (so he couldnt ride our wash!!) and then at the end make our move.  Sean got a bit anxious and decided to make the move a bit early but didnt realize that Chris is very good at finding the extra energy to fight and stay with a boat…so as we passed him Chris did what it took to stay with us.  Sean wasnt paying any attention to my suggestions of just going totally wide to lose Chris so he hung on to us until finally by the time we close to the 5 kt can Chris held up the white flag and said he had had enough and shifted things to overdrive allowing Sean and I to easily pull away.  It’s always fun to have others around to play cat and mouse with…great fun Chris, way better then paddling alone.  So we cruised in at 5th place, I believe the K2 team had an overwhelming lead for first, followed by Dion, Bob/Ken  double then Mike/Reid double.  The rest of the gang came along shortly, i think i saw Bernd and Ben Fast duking it out at the end of their race.

Lots of folks have been scrambling trying to find a double ski and partner for next week’s race…should be really interesting to see who finishes first!

GC

Back in 2003 when Katja and I did the Yukon River Quest we made Ibuprofen a part of our race diet, taking a tablet at somewhat regular intervals in an attempt to combat the aches and pains from paddling a kayak for 740 km. Here’s an interesting article that counters the belief that NSAIDs, like Ibuprofen, actually have a beneficial effect for athletes, except in the specific circumstance of having inflammation and pain from an acute injury…check it out.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/phys-ed-does-ibuprofen-help-or-hurt-during-exercise/

Race starts at Vernon and finishes at Penticton.

Check out Penticton Racing Canoe Club’s website for registration details…reserve your registration by September 6 to get a cool hat.

This is a fantastic race whether done iron or as a relay team.

Check out the September 22, 2008 race report on SurfskiBC for a story about last year’s race.