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Paddle Section: 8 km It was a great night for kayak racing, not too warm, not too sunny just right! The racers were amassing and swarming around Deep Cove. The pre-race electricity in the air was definitely increasing. The Course was set. We ran this similar race the previous year with less pre-race organization. Paddle to Cates Park, Run through the woods, Paddle Back to Deep Cove. Last year we gave a verbal description of the route and 70 racers scrambled around in the woods, lost for 5 - 10 minutes. Determined not to repeat the same mistake we marked the course with arrows made with flower. With this pre-race organization I was confident the event would go without a hitch. Dave from Necky Kayaks treated us by bringing out their factory race double kayak. The 65 lb Nootka is a rocket in the water and has won many races around westen Canada and the US. Joel and I were excited to see what we could do in this lightweight streamline double kayak. There was a big lead group with Terry Lewis, Matt Kelly, Daryl Remmler, Kevin Vallely, Dave Norona, Sam Mottram, Jerome Truran and Joel & myself. We could easily move this boat and were closing the gap on Super Dave. Terry was out in front taking it easy as he stretch out the pack. With 400+ lbs of cargo the Nootka was carrying made a pretty good vortex which Jerome and Sam sat comfortably in and got a nice ride. Finally we were on Super Daves tail.... So this is what it is like to be out front. Terry was well ahead and was obviously going past the flagging tape that marked the run. Super Dave was heading toward the trailhead like a heat seeking missile. I couldn't wait to see my little arrows, guiding the route through our well-organised race. I climbed the stairs to see the first arrow had been erased, I carried on the next turn, this arrow had been smudge out too! "Who! What the heck! If I catch the obscenity obscenity who did this" So 90 racers hit the woods got lost and ran around for 5 - 10 minutes. High tide made the beach run a beach wade, many racers chose the dry route over the rocks. I couldn't help but think how slippery they would be after 90 racers slopped over then. Ben Fast had a close encounter with a tree branch that nearly did some serious damage to his eye. Like the trooper he is, he sucked it up and kept racing. The paddle back was with a full flood current and we made great time. Super Dave showed his prowess at running and left us in his dust. Terry Lewis was way behind and we thought we had 2nd place sewn up. Sam Mottram got on our wash and we couldn't shake him. The theme music from Jaws was ringing in my ear as Terry closed the gapped. As we entered the Cove Terry had caught us and was stealing 2nd place. A rogue wave knocked Sam off our wash but he hung on for 4th. Sorry results from May 8 are a little messed up. We won't let it happen again. Bob
Don't forget about the Stroke Improvement Clinics and the San Juan Challenge in May. dk=double kayak sk=single kayak |
