Surfski Knowledge Base

Reivers Dustin
May 2 #29130

Well, I normally don't prevaricate. But when I do … I'm awesome.

It was quite something to see all the dozens of younger, smaller, better-looking versions of ourselves setting up for the race. Oak Harbor crew were impressive. A ton of supportive parents and kids.

Great race logistics - even the weather was good. Seems like we've done so many of these in the rain. Light steady southerly going so that meant a hard push down and hopefully a push back to the finish.

I set up behind the hot-shots and was trying to fix my mind on not over-extending. Twelve miles. Try to save something for the last half. At the start I watched the under-fifty kids go roaring off like it was a 500 meter sprint. But there was the Dean train just ahead! And I was riding caboose! life is good. Pretty soon I noticed some gap growing two boats ahead of me. I worked my way over two wakes just kinda hoping I could get close to the target wolf-pack. It was too much. I eased up and just tried to pace the pack. I was sagging by the time Sudden Valley came in view. But wait, there's an Epic boat pounding around without a number? It was Eric Gerstle. What a hoot! We chatted. He had to go to work and couldn't race, but wanted to look over the pain-train. I perked up a bit and made the wobbly lap around the island. Sure enough, nice push from the southerly breeze. It was a little too warm, but I had spent so much getting down there.

After a while an OC-1 caught up with me. Interesting surges back and forth due to the little runner waves. We chatted a bit. He had blown himself up in that same chase for the Dean train. I was able to get some wake as he pulled ahead of me. Brought me to the finish looking better than I had any right to. I finished just under two hours (which I celebrate). Same day results are fantastic. I also didn't feel terrible. Loved the burrito.

I got home feeling like a sixty year old kid. Sat on the couch for a chat with my lovely bride. We're talking away. Next thing I know it's two hours later, there's a crick in my neck and my throat is sore from sitting there in my sleep. This is the sign of a very good day.

Classic indeed.

Lake Whatcom Classic
tahalsted
May 2 #29131

Kudos to Marc Blake and the weather gods (great name for a punk band), and his mighty Pacific Multisports team of volunteers for putting together an awesome race yesterday!

I had a blast, and was happy with my under-52 minute time on the short course. I was nursing a slightly blown shoulder, so I was forced to work on technique, rather than my normal, testosterone-fueled splashing and cursing routine for most of the course. Oddly enough, my shoulder feels great today, so I guess I didn't just undo several weeks of PT work.

I was also blown away – and humbled – by the 40 or so, well organized and coached Gig Harbor team of kids. I still don't see how the sprint canoeists can stay upright while kneeling in those skinny boats (maybe the kneeling is a form of prayer to the gods involved in balance).

Cheers!

Tom Halsted

Lake Whatcom photos now online
Michael Lampi
May 2 #29133

The Lake Whatcom 2021 race photos are now online. The URL is http://www.soundrowers.org/racePhotos/2021/LakeWhatcom/index.html

Yes, I left too many photos in the album.

Again, these photos are free for personal use, and if you would like the original(s) just tell me the name/number of the photo(s) and I can e-mail them to you.

Enjoy!

Michael Lampi

Lake Whatcom Classic Wrap-up
Marc Blake
May 3 #29135

It was an incredible and inspiring weekend at the Sound Rowers and Paddlers Lake Whatcom Classic! Over 100 boats of all kinds powered by young and old (ranging from 9 to 85 - and every age in between). You amazing athletes showed us the power of showing up with grit and good humor, ready to compete! THANK YOU!!!

Before we get to the awards highlights, I have some more gratitude to dish out. First off, I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Brooke Larrabee. From marketing and communications to registration and timing, she does it all for Pacific Multisports. Without her, we would not have been able to pull off a successful event.

Also on the huge THANK YOU list are our superstar volunteers: Chris Ohana, Neil Bransfield, John Rybczyk, and Kim Reeves. All are community-oriented folks, who bring event and paddling experience and jumped in to support on race day wherever needed.

Thank you to Whatcom Search and Rescue who provided incredible race day support including buoy and tracking device placement/retrieval.

Behind the scenes, I leaned heavily on Kevin Olney, Peter Marcus, and Glenn Gervais for race directing logistics and support right up to and on race day. Thank you!

Several racers and spectators (Tim and Tom among them) also volunteered help on race day. Thank you.

Big thanks to our sponsors (who also competed):
Prime Sports Institute (Erica Quam) - Categoriy winners, reach out to Prime to claim your prize.
Elastic Laser (Paul Clement) - Top soloists overall win the Bathymetric maps. Top 3 in each category get place awards. All designed and produced by Paul at Elastic Laser. Pacific Multisports will get these awards to the winners.

Thank you to Brandon Nelson Partners for the buoy sponsorship of the event, always coming through with local event support.

Thank you to Jalapeno's for hooking up the burritos. A pleasure to work with.

Thank you to the City of Bellingham (Aquatic Invasive Specials team, Parks and Recreation) and Whatcom County for their support.

Thank you once again to photographer (and winner of the Pedal Boat division), Michael Lampi. Here's a link to some of the awesome photos he took.

THANK YOU to all of the clubs that came out. We loved the spirit you brought to the event! Special shout out to Aaron Laird, Alyson Morse and the rest of the Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team for supporting the event with 40+ racers as well as the support boat.

Ancient Mariners Rowing Club
Ballard Elks Paddle Club
Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team
Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers
Lady OARS Racing Team
Lake Washington Rowing Club
Rat Island Rowing and Sculling Club
Rikkole Cree Canoe Club
Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club
Ultimate Warrior Canoe Club
UNAT Rowing Club
Whatcom Paddlers
Whatcom Rowing Association

Finally, this event would not have been possible without the Sound Rowers and Paddlers organization and Leadership. Thank you!

Now for some award highlights:

Top 3 overall:
Long Course:
1 - Jonas Ecker (HPK - Surfski)
2 - Storb/Storb/Bernard/Jenkins (4x-OW - Open Water Quad)
3 - Olney/Clement (HPK-2 - Surfski)

Short Course:
1 - Dietz/ (2x-OW - Open Water double)
2 - Fradley/Robinson (2x-Flatwater - Flat water racing double)
3 - Welker /Perry (2x-Flatwater - Flat water racing double)

Top solo winners (Male/Female)*:
First Solo Female - Long Course - Erica Quam
First Solo Male - Long Course - Jonas Ecker

First Solo Female - Short Course - Zoe Libner
First Solo Male - Short Course - Erik Wermus
*No other gender categories were registered.

Full Results can be found at: https://pacificmultisports.com/results/lakewhatcomclassic2021/

We're already looking forward to seeing you all next year at the Lake Whatcom Classic!

Marc Blake - Race Director
Lake Whatcom Classic