Surfski Knowledge Base

Reivers Dustin
02/05/11 #9980

As it turns out 'the Borgnes' (-resistance is futile) did handout some payback: first surfski to finish. It was some rough work between two Eric's (Moll & Borgnes) and somebody else with some serious good paddling style. DK was next I think, and I'm not sure if it was Dean or Peter M next, a little back from the big dogs. The erg-work also put LG in good shape. LG pulled away from our usual old-barnacle parade of LB, MG, Duncan and Me.

Today was interesting. Currents were different than I've seen before. The course was flat, with one hefty power boat helping a few of us on the first leg. I spent most of the race chasing LB and caught him towards the end. At the halfway I saw Duncan & MG were back quite a ways. LB & I caught up with Kim C, but somehow MG and Duncan reeled us in. This wolf-pack of five grunted and howled like mad-dogs for the last hard 1/2 mile. I love a competative finish and this one was epic. It blew my mind to see the nose of MG's boat get ahead of me, then LB's, then my boat ease up. It was a full throttle old-barnacle throw-down. Kim C. was in the mix, but Duncan lost his chances by taking a chancy line (and having to mess around with his gloves). Whatever the results say, it was just fractions of a second between these finishes. There's a good chance they couldn't really see all of our placing. WHAT A RUSH!

DJ you were missed, buddy. That was some heavy hitters in front and we needed a B'Hampster up there in that pack.

Team 205 cranked off a hot race, but I didn't focus much on the Double-Ski group. I saw several of them including Peter Turcan in a mixed double.

Big turnout today, lots of OC boats, rowers, a couple of rowing wherries, a SUP, a Paddleboard, a couple of peddle-craft.

The soup after was superb. The chilli was hard-core meatlovers with some great spicing. Duncan tipped me off about the clam chowder and it was top of the line. The gooey brownies, gluten-free cookies went down so good. This race is such a great way to come out of hibernation.

Er, but now I'm tired - so I'm heading for the couch.

Reivers

Re: LaConner '11 report
dnjacobson79
02/05/11 #9981

Sounds like a good race !! Being good and domesticated busting out a flooring project this weekend - ie- getting all my house projects done before summer. I ran the dogs past LB's house this morning and saw the green machine on his truck, thought about bailing on the flooring project then and there, but the thought of it being still winter and living in the dog house got the better of me. It's awesome that we have such a deep field of racers here is the PNW, good job to all the racers and I'm jealous of missing the race? What color speedo was LG was sporting?
DJ

Re: LaConner '11 report
paul clement
02/05/11 #9982

Amen to all that. February is a little early for us not paddling types. Quick note: when I picked up my kayak at Dean's house, Chris asked if I me if I wanted her to wake him up. A well earned nap I would say. See you all in August…

paul

Re: LaConner '11 report
Shane Baker
02/05/11 #9983

I happen to know who made the clam chowder and will lobby for twice as much next year. Perfect February conditions. We had a great turn-out. Where are all the lime green boats coming from? Thanks to all the volunteers and Race directors, Greg and Kristin.
Shane.

Re: LaConner '11 report
Dean Bumstead
02/05/11 #9984

Unfortunately, it (nap) was short lived after a loud, “ It's time to get up Daddy!!!”

I believe the top surfski paddlers were Erik B., Eric M., Ludo, Shane M., Don K., PETER M., Eric W., Dean, and I wasn't looking back.

Dean

Re: LaConner '11 report
Reivers Dustin
02/06/11 #9989

Thanks Shane B. I'm embarrassed to not have mentioned the race organizers and support. The excellent work of Soundrowers and all race directors and volunteers is one of the Northwests finest examples of community spirit. I've race directed once and even though Mickey handed me a packaged race I was a wreck at the end. (I heard that Laura Jackson was helping out. This is a shout-out from one of the many people you used to beat up when you were racing regularly.)

Apoligies Shane M. I forgot to mention your high placement. You're an example of the Northwest's great sportsmen (“men” as in mankind - gender independant). The prior weekend Shane stopped racing from a first place position in order to offer assistance to a fallen OC paddler in the Jerico race. In fact our Pete W. & partner actually gave up their #1 finish to get the guy back in his boat. (They received no time adjustment, but they did get a cinamon roll. CORA might want to check priorities on this, but I think Pete's boat would still do the same again.)

racing season is back with all the crazy adventures that go with it.

rd

Re: LaConner '11 report
debbie natelson
02/07/11 #10003

Reivers,
On behalf of Sound Rowers and one of the soup elves (thai chicken and veggie stew), thanks for the kudos – much appreciated. And I also want to extend our thanks and appreciation to Whatcompaddlers. You all not only help to make Sound Rowers races that much more fun with your enthusiastic participation, but you also always continue to raise the bar on skill, technique – and of no small merit – genuine effort to share it with fellow paddlers of all levels. And that last part is of huge value to the whole human powered water sport community.

Hope to see you all at future races,
Debbie