Surfski Knowledge Base

Thanks!!!
John Rybczyk
09/22/12 #13294

Thanks to the Howat clan, Peter M., D.J. and others for putting on a wonderful, well organized and well attended race. The Samish Roe has certainly become the marquee event for the Sound Rowers. It was great to see the many fun races within the race. Great race for Michael Medler too, moving up quickly in the ranks as he's figuring out the correct boat/paddle combo (damn!) and staying uninjured for more than two months straight. Kudos especially to Kevin Olney who stopped in the middle of his best race to date (up there with the A team) to assist a capsized K1. I think we may have set the record for number of categories. In fact, I may have been the only one to actually NOT win a ribbon. Speaking of which, Vanessa, as requested, I picked up your ribbon. You came in third in the Brunette Women with an Accent HPK (singles) category. You can claim it the next time I see you.

Larry Goolsby
09/22/12 #13295

I don't get it. How does a small flat-water race get such a great turn-out? I guess it's because of the superb organization from sign-up until the awards are all handed out (plus some very superb food). Great job Duncan and crew!

Reivers Dustin
09/22/12 #13296

Ok. All that stuff about rules, like no drafting, no passing of bouys on the upwind side, no shaving of body hair, whatever else kind of rules. It was about the fastest drag racer on flat. First half I felt really great. I knew Duncan, Heather and some of my other tough competitors were right behind me, but dang I was rockin. I got in a jam at the turn at the bottom of the lake, but it was only a boat length or so. I thought I could punch that out no problem. But Heather and Duncan were tough. It was all I could do to hang on. There was another guy in the mix as we were all swapping the lead. Just after Heather and Duncan ramped it up on the back stretch I could hear that guy muttering, “dang tough”. Don't know if it was directed at the old fart whoopin us or the cute girl whoopin us.

I kept having to go anerobic to get back in the mix. But it worked. I was hanging on. We picked up Eric G when he stopped for that K-1 guy. He was saying something to me, but I couldn't hear it over the roar of my lungs. After the bridge Heather ramped it up some more and Duncan climbed the Vo2 ladder with her. I wanted to get off and swim the rest. I couldn't see Eric G or the other guy. I was maxed out sticking to Heather and Duncan. Just before the last turn Duncan notched it up another 20 beats per minute. Gawd. Way too early for a sprint finish. He got one wave ahead, Heather stayed on his bow wave, I hung on.

Halfway from the last turn to the finish I found the turbo button. I caught up to Heather, but couldn't get Duncan. Man o man, that was a race. I've got some photo's Hilde took. I see a lot of people totally maxed out across the finish line. Micheal D is one of the best shots - he looks like the wolfman learned to paddle howling at the moon like a beast from the sea.

Such a great show. Race management was top quality: for example that is how to handle a start line. This big of a mix of rowers/paddlers can be dangerous. It was all handled beautifully. Our friend Helene will be going back to England tomorrow. We showed her how we rock Lk Samish today.

rd

Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>
09/22/12 #13297

GREAT write-up, Reivers. It was so fun watching you guys and Heather all duke it out at the finish line, fans screaming, women and children running for cover. What quality racing!

Huge thanks and congrats to all who put it together and who took part. I’ve never seen so many smiling, beautiful, happy people gathered in one place – and for good reason!

Amazingly good livin’!

B

Lake Samish Results POSTED - mostly
howratpaddler
09/22/12 #13298

Big thank you to all you fantastic, devoted, inspiring and fun paddlers and rowers for racing today! No matter how much time and energy you put into organizing a race it's going to be a boring, no-fun event if you have a bunch of uptight no-fun racers - which you guys definitely are NOT! It's so fun to see the competitive, friendly spirit bring Lake Samish to life.

Anyhoo - I've got Overall results posted on the website; www.salmonrowandpaddle.com …

Wow! Race Day in Bellingham
Elana Ecker
09/22/12 #13299

Wow! what a fantastic day of racing, hanging out with friend and family and good food. Thank you to all whom made this race day and feast come together so wonderfully. I also would like so say a BIG thank you to ocean paddle sports/DJ for donating the Fenn 3 paddle and to anyone and everyone who came up with the brilliant idea of choosing Me to receive it (as there are many deserving folks.) I was and still am, truly stunned with delight!! Thank you!! I am so fortunate to be part of such an inspirational and supportive paddling community.

Thank you ,
Cheers. E

Lake Samish race
kathleen petereit
09/23/12 #13300

Gareth and I had a great time and were impressed how well the race was organised and run. So good to see all of our buddies from across the border and the mainland. We have made many good friends participating in these races and of all my years in sports competitions this group is definitely the most fun !

This summer we decided to try some doubles racing. Both of us have done a couple of doubles races with others just for fun. When Gareth asked if I wanted to race doubles I jumped on it. Who wouldn't, having a younger hotshot in the front seat. I dusted off my Huki double and went into full gear, putting everything I had into training. Ron Williams was a good surrogate for Gareth when he wasn't available and pushed me hard working on countless starts and intervals.

We had no idea how we would fare when we came to this race, knowing the competiton would be fierce. The coolest thing for me was being up front with the big dogs and staying ahead of the fast singles, except for Gabe. This was a new experience and I think I'm hooked.

What a nice picturesque venue. We are planning on coming back next year and bringing some of our paddling buddies from the island.

Kathleen

Re: Wow! Race Day in Bellingham
Reivers Dustin
09/23/12 #13301

Elana,

You are just the perfect one for this. I didn't have anything to do with it, but whoever it was - was genius.

Hope somebody got photos. It looked like every emotion went through: delight, doubt, humility, gratitude, joy, … hope Peter M. can pull together a film-fest.

You are amazing, beautiful, special and wonderful - just like the rest of us paddlers!

rd

Re: Lake Samish race
Reivers Dustin
09/23/12 #13302

Right on Kathleen. Lets don't say how many years we been crashing carbon/kevlar together. Gibson, Bowen, Howe Sound, Deep Cove …

It raises the level when you guys brave the border. Extra credit to Brian and Trista for helping that fallen K-1. I guess that was a yard sale with seat and paddle floating about. I think it took three boats working together to get the guy back in form.

From the photo's you and Gareth look powered to the max. People think doubles is easier. For me it's harder because you push each other. There's a chemistry of the two paddlers that sometimes works huge. So fun to hear LB and Rick talking about Debbie and Elana giving them such trouble to pass. It's great to see doubles happening. From way behind.

rd

Lake Samish VIBE……PHOTOS/Video's of the START or from the BRIDGE??
Pmarcus
09/23/12 #13304

I “May” have had one too many beverage(s) last night, my shoulders are sore, my back is sore, my eyes are sore, and I got torched at the “hot Spot” by Speedy Warren Bruce and touched out at the finish by…..speedy Warren Bruce…but the Incredible Good Vibe (Cheering and Clapping) coming off the dock when the rowers returned, and all the paddlers and pullers hanging around watching all the finishers and yelling encouragement is “WHY” this race may be as unique as it gets!! I actually want to paddle today…Whats wrong with me?

Talk about “no bad eggs”in this group….why wouldn't you want to paddle???

Thanks to Michael L., Hilde D. and Nina O. for future photo's to be posted!

Anyone have any Start Photo's/Video's and/or from the bridge photos' or video???

Cheers, Race Committee

Sound Rowers is like Twelve Mothers
babyrebozo
09/23/12 #13306

What can be said about yesterdays race that already hasn't been said?……except pile another thank you on top. The people that put this race on are tops. It is unbelievable what we got for our measly entry fee, not that that is the main point of it all. I think the jist of it was that this was an event that had a real sense of community……that we all gather as friends……and then try to kick each other's butts. And I think Sound Rowers has nurtured this kind of spirit all along. So thanks goes out to them as well as the Salmon Row organizers.
What a day!
Ellwood Whyyte

Salmon Roe wrap up
duncanhowat
09/24/12 #13323

Now thats a train on the home page photo. Thanks for the kind comments about the race. Here are some #s. Elana, that was DJs idea on the paddle. Very nice. About 185 rowers and paddlers on the water. About $5000. to put it all on. Should break even, so thats a good thing.Over 250 people ate. How bout Brandon's race. He's in the front group, breaks a cable , jumps out, hooks up his bungee, gets back on and climbs back to 4th, not that far out from Gabe and DJ. Yeeeow. I like the new course, and it's great haveing such a mix of rowers and paddlers. Seeing how we have the place for sat and sun, a idea came up to do sprints in the pond on sunday. 500 and 1000m for outriggers-rowers-and surfskis/K1s. One thing about flat water,which makes this race fun, you must always use your best techniqe ,or your toast. Duncan, Amy Peter, Gwyn, Kim