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Ruston Relay Race Update.............Cold but FUN!!!
Pmarcus
10/21/18 #23909
Pretty much the last race of the season concluded yesterday down in Tacoma on Commencement Bay. It is hosted by the Kikaha Canoe Club. About 50 canoes,HPK's and two rowing shells all showed up at the start which was under foggy sky's and cold temps because Mr. Sun wasn't working very well down there. Its is a four lap race in relay form or you can do it Iron which a few Oc's and One Hpk and a shell (although, I never saw them, only at the start?) decided to do.
The race started under fat calm conditions but you could see a wind developing coming from the North, (if it wasn't chilly enough). By the first transition, the wind started to fill in and create a little rebound off the shore as the race course was parallel the shore, 2.5 mile loops. The lead pack of the Solo consisted of The Shell (somewhere) and Kevin Olney in his Hpk followed by a strong Oc paddler from Vancouver, (Island Brave). The Relay format lead pack consisted of Hood River Paddlers, Van D. and Kim C. in HPK's followed by The Relay team of Island Brave, another HPk from Hood River and Bellingham Boys (Dan M. and Peter M.). The wind kept building and created a little challenging conditions for some as going out to the turn mark was pretty much on the beam but coming back you got some rides working back to the finish because of the buidling winds.. Once the spray settled and we were all eating a wonderful HOT soup (YUM…) Kevin O took the solo followed by a strong Island Brave Paddler and in the relay, Bellingham Boys held off the Hood River gang by a little to take line honors..Paul R and Sarah T represented BBOP in the mixed OC and Domi made an appearance as a spectator!!
Cold but FUN…put it on your calendar for next year, great way to end the season…So until January, Cheers!!
Paul Reavley
10/21/18 #23911
Thanks Peter,
Good description of the race AND soup (which I did not mind being almost too hot temp. wise after I took a swim to cool off during the race). When the side waves were strongest I thought it might have been more fun to forget about the race and just paddle out to ride the waves back in.
Paul R.
