Surfski Knowledge Base

kathleen petereit
04/15/07 #2785

Going on a roadtrip to a race with any of the B'ham guys is never boring ! I hooked up with Mike G for the Ridge to River race in Wenatchee Washington. We got there fri so we could do a run of the river before the race. Dave Shearer and his wife were there as well getting ready to do a run in their canoe so we agreed to give them a ride back after the run. Mike says just follow me, I know the river I used to live here and train on it. I noticed he was leading me through some pretty crazy water which Dave seemed to avoid. Then over he goes, he hit some rocks and decided to bail so he wouldn't crack his ski. I looked back and he was struggling to get back on but I couldn't turn in that water to wait or help. When he caught up I told him I was sticking with the canoeists as they seem to know what they are doing.

We get to the end of the run wet and very cold. Mike's wife, our ride is nowhere to be seen. My teeth are chattering and Dave took his still dry shirt off and gave it to me. Bless his heart. They never even got a splash in that 3 foot wide canoe. Mike hollers from the public park washroom and says he found heat. I go in and he has the hand dryer blowing warm air. He strips off his wet clothes and is standing there in his bikini style threadbare speedo with a big hole in it and sagging butt. Dave and his wife walk in and Dave has a look of horror on his face, his wife turned around and walked out. They decide to call a cab and Mike is now standing bent over with his butt under the hand dryer, hogging it, trying to warm his arse. I am thinking this is not a pretty picture and the thought of being stuck there all night was not a good one ! Then Dave yells….she's here, get your clothes on. Whew !

Race day comes and 147 teams are ready for action. Most of the boats were surfski's. Many of them old originals from years back. Very interesting looking at them all. Kirk was there as well. The race was a blast, the water was running fast. I raced my huki special. We went through standing waves on several areas and I had a hard time navigating some parts. My ski got spun around when some standing waves hit me on the beam of my bow. I ran over a log and bent my 4“ rudder, but stayed upright.

Kirks men's team was 2nd in their category and 2nd overall, He had one of the top times in the kayak leg of 28:37. My women's team was 1st in our category and 9th overall, I was 12th overall in the kayak leg with a time of 40:37. Mikes mixed team was 24th overall and his time was 45:48. This is a really fun action packed race and worth the drive.

Kathleen