Saturday, 3 September 2016
Allan goes boating in Ocean Shores
Last year I attended a paddle race that looked to be frantically fun. I would see how fast I was compared to other boaters (Last year’s race). All human powered craft were welcome and the pictures showed a wide variety. This year I thought it was history but the organizer called and asked if I was coming. So, with no training (as usual), off I went.
Emerson Park on Duck Lake
I arrived with a half hour to set up, register and be in the water.
They’re unloading a 26 foot Huki. Long and slender with an outrigger (or ama, as it is called in Hawaii).
These are considered ocean canoes for two. (class: OC-2)
I think he said “Stay left of first island, then right on the next, then stay left.” Mentally I was flipping the map 180 degrees to align with the lake but in reality, I planned to stay in sight of someone ahead-then pass them at the finish.
Bob showing us the six mile course.
Pretty hard to get lost
With the tailwind drifting me into these beautiful boats, and six miles ( 5.6 on the GPS) to catch up, a few feet back is no big deal.
Some people start really fast. Now, I need to start passing them all, except the lead boat so I don’t get lost.
Steve and his canoe, a fine paddler indeed as I had this stern view most of the race.
Boat racing class: C-1 (m). A canoe, one person, male. The more classes, the more winners.
If you brought a sea kayak for one (SK), there were six other boats out there in that class. There was also one fast sea kayak (FSK) which are extra long and slender but I couldn’t spot it.
Headed around the first island, on the left, I think.
We disturbed the gulls as we passed one of the support boats.
The first of a singular set of boats I managed to pass.
Back at the finish. I was twenty seconds behind Steve and his canoe, but always catching up.
Last year did 1 hour, 8 minutes. This year I was slower by 82 seconds.
Meanwhile, I noticed later looking at this photo at home, was another ‘MaryBeth’ kayak like the one I have at home. (That means I purchased it from our friend MaryBeth.)
The red #20
Brady raced in the class: SOT (y). (Sit On Top (youth). He finished with a first place medal in the two miler.
The start of the two mile event.
A home made canoe and a Huki behind me.
Turns out I could get better pictures from the back of the crowd.
Off they went.
Paddling hard
Around the one mile buoy.
Michael’s brilliant home built propeller pedal craft. He started late but finished first in pedal craft. He also posts a lot of pictures for the Sound Rowers club based around Seattle.
The left view shows the chain to shaft transmission. the right shows the bar he uses to adjust the prop’s height. The plate that protects the hull is under his car rack.
Next up was the poker run. We were each given a map to six docks to gather playing cards. I had more time to look around and enjoy as we went another three miles to the various neighbor’s docks.
And their little dog too.
waterlilies (nymphaeaceaes)
This pedal boat also entered the six mile race. I caught up with them here in the poker run. Their Nauticraft’s ‘Escapade’ has a simple belt driven propeller .
One person to pedal, two to give encouragement and wave.
A semi-transparent ‘skin on frame’ design. I think this was the boat that was doing eskimo rolls near the dock later. Apparently there are roll competitions as I listened to a tale of an eskimo roll with no hands.
Oooh, an ace. No prize here.
Combining the 2 mile sprint and the slow poker run.
I maxed out at 6.9 mph last year with faster times last year too. Looks like I need to rest even more and save up more energy
Now it was cardboard boat building time.
Our team with two sheets of cardboard, three rolls of tape and a couple of box cutters. Bob had a plan.
More teams at the ready.
Our budget kayaky boat with a seat.
Also a paddle board and prams.
We all used lots of tape for waterproofing.
Meanwhile, I had earlier taken a photo of the Girl Scout parents. Their troop was sharing the park with us today.
Here they later are building a cardboard boat with us.
The Girl Scouts are ready to launch. Our team’s boat is in the background.
Each team was allowed one helper to help with the launch.
And we’re off.
The ‘S.S. Win’ skimming away while the Girl Scout brings out her cardboard paddle.
The first and second place boats were still loading up while most of the pack took off.
Our team launching last…
…but fast.
Her boat was sound but the paddle was bendy.
Our boat headed opposite the crowd around the buoy.
First and second place
The last sunken boats including ‘S.S. Win’ swam back. The Girl Scout is still heading out to the buoy.
No one is left on the water but the support boat. She’s still heading out to the buoy…
…and back.
A strong design indeed as they took this boat out to play after the race.
Great fun for all but, unless someone else steps up to run the show, this year is the last.
More bountiful and bolder deer than on the LB peninsula.
Attractive planters with spiky plants at their city hall as I started the long drive home.
Read Full Post »
