Surfski Basics  
   
 
Elmore Holmes Memphis, TN Elmore Holmes
Surfski(s) currently paddle:

 Current Designs Speedster
Paddles you use:

 Epic full-size wing... carbon shaft for racing, homemade wood shaft for training
How long have you been paddling?

 28 years, including whitewater river-running, whitewater slalom racing, and open-water touring
Primary Paddling Location:

 Mississippi River at Memphis
Favorite Surfski Race, Why?

Outdoors, Inc., Canoe and Kayak Race on the Mississippi at Memphis. The short distance (about 5 km) requires me to train for speed and lactic endurance on top of the endless miles of paddling. Such stars as Greg Barton, Mike Herbert, Jeff Smoke, the Chalupsky brothers and Robert Clegg, a world masters marathon champion, have all participated.
Main Training Partner if any:

Joe Royer; Martha Kelly (my wife)
Racing Accomplishments

Two years in a row at the Outdoors, Inc., race, I got to stand on the podium with U.S. Olympic legends Greg Barton and Mike Herbert
Other Significant Athletic Accomplishments:

Ran track and cross country in high school and college
What you like about surfskis, surfski racing, paddling:

I like doing my training in the outdoors. In a typical session out on the Mississippi, I see more wildlife than most Memphians see all year.