Narrow River Race - Tune Up for ROTC

April 11, 2009

10AM Start

Pollock Ave, RI 02879

Hosted by Wesley Echols and Tim Dwyer

Click on Image for Interactive Google Earth Race Course

View Larger Interactive Google Map

Last years race was memorable. Fast start for the K1's, one capsize (who could that be), one person ran aground (who might that be, the fastest paddler among us). Last year we had Bill Baker, Dave Vandorp, Ken Cooper, Tim, myself, Sean Milano, Ciro, Rob Flanagan, and Bob. So ask these guys about the course.

Richard Germain and his wife Chantale from Canada are coming down for the race. Richard needs some bucket time on any kind of water that is not frozen. Richard is doing the Molokia Challenge in May. It is considered the championship of surfskiing in Hawaii, 32 miles. We will be paddling on Saturday for the training race and paddling on Sunday in Narragansett Bay.

Tim and I were thinking pretty much the same 10 mile course as last year. It has something for everyone. It is not as flat as the Charles since it is more open in spots. Although on a flat day can be just as flat. It was a windy day last year so hoping for less wind this year for the K1's. The course is tailor made for Mohicans(Ted/ Pam/Chris? ), Thunderbolts( rob). Plenty of parking. Last year we all went out to eat afterwards.

Recently Tim and I paddled our Kirton's, Tor and Typhoon while the other surfski guys paddled their skis. It is great training race for the ROTC, 19 miler. If you only want to paddle 7 miles that is fine also. We pass the start at roughly the 7 mile point so if you only want to go hard for 7 miles you can pull out there also. If we have a few guys that want to do the 7 mile course, just record your time and we will include that for that distance.

Don't be shy. It is a training race and is a great opportunity to paddle hard 2 weeks from the ROTC. After that the race season is on us. Hope to see everyone there. I am inviting all the Charles River group down and join us for an exciting day on the water in beautiful Rhode Island(Ocean State).

Wesley

Click to Email Wesley

2008 Race Summary
By: Wesley Echols

Thanks to everyone for making the trek down. I think everyone agreed it was a change from paddling on the placid Charles River. 9.78 miles in cold, raw, windy conditions, water level was high.

Here is my account of the race from being in the mid pack for most of the race to near the front for the last 2 miles.

Ken, Dave, Bill, Tim and myself started out fast with our heart rates climbing and nearly red lining for the first 2.3 miles. Then Ken, Bill, and Tim went around the 1st turn buoy in that order with me and Dave about 40 yards behind. Ken and Bill lost some time not heading directly for the buoy. On the downwind leg Ken and Bill opened up a lead on Tim. Tim widened the gap between me and Dave. Dave headed over toward the shore while the rest of us made a direct line down this open section of the river. Dave after a mile, caught up with me just before we headed back under the 1st bridge.

At this point Ken and Bill were a good 4 minutes ahead of Dave and I and probably 2 minutes ahead of Tim. As Dave and I approached start line on the return trip, Bill had pulled off the course due to a nursing an injury, as he and Ken were together at this point (6.5 miles).

With about 3 miles to go and entering the most technical part of the course, with Ken now in the lead solo, with a substantial 2 minute lead over Tim and another 2 minutes over Dave and I. Then suddenly Dave remarks from my stern, Ken is out of his boat!!!! Ken had run aground. Not knowing the course, he was about 10ft too far right to stay in the moving water. Tim caught up to Ken at this point, and I was about 30 yards from them, gaining on them with Dave about 15 yards behind me.

At this point we are about .6 miles from the turn around pole where there is some fast flowing water. If you paddle another 500 yards you are in the ocean. Tim and Ken were neck and neck with Tim taking the turn first, executing it perfectly from my view point, 20 yards behind. Then suddenly, Tim capsizes!!!! We all check up to see how he is. He is struggling in the current but slowly making his way to shore which is 10 yards away.

He says he is fine, so with Ken 20 yards ahead of me, and Dave several yards behind me, we take off again. I make up the ground on Ken and lengthen the distance between Dave and I. Ken and I paddle neck and neck for a mile fighting the current and head wind. But with .5 miles to go, Ken puts the hammer down and gains 2 boat lengths, which he holds to the finish. Dave finishes not too far behind us with Tim paddling hard to overcome his capsize to finish a few minutes behind us.

Rob finishes, no worse for the wear in his Bolt and like me in the Mohican, did not have too struggle with stability in the wind and chop like the faster guys in the K1's. Tom had a good race, looking forward to getting on his ski in the next several weeks. Ciro is still churning it up in the heavy Rapier, and getting faster everyday in his surfski.

Bob gave a great effort and enjoyed being with the boys, as did Sean despite getting off course slightly and having rudder problems. Several of us enjoyed the burger and fries after the race. It was great to see everyone and thanks for making the drive. Hopefully a few more will venture down next year for another exciting training paddle on the Mighty Narrow River in preps for the ROTC in a few weeks.

Wesley