That's if you were to paddle point to point in straight lines. Since we didn't, what we paddled was probably more like a distance of 14 miles. Yesterday was a true flat water paddle. There were no breezes for 100% of the canoe kayak race and almost 80% of the flotilla paddle. The dead calm made it extra hot.
Still the group had a good time. This was a test run for the upcoming canoe/kayak race for next Saturday's Paddlefest which is 6.86 miles from Hwy 8 Wildlife Access Area to Flat Swamp Access Area. Participants were Harry, Sheila, Fran, Linda, Neal and new comer John.
Launches seem to never happen on time. This one was no exception. It was 8:45 before the race commenced. I took some final pictures of our group for "Search and Rescue Teams", just in case they would be needed. I asked everyone to smile, because their families would probably use these in their tribute memorials. I posted the pictures in the slide show you see below.
We had a couple of equipment adjustments and malfunctions before and during the start of the race. Linda and I had the biggest problem, a malfunctioning rudder. This caused us to paddle a very erratic course. We knew we could not make any headway without the rudder working. Both of us came very close to withdrawing, but we did not like the idea of a DNF(did not finish in our column, We informed other kayakers that we may have to return to the Launch site. Finally making one last attempt, we beached the boat for repair. Once corrected we headed on our way. Our efforts ended up paying off big in the long run.We were able to finish first in the Tandem Kayak event. We also won combined singles and double event. This was in the impromptu Flotilla Run to Camp Walter J and back. The race was close, with "Team Rudderless edging out Fran at the Bridge.
The biggest advantage "Team Rudderless" had on the other kayakers, is that one of the members writes all the posts our reader reads. This was the definitely a big key to "our victory". Now I'm sure others in the races, might tell the story of the day's event a little different. This is why the website has a comment section below each post. I'll warn the commenter, that comments are moderated by one of "Team Rudderless's Members".
The distance of the canoe/kayak race was 6.86 miles
Our paddle to Camp Walter J and Back from Flat Swamp Access are was 5.38 miles. A paddle of 6.86 miles turned into one for 12.24, but no one complained. Kudos to this group of dedicated paddlers. Their participation in this event, has gave us valuable information about what to expect next Saturday activities for the HRL Paddlefest. The time of 1 hr 35 minutes by the single kayaks and the last place time of 2hrs. 35 minutes by a 2 person kayak team, will help us a lot with our staffing. We can't thank the participants in yesterday's events enough. All were winners in our book or at least this post.
Fran has graciously donated our "First Prize" for our Geo Cachers. Anyone who finds her nice pair of prescription/bifocal sunglasses will be given $50. The coordinates and water depth location will be given out at paddlefest if not found by scouts before then. The glasses are at least 6 feet under water, carefully concealed in a silt bottom. This was the only downside to today's paddle.
On a lesser note we did have a new person join the HRL Paddlers' fall of shame. The slipper slope caused the fall, so maybe it's not truly worthy of the "Fall of Fame",
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