Talking About Adventure In Small Boats
MicroTom
Key Master
My opinion is less social media. I am out there to get away from things. I do share with my FB friends which are almost exclusively people I know in real life. I am not looking to develop a fan base or be someone elses marketing. Thats one of the reasons I don't have sponsors and never will. If you see a sticker on my boat or a logo on my t-shirt its because a brand has served me well or I like that lifestyle.
And, yes I know this probably makes me a curmudgeon.
MisterMoon
Member
“The purpose of WaterTribe is to encourage the development of boats, equipment, skills and human athletic performance for safe and efficient coastal cruising using minimal impact human and wind powered watercraft based on sea kayaks, canoes, and small sailboats.” ~ Chief, February 2000
If the purpose as stated by Chief is still as stated above, then why not more exposure? R2AK had a similar purpose and the concensus appears to be forming is that it was very successful in accomplishing its goal. I've long thought WT would do well to have someone writing daily updates during events. What we need to see is more participation in the non-Florida events and more exposure with daily press releases, social media interaction, video updates and great tracker can do nothing but increase interest in those events. With more interest comes more participation and the UFC, BBC, NCC, OFC, and OFUM might become financially self-sustaining.
Bermudaboy
Member
JR: I clicked the link you posted and got there, but could not find any links to tracks, and the weird thing was that when I followed your link I at least got to the title of UF 2012, but when I followed the link on Watetribe Tracking Map, webpage it showed no UFs' to choose from at all.. any help here to get tracks or actual gpx files? Or is this part of the training and preparation of a UF, lol....
MicroTom
Key Master
IMO, adding media accessibility to an adventure race is a slippery slope.
I agree that growing WaterTribe and making additional events more viable long term is a good goal. I am not keen on the idea of turning challenges into a spectator sport. I am out there for the personal challenge and the comradery of people who are like minded. Not attention from the general public. In fact I would prefer most of them never noticed me.
Sure it’s good to promote our activities in areas that develop future challengers. I think these places are other sailing and paddling clubs, adventure outfitter stores, and media specific to our sports such as Sailing Anarchy, Canoe & Kayak magazine, etc.. I generally prefer not to see myself go viral on Facebook, or in local and national news outlets. The exception being Terry Tomalin who has actually done events and cover them which gives him a much better point of view.
Some of you might say but you post on YouTube and Facebook. Yes and its intended to be for personal friends and those in our sport. If it went viral for entertainment purposes or got picked up by a news outlet I would probably change its status to private or delete it.
There are some parallels to professional surfing. On one hand you have a very commercially driven, sponsor oriented, marketing machine driving the pro circuit. On the other side there is the lifestyle travel oriented soul surfers who’s activities get documented in a very low key approach. For me the R2AK was more like the heavily marketed pro circuit example. I prefer the latter low key approach if any.
Yep, soul surfer all the way.
BB, usually you can just drop the G in the tracker address. But now I am not sure. I would share my waypoints with you but I only put in a few, mainly the checkpoints that I have to get to, otherwise none so I am no help at all. Hopefully a more tech savy guy or gal can help you out or at least find the old tracks. I was able to see them last night but not now on this computer.
I am sure that there is a "happy place" that can be reached while respecting the Soul Surfers and Spiritual ones while getting the "hits" that will benifit the business end? That is why WaterTribe was my Sponsor, to promote and to get the word out and in the end hopefully help. I see now that Steve Price is signed up to do the EC in a RowCrusier from Angus Rowboats. He was a big name in the other race but had to withdraw last minute. Welcome to the tribe Steve, I'm sure you will find everyone friendly and helpful just as I hope you did with the r2ak.
In that race folks would ask me "What is watertribe?" I would say- You are looking at it. It is just like this race except we have been doing it for years!
Roger
OysterCult,
If I were you I would send my qualifications and request to Chief. I do know that one racer was allowed to bypass qualifiers and get straight into the Ultimate Florida Challenge in 2012 by doing that although in the end he was a DNS. Chief is a understanding guy and I am sure would consider your request carefully. It is worth a Shot right!, Roger
MisterMoon
Member
MT, I respectfully disagree. R2AK is not very far removed from the EC at all, only they had a better publicity machine and they rented a very nice tracker from the YC who developed it. If, and more than likely when, they do it again it will attract a bunch more people. Some of them will be high dollar efforts to be sure, but my guess is there will be a bunch more low-dollar-regular-folks showing up as well. And they won't need a $10K prize to motivate them.
The stuff we do isn't ever going to be a spectator event aside from a few thousand people hitting the refresh button on the tracker. What's the harm in that if it encourages a few dozen to start coming to North Carolina or Maryland or Minnesota to test their skills, experience, and endurance in a WT challenge? Even better is encouraging the folks who maybe aren't ready yet to step up their game in preparation for a future event.
I'm like you in that I'd hate to see it such that only sponsored, full-time atheletes could participate in our events. However, given the fact that it really isn't very spectator or TV-friendly, I don't see that as a possibility. My suggestion isn't really all that much more than what we are already doing anyway. All I'm thinking is adding a little bit of a media team to support all the races with the idea we can inspire participation in the other WT events on the calendar so that they become sustainable and also to potentially create new events in other parts of country or around the world. With the right amount of promotion, I don't see why there couldn't be 4-5 more 100 mile weekend-long Watertribe challenges around the country. The Great Lakes could possibly support two, one in Michigan and perhaps one in the 1000 Islands area on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. Something out west, perhaps around the San Jauns and Puget Sound. Back east I could see a Maine coastal challenge.
The main thing stopping any of this from happening is we need to generate more interest in these kinds of events. Some of this will come from the paddling community, but I think the biggest untapped potential is from the sailors who are tired of boring W/L round the cans racing, the arms race, handicaps, arcane rules and sea lawyers, and politics.
If the NCC, BBC, OFUM, OFC, and UF could each get two dozen more boats on the line, you'd have viable events that will no longer require the proceeds of the EC to fund their continued existence. How else are we going to get them there?
Bermudaboy
Member
JR, thanks! Tried everything could on WT Tracker but I fear that is a now a deadend resource..
Maybe some accomplished and kind Triber will fondly recall Julie singing:
Come feed the little tribers, show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do.
Their young ones are hungry,
Their HomePorts are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you.
Feed the triber,, Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a gpx file.
Typhoon Nangka looks like its Eyes going to make direct hit landing on our hometown of Takamatsu shortly.. and of course, my work schedule had to place me here (without any sailing gear) just in time to get battered by 90mph . Flew in just before the wind started howling late last night, laid in bed allnight in semi-comatose-lost in-translation-jet-lag mode (without the assistance of Suntory's Yamazakiw) , partially here but mostly in my bivy on some florida spit of white sand, praying the wind would lay off some before the morning launch...n chief won't call a weather hold...
This watertribe stuff is really worse than some infectious disease, gotta seek professional assistance...
Scareman
Member
Regarding event updates, it is time consuming.
I did that in 2014 for OneEyedJake and Calypso and received amazing feedback that the updates were well received.
i received almost no feedback for the 2015 BBC that I updated.
I am unsure if Challengers liked what I did capturing possible camp and rest spots, while reflecting speeds, routes and possible ETAS.
I used screen captures of overall maps, challenger positions, and weather, and explained the avatar logos.
Both events were a great deal of work.
I assume we could automate the updates with simple code and replace all the labor and keystrokes between many programs, windows and apps.
Anybody willing to help me with the code? MT?
SandyBottom
Member
My one concern about media and some reporting during events relates to camping, stealth camping. Especially during a UFC. Not sure how comfortable I am at the thought others can figure out where I am. This was not an issue in 2006 pre-spot days, and even in 2011 when most nights SOS and I slept on the trimaran except on the rivers. Even during most of an EC I'm camped in out of the way locations, but this will not be so true going down the east coast, or during the portage.
Dawn
Dawn, very good point. If were a girl I would consider pushing ok button early then continue on for a safe ways to throw off any wouldbe stalkers. Very good point and a concern. I think it needs talked about in order to come up with a plan. Maybe privitely with Steve.
Ok here is a link to Jarhead's videos (3 each) of the upper St Marys in very low water conditions. With RidgeRunner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nD4EapFvHA
They had to start draging 7 nm from traders! Very good informative videos.
What would be worse- Draging during low water, fighting strong current from high water Or portaging from traders to St. George adding 20 miles to the already long 40 mile portage to Fargo?
I have done a 35 mile portage practice on foot and I have to say that was very hard and I lost toenails. I have done parts of the upper St Mary's at low water and high but not the whole way. Also have done from fargo to white springs. (Suwannee river challenge) At extreme low I think only canoes and kayaks will be able to paddle and drag from traders to St. George, all others will have no choice but to portage. would be next to impossible in a Adventure Island. High water seem to have been running at around 2 mph so 1mph to the good is tough to substain. What do you guys think?
Oh, and now there are 13 challengers! Getting very interesting.
MicroTom
Key Master
I share some of SB's concerns. I am not sure how you strike the balance between personal safety, tracking challengers, and avoiding incriminating yourself for an inadvertent landing on private property. It seems like publishing tracking info to the world is problematic but I do want my friends and family to find me when if I have a problem.
I am going to do a couple of recon trips to the St Marys in the coming months and probably one near the race too. I am considering a small boat (Gheenoe) with a motor boat because my time is limited. It’s either than or go with the current from St. George to Trader’s Hill. I mention it because this will be a two vehicle trip if shuttling is required.
Welcome Jarhead & SOS!!!!! I fully expect Jarhead to use the Sea Pearl all the way. He is tough enough to portage it 40 miles!
I am also excited to see we have 13. If we hit 20 we will have a full on derby competition. The UF finisher with the highest derby points will get your entry fee paid!
Well, I am considering dropping the tracking map from the system. I will keep it working for race managers but not for the general public. If you want family and friends to know where you are, you can send them your SPOT link.
I don't recommend portaging from Traders Hill to St. George. It is harder than it looks. There are lots of hills and the road does not have a good shoulder which makes avoiding traaffic difficult if they don't pull over.
Ridgerunner
Member
The best commentaries were Vanman and Sharkchow. They talked each day about changing conditions and the decisions challengers had to make. It interpreted the race to those not initiated. Folks loved it. That is the media we need. We should share the tracking info with these folks so they can share the adventure. I think both were done in the pre-SPOT days when folks had to post daily.
The portage from traders to St. George is something that I certainly would not want to do but if the water level is as low as it is in Bill's video the hobie guys may not have a choice. Hoping for good water, it usually is. I honestly think that I could, 30 miles for 2 days straight but last resort for sure. And Chief you are right about the road. I have been looking on maps and it appears that right across from traders is a dirt road that leads to a much less uesd paved road. At street level along the entire route it looks much safer. I just do not remember what the other side looked like and if a hobie could make it up the bank. I will scout it out as a alt. and safer route and report. Not sure when. That would put you crossing the bridge close to the boat ramp in St George right at the check point and with the 40 mile portage in front of you. With a goal of stopping at the firetower it looks to be about half way point. ? Need to do more rechearch, just thought I would mention it so folks can start scoping it out if the water is low close to the start.
I think that dropping the tracking may be the safest move for the ladies for sure. Spot links can be shared and if someone like me needs more tracking info shared then I can carry the bill which I will in the form of InReach 2 way sat. message and tracking.
MicroTom
Key Master
I was not aware those posts existed. I am looking for them but if someone has the links please post them.
Tom, most of the old stuff is here. I have not looked in a while but it should still be in there and found in the old forum. You can even find where folks were signup up, what they went in and also the log book entries that they wrote in the check point logs.
http://www.watertribe.net/Default.aspx?ucPtr=Discussion/Threads.ascx
Chief's logbook from UF 2010-
http://www.watertribe.net/Default.aspx?ucPtr=Discussion%2fSearch.ascx
well, that did not work- so just put in racer name and log book entry and then press enter and it will come up.
I had similar thoughts but have not fully decided. The current plan is as follows:
Regarding the reinstated 24-hour checkin, when cell service is not good, use a simple text message. If that doesn't work, just keep going until the next checkin time and try again. We usually know when service is not available and your shore contact should know too.
I am just thinking out loud. I can change this at any time. It doesn't address all concerns but it addresses most concerns.
Any new system will go into effect for the 2016 events. This will not impact the MN or NC events.
MicroTom
Key Master
Chief, The updates seem to strike a good balance.
Bermuda Boy, Official answer is that its some forum designation so I can help Chief with forum moderation. I have no idea why they call it that.
Unofficial answer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSp5QwKRwqM
MicroTom
Key Master
Not yet. I have someone coming to look at my surplus Laser 2 tomorrow. Once thats out of the way I can start playing with it a little more. I did pick up another mast. I think you knew that. I have the mast step figured out. Last thing to do is attach the gooseneck.
Circumnavigation of Florida<br style="color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" />
This Ultimate Florida Challenge 2016 is an expedition-style adventure race for kayaks, canoes, and small sailboats. The race circumnavigates Florida and covers roughly 1200 miles including a 40-mile portage connecting the St. Marys River (90 miles) to the Suwannee River (220 miles). It is the toughest race of its kind anywhere in the world and the longest human and wind powered race where no engines are allowed. Since its inception in 2006 only 17 people have ever completed the course as of 2015.
It was born with Eco challenges in mind but for the average person that can take one month away from life and go on an adventure of a lifetime among other challengers who will in most cases become friends for life.
Circling Florida you will see some of the most Beautiful scenery on god’s green earth. From the wilderness waterway in the Everglades, to Florida Bay and the keys to the dark and spooky stained waters of the famous Suwannee River. Even some magical places like Miami and Palm Beach which makes this challenge one of the most unique on the planet. Careful or you could find yourself stealth camping on "The Donald's" lawn!
Dare to dream but be prepared. The WaterTribe Challenges are long, grueling races that are extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. They are not for the faint of heart and must be taken seriously with great preparation. For those that have entered and the few that have finished come remarks such as “Life changing” and “ Once in a lifetime experience”. See you on the beach!
I wrote this to go on My fb race page I started as a long description of the uf. Can anyone find any changes needed? I am not much of a writer and just want a description that draws folks in but is also real and true. Writing is not my thing...Roger
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