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Noob Advice Needed

(13 posts) (9 voices)

Started 11 months ago by Mightymike
Latest reply from Scareman

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Mightymike
Member

I am considering one of the NC races this fall and would like some advice if anyone cares to offer any.

Background: I am 45 years old and in above-average physical condition. Most likely I would be racing with (in a separate kayak) a buddy in the same shape. We have done several 12 and 24 hour adventure races (run/mtn bike/paddle/orienteering) together. We have good paddling skills and I have been coastal boating for over 20 years. The NC race is actually in familiar waters and goes right past my brother’s house.

Boat: We both have recreational kayaks so we would need to rent suitable touring kayaks. Can anyone recommend a rental shop in Beaufort or Wilmington? Should I mention that we will be racing when I call about rentals? We would rent SPOT’s and EPIRB’s. We have everything else.

Training: I read Chief’s post about preparation and think we would be alright with biking, running, and core strengthening to get ready. We cannot train in the kayaks we would race in, but we could use our recreational kayaks to get in some long sessions in the boat, shakedown the equipment other than the boat, and to practice nighttime paddling, which I have never done.

Which race? I would not try to be competitive in my first outing. My goal would be to finish. Which race? 50 or 100 miles?

Advice and suggestions are appreciated.

Mike

Posted 11 months ago #
LeatherLungs
Member

Which race? I would not try to be competitive in my first outing. My goal would be to finish. Which race? 50 or 100 miles?

Advice and suggestions are appreciated.

Mike

Mike,

The 50 mile NC Ultra Marathons were cancelled (check it out HERE)

Sounds to me like you guys are ready for the 100. Go for it !

Posted 11 months ago #
Mightymike
Member

Thanks LeatherLungs...at least that part is settled!

Posted 11 months ago #
Scareman
Member

Sign-up and do it! Both of you should start getting the required kits and start packing.

Get TopSpot map N239 and study it. Study the exit from Harlowe Canal to Beaufort. The haystacks can get you.

Plan on paddling the 50-ish miles to Beaufort without major stops, then take a break at CP1.

Then the last 50, keep the mainland on your left.

Posted 11 months ago #
Macatawa
Member
How "recreational" are your kayaks?
- My dad paddled the course in a 14' Pungo kayak (semi-rec boat).
- Wizard paddled/sailed an 8ish foot inflatable West Marine kayak.
- DogsLife paddled/sailed a 14.5' Wilderness Systems Woodman kayak
All three of these guys finished the 100 mile loop, so it can be done in a rec boat... where theres a will, theres a way

Good luck!
Posted 11 months ago #
DogsLife
Member

If Chief is correct and one out of four years are fair winds and following seas then this NCC should be it. This will be the fourth year of the NCC running. I missed the first. I hear there were some nice thunder storms. Each year after they say "this was the worst". This year will be a piece of cake...

The NCC is great Watertribe event to cut your teeth on. Just do it. Spend as much time as you can on the water doing long trips. After the first 20 you do not feel anything anymore. It is a mental game. Get over the first hump and after that it is just a bunch of bumps in the road. Mentally brake down your Challenge into baby steps. Since NCC is nothing but a circle there are a lot of points to round. Pick that next point and just keep turning left.

Study the charts, old tracks from previous races and my best friend Google Earth. I have looked at sattelite images until they are burned in my brain. When I did the EC I knew what was around each corner. Looking at a island I could picture it on a arial map. There are plenty of pictures and videos out there now.

The NCC has plenty of time to finish. You can average 2 knots and still have time left on the clock. Bring anything that floats. I will see you on the starting line...

Posted 11 months ago #
rambler
Member

I am with Macatawa. You may be able to do it in what you have. If you are going to rent, get the boats for a weekend a few weeks before the race. Do at least a 2 day with some night paddling and camping just to figure out where you want everything, and where/if the boat rubs you the wrong way. You may be able to rent a couple of touring boats from Barrier Island Kayaks in Swansboro. http://www.barrierislandkayaks.com/rentals.php

Posted 11 months ago #
CleanSlate
Member

I'm a noob myself and my thinking is the following. The course is approximately 100 miles and we have 2.5 days (or 60 hours) to complete it. If you average 2 mph while underway, you will be underway for 50 hours and have 10 hours left over for sleep and rest. If you average 3 mph while underway, you will be underway for 33 hours with 27 hours left over for sleep and rest. I'll probably shoot for averaging around 3 mph and split the underway part between two days with one good night sleep in between to finish late late late the 2nd day. If need be, I'll sleep that 2nd night and finish up the morning of the 3rd day. There is no reason not to try it. Just have a bail-out plan if you need to.

Posted 11 months ago #
Mightymike
Member

Everyone-I really appreciate the help and advice.

My kayak is a 9.5' Heritage, so I do think I would rent or borrow a true touring kayak.

I will be going past the Neuse Sport Shop this weekend so I will pick up one of the Top Spot charts and start studying and will look at past routes and videos.

Your replies have been very encouraging and I will keep mulling this over and, I'm sure, keep asking questions.

Mike

Posted 11 months ago #
Scareman
Member

Mightymike, you may want to seek advice of the local WaterTribers for use of a touring boat.

Many may have a fleet in the shed, and it would be better for you to paddle various boats before settling on a boat for the NCC.

Better yet, take your Heritage and your buddy out for 2 days of 8+ hours paddling back to back. Check your pace. Then assess if you can paddle 50 miles in 24 hours because the wind and tides may (or will) impact your progress.

Posted 11 months ago #
ridged8
Member

Great thread, I'm finding it quite valuable. I've never paddled coastal waters so I feel like I'm really behind the 8 ball here. I'll be attempting this in a Tempest 165.

Posted 11 months ago #
Uthred
Member

The MPH thing is important 1 MPH over 40 hours is 40 miles, I have been spending a considerable amount of time really pushing myself in both the Kruger and the Current Designs. In good conditions I can maintain 5mph in the CD for 1-2 hours then break for 10 mins - I can do this for about 25 miles without getting destroyed. I can do 3 mph in the kruger for 4-5 hours and then break and do that for 30 - 40 miles - again in ideal conditions. On Tuesday I went out for a sail day in the kruger - I tried a new route at a new location and found myself going upstream against a strong current ( just like a tide ) and into a wind tunnel - rediculous winds. After dropping the sail I paddled like a machine for an hour and barely made a mile. I did this for 5 miles - I dont think I have ever worked so hard in my life. When I finally gave up I floated backwards - looked down at the gps and I was doing 4.2 mph - floating backwards! I think in that situation it would have been much better to have the CD - so in a very long answer, I can imagine no matter what boat you have you will always find yourself in a situation at some point you will wish you had something different.

Not sure where you are located - I am in southern ontario about 1.5 hours up from Buffalo - your welcome to try either of mine any time.

Posted 11 months ago #
Scareman
Member

Ah, Grasshopper...getting blown backwards when you stop paddling for 30 seconds means that you are experiencing the joy of an EC.

Consider your stagnant/low mileage as an opportunity to be smarter, and not expend more energy. Do you use a ferry angle and allow the wind to blow you across while you make partial forward progress? Can the ferry angle lead you towards a lesser current or tide? Sometimes the eddied on a counterflowing current will pull you along at water's edge. Maybe moving towards structure like trees or buildings will create a more favorable paddling envelope for you.

Are you skirting land mass to avoid the strongest flow in the middle of the river/creek?

Are you paddling a longer more circuitous route to find a bit of shelter from the wind, rather than paddling directly across the water into a headwind.

Sometimes it may be best to land or avoid the tide/wind for a bit while you eat, change into day/night paddling gear.

My philosophy is that every stroke is progress. Every stroke gets you closer to your destination, or prevents you from getting blown backwards as fast as the wind or the current.

Posted 11 months ago #

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