OkoumeFest Challenge and Ultra Marathon - Now's the Time

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OkoumeFest Challenge and Ultra Marathon - Now's the Time

(15 posts) (8 voices)

Started 6 years ago by Chief
Latest reply from CleanSlate

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Chief
Coastal Vagabond

Time flies when you're having fun! The OkoumeFest is fast approaching. I just started billing and that shuts down in just one month on April 15.

If you want to do either the OkoumeFest Ultra Marathon or the NEW Challenge, get signed up right away. I also suggest that you arrive a couple of days early so you can take part in the traditional OkoumeFest activities that start on the 16th. I'm looking forward to a test paddle of the Shearwater and the Great Auk. I hope to also get out on the PocketShip.

You may want to get camping reservations for the event through CLC using this link: http://www.clcboats.com/boatbuilding_classes/323.html?jm=1 Scroll down a bit and hit the red RSVP button.

Here are links to the two WaterTribe events:

OkoumeFest Ultra Marathon, 64 Miles: http://www.watertribe.com/Events/OkoumeFestUltraMarathon/Default.aspx

OkoumeFest Challenge, 210 Miles: http://www.watertribe.com/Events/OkoumeFestChallenge/Default.aspx

Note that we are still working out some details for the longer Challenge, but the course is pictured. There will be a checkpoint at or near the bottom of the loop.

Posted 6 years ago #
HeavilyLaden
Member

RSVP button is live, but camping registration currently says "COMING SOON"

Posted 6 years ago #
JollyRoger
Member

There is limited space for tent camping at the Matapeake facility and those spots have already filled.

Note above is now posted on the CLC site.

Posted 6 years ago #
HighNDryWV
Member

Hmm. I noted the same post about camping a few weeks ago. It appeared that it was left over from earlier okoumefest. Anyway I phone CLC and was informed that they had not yet begun to think about camping for 2014. Things may have changed in the past couple of weeks. Perhaps camping opened and closed in that time.

Posted 6 years ago #
CleanSlate
Member

Last year there seemed to be plenty of physical room in the field (assigned to camping) the night before the race started.

I'm planning on getting there early Saturday afternoon and only plan on camping Saturday night. If procurring a campsite is not possible at that time, I'll just plan on sleeping in my vehicle. If I do that, at least I won't start the race with a wet tent.

Posted 6 years ago #
CleanSlate
Member

The image below shows the OkoumeFest set-up as I remember it from last year. It is possible things might be different this year but this will give people at least something to expect about the layout of where to park, camp, and launch.

Posted 6 years ago #
Badger
Member

And though you can't see it, there is a boat ramp just below what is visible in this image, accessible from a different turn off the main road. Don't park there without purchasing a pass... they will ticket you.

Last year there was a bunch of construction going on in the dirt area... any local knowledge on the state of things now?

Posted 6 years ago #
CleanSlate
Member

This shows a larger area of the start.

Posted 6 years ago #
JollyRoger
Member

Thanks for the maps and info on ramps, great help. Jolly.

Posted 6 years ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

The deadline is approaching fast! April 15 is it - not just for taxes but for the OFUM2014 and OFC2014 too.

If you've been putting it off, now's the time.

Posted 6 years ago #
SeaDawg
Member

I did a circumnavigation of Kent Island about a month ago. From the water the beach area appeared to be clear except for a few kiteboarders and the harbor area still had the winter storage look about it. I didn't notice any construction from waterside.

See you on the water,

Marshall (SeaDawg)

The River Connection, Inc.

Hyde Park, NY

http://www.the-river-connection.com

hudsonriverpaddler.org

Posted 6 years ago #
CleanSlate
Member

If the OkoumeFest Challenge were to start on the morning of April 14, the following would show the 24 hour wind forecast.

If this is typical, (at least in wind direction) then it will be hard to get down to CP2 but relatively easy to get back to the start.

Posted 6 years ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

Actually, that is one of the things that John had in mind when laying out this course. It may be the great equalizer between the paddling classes and the sailing classes.

Posted 6 years ago #
deepminnow
Member

I did a some WT practice out of Crisfield this weekend. It's a beautiful area! If the winds and currents that I experienced are any indication of what's to come - it should be quite a Challenge.

Posted 6 years ago #
CleanSlate
Member

Wind is anyone's guess on the Chesapeake. Forcast for the next 24 hours.

Quite a bit different from a couple of days ago.

Posted 6 years ago #

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