This looks like an EC on steroids.
Race to Alaska - 750 miles
(25 posts) (15 voices)-
Scareman
Member$10,000 to the winner.
Starts June 4 2015.
Leave Port Townsend, Washington and finish in Ketchikan, Alaska.
I am thinking SOS and the Mosquito should accept this challenge. How about SewSew or JollyRoger?
Maybe a Core Sound Captain, or a SeaPearl?
Krugers...C'mon. You guys paddled the flooding Missouri this year when they delayed the MR340, and you still paddled East
Seaward Kayaks is from Vancouver, BC...maybe I could solo paddle my tandem.
$10,000 to the winner!
Posted 6 years ago # -
Hey Brad I signed up. Team name Discovery. No team mates yet. The prize money did not draw me in but I would not hand it back to them if I won either. For me it will be a warmup for the Coastal and UF 2016 since no long (ultimate) Watertribe race in 2015. Interesting race concept though, sounds like they took some out of Chief's playbook.
JollyRoger
Don’t worry, we’re legit. Race to Alaska is a project of the Northwest Maritime Center, a 501c-3 non-profit committed to engaging people in the waters of our world in a spirit of adventure and discovery. To learn more about us and the other things we do visit our website:nwmaritime.org.
Posted 6 years ago # -
JR, I figured you would sign up... seems right up your alley :) From Facebook it seems that Dawn is also considering it.
I'm curious what people's thoughts are on the bears... Anchor out? Pepper spray? 12 guage?
Scareman, paddling the flooded MO was cake... going downstream with 5mph of current, a few floating trees to avoid, no boat traffic at all
Posted 6 years ago # -
This looks amazing I wonder if they would allow a SUP, maybe be a bit slow though. I wonder how the sweep boat would work, pace?
Macatawa, I did a kayak trip from Bella Bella to Port Hardy (part of this route) and never saw any bears or signs of them. I did however take pepper spray along for the journey.
Posted 6 years ago # -
RS, I asked about that claim and what I got is that it will be a yearly race not bi-annually so that is why....? That is splitting hairs but something that Chief could take care of very easy. We all know that the UF is the longest and toughest and then when you add the coastal it is harger even more so. PH, I may already have a team mate, I will let you know for sure when I know which should be fairly soon. , Roger
Posted 6 years ago # -
DonKeyHoTey
MemberAm I missing something, or am I right that there are essentially no restrictions except no motor onboard. AFAICS, there are no "filters": no beach start (so no weight/draft limitation), no crew limitation, no LOA or SA limitation, no classes, no bridges to pass under, etc (though precise starting and finish lines are not specified -- presumably they are in blue-ish water and not on terra firma).
So the 10 Gs will go to the guys who show up in the baddest 40' multihull (http://www.f-boat.com/pages/trimarans/F-39.html) that will zoom up the outside of Victoria Island at 20kts+, the off-watch snoozing in their bunks or watching x-rated movies on the flat-screen. @ 20kts, they're there in less than 2 days (UNLESS there's no wind...). So if the winds blow, the sweep boat will get there in 12 days, and you better be paddling/rowing fast or you'll have to tap out.
DKHT
Posted 6 years ago # -
I have been in contact with the organizers about things in general and the "longest" race claim. Yes our Ultimate Florida Challenge is longer but their race has the longest distance between checkpoints so the claim is no big deal to me.
I do agree with some posts here that they might want to think about some boat rules or restrictions. Normally, it would not make much difference, but when you add money I think it changes things and not necessarily in a good way.
One suggestion would be to handle it like some of the Spartan or Mud/Obstacle races. They typically have an "Elite" division and everyone else. Only the Elites are in it for the money. But heck, do the first race and see what happens and adapt if necessary.
I hope this event turns out to be very successful and I wish all WaterTribers good luck if they decide to head northwest.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Mishigama
MemberI received a reply from the race organizers. They changed the sweep boat schedule after a back and forth discussion. If you have other issues, you should send an email. They are interested in making this work well.
Thanks to Per for first pointing out the potential problem.
Posted 6 years ago # -
There are also two checkpoints which pretty much keep you inside. And thanks to Chief for allowing is to discuss different races. Until we get an Orca challenge up in the NW this is all we have for that area. Roger
Posted 6 years ago # -
riverslayer
MemberJollyRoger - I believe there is only one checkpoint (Victoria) and then the finish in Ketchikan, Alaska. Since there are not any size limitations on boats, I can see a few ocean racing catamarans dominating the race. If the organizers want to have a fair race, they should adopt many of the WaterTribe rules and classifications - especially a beach start.
RiverSlayer
Posted 6 years ago # -
BeastOarman
MemberFor me, the checkpoints would be the key.
Like JR I read the website as there were 2 checkpoints between Victoria and Ketchikan.
That may have been wishful thinking - I did not see the checkpoints explicitly named.Would it be possible/make sense to have a WT race-within-a-race?
I mean, 40' Multihull is to Sew Sew as Sew Sew is to kayak. We can all have a good time.Posted 6 years ago # -
danceswithmullet
MemberThis would be a really cool venue for a race. Lots of Current, strong shifty to non existant wind, Orcas, bears, shiptraffic. Drop dead gorgeous scenery the whole way. The winner takes all pot detracts from the whole thing. Whittling the money down to different classes would improve the appeal, even without a pot, I think having the different classes would make it much more appealing. The filters would keep the boats small, but if they need the big boats to enter to make the pot money that is how they run the race, and it is their race. If you don't like it don't enter. Be thankful for watertribe. DWM
Posted 6 years ago # -
Seyour Narrows and Bella Bella are the waypoints given on this page. http://racetoalaska.com/about/
Look under "Stage 2" .....I could be missing something , I will go back and read again. I agree with you guys about no checkpoints and I would perfer a beach start, but I am not sure that it would matter to me. I mostly just want to do the inside passage to Alaska and I would prefer to do it during an organized race. That they were willing to change the rules is a good sign that they do have good sense. This rule change will give us much more time to complete the race without getting swept up. Also, I do not see many cruisers taking off their engines to risk the inside route. Fellow in charge today wrote to me that he hopes to have at least 10 boats enter and they will consider a limit if they start getting to many-the number he mentioned was 50.
Watertribe mentioned a north west race but I went back 38 pages and still could not find it. Maybe I just missed it. I am sure that it was not the inside passage though but a possible 300 miler.
WaterTribe has created a big change in my life. Thank you Tribe!
http://adventuresofgreg.com/blog/2010/02/23/inside-passage-trip-report/ this link has a video that talks about the narrows, tides and currents.
Posted 6 years ago # -
stargazer
MemberIt's been a lot of years, but I've made this trip many times. Sometimes with an engine and sometimes without. there is a lot of scenery, blue water and green trees, and very little wind! I remember very well sailing dilligently for 16 hours, making 1.5 miles. This was in desolation sound where the tidal current splits so offers little help. It is lot of patience and timing the tidal current. There is quite a parade of motor boats, including those with masts going North early and later South. The two boats I used were a Tramp Harbor 25 and later a modified 1972 Cal 33. The Tramp went solo most of the time, no crew and no engine. BIG sculling oar! The Cal sailed so well engine use was minimal. The crew is now my wife of 30 years. The tidal rapids are intimidating, the bears are a minimal concern and the rain can wear you down. Forget the money, the trip is worth more! Read the sailing directions, the tidal current book and of course your time piece.
Stargazer
Posted 6 years ago # -
JollyRoger, I have been planning to do a Challenge in that area for awhile now. But stuff kept getting in the way of a scouting trip. I finally got things out of the way and was ready to scout and setup a Challenge for June or July 2015. But right about that time this race was announced. I don't want to get in the way of this event. Having two events of this type (even though mine would have been a 300 miler) at the same time would not be a good idea. So WaterTribe won't be doing anything in the NW for now. I hope this event is very successful.
Posted 6 years ago # -
BeastOarman
MemberWell, this race is out for me - daughter is graduating college on 6/14. Although I hate to miss it, financially the graduation puts me way further ahead than winning the R2AK!
I had been reading these blog posts of a solo kayaker, to get a sense of the area - might be interesting reading for you: http://denisdwyer.blogspot.com
Posted 6 years ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterI also recomend reading Rowing to Latitude by Jill Fredston. (I found it on SandyBottom's blog). Has a great section on rowing that coast.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I just received Waggoner's Crusing Guide to the area... very interest. My new B&B Princess 22' is made for this trip!
Posted 6 years ago #
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