Where are the kayakers? « WaterTribe Forums

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Where are the kayakers?

(16 posts) (12 voices)

Started 2 years ago by OneEyedJake
Latest reply from Uroy

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OneEyedJake
Member

A memory from my first EC still makes the hair on my arms stand up. I had followed the race for a few years and had become familiar with the names of many of the kayakers that had been around for awhile: Watertribe 'Elders', respected for their experience and knowledge.

Leaving the beach, I was able to glance left and right at the line of kayakers headed out. Thrilling and inspiring to see the names painted on the bows as they paddled out. Hammerstroke, Sundance to the left. Kiwibird, Seiche, Kneadingwater and SandyBottom to the right! BustedRudder and KayakVagabond headed over the horizon already.

I was in the presence of EC giants!

It seems that in the past there were many more kayakers, sometimes 25 to 30. this year only about 8-10? Where's all my paddling buddies?! C'mon folks, sign up!

Looking for YOU multiple EC paddlers! My heroes!

ArdieO, Calypso, CatsPaws, CWolfe, DanceswithWaves, Danito, DolphinGal, Dusk2Dawn, Frenchman, Ghostyakr, Hammerstroke, Jarhead, Junglejim, Kiwibird, Kneadingwater, Sundance, MosquitoMagnet, Ridgerunner, Seiche, Spiritwalker, Stripbuilder. Tiderider, Tidetraveler, UncleMud, Whitecaps, Yakmandu, Yukonjohn.

All of these kayakers have completed several ECs and it was always my honor to paddle and learn from them. Hoping this inspires a few of them to sign up for EC2020.

See you on the beach!

oej

Posted 2 years ago #
Ridgerunner
Member

I had open heart surgery in August, and the doctor just approved me to exercise hard this week.

I changed from participant to checkpoint captain. See y’all there.

Posted 2 years ago #
Chief
Coastal Vagabond

I couldn't agree more! We need more kayakers. So here it goes.

For every Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 kayak in EC2020, which happens to be our twentieth year, I will donate $20 per paddler. The total amount will be divided into three parts for the following: Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Judes Hospital for Children, and Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

Technically Krugers are canoes, but they will count as kayaks for this purpose.

Sail or No Sail doesn't matter.

Posted 2 years ago #
Maineyak
Member

I promised the wife we'd spend this winter in Spain, otherwise I'd be there again. 2021 is locked into the schedule.

Posted 2 years ago #
DocHoliday
Member

First timer here, looking to dip my toe in with the UM - solo kayak nonsail. Between my skin on frame yost sea rover (not even enough room for a water bottle, mostly submarine) and my borrowed wilderness system sealution (not a lot of waterline) I don’t think I have the right boat currently.

What are the fast and light (light philosophy not light bodyweight - I’m 6’ 175) paddlers paddling for the EC and UM?

Posted 2 years ago #
BeaV
Member

Doc,

I'm not a kayaker so I shouldn't try to give you an answer. I will say if you go to the event roster and look at the class 1 and 2 challengers you will see some kayak brand and models showing up a lot.

Posted 2 years ago #
Maineyak
Member

Epic 18x, a Stellar S18 or S18R, QCC Q700X or Rockpool Taran 18 are the regular speed demons. Those are probably the fastest kayaks around.

Posted 2 years ago #
DocHoliday
Member

Gotcha, I’m headed to check out an Impex force cat 4... more expedition style on the lines of a CD nomad I guess... 18 x 20.75, minimal rocker, skeg. Hopefully that will do the trick, I would love a stellar 18 but deadlines are getting close and I don’t see used ones pop up much. Hopefully it’s not a bear for unladen training paddles, and hopefully fast enough to keep me happy for a while. My usual paddles are 10-15 mile day paddles in the icw.

Posted 2 years ago #
rustybutt
Member

DocHoliday wrote:

Gotcha, I’m headed to check out an Impex force cat 4... more expedition style on the lines of a CD nomad I guess... 18 x 20.75, minimal rocker, skeg. Hopefully that will do the trick, I would love a stellar 18 but deadlines are getting close and I don’t see used ones pop up much. Hopefully it’s not a bear for unladen training paddles, and hopefully fast enough to keep me happy for a while. My usual paddles are 10-15 mile day paddles in the icw.

I've a Seda Glider for sale $1500, in the sarasota area.

Posted 2 years ago #
spiritwalker
Member
When I look to do a long-distance event, four factors are in play:
1. Is it within my racing budget for the year? This includes cost to enter each race, logistical fees, crew fees, etc.
2. Can I get the time off to do the event? I work for a company that has preset vacation days in the summer and winter.
3. Does the event meet my challenge needs? This challenge may be in the form of: length of event, navigation requirements, water type, danger involved, ….etc. For repeat events I do is the challenge still there. In some cases, the challenge is just the weather and not the course itself.
4. I’m I physically or mentally fit to do the event. Mostly it would have to do with mentally. If I’m into doing an event I will think about that event normally once during the day. While training for said event, I would envision myself in the event. I would daydream about the event……..
For example, in 2018 in I skipped doing the EC for budgetary reasons so I could do other races:
- Lowcountry River Rat 235 in SC. Below is a link to my FB report of this event:
  https://www.facebook.com/kayak.ted/posts/872602002945650
- Blackburn Challenge in MA. Below is a link of said yearly event.
  https://www.blackburnchallenge.com/Blackburn.html
I love doing the EC but in the end factors 2, & 3 conspired against me, so I will not be seeing you all on the beach this year. I will be rooting you all on from behind the computer screen.

I may look to do the LRR Challenge this year as the Great Alabama 650 is on my race to do list?
https://paddleguru.com/races/LowcountryRiverRatsChallengeLRRChallenge
Posted 2 years ago #
CCock
Member

My kayak and I are ready for the EC! Doing a little training kayak camping this weekend! Full load, 2 days and one night.

Posted 2 years ago #
KayakVagabond
Member

Spiritwalker we will miss your company this year!

CCock, apologies if you already know, but just in case, your QCC is a class 1 kayak, but you can certainly enter in class 2 ( higher performance ) if you prefer since it gives no advantage. The reverse is not true ( class 2 can’t enter as class 1). Class 1 now has divisions for sail / no sail. My Epic 18X will be in class 1 no sail this year.

Posted 2 years ago #
CCock
Member

KayakVagabond thanks for the info... I think I’m entered properly? 18 ft QCC with 3M sail... I may not use the sail much or at all, I will be pacing with a Paddleboard for the EC. Depending on conditions the sail just makes me too much faster than the paddleboard.

Posted 2 years ago #
KayakVagabond
Member

Hi CCock, Your QCC kayak is OK for class 1 but you can have 12 square feet of sail.
Class 2, where you are now, only allows a 1M sail.
Class 3 would be for sailing kayaks and canoes with larger sailing rigs. Reefing rules apply.

That said, best to check with Chief if there’s any doubt.

https://watertribe.com/PDF/MustRead/WaterTribeBoatClasses.pdf

Posted 2 years ago #
Macatawa
Member

CCock,

Falcon doesn't make a 3M sail as far as I know... they show 1M and 1.4M.

That being said, and as KV pointed out, class 1 is limited to 12sq ft (1.1sq M) and class 2 is limited to 1 sq M.

Posted 2 years ago #
Uroy
Member

Macatawa,

Falcon sail now makes a 12 sqft sail. Just started selling them last week. They now have a baton and a new down haul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU6XoxtT1TM

Posted 2 years ago #

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