MicroTom's Blog

The race is over but some lose ends to wrap up and some stories to finish.

The day before SawHorse had finished in 4 days and 8 hours winning class 3. Truly impressive. I got to see his boat and talk to him about the changes he made for 2014. A little longer hull. Better ama configuration including design elements that prevented the issues we had with twisting amas. You can not help being around him and wanting to build your own boat. I am looking forward to reading. Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction: Wood and West System Materials

Credit for photo to: Dirty Little Runner Girl. Please visit her SmugMug site @ http://dirtylittlerunnergirl.smugmug.com/Everglades-Challenge-2014/

WhiteCaps and NightNavigator had come into CP3 about 6 hours ahead of us and elected to go through the night to the finish. Their time was 5 days 22 minutes. They had paddled the entire course faster than we sailed it.

Erika and I had just had an intense crossing of Florida bay. We made our way to the finish in 20 – 25 Knot winds but we were actually in better shape than those behind us because there was an even stronger front about to move through the area.

About an hour behind us others who had left CP3 with us started to arrive. Pelican and Falcon followed by KiwiBird, Seiche, and KneadingWater. All beating the impending front.

The rest of the WaterTribers still on the course would have to deal with the storm.

Stripbuilder had rudder issues in Florida Bay and capsized. Through others I heard that rather than set off his EPIRB or SPOT he had the presence of mind to pull out his VHF radio and hail the Coast Guard for assistance. WaterLily and I saw them heading in the direction of other WaterTribers so it was good to see he was able to get picked up. One thing I found especially interesting is that they also brought his boat back which was extremely fortunate. While StripBuilder was tired and in his spirits low he quickly recovered. By Saturday morning a ruling came in that he could paddle back out to the spot where he was rescued and finish the course so he would receive credit for completing the Everglades Challenge. So off he went back 5 miles out into Florida Bay and back. It was really nice to see him finish after having paddle with him in Everglades National Park.

WindwardMark and LeewardLauren came in about 2 1/2 hours behind us as the front hit Key Largo.

DeadCat had to paddle in the front but made it to the finish. Even after paddling backwards to CP3 early the same morning.

There were three father/daughter teams in the race this year. All had successful challenges. GoldenSun, Sundance, WaterLily, Microtom, Moose and Squirrel. Everyone was excited to share the race with their daughters. WaterLily was the youngest at 14. I think Squirl was 16.

Credit for photo to: Dirty Little Runner Girl. Please visit her SmugMug site @ http://dirtylittlerunnergirl.smugmug.com/Everglades-Challenge-2014/

Now for some important stuff. Thanking some key people. Some one once told me you never start these without thanking your wife 🙂

To my wife who somehow enjoys that I have an adventurous spirit. With much love, thank you!

To my partner in the race, WaterLily, you were awesome. Thank you for sharing the experience with me.

A big thanks to our shore contact through the race SharkBait. While not a WaterTriber he is a very accomplished sailor with a hot boat he built and continues to modify himself. Its a boat that would do well in the race. Unfortunately he is too sane to enter a WaterTribe event but if he did he would be a top finisher.

For help with logistics and rides to and from the race. Thank you Joe Martin and ChasingTail. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Huge thanks to Chief, PaddleDancer, all the checkpoint captains, volunteers and support who help make the race possible. We really do appreciate you!

And finally thank you to all the park staff, LEO, Coast Guard and others who watch over us during the event.