surfski novice

With the 2013 Salt Springs Classic fast approaching, I thought it would be nice to look back on some of the great pictures from 2012... 

Pasco County 2-Day Paddle Festival (Bluesway & Alliance combined events) New Port Richey Salt Springs Classic Cotee River Seafood Festival Durney Key Challenge To register for the Salt Springs Classic or Durney Key challenge, use this link: http://www.saltspringsalliance.com/upcoming.htm Salt Springs Classic 6 miles Pasco April 27th 8 mile race Prize custom wood burned event paddles for top 3 in each category (race, tandem & recreational) Saturday, April 27, 2013 - Registration at 11:00 am, Captain's meeting at 11:30 am, Launch at Noon. CSO Headquarters, 9120 Old Post Road, Port Richey, FL. Followed by the Cotee River Seafood Festival in Sims Park directly across from finish line. http://SaltSpringsAlliance.com/SaltSpringsClassic Durney Key Challenge April 28th kayak obstacle course challenge A challenging floating & porting course among the stilt houses. Truly a one-of-a-kind challenge.  Some dragging of kayaks over obstacles required s...

Note that many of these races are promoted as OC-6, OC-1 races but they also include kayak & surfski racing as well... Blackburn Challenge, Cape Ann MA July 20th 2013 Pailolo Challenge (Maui to Molokai) 26 miles September 14th, 2013 Gorge Outrigger Races (OC-1, OC-6) July 19-21, 2013 www.nwoutrigger.com/gorge/ New York Liberty Challenge (OC-6) 15 miles June 22nd newyorkoutrigger.org/liberty/ Queen Lili, Hawaii (OC-6 Iron) 18 miles August 31 - September 2nd, 2013 www.kaiopua.org/ql-event-schedule.asp Toronto International Outrigger Challenge, End of July (OC-6, OC-1) www.torontooutriggerchallenge.com Kent Island (OC-6) 35 mile relay Beginning of September www.kiocc.com/kiocc_cup.html Catalina Crossing, California Relay Race September 7-13th, 2013 www.catalinacrossing.org/history/ Molokai Hoe Relay Race - Molokai to Oahu October 13,2013 www.molokaihoe.com

Paddling Pasco “Durney Key Challenge” 1st Annual Event: This is a 2.3 mile paddling race course around stilt houses in open water starting and ending on Durney Key, a small island just off the mouth of the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River in Port Richey, Pasco County. Along the course there will be 10 unique challenges testing paddling skills and endurance. Date: Sunday April 28, 2013 Time: Ch eck in on the island 8:30 to 9:30 am. The Captains (rules) meeting is at 10 am sharp on the island. The first wave of participants starts at 10:30 am. Awards will be at a local venue, Hooters on Millers Bayou at 1:45 pm. Race Classes: Under 20, 20 to 40, Over 40. Awards will be 3 deep in each class. Registration: Early registration is $25.00. Register online at saltspringsalliance.com or download the registration form on Pasco County Parks and Recreation website and mail a check no later than April 19, 2013 to Pasco County Parks and Recreation, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. suite 202, Land ...

The Mocke vest preferred by racers has been off the market for two years in R & D trying to make it even better.  The new ISO approved vest will be available in the US starting the beginning of February.  Ocean paddle Sports in California has 300 of them coming in.  They are taking reservations now by phone or email.  I called and reserved mine.  Why a racing vest?  Kayakers need a very specific vest for comfort & safety.  This vest is light weight, well ventilated vest, has pockets for energy bars in front, pocket for a water bladder in back, bright orange rescue color and reflective tape, only mesh vest on the market... finally due to the mesh, the vest does not become heavy aiding in wet reentry into a kayak or surfski at sea.  Get yours at www.oceanpaddlesports.com April 3rd 2013, I have been using mine for a little over a month now and I have never been a fan of the uncomfortable, extremely hot life vests designed for kayakers. ...

Some touring paddlers like wide brim hats but racers prefer thin well ventilated caps.  I like the Epic and Fenn paddling caps. Epic - This paddling cap is available in white nylon with darker racing stripe and well ventilated sides. Available at www.epickayaks.com or from your local dealer. Fenn - This paddling cap is available in red and blue.  It is well ventilated with flaps over the ventilated area to prevent sun exposure.  It is available through www.oceanpaddlesports.com There are alot of baseball caps and sports caps but not all are created equal for kayaking.  Select something that does not absorb water, will ventilate well when your body heat rises and wear it low on your head to aid in keeping your head up thus improving paddling posture and safety.

Races 2013  Miami Winter Nationals January 13th  Ohana Downwind Series Race Sunday January 19th Clearwater Sailing Center Loop course Sand Key intercoastal thru pass down Clearwater Beach to Caladesi and back www.crazypaddlers.com Estero River Race January 20th Sunday 1pm start 4 mile / 10 mile Paula erol@aol.com Ohana Downwind Series Race Clearwater Saturday February 2nd Clearwater Sailing Center Wakulla Loop course Sand Key intercoastal thru pass down Clearwater Beach to Caladesi and back www.crazypaddlers.com River Race Tallahassee, FL February 9th and 10th Sunday 8am start Jensen Classic Weeki Watchee River February 16th Crisp Park Race St Petersburg, FL February 23rd John Edwards canoechamp@aol.com Bogey & Bacall Key Largo February West Coast Champs March 2nd & 3rd Clearwater, FL OC-6, OC-1, SUP, Surfski, Kayak - Jean Raas Event Coordinator contact jraas18@gmail.com Great Pickle Race Hillborough River, Tampa FL March 16th Glennis Willi...