It was a glorious day in New England with radiant sunshine and over 105 paddlers for the largest field ever, never mind they were mostly rowers of all types. After all it’s called the Snow Row. The surfski class was made up of the Nahant Boys( Mike McDonough, Graeme Rockett), SurfskiRacing.com team of Chris Chappell and Wesley Echols, Tom Kerr of the Connecticut/NY Boys), the Boston Boys Rob Flannigan, Sean Milano, and Tim Shields, and Dr. Tom in his kayak.
The common thread for today’s group was hard training in the off season, so a brief yard stick was provided to measure how that training was coming. Most of us have been erging (kayak or rowing), crossing training, or actually getting on the water as much as we can. So we were chomping at the bit for the race to start.
This was the calmest Snow Row ever with mirror flat conditions as opposed to 20 knots winds and sub freezing temperatures which is the norm for this race. Despite the calm conditions, the start was chaotic and quite frankly dangerous, with virtually no starting countdown for each stage. The rowing shells, surfskis, and kayaks went off at the same time which made things volatile. With only a one minute gap between stages, most racers had not even made it to the starting line before the gun went off. Some rowers had their shells headed in the wrong direction as was the case for a woman who came within one foot of ramming my ski as she was trying to turn her shell. She capsized seconds later. The key for a successful Snow Row is to avoid all rowing boats and oars as much as possible; not an easy task with such a short race and very close quarters.
Tom Kerr – Winner!
Despite the chaotic start, I got out of the gate first and clocked 8.7 mph at one point while avoiding the rowing shells. After about a half mile, I felt someone knocking (literally), and I knew who it was: Tom Kerr. Tom, having raced Dubai a few years ago and completed the Surfski Championships last year, is training for the Molokai on May 16. Tom has upped his game beginning last season and his training has continued over the winter months in hopes of having a positive experience in Hawaii. I had thought today it might come down to Tom and me and sure enough it was. Though it could have easily gone a number of ways with Mike McDonough, Chris Chappell, and Graeme Rockett, only slightly off the pace as we rounded Sheep Island. Chris, Graeme, and new comer Tim Shields were all in different skis from last year. Chris upgraded to his modified V10 for now, while Graeme was in is old faithful Millennium, with his Epic Boat being repaired. Tim looked comfortable in his Evo even after a full night of fighting fires in Boston. He works as fireman when he is not paddling.
No Wind Power Today!
Meanwhile, Tom passed me just as we got to the island, but I took a better angle taking my chances with the rocks and boat traffic. As we rounded the island, Tom took a much wider line while thinking he had dropped me because I was hidden with all the boat traffic. As we emerged, to Tom’s chagrin, I had gained 2 boat lengths on him. In the meantime, Mike was just about 30 seconds back, while Chris and Graeme we trading places riding each other’s wash. As we all headed toward the day marker, Tom was again knocking at my door with a “tap, tap” reminding me, “here I am again”. With about a half mile to go, Tom kicked it up a notch and passed me. It reminded me of the L2L race when Tom did the same thing. I hope Tom doesn’t begin to think this will be a routine thing. I hung on his wash for about 30 seconds but watched him pull ahead by 3 boat lengths. I regained maybe a length in the swirlies but Tom was not to be denied today. He raced a great race. Tom said his heart rate was soaring from the pace but I think it had more to do with the dry suit he was wearing, although my heart was pumping away at nearly Crash B levels.
As I turned at the finish line I could see Mike McDonough (3rd) powering home and not too far after that, Chris and Graeme were still neck and neck with Chris coming across the line ½ boat length ahead. Rob, Sean, and Timmy and Dr. Tom motored in shortly afterwards
Pre Race before the Fun Begins!!
After the race we all met on the beach away from boat traffic and made our plans to meet at the Liberty for a post race brew, burger, and had conversations about the upcoming season. I can’t remember who said it as we were leaving but it summarized the feeling for the day, “isn’t it great to be racing again”!! Indeed it is!
Next race: April 3, Narrow River Race
~Wesley
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