Yesterday was Demo Day for the Kayak Centre in Wickford, Rhode Island. I thought it would be a good idea as part of the Demo Day to get a race in two weeks before Essex and one week after the ROTC.  This course is one of my favorites; 8 miles, scenic, a couple of turns, and if a few guys showed, RACE ON.  So myself, Tim Dwyer, Mike McDonough, Greg Lesher, Mary Beth, Tom Walek, Chris Sherborn and Hot Rod McClain all showed; RACE ON!  Conditions were glass, absolutely glass. No problem, flat water or conditions it is all good as they say.  I took the lead early with Greg and Tim on my tail as we rounded the day marker.  Mike who always starts slow was not to far behind.  Having Greg ride my wash is old hat for me now, I expect Greg to be right there pushing me, and pushing me some more. So feeling pretty good, I decided in the next 3.5 miles to see how good Greg was feeling. I pretty much know how Tim is feeling since we did the course 2 days before.  After a a mile, I zig zaged, put in some 20 second burst, some 1 minute burst, did some more zigging.  Greg and Tim responded every time.  I did get a verbal response from Greg at mile 2, “Boy you are really pushing the pace”, I responded with another 20 second interval.  At mile 3, Tim tried to dictate pace by vocal command sitting on Greg’s wash by saying ” Why don’t we hold this, until we get to the Lighthouse and then every man for himself.  My response was another 1 minute interval.  At 3.5 miles I decided to throttle it back slightly to recover before it was “every man for himself”.  At the Lighthouse there were 2 fishing boats anchored. I took the safe route around them while sly Tim cut between the Lighthouse and the boats. He was 3 boat lengths back but now was 3 lengths head, Darn it!!  

I caught Tim 1/2 mile later and managed to drop Greg in the process.  Not long after this Greg by his own admission, was spent and was over taken by steady as she goes Mike.  Meanwhile I rode Tim’s wash for the next 3 miles to the Day marker. Tim up the tempo with 1/2 mile leading up to the last turn. I was right there. We up the tempo even more and we were sprinting for the next 1/2 mile to the finish.  Tim beat me by 1.5 boat lengths.  RACE ON!!!  Mike takes third place with Greg following him.  The rest of the crew follows.   So it was another great tune up for the Essex in two weeks.  We will be ready. RACE ON!

Mary Beth and Chris Sherborn

 

Wesley,Greg,Mike,Tim,Rod

 

Tim

 

Stellars at Demo Day