The Double Beaver Race is by far the hardest race in New England if you are not prepared for it.  Tim and I have paddled the course or parts of it more than anyone. I have virtually lived on the course this summer opting to paddle it vice my home waters of the Sakonnet River. As Tim and I like to say, there is always something happening at Beavertail and yesterday it did not disappoint. Despite the hard course, many paddlers had an excellent race including first place finisher Joe Glickman who beat his time last year by several minutes.  Boris Markin, clear favorite to win, unfortunately did not go around the correct buoy at the half way point and had to retrace his path, hence an eight place finish.  This will be the closest I will every come to Boris in a race.  Dave Furniss, who had rudder problems at this years Blackburn, had an exceptional race coming in second place ahead of  Francisco. Francisco, took a little while to get warmed up, but his second half of his race was impressive.

Joe Glickman(photo Chris Chappell)

 

Dave Furniss(photo Chris Chappell)

 

Francisco Urena

The Boy Scout camping trip in the Maine wilderness must have done wonders for Tim, since he posted a super time slowly reeling in everyone after a slow start for a fourth place finish. Craig Impens after a two year layoff due to back surgery posted a noteworthy time and was happy to be in the mix again.  Joe Shaw out sprinted Tom Kerr in the last mile similarly to what he did to me at the Blackburn.  I chided Steve Delgadio about how he would do without this normal posse of Jim Hoffman and Mark Ceconi, Steve did just fine.  I look forward to seeing Mike Tracy again next weekend to paddle along Ocean Drive. Mike enjoys the dynamics of the course as much as anyone.  Bill K is a man really enjoying his paddling these days. Bill paddled the race for the first time yesterday and not only thoroughly enjoyed himself but got around the course in 2hrs and 9 minutes.  Bill placed 2nd in the Blackburn FSK class this year. 

Tim Dwyer

My Race

I was fretting all week that the race was going to be unusually flat with the forecast. It was for the first half of the course. I commented to Tom Kerr at mile 3,” another flat hot race”.  As Tom pulled up beside me, I looked at my heart rate and knew I had to slow down some if I was not going to crash and burn later.  Tom maintained a boat length ahead of me until mile 5, the Beavertail can.  Once you round the can, if  there are any waves to catch, this is where it can be done. I caught two tiny bumps.  Most of the field ahead of us opted to go far left after the can while Tom, Tim and I hugged the shore.  I was the closest to shore staying out of the current and picking a few seconds on Tom. That was short lived as Tom and Tim passed me just before the half way buoy.  I always seem to fade at this point in the race.  The other paddlers took a protracted line on the way back to the Beavertail while Tim, Tom, and I followed a more direct line.  Tim found his stride and begin to make his push that lasted the rest of the race passing myself, Tom, Joe Shaw, and Craig. Once around the Beavertail Can coming home, I was relieved that the wind had picked up and I had some conditions that I was totally comfortable in.  I was slowly reeling in Tom and Joe, taking an outside line to Bull point.  I closed the gap on both them by House on the Rocks to within 30 seconds but then they both found a second gear, sprinting for the 1.5 mile back to the finish.  My time was almost identical to  last year’s time though this year it felt much slower to me.  So overall most folks had a good race. Some first time paddlers of the course now have more respect of the course.

Wesley Echols

Thanks for Tim and Alyse for hosting, Bob Wright for driving the chase boat, Jeff Beneville for providing assistance for Andy G. with his motor boat,  and Epic for providing a paddle for the raffle. Chris Sherbourne won the paddle!  Also thanks to Chris Chappell (web master) for all the great pics he took. 

Results

1. Joe Glickman, 1:54:05, Epic V10

2. Dave Furniss, 2:00:39, Think Evo

3. Francisco Urena, 2:01:00, Stellar SE

4. Tim Dwyer, 2:01:44, Epic V12

5. Craig Impens, 2:02:02, Epic V12

6. Joe Shaw, 2:02:44, Stellar SES

7. Tom Kerr, 2:02:53, Epic V12

8.Boris Markin, 2:04:06, Nelo Ocean Ski

9. Wesley Echols, 2:04:20, Stellar SEL

10. Steve Delgaudio, 2:08:34, Fenn Swordfish

11. Mike Tracy, 2:09:07, Fenn Elite

12. Bill Kuklinski, 2:11:18, Epic V8

13. Greg Lesher, 2:13:06, Epic V12

14. Beata Cseke, 2:13:44,Nelo Ocean Ski

15. Junior Prates, 2:13:51, Epic V12

16. Bob Capillini, 2:23:52*, Epic V12

17.Chris Sherbourne, 2:24:04, Stellar SR

18. Eric McNett, DNF, Epic V12

19. Mike Chamness, DNF, Huki S1X special

20. Andy Gallonio, DNF, Stellar SR