Narrow River Race 2014, Seas It! SurfskiRacing.com Series Race #2

Sunshine, Sunshine on the Narrow River. We have been starved this winter for sunshine so today was a great day to be on the water. A small group of paddlers from all over New England made the trek down: Chris Laughlin from Maine, Jerry Kastner from NJ along with Eric Costanzo, Bob C. from Long Island, Matt D, representing the North Shore along with Greg and Mary Beth, Chris from Boston, Chris Sherwood from the Cape and the four local Rhode Islanders, me, Tim D, Tim H, and Bob Wright. While the sunshine was in abundance, the water level was very low with just enough wind to keep you from overheating. This year’s course was cut short by half mile since the University of Rhode Island Rowing Team’s 2k turning buoys were absent so we all turned on the 1500 meter buoys. We were all glad since 9.2 miles was clearly enough to see who had been working out this winter. Nobody can hide on flat water!! More Pics below on link.

Loaded up for the race with my Mohican and Chris’ Huki I have been paddling for 2 weeks.

Sunshine! yeah!

Captains Meeting

Ready to go!!

Chris Chappell led from the start for about half mile before Greg passed about six of us, shifting into another gear. We need to put a govern on Greg because he quickly put a huge gap on Chris Laughlin and Chris Chappell who were trading places for 2nd and 3rd for the first 4 miles before Chris C. put small gap on Chris L. Meanwhile, I was trying to reel in Eric Costanzo with some short intervals and managed to catch him at mile 4 and stayed on/off him until mile 6. At this point I need a gel so I lost a few boat lengths to Eric and was trying desparately to make the gap up as Eric was chasing Chris Laughlin. Eric was able to catch Chris L. at one of the bridges since Chris L. slightly misjudged the current and scraped the bridge abutment allowing Eric to hop on his wash. At this point, two guys working together opened up a gap on me, that only got larger. In retrospect, I wished I had waited on the gel, but boy I like my gels! By the time we got to the turn stick, Chris C. made an excellent turn while Chris L. and Eric took the turn together trying not to get in each others way. At the turn Chris C. had 4 boat lengths on both of them which he was able to maintain while the fight for 3nd and 4rd came down to mere seconds. Wondering where Greg is? Out of sight! During this time frame, I(5th) was able to hold off Tim D. (6th), while Tim H. placed 7th. Just like the Snow Row Race, the three of us(me, Tim D, Tim H.) finished in the same order. The other exciting finish was Mary Beth paddling her new V10 sport Ultra overtaking Chris Sherwood at the finish.

Chris C, and Chris L just after finish.

Eric(3rd), Chris(2nd), Greg(1st)

Lastly we were able to show our support for Seas It Organization, http://seasit.org/, Cancer Recovery Through Recreation founded by Eric’s sister , Amanda Costanzo. Check out the link and see how you can get involved, support or donate.

Seas It

Thanks to Vaikobi, for sponsoring the Series!! Performance Paddle Wear! Next race on the Series is the 6 mile ROTC, April 27, Boston, Massachusetts, Charles River.

A few more Pics from today.

https://plus.google.com/photos/111670948231605580163/albums/6001556549453643345

Additional Photos byLeslie Chappell

Results

1.Greg Lesher 1:16.45, Epic V10 Ultra

2.Chris Chappell, 1:22:33, Van Dusen Mohican

3.Eric Costanza, 1:23: 03, Epic V12 Ultra

4.Chris Laughlin, 1:23:09, Epic V10 Ultra

5.Wesley Echols, 1:24:08, Van Dusen Mohican

6. Tim Dwyer, 1:25:30, Epic V14 Ultra

7. Tim Hydyncia, 1:27: 30,Stellar Ses Excel

8.Matt Drayer, 1:29:14, Epic V8 Ultra