Nahant Race: Course Change=Fun.

For as long I can remember the Nahant Race hosted by Mike and Carol McDonough has been flat. Long Beach is a beautiful beach and as you look back, you can see the skyline of Boston. Today, however, the winds were up and Mike changed the course to take advantage of the Northeast wind. Once out of the harbor, we quickly negotiated a small breaking wave over the rocks. I hesitated for a milisecond, and went for it. The guys in my pack behind me did the same. However, there were two of us that paused and turned back, knowing conditions were only going to get bigger as we headed out to Roaring Bull Rock. We all paddled upwind with an incoming tide as the swell become bigger. It reminded me of Beavertail with a bigger swell but not as confused. For the first mile I was with my normal pack of guys close by until mile 2, where I picked up the dreaded weeds. So while I was trying to shake them off by paddling backwards, zig zaging, I could not get them off. I debated about getting off my ski, but chose not too at this point. More pics below.

https://plus.google.com/photos/111670948231605580163/albums/6051297598283344865

Pre Race Eric C, Chris Laughlin, Greg

During this time, Tim passed me and shortly afterwards Chris Chappell did as well, opening up a sizeable lead. If you have ever paddled with weeds for a mile, it can be a race killer. Finally at mile 3.14, the weeds were off and I resumed my normal race pace. So just before Roaring Bull Rock, I caught Mike and we both turned headed downwind. Mike said while paddling together for a few minutes, the waves should line up directly behind us shortly. He also commented on how just about everyone was headed too close to shore to take advantage of the conditions. Mike and I stayed out along with Chris Chappel making the most of the downwind. This downwind was a funky downwind, again like Beavertail. Paddle hard, and get almost nothing! However, we were getting more than the other guys because, Mike and I made up some time on the other guys catching Matt and Eric M at the last turn. In fairness to Matt, he did manage to capsize a few times due to an overwhelmed rudder. Once I we made the turn into the harbor, Matt, Eric opened up a gap and Mike passed me.

Beata showing us how its done!

Borys with his Stellar Kit! How fast are those Stellars!

Meanwhile Borys and Beata(3rd Woman US Surfski Champs) continued their success from the US Surfski Championships by finishing first and third today. Eric Constazo, coming off the US Lifeguard Championships two weeks ago place 2nd. Eric is the best downwind paddler among us. Greg Lesher placed 4th, happy to be back in his home waters of New England after the Surfski Champs.

Eric making it happen at the US National Life Guard Championship

Eric Constanzo making it happen at the US National Life Guard Championship

Chris Laughlin placed fifth, less than 30 seconds behind Beata and Greg. After the race, I got to hear first hand from Beata and Borys about their race in San Fran as well as Gregs race. On the way up to the race, I peppered Tim about his San Fran race as well. Other highlights of today’s race were Bill K, being swallowed up by the breaking wave at Roaring Bull Rock, after he told us to “Use Your Judgement when rounding the day marker”.

Bill K showing us the many ways to exit a ski!

We heard you Bill! Andy Knight joined the racing circuit and got around the course in the SES I sold him two weeks earlier. I congratulated Andy for completing the course, because with limited time in the bucket, his race was the most remarkable. It was great to see Bill Stafford on the water, making time between bike sessions. Despite weeds, I had a super time at the race: I got to race a new ski, the Think Ion, try my new Vaikobi pants, bring home a demo Evo 2, hear all the race stories about the US Surfski Champs, and paddle in some bigger conditions while getting amped up for the Lighthouse to Lighthouse Race (East Coast Surfski Championships) in two weeks. A good day in the water indeed!!