This series is the best of 6 races of 10 for the Northeast paddlers. Since 2012 Borys Markin has dominated the surfski racing scene with little competition except in the bigger races like the Blackburn and the Lighthouse that brings in other top paddlers of Borys’ caliber. Many of us had only heard of Borys a few years ago when he completely crushed the Run of the Charles 19 mile race in a K1. Coming from a K4 Olympic background, it was not until 2011 when Borys appeared on the surfski scene winning the L2L and the Jamestown Counter Revolution. Seeing that surfski racing offered another outlet for his paddling skills, Borys easily won the series in 2012, 2013, and now 2014. In 2013 Borys raced all over the world with mixed results in the bigger races. So for 2014 he focused on the races he wanted to do well in like the Blackburn Challenge, US Surfski Championship and the East Coast Surfski Championship. He clocked a 2:25:43 in this years Blackburn in time trial fashion since he was racing against the clock with no one else in is league. That 2:25:43 is the 4th fastest time ever over that course. Borys went on to place 24th in the US Surfski Champs and first in the mixed doubles race with Beata. At the East Coast Championship, Borys placed 2nd only behind elite paddler Austin Keiffer. So 2014 proved to be a very good year. Borys is a Stellar sponsored paddler paddling an Stellar SES for the past two seasons.
Beata and Borys
Borys along with Beata have been a welcomed addition to the surfski racing locally and in the US. I have enjoyed getting to know both over the years at the races. Every time I would see Borys he would come with friendly smile, always polite and humble yet confident in his abilities to compete once on the water. I also enjoyed his subtle sense of humor that made me laugh over the years. I remember at the Nahant race just a week after the US Surfski Champs, Borys with that big smile said “Wesley, what do you what know?” knowing I wanted to hear all about his race.
Beata dominated the womens series and placed 5th overall just one point behind Eric and myself. More importantly she has grown from a flat water paddler to becoming one of the top female surfskiers. Over the years, I have fond memories of competing with Beata. I remember at the Nahant Race years ago, I hit a rock and was ejected from my ski, Beata hit the same rock but stayed in her ski while we limped home with bent rudders. On another Nahant race, she rode my wash like the excellent K1 paddler she is. Beata is a master at riding wash. Even at the 2014 Double Beaver she stayed inches away from my stern even in rough conditions. During that race I paused for a few seconds several times and on the third time she asked ” Are you okay”? I responded “yes” but I thought to myself “I am trying like crazy to stay ahead of you”. This lasted until we got into the flat section of the last mile where Beata stepped on the accelerator and dropped me. On another occasion in the 2013 Ride the Bull she motored through the roughest section in her Nelo Ocean Ski without even a tap brace.
Beata at Double Beaver Race
At the 2013 Surfski Champs having to make a last minute boat change to a much slower XT vice her SES, I caught her at the last buoy and rode her wash until she hit another gear with a mile to go. Determined to get better for 2014, she put in her training and upped her game, placing 3rd at the 2014 US Surfski Champs. She has come along way from 2011 when I was worried about her as race director in gale conditions on the Sakonnet having very little ocean time. Beata reached another life time milestone by becoming a US citizen this year.
Beata showing us how its done!
It has been my pleasure to get to know Borys and Beata over the past few years and watch them compete. For us here in New England, Borys and Beata had no bigger cheering section than the New England paddlers. Both are leaving the cold waters of the Northeast to warm tropical Hawaii. We wish them the very best and hope to see them again at some of the races. They will be missed.
Wesley and Borys, 2014 East Coast Surfski Championship
2nd Place
Greg placed second behind Borys by only 4 points which is an outstanding feat. This pattern of second held true for most of the races since you could count on Borys winning getting the max 12 points while Greg would come in second getting the 11 points. Greg upgraded boats this year to a lighter ski so he was getting the most out of his intense training program. However, in late June Gregg sustained a pulled abdomen muscle that kept him side lined for the Blackburn and not at 100% for the US Surfski Champs. With a nagging injury, Greg never regained his top form but we can count on him for next year. Greg also kept us laughing his magnificent writing skills and humor. This year he also completed the massive data base Surfski America that includes all the surfski races in America. So congratulations to Greg on great season and his contributions to the surfski community.
Greg and Mary Beth at East Coast Championship
3rd Place
Andrius Zinkevichus placed third and maybe more importantly decided to compete in more ocean races this year. I have known Andrius for years but would only see him at the flat water races and on Wednesday nights for the Charles River training races. Andrius is a highly skilled K1 paddler( and thankfully has made the transition to surfskis bringing along his picture perfect stroke and excellent balancing skills). Andrius is multi-talented athlete and can often be seen on his bike or clipping into his cross country skis in Boston. Andrius also placed 9th at the 2014 ICF Canoe Marathon Masters World Cup in his age group on a boiling hot day in Oklahoma City.
Andrius World Marathon Championship
Andrius on K1, ski, bike, xcountry skis or motorcycle, matters not.
4th Place
I tied for 4th place with Eric Costanzo this year. Over the years I have been very consistent despite getting older. Since I started the series in 2010, I have placed 2nd twice, 5th twice, and 7th once. My season started of fairly well and like usual tapered some in the second half as others tend to get into racing shape much later than I do. Looking back I needed some help this year from a few of my friends in the Sakonnet River Race and the Blackburn. I was not feeling the Mojo for the ultra flat Sakonnet Race, so partner in crime Chris Chappell pulled me for just about the entire race. My other friend Chris Laughlin pulled me for a good portion of the Blackburn. I still managed my 2nd fastest time ever for the Blackburn while others too had fast times. Eric beat me at all the races except the Run of the Charles where he was under the weather. I held my own at the Narrow River and at the Ride the Bull. If you race often enough as most of us do, every race will not go according to plan. The Nahant Race paddling a Think Ion in big condtions, I got weeds at mile 2 but managed to make up some time on the downwind section which the Ion excels at. The biggest race of the season the East Coast Championship, I crashed hard at mile eight of the fourteen mile race in the heat. I normally fair well in the heat and have never bonked that hard in all my race days either paddling or road races. So for next year I always have the same goal: Lose weight! Will I be able to lose 12lbs. I am running more so we will see when I line up for the 2015 World Indoor Rowing Championships in February. This year also was a year of paddling many different skis including the V10, V10L, Spark, Ion, Glide, Uno Max, Huki S1X Special, Huki S1XL, and V14. Am I leaving out any ? So next year, I am certain I will be confined to for fewer skis and getting the most out of those skis.
Wesley, Kurt at finish of Blackburn 2014
Eric gets better with each season and certainly enjoys the rougher water races more than grinding it out on the flat water. Eric excels on the occasion we have any bigger downwind since he trains primarly in downwind waters at his home in NJ. Eric also competes in the National Life Guard Championships so paddling in surf is his forte. His flat water grind should get easier next year in his V14 so I don’t expect to be tied with Eric next year.
Eric at 2014 Ride the Bull
Eric(3rd), Chris(2nd), Greg(1st) Narrow River Race
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