2015 Essex Video and Recap

2015 Essex River Race by Wesley Echols from Wesley Echols on Vimeo.

Another good turnout today at the race today. Cool weather was perfect but the water level very low. The start caught everyone off guard with a mere 5 second count down without everyone on the line. It should have been obvious we were not all on the line so some of us started a few boats lengths behind. The pointed end of the surfski pack was lead by Jan followed by a heated sprint between Greg and newcomer to surfski racing, Hugh Pritchard. Hugh is not a newcomer to kayak racing just to paddling a surfski. I would say his first surfski race was a success as he out sprinted Greg to an ultra close finish. Sean Brennan and Eric Costanzo made to trip up from NJ only to have race favorite Sean break a rudder line and finish well back in the pack. Mary Beth is working her way up the men’s field with a great race. My training partner Tim H had another excellent race beating both Tim D and I for the first time in a race. Congrats to Tim, he has been working hard over the last 2 years to get his groove on from humble beginnings as a so so sea kayaker. Bruce “the Torch” Deltorchio continues be in the upper pack despite trying a new paddle today.  Ben Pigott, another newcomer to surfskis is making his mark as well.  The overall winner was in a K1, Mike Dostal. We got to get him a ski! I may just have one for him and they begin with an “S”.  Next race, I am hosting. I am hoping for 2 to 3ft seas and blowing 20 on the Mighty Sakonnet on June 6th. We will see if the flat water boys can hold their groove as our ocean races begin.

Jan 1st and Hugh 2nd in surfskis

The Rhode Island Crew minus Bob Wright today. Tim H is elevated to the middle position since he whupped us today!

I get a rare smile from Greg at the finish!

Hugh and Eric Costanzo

Sean Brennan and Eric made the long trip up from NJ.