2016 Sakonnet Race

I always look forward to the Sakonnet River Race. It gets us off the flat water and into bay/ocean conditions. It also is a distance that you can not hide at 12.5 miles. In the eight years I have held this race, conditions have varied dramatically from glassy flat to 2/3 ft seas in 25 mph winds. Some years I had to change the course due to conditions, however yesterday, conditions for the first leg were flat and fast and thankfully cool with a tiny breeze behind us. We had 22 paddlers tow the line. Not just any paddlers, mind you. As I said in my skipper’s meeting, we had a combination of some of the fastest or best rough water or most consistent paddlers at today’s race in the Northeast or on the East Coast, an excellent turnout indeed.

Sakonnet Race 2016 from Wesley Echols on Vimeo.
Wesley Garmin Track
Sakonnet Race Photos by Betsy

Hearty Paddlers

Matt Skeels(5th) led the first pack out but he was reeled in at mile one by Jessie(1st) and Greg(2nd). Greg having his best season ever so far, was always in striking distance of Jessie and finished the race less than a minute behind him. Matt Nunnally, finished out the top three.

Greg(2nd), Jessie (1st), Matt (3rd)

My race was tactically perfect. As you will see in the video, with a strong out going tide, I chose to be out further in the current which paid dividends. My pace increased from 6.9 mph to 7.3-7.8 mph allowing me to catch my training partner Tim Dwyer and my mile 5, I had a lead and kept that lead until mile 9. Tim looked stronger as I was becoming more fatigue and very hot. Many paddlers said they felt good until mile 9 which was my case too. As I slowed, Kirk Olsen, passed me as well. I was thankful Kirk was so close since I kept within a few boat lengths of him for the next 2.5 miles. Tim, Kirk and myself took the optimum line close to shore staying out of the current which did help all three of us. Since this is my home turf, I was able to make up a boat length on Kirk as we rounded the McCorrie Point sand bar. Kirk still had enough in the tank to edge me out by a few seconds and Tim finished up a minute ahead of us.

Kirk edging me out!

I want to thank all the paddlers for coming down as well as Greg for getting the race on PaddleGuru which made my job much easier. Betsy took some great photos, so I want to thank her as well. Also thanks to Bob and Steve supporting Bruce during the race. Thanks goes to sponsor Stellar Kayaks and Surfski. See most you at the Ride the Bull in two weeks. Registration is on Paddle Guru as well.