The Narrow River Race begins the Northeast Race Season in early April leading to the Run of the Charles Race in late April, April 27, 2025 to be exact. Yesterday’s race was attended by a small group of us that were motivated to make the drive, endure the cold windy miserable weather, and paddle hard for 72 minutes to 90 minutes on the mighty Narrow River located in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
The weather was 39 degrees with a feel like temperature of 24, with winds 13.6 mph from the NE with high gust according to my Strava. I wore my Gortex Drysuit, heavy pogies, and neoprene 7 mil booties. Thats how cold it was. Those who made the drive, Greg, Kirk, Mary Beth from Boston area had light snow on the ground as they loaded up to make the trip. I debated about attending so put my decision off to the morning of the race. I felt super rested after not doing much all week since Tim Hacket and Tim Dwyer and I paddled 8 miles on the Sakonnet the previous Saturday. The rest was intentional so for an old guy I was feeling great as I loaded my Stellar Eagle Surfski on my new car. Cars were a topic of conversation since three of us had bought new cars in the past few weeks to avoid the foolish/harmful tariffs(tax) on cars and imports.
It was so cold after the short after meet some us got back on our cars to warm up before we got on the water to race. I was excited to race my Eagle again since I have not used it since the Holyoke race in the fall. My criteria for getting the Eagle was I wanted a faster ski that I could paddled without putting much time in it and that I could use on the Sakonnet in flat to moderate conditions when not in my V9 or V10 4G. Greg and Mike both in their V14’s were a little shaky at times during the race having not put much time in them so early in the season. I was only shaky 3x during the race where I slowed down but was happy with my Eagle with my 4 inch rudder.
From the start, Mike Florio, course record holder and winner for years now, led the way and was practically out of sight except to pass him in the opposite direction. Greg held second for the entire race. Kirk and Mary Beth looking super smooth in their double were 2 minutes behind Greg, then Tim D in 3rd. Tim Hacket and I were a few minutes behind Tim. We had a dory and a rowing shell join us too, Eric Penahoat in his Echo and Jeff Lenihan putting in a massive effort in his Great Banks Dory.
My race went well. Tim Hacket and I were only 2 to 5 boat lengths apart the whole race. I drafted when I could particularly on the 3 mile upwind and current first leg to the dock turn. I was looking forward to the turn which begins the approximate 1 mile downwind leg on the return. By the end of this leg I gained a 5 boat length lead on Tim H but that was short lived. Once I got passed the bridge, I knew I could not hold my 150 heart rate pace for the next 4 miles of the 8 mile race so I paused got a GU and some water as Tim pulled up beside me.
We paddled together until the final turn which is 1.5 miles to finish. Tim let me go first around the turn as he cut on the inside of turn piling. My turn was super wide so I lost 2 boat lengths despite Tim letting me go first. I then trailed him for a boat length up to the bridge. This final leg is upwind and against the current and will test you to see how much you have left in the tank. I increased my heart rate to 149-158 on this stretch trying to maintain the gap. The water under the bridge was a little swirly so I lost another boat length to Tim as he cruised through. Knowing the course so well, I angle to left to get into deeper water where Tim stayed in the middle. With half mile to go, I made up the difference and managed a boat length ahead of Tim. I am sure if Tim would have veered left when I did, he would have maintained his lead. The Narrow River course is tricky. While it is tidal, the current is not straight forward. Some sections you are with it and some you are against it. Some areas are shallow while others offer deeper, faster water. The water level was very high today which was rewarding making it a faster race. My race was much faster and enjoyable trying to keep the pace with Tim. Pictures were an after thought since it was so cold so I only took one as I loaded up to go home.
Next race is the ROTC on April 27th in Boston where the pace will be blistering for 6 miles!!
