RePost:Snow Row, Where Rowers Rule, but Surf Skiers……

Today was my 7th Snow Row and like the Race Director said “everyone made it back safely”. Those words mean something at the Snow Row. The surf skis and kayaks are mixing it up with some big wooden row boats. So if a collision occurs we will be on the wrong end of the oar. After all, it is called the Snow Row. Our heat goes off last, so we must pick our way through the flotilla of rowers. While exciting, it is hazardous. Today I only made contact with a two person row boat hitting their oar with my paddle on the back side of Sheep Island trying to negotiate the gap between them and a BIG row boat. While hazardous for us, the rowers have little regard for us on the water. We only get some respect when they see our times. Even then the race director(a man of many words) at the awards, said one of us(surfskiers) years ago, “got up in his grill” pointing out to him, “surf skis are not kayaks and need to be in a different class. In fact it was probably the other way around with the kayakers wanting there own class; pure speculation on my part since I was not the one in his grill. A few years ago however, I sent the race director an email suggesting we go in the first heat and then all the “excitement” could be avoided so we don’t have to run the gauntlet. I also suggested as option two that the time between heats be longer than two minutes. This also would spread the field making it safer. He did not like either option. Don’t get me wrong I do enjoy the race, I just want the excitement racing without all the drama. So the Snow Row goes on in its 35th year and I will be back for the 36th.

Snow Row Pics.

https://plus.google.com/photos/111670948231605580163/albums/5985923219787039793

Short but intense course

So today’s field was made up of 9 surf skis and 16 kayaks and many Big Boats. Joining us today for the first time was Tim H, my newest training partner, Bob Wright another member of our training group. Josh, while a regular at the Snow Row, upgraded to a surf ski. So welcome to these guys. Greg and Mary Beth in fine spirits, were all primed and ready for today’s race coming off two truly outstanding performances at the World Indoor Rowing Championships(Crash’bs) on February 16th. If the rowers were not impressed with Greg’s time today, then they should take a look at Greg’s 2k time of 6:31 and Mary Beth’s time of 8:21. Greg’s time put him 11th of 72 in his age/weight group which is perhaps more impressive than any time he clocked on the water last year. You would only know this, if you have ever sat your butt down on a Concept II, and gave the handle a pull. So a big congratulations of Greg and Mary Beth. Tom Kerr also had an excellent time at the Crash B’s. See Greg’s write up on his blog below.

http://greglesher.blogspot.com/

Mary Beth and Greg

pre race pic

So does being in some fine erg shape translate to paddling times. A resounding YES! Greg won today’s going away with a time of 30:39 while I was a distance 2nd with a time of 32:53 and Tim Dywer was 3rd, 33:39. While I missed the Crashb’s due to snow, my erging like always has helped me on the water. Today’s times were the 3rd fastest of my seven when I compared them. Going to Sheep’s Island the tide was still coming in while we got some help on the last leg with just enough wind for some texture. Tim H gets Kudo’s for starting out just a year ago in surfskis and now placed 4th in the Snow Row. So well done Tim! It was good to see everyone like Robin and Gary, Camo Phil Warner, of course Francisco (thanks for the pics by the way) and the rest of the crew.

Tim D 3rd, Wesley 2nd, Greg 1st.

The “Big” boats all lined up.

Next race will be quite different from today’s race. The mighty Narrow River Race will be a grind of 9.64 miles where the only boat you will be banging against will be the stern of the guy in front of you as you sit on his wash or not! This is the second race for the SurfskiRacing.com Series. Who will be the top paddlers in the Northeast this year?

Snow Row, Where Rowers Rule but Surf skiers….. Kick some …!