This year we had the smallest turnout for paddlers than in previous years but the event itself was the largest ever(over 2300) according to Dick Dreissigacker co-founder/owner of Concept 2 and the sponsor of the event. Nevertheless, Roger Gocking, Greg Lesher, and Mary Beth Gangloff all had Personal Records.  Roger, a long time paddler who has won many races in his class and has beat many surf ski paddlers including myself in his racing kayak. Roger if I am not mistaken, now holds the USA record for his age group including the Lightweight Division(165 or less) and the Heavy Weight Division(over 165). Roger came within  .3 (three tenths of a second of tying the Lightweight, Age 70-74, World Record. That is a phenomenal feat. Click on the link below to see Roger with his winning Hammer!

http://www.row2k.com/crashb/photo.cfm?action=pf&dir=2015Winter/CRASHB/0301Hammers&start=61&offset=60&label=Medals%20and%20Hammers&hi=yes#.VPo92vnF98E

www.crash-b.org/past-regattas/2015-results/

2300 rowers from all over the world compete

2300 rowers from all over the world compete

Where it all happens

Where it all happens, Bull Pen to the far upper left where we warm up before going to our assigned ergs.

Best workout machine on the planet

Best workout machine on the planet

 

Dick Dreissigacker co-founder/owner of Concept 2 Rower and sponsor of this event.

Dick Dreissigacker co-founder/owner of Concept 2 Rower and sponsor of this event.

Roger Gocking, USA record holder and Wesley, 2015 World Indoor Rowing Championships.

Roger Gocking, USA record holder and Wesley, 2015 World Indoor Rowing Championships.

Rogers time of 7:08.5 is world class not only for his age group and his weight division but also is to be envied among much younger rowers who dream of pulling a 7:08.5. Hopefully next year Roger trains hard, brings a coxswain to “erg” him on, can break that world record. I think he can do it. Greg Lesher who trains harder than anyone I know, pulled a whopping 6.26, that placed him 12th of 78 in his heat and beat his 2014 time of 6:31.4. Mary Beth had the best improvement from last year besting her last year’s time of 8.21 to a PR of 8:13.3.  My time of 7.25.5 was my realistic goal and only 3 seconds off my usual 7.21 that I have maintained over the past few years.

Greg Lesher about to start!

Greg Lesher about to start!

 

Mary Beth smiling before the start

Mary Beth smiling before the start

Next year I hope my son will join me for this great event. I encourage everyone to erg train for paddling. It is a whole body workout, that is intense as anything you will do. It is a cardio/strength/mental workout like no other.

Wesley reading the screen. Sit, Ready, Row just before the start.

Wesley reading the screen. Sit, Ready, Row just before the start.

Getting it cranked up!

Getting it cranked up!

It is over. Chris was my coxswain for the 3rd time. I am exhausted and Chris is pleased!

It is over. Chris was my coxswain for the 3rd time. I am exhausted and Chris is pleased!

My front row cheering section, Betsy, Jen, Tyler

 

Scoreboard of my heat. During the event you can monitor in real time for you heat.

Scoreboard of my heat. During the event you can monitor in real time for you heat. You can see I was 10th in my Heat.

Replay of my Heat on the Display Board

http://www.concept2.com/replays/world-irc/2015/CHeat08