On Downwinding: You’re Not Surfing
Most paddlers learn to think about downwind paddling in terms of waves. You catch a wave, you ride the wave, and you look for the next wave. Wash, rinse, repeat. That model works well enough [...]
On Training: Stress and Adaptation
Nothing in training happens without stress. In the absence of a stressor, our system remains exactly as it is. But stress alone is not improvement, and in an ocean environment, misunderstanding that difference is one [...]
On Racing: Starting Right
Most races are decided long before the first buoy or the first run. They begin in the final minutes before the start, when paddlers are already spending physical, mental, and emotional energy, whether they realize [...]
Blackburn Challenge to host 2026 National Championships
The American Canoe Association has selected the Cape Ann Rowing Club's Blackburn Challenge as the host venue for the 2026 USA Canoe Ocean Racing National Championships, placing one of America’s most iconic open-water races at [...]
USA Surfski Paddlers @ 2025 ICF COR World Championships
The 2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing (COR) World Championships were held in Durban, South Africa this past October. Worlds is the pinnacle international competition for surfski paddlers all over the world, in addition to World Cups [...]
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2016 Canadian Surfski Champs-Great Video
My 2015 Video.   Canadian Surfski Championship by Wesley Echols of Stellar Kayaks and Surfskis from Wesley Echols on Vimeo.
Blackburn Challenge: Northern Hospitality
You may remember the cliffhanger finish to last year's thrilling episode of the Blackburn Challenge, in which we were all left wondering whether our heroes would ever be paddling around Cape Ann again. With several boats literally falling apart mid-race, a third of the field DNFing, and many other racers clearly [...]
SurfskiRacing.com 2016 Blackburn Results
SurfskiRacing.com Blackburn Results There seems to a consistent 4.20 minute difference between the Preliminary Official Times of the Blackburn Results and what we posted here. My time here correlates with what was on my GPS, along with others. The order should not change and I am sure the Blackburn "official" results [...]
2016 Blackburn Challenge, #14
This is half of the race. My Garmin Virbs ran out of juice as I almost did in the first 8 miles in the flattest section. I wanted the footage from the just prior to Dog Bar that would have captured my 2 mile interval finish with Peter Kahn who got [...]
2015 Blackburn Challenge, A Race to Remember with Video
At the Captains Meeting Rich K., the Race Director, went down the line asking the 300 plus paddlers: " Who is here for the first time?" hands raised and cheering ensued. " Who has done this 5 times", 10 times, 15, 20, 28 times. I raised my hand on 15. I [...]
USCA Marathon Nationals
USCA Marathon National Championships are Returning to New England in August 2016 Hosted by NECKRA The New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (NECKRA) is hosting the USCA National Championships at the Northfield Mountain Recreational and Environmental Center in Northfield, MA. Come for three days of marathon racing (August 12th-14th, [...]
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