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 [...]
Latest News
Sakonnet River Race: Winding Up
As the first open water competition of the year, the Sakonnet River race always attracts an enthusiastic group of paddlers anxious to frolic once again in the salt spray. Twenty-some skis and assorted accoutrement festooned the beach at McCorrie Point, adding some color to the overcast and breezy morning. This was [...]
2015 Sakonnet River Race
Great Turnout and Fun! As the host of the Sakonnet River Race, I was checking the forecast daily. On Thursday it was forecasted to blowing 15-20 with gust to 30, Friday's forecast slightly less, and Saturday morning a small craft warning. I have changed the course many times over the years [...]
Essex River Race: Cutting Corners
The start of the Essex River Race is 2.74 miles from our front door - close enough that the acrid stench of a defeat there would prevent us from opening any windows for the next month. So it was with an increasing sense of panic that I surveyed the formidable field [...]
2015 Essex Video and Recap
2015 Essex River Race by Wesley Echols from Wesley Echols on Vimeo. Another good turnout today at the race today. Cool weather was perfect but the water level very low. The start caught everyone off guard with a mere 5 second count down without everyone on the line. It should have [...]
Narrow River in Broad Strokes
Originally scheduled for April 4, the governors of the 10 mile Narrow River Race had granted us a stay of execution due to high winds and excessive whining about the excessive early-season length. Having exhausted our appeals, however, it came time for our final paddle (with the exception of a sick [...]
Narrow River 10 Miler
Super weather today for the Narrow River Race. We rescheduled the race from April 4 our usual date. We had 14 paddlers, all trying to recover from the ROTC last Sunday. I think most every one had good races with Jan Lupinski recording another win going away over 2nd place finisher [...]
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