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
Jamestown Double Beaver: Now 17% More Thrilling! by Greg Lesher
Ah, mid-summer, when a young man's fancy turns to the Jamestown Double Beaver - the most technically challenging and innuendo-laden course on the New England ski calendar (although the upstart Ride the Bull race admittedly has potential). Mostly named for the out-and-back crossings past Beavertail Light at the southern-most tip of [...]
3 Races in 10 Days ending with Today’s Double Beaver! Whew!
This time last week (Aug 3, Saturday) our crew from New England and one Floridian were going under the San Mateo Bridge in San Francisco Bay for the US Surfski Championship. The previous Wednesday(July 31), Reid Hyle and myself raced the lead up race prior to Saturday's main event from Coyota [...]
ICF Ocean Racing World Championships by Dorian Wolter
Over the week leading up to the race, the swells became smaller and smaller and a high pressure area that is usually located over the Azores had moved to Portugal for the week. This meant there was not going to be any wind. You could see the smile on the faces [...]
Blackburn Challenge-Cooler Heads Prevail by Greg Lesher
Blackburn Challenge: Cooler Heads Prevail I apologize for the delay in posting my Blackburn Challenge race report. I've spent the last week immersed in an ice bath, mainlining chilled Harpoons and listening to the cool, cool vocal stylings of Mr. Lionel Richie. They say that you haven't felt real heat until you've stood [...]
Moving On!
As of today I have moved on from Stellar Kayaks and Surfskis. I have been with Stellar for about four years working in my spare time when I was not doing my day job as a pharmaceutical sales representative. During this time frame, I learned a lot about the business of [...]
The 2013 Blackburn Challenge: ‘Stick a Fork in Me, and Turn Me Over…’ by Mark Ceconi
Quickie Quiz Question: What do the following have in common? a.) habaneros b.) Mount Kilauea c.) the plastic slipcovers on Grandma’s furniture d.) the 2013 Blackburn Challenge Answer: the ability to produce overwhelming, oppressive heat For the 27th running of this infamous east coast event in Gloucester, MA (Say ‘GLAW-stah.’), the cruelest [...]
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