3rd Age Group

Ashley….1st AG, Mike….15th overall, 6th AG, Steve…..16th overall, 5th AG

United States Canoe and Kayak Association Ohio State Championships

July 29th

Grand River Landing Fairport Harbor, Ohio

Race Result: 2nd place in 6 mile race unlimited class

This was my first time competing in the Ohio State Canoe and Kayak Championships held at the Grand River Landing in Fairport Harbor. Two races were offered at the championships. A 6 mile shorter race and a 10 mile long race. Canoe and Kayak races are divided into many classes based on the size and style of boats being raced. Everyone in the specific race competes at the same time on the same course but are really only racing against other boats in their class. Recreational, standard, and racing boat divisions in several size boat classes were all offered at the championships. When I arrived at the race I was still debating what class and boat to use for the race. Because of the extremely windy conditions I decided to race in the 6 mile unlimited class using my Stellar SR Multisport. This is a 19’2″ long surf ski that I felt would track better and cut through the wind if I could keep it upright. My other option was to use my Stellar S16 Advantage, a 16′ kayak, and compete in the long boat division. Had I used the Stellar S16, I would have been the smallest boat in the long boat division filled with some very fast racers all of which had 18′ racing boats. Using the Stellar SR and competing in the unlimited class seemed like the right choice. The weather conditions were less than ideal for the river course. The high winds made the up river portions of the course difficult and even treacherous at times. The course finished a little shorter than 6 miles but I was fine with that and beat from fighting the wind and upstream currents. In the end, racing the Stellar SR paid off as I finished 2nd behind a strong kayaker who has won the event several times. The race was well organized and a lot of fun.

Lighthouse Triathlon

Fairport Harbor

July 16th.

Finish Time: 1:25:58

Result: 2nd Place Kayak Team Relay

The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Triathlon is one of my favorite races of the year. The kayak triathlon consists of a 2K kayak, 20K bike and 5K run. This race always has excellent participation due to the number of divisions, participant friendly course, and of course how well organized the race is by Lake Metro Parks. The race conditions were nearly ideal with calm flat waters for the swim or kayak leg, mild temperatures that did gradually warm up, and a brisk wind off of the lake. This year I competed in the relay due to an on going calf injury preventing me from running. I completed the kayak and bike leg as local triathlete Stephanie Groseclose completed the run leg for me. I started out slow as I am still learning to paddle my Stellar SR Surfski but quickly made up ground and was the second kayak to reach the beach. The bike course is fast and flat with some beautiful views of Lake Erie. There was some headwind to deal with on the back stretch but nothing too bad. Stephanie completed the race with a strong 5K finish. Overall it was a great day of racing and I look forward to competing again next year!