7/22/2018
Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Triathlon and Paddle Triathlon
Scott Orlando
Finish Time: DNF
Race review by Scott Orlando
The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Triathlon is one of my favorite races of the year. Typically I finish in the top 5-6 racers overall and 1-3 in my age division so I was really looking forward to competing for a top spot. The race conditions were poor with 15 mph winds, steady rain, and temps in the low 60’s. The water conditions in Lake Erie were very bad for kayaks and swimmers alike. Just prior to the race water conditions looked fair but quickly got worse in the minutes leading up to the start. I made the decision to use my 19 foot surf ski which is very fast but also a lot more unstable than a standard kayak. Ultimately this decision cost me the race. A few other top races chose to go with slower, shorter, more stable, kayaks. I felt confident in my paddling skills that I could handle the surf ski in the waves. What I failed to consider was launching the long surf ski in the increasingly high and strong surf. This was a skill I have not practiced and did not know I would need. A lot of racers struggled to launch their boats but no one as much as I did because of the length of the boat. Once I finally controlled the boat enough to mount it I paddled out near the first buoy beyond the strong surf before pulling my feet in and dropping the rudder. When I attempted to drop the rudder I quickly realized that the strong surf had pulled the rudder completely off of my boat. It was basically dragging in the water like a small anchor. I tried my best to paddle but I was basically dead in the water. The side swells quickly grew to 3-5 feet. The safety officials made the correct decision and removed me from the water. My race was over before it even started. I made a huge strategic error and it cost me the race. The officials allowed me to complete the bike and run courses which I did but I was a DNF. My first of my racing career. The bike course proved to be just as dangerous for several riders that crashed in the rain. I had no problems on the flat course. Knowing I was out of the race I just tried to enjoy the bike and run legs. It was a humbling experience to say the least but I learned a valuable lesson not to put speed over safety. I will be back next year and will be sure to not make the same mistake I did this year.