Departing MV on the 6:15 out of Oak Bluffs– and as always, hoping I didn’t miss anything on the pre-race checklist. I’ll drive to West Gloucester tomorrow and stay with friends Jack Clarke and Fara Courtney, as I’ve done for the past 22 years. Up early Saturday morning and over to Gloucester High School for 6AM check-in, 7AM Captain’s meeting, 8AM launch and 8:30 start for the annual Blackburn Challenge 20-miler around Cape Ann, MA…. my 23rd consecutive (counting the 2006 fog-shortened course). This is the biggest race in the northeast and the high point of my summer on the water– save for the August 9 paddle for Gay Head Light, of course!
Great course, great competition, and a post-race beach party which can’t be beat. It’s also a chance to reunite with so many fun friends I’ve met over all these years…. oh, and I guess there is that small detail of 20 miles of spirited racing; conditions look sunny and calm yet again this year… what we surfski paddlers would give for a brisk northerly and some following seas down the long backshore stretch! I’m in the SS20+ division, which does not relate to age, but rather to surfskis (open decked ocean racing kayaks) of 20″ or greater width; we could also be called “Touring Surfskis”, as the racing skis are considerably longer, narrower– and tippier. I love the versatility of my 18′ Stellar surfski, which can double as a camping kayak but at 28 lbs is plenty fast enough for me, nice and stable– perfect for something like paddling around Cape Ann–as well as bigger fish, like Martha’s Vineyard!
