Virtual Racing by kayak and canoe

I'm a veterinarian in Portland, Maine, who paddles year-round for recreational fitness. I like being out on the ocean, for the solitude, and the physical sensations of sitting on the water. I've become a little bit addicted to the actual motion of paddling, with my new EFT and a wing paddle.

I don't really race, but I try to make it to the Maine Island Kayak Co.'s race around Peake's and Outer Green each June. The EFT wasn't really to make me a contendah, but just to make paddling a little more fun. But of course, I daydream of passing all the athletes on their surfskis, leaving them behind in my roostertail (even as I struggle to maintain 6 mph).

But this year, I have it in mind to paddle the Blackburn Challenge, as well, which is 22 miles or something. Should be interesting. I went 22 miles the other day, with several stops along the way, and I was hallucinating about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time I got back to the Prom, and not going that fast.

I've just finished a Yostwerks(.com) Sea Rover, that I plan on taking to Hawaii with me in July, so that I can train up for the Challenge. There's a conference in Honolulu, so I'm taking an extra week, and a folding kayak. If anyone knows about kayaking around Hawaii, I'd love some advice - I just want to be someplace, or several places, quiet and interesting to paddle around.

Virtual race entries:

• 4/11/2006 - 5 miles, 0:49:45 in WSBS EFT
• 5/01/2006 - 5 miles, 0:49:26 in WSBS EFT
• 5/09/2006 - 5 miles, 0:46:54 in WSBS EFT