Virtual Racing by kayak and canoe

I am from Fort Collins, Colorado and am a typical hyperactive adult enjoying such hobbies as kite flying, land sailing, mountain boarding and have recently been working on the unicycle. I have rekindled my passion for canoeing in the last couple of years and am becoming an avid recreational flat water racer thanks to the virtual racing circuit. I have a long history paddling, river running and recreational racing in kayaks and canoes back east. I got my first flat water racing canoe last summer, a Wenonah J-210, and am having more fun in this boat than any other I have owned.

I have ambitions to race in either the CR100 or TWS next summer. I am currently focused on getting below the one hour mark for a 5 mile run and figuring out how to get the boat dialed in for maximum speed. We don't have as much water as other states but our family paddled 10 reservoirs last summer and 4 rivers in the last 12 months. I don't think we are doing to bad considering the kids are 2 and 5, they love the water as well. I have taken a few fun trips this year including a 2 day, 55 mile trip (in the race boat) down the Green River in Utah from Mineral Bottom to Spanish Bottom.

I don't know how competitive I will ever become but I am enjoying having the circuit around to keep me motivated, setting new goals every few weeks and staying out on the water year round. Thanks Marek for managing the group for us.

• several 5 and 10 mile runs in 2005 and 2006

Related trip posts in Wayfarer blog:

• South Platte River: A Classic Run from Evans to Kuner
• Arapaho Bend Natural Area - October Paddling in Northern Colorado