Virtual Racing by kayak and canoe

I've been paddling for 9 years, mostly sea kayaking, but I also run some local river races (a mix of flat water and class I - III whitewater) each spring. As owner of Water Walker Sea Kayaks, I have about 25 boats to choose from at any given moment. Lately I've been paddling a Riot Brittany (rock gardens), a VCP Avocet (rivers and wave play), a QCC 700X (ocean touring), and my new baby, a Ruahine Swallow. I'm a Registered Maine Guide and spend my summers guiding trips to the islands off midcoast Maine -- and thus have done little of the kayak racing I would at some point like to do. I've competed in a few triathlons that include paddling legs -- and would like to do more of that as well.

Paddling fast is great -- but more often I like to put away the watch and GPS and just play.

My 700X is a 2nd generation model with the cockpit set back from the original design. I used a 6.5 lb. bag of lentils in the front hatch to get the boat to sit more level in the water and extend the waterline. This boat is definitely not as fast as the Ruahine Swallow I paddled 2 days ago (I'll be faster in the Swallow next time, I think), but even so it proved to be no pig over this course.

Virtual race entries:

• 9/18/2006 - 5 miles, 0:48:03 in Ruahine Swallow
• 9/20/2006 - 5 miles, 0:48:40 in QCC-700x
• 9/27/2006 - 5 miles, 0:47:07 in Ruahine Swallow