Virtual Racing by kayak and canoe

The submission form is currently sent by e-mail. So, you may have problems if do not use any e-mail program on your computer and use web mail instead. In that case please just send me the required data by e-mail. The recent entries to the virtual race include several runs by Brint Adams in Ruahine F1 multisport kayak and Don Walls in Diller Savage River C-1 canoe. They are competing for the top position in the 2007 points rating.

William Willems from Amsterdam returned to the race in Vajda Supersonic K1. He paddled another Vajda K1 last year - CivetCat. I paddled Thunderbolt-X on my local pond near Fort Collins.

We are welcome a new virtual racer, Chaz Ross, from Uniondale, Pennsylvania, who is paddling Thunderbolt-X:

Paddling less than 1 year. Bought a OCC 700 at Christmas time to use in triathlons and realized I needed a faster boat so just bought a Thunderbolt X last week. I love the speed.

The results of Ted Van Dusen in his prototype Mohican from August 30 were submitted to the virtual race by Pam Browninng.

Loop course starting up river, then down, finishing back up, shallow water conditions, not much current, some weeds and suck water, the course is generally 4.95 miles, however the weed growth this time of year extends the actual distance.

This time was with the first Mohican prototype, a fiberglass model heavier than the carbon production boats, it was also designed prior to the sealed "pod" which makes the Mohican a surfski, so this version is essentially an unlimited kayak with a rotating platform seat and kickup stern rudder.

Related posts:

• Van Dusen Mohican - Fast and Stable USCA Unlimited Racing Kayak

It was my fourth 5 mile race in Sisson kayak this year. The previous three were on a shallow Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area. This time I paddled on a deeper Lonetree Reservoir.

There is some improvement from my previous run almost 2 months ago: from 6.21 to 6.32 mph. However, it may be all the effect of deeper water. Anyway, I have still a long way to go to reach my target of 6.5 mph.

After the time trial I had to do another race. I had to run to a boat ramp against a thunderstorm with some spectacular lightning.

Another 5 mile entry from Bob Wright in his West Side Boat Shop EFT:

This was from the Peaks Island race, back in June. I had to go past the start-finish line another quarter mile to get the five miles. Also, I am including a few pics of my EFT.

I was at the Blackburn Challenge this past Saturday, but it had to be cut down to a 6 mile river run due to fog. Although I paddled harder I think than around Peaks, the time was slower - shallows, traffic, whatever. EFT's finished 1, 3, and 6 (me) out of 27 in the fast touring class, and everyone seems to regard them as very quick hulls. I'm not so sure that one boat is really much different from another in its same general class, but I do love my boat.

Included is also a picture of my folding Yost Rover SOF cause sooner or later I'll do five miles in it too (I mean, for the virtual race). It's not so hot in wind and chop - to get a good time in it I'll need a nice calm day. I'd like to use a Greenland paddle just for symmetry, but so far my technique with a "stick" isn't good enough. Will work on it though. Happy paddling!