Surfski Knowledge Base

2023 Lake Whatcom Classic
Marc Blake May 8 #33745

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who raced, cheered, and supported the Sound Rowers and Paddlers' 2023 Lake Whatcom Classic on Saturday!

Special shout out to all those first timers in the race. We hope you had a great time and look forward to seeing you at future events.

The weather didn't cooperate with my prediction of no rain but all-in-all, not bad. We had 79 human powered crafts, 100+ racers between both courses.

Special thanks to Whatcom Search and Rescue for their on-water support, Brandon Nelson Partners for the buoys, Paul Clement (Elastic Laser) for the awards, our excellent timing crew, Brooke and Tierra, and our volunteers at the food table.

Extra special thanks to Michael Lampi for the race photos. 2023 Lake Whatcom Classic Photos

Lots of race stories out there, I'm sure. Denise kicked things off with her race report here: https://groups.io/g/Whatcompaddlers/message/33736

Any other stories? We would love for you to share your race reports with us.

We are already scheming for next year. Some ideas on the table: Full length of the lake and back with a relay option. A novice course for beginners and/or youngsters.

Results Highlights:

Top 3 Overall

Long Course:
1 - Evan Jacobs /Tyler Peterson (2x-Flatwater racing double)
2 - Kevin Olney/Egor Klevak (HPK-2 - Surfski Double)
3 - Steve Esselaar/Steve Juranovics (HPK-2 - Surfski Double)

Short Course:
1 - Sean Lee / Ryan Lee (K2 - Sprint Kayak)
2 - Peter Hirtle (2x-Flatwater racing double)
3 - Erik Wermus (HPK - Surfski Single)

Top Long Course solo (Bathymetric maps) winners:
First Solo Female - Long Course - Denise Weeks
First Solo Male - Long Course - Ian Sawyer

Whatcom Classic . . . still classic
Denise Weeks May 7 #33736

Without Reivers, we get no “first liars” report. Dang.

Marc and co. did a great job yesterday. The rain prediction was mostly true, and the wind was delayed, so I'd say that conditions were a smidge better than last year. We were all still wearing coats and surf furs and mittens while eating burritos, though. Is it always cold in May? Speaking of burritos: everyone got one thanks to the new staggered start times. Brilliant. And awards started right away and the category of Golden Barnacle has become much more esteemed with the new title of Super Golden Ultra Barnacle. Congratulations you guys! And women!

In the long course, Kevin and Egor came in second overall–first facing forward–followed by other fast boats including the double Epic duo from Canada then Ian, Greg, and Wilson. Then a couple lucky clusters who could keep ahold of a good ride. And Alan! Alan was fast. I lost hold of my draft, the very accommodating Pete W and Lance, when it got bumpy past Strawberry Point, then fell too far behind Dave H to tap his boat, then even farther than that. Then I was in my own water for the last 8 miles. With the small wind-bumps on the way back I had to remind myself to keep racing and not keep hoping that the mini waves were going to alleviate my suffering. They did not. Sometimes it felt like paddling uphill. Finally back to the first basin I thought, Okay, almost there, and then I felt something on my face. Wind? Yes, Lake Whatcom delivered on its promise of headwind going both directions. We have a very special lake in that regard.

Someone else will have to report on the short course shenanigans. I heard that Duncan threw down some challenges, and of course Erica did it with crutches.

Thanks, Marc! I look forward to next year. I did vote to shorten it to 8 miles, but now I take that vote back and would like it to stay the same and/or have the even longer relay option. That sounds like a blast. And it won't matter which direction you choose because you'll be sure to get headwind either way.

Denise

Marc Blake May 8 #33746

Proof that we used to have sunshine for the Lake Whatcom Classic! Maybe, we need to bring back the giant chili pot!!!