Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Goolsby
06/15/13 #14471

For once in the history of Bellingham water races, the Whatcom Paddlers were a minority. Lake Padden was packed with more boats of every flavor than it has every seen. We had tons of K-1's, C-1's (the kind you genuflect in), K-2's, K-4's C-2's, C-4's, and a handful of surfskis. We ran a total of about 53 races today in a timely organized manner thanks to David Scherrer and Greg Dutton on the starting line, Tom Halsted, Lance Romo, and all of the others that made this a safe and exciting event. Special hats off to Dan and Eva Baharav for putting this together and keeping both the volunteers and paddlers happy. The highlight of the day was the final 5K race that included every type of watercraft there (at least 30+ boats) and watching DJ battle neck and neck with the Nelsons in their tandem. In the open heats that featured surfskis, we had locals like Peter Marcus, Mike Meddler, Mike Gregory, Kevin Olney, Brodie Meddler, Steve Scoggins, Chris Dupenthaler, and Greg Bawden. Most of the attendees were clubs from places like Fort Langley, the Seattle club, Gig Harbor, Maple Ridge, Burnaby, and the Cascade club from south Lake Washington. Each group brought large trailers loaded with boats - maybe Dan can post a final count of racers but I'm betting that it was close to 100. What a way to kick off the youth program that Dan and Eva have been putting so much of their time in to.
LG

Brandon Nelson
06/16/13 #14472

Truly one of the most amazing days of racing I’ve ever seen. The kids that were throwing down all day long on Padden were totally inspiring with their technically perfect strokes and the way they handled those “tippy” boats like they were 30-inch wide touring kayaks.

And to see our own backyard Lake Padden as the venue for this event, with wave after wave of racers scorching across the water, finishing right in front of the swim beach lined with team tents and cheering parents, coaches and racers… it was such a profound “No duh!” moment. Kudos to Dan and Eva Baharav for having the vision and the leadership to get this going.

The highlight for me was when I asked one of the out-of-area coaches what he thought of “our” little lake.

“Brandon,” he said, “this is absolutely the best sprint racing venue in the entire Northwest. You could host the national championships here.”

Hell to the YEAH!!! Imagine that!!! And imagine a bunch of local Bellingham kids competing at that level, right beside the nation’s top youth paddlers who were at Padden yesterday.

Huge thanks to everyone who volunteered, who traveled from far and wide to race here, and everyone who watched and cheered from shore.

And one more deep bow to the two people who had the vision and the passion to launch this: Dan and Eva Baharav.

Hats off….
Pmarcus
06/16/13 #14473

Hats off to Dan B. and Company for putting on the event yesterday under perfect sky's. It was great to look every direction and see kayaks and canoes going in all different directions and of all ages. Unfortunately I had a equipment failure right at the start of my heat when I was about to defeat Brandon, Dj, Kevin, Medler and Heather, to name a few, But the announcer was kind enough to make up for it by announcing…“and now in Dead Last place”….but what a great sight. All the boats and people supporting from shore!!

So…get your kids and all there friends and get them out to the club's practices!! You never know which “Greg Barton's” and
“Heather Nelson's” are out there wanting to quit Ballet and Basketball and start paddlin'

Cheers, Peter

Dan's Excellent Regatta!
tahalsted
06/16/13 #14474

Wow, Indeed!

I second Brandon, Larry, and Peter's comments - Dan did a stellar job of putting together a world-class (yet Padden-sized) event. His control of the weather yesterday, was also appreciated.

It was quite the eye-opening adventure to volunteer as a timing official, instead of racing. Running that many heats (often overlapping two starts within minutes) was kinda like working as a bookie in an off-track betting office while trading hog belly futures on the trading floor. I learned a lot, and was glad to help.

Dan, you rock! And I could see that the other coaches and their kids really liked what you started. Keep up the great work!

-Tom H.

Thanks, Bellingham Inaugural Regatta
Dan
06/16/13 #14475

Thanks Larry G, Brandon, Peter M, and Tom H for your nice words. Indeed, Bellingham Canoe & Kayak Sprint Team (BCKST) is moving in the right direction. The Inaugural Regatta gave us all a great boost to start the new Bellingham youth team in sprint C & K. Many thanks to everyone who helped before, during, and after the Regatta. Thanks to David Scherrer and Greg Dutton for unmatched Start judges, officiating from a canoe, on water, all day; huge task. Thanks to Andy and Dave from Bellingham Kitepaddlesurf for getting the safety crew on SUP going. Lance Romo's help was incredible during preparation of the regatta and during the event. Thanks Lance. Thanks to Peter Marcus for his encouragements and lending buoys. Thanks to Duncan for his support and lending equipment. Thanks to Larry G for his dedication at the PC system and incredible job keeping the teams, the individual racers, and the crowd informed. Tom Halsted, you were indispensable at the official finish line tent, thanks. Thanks to Brandon who helped BCKST in all possible ways, at all times, and for his continued encouragements; cheers Brandon.

And to all of the paddlers in our incredible paddling community, thanks for words of encouragement, taps on the shoulder, and support along the way. You all are a great bunch of people.

BCKST starts its training program tomorrow, Monday, June 17. A Sprint C/K Development camp, M-F at lake Padden , 4-6 PM. A second camp starts June 24.
Starting July BCKST begins its yearly program with the Development Team. For detailed information please visit BCKST website at www.bellinghamcanoekayak.org

Dan Baharav