Surfski Knowledge Base

babyrebozo
08/29/12 #13153

I got back to town from the nationals Sunday afternoon and called Alan Lipp to tell him about meeting his friend from the Bay area down there. This is someone Alan grew up with, and even though this guy has lost the use of his legs, he's still out there competing. I described the regatta as the events went down, so Alan asked how I did. I said I took a couple thirds, so he then asked how many in my age group, and I said four. So you beat one guy, he sez. Well, I guess that's about the size of it……Alan then asked what my time was in the 5000m. When I told him, Alan, quick with the math, responded……so Greg Barton put over five minutes on you in 5000 meters! Geeze, I knew I kind of struggled with that cross chop, but….

Well, so much for bragging rights and a podium celebration. Honestly, when I was driving down, I thought it kind of sad that I was going to be the only participant from our great and deep paddling community. I thought…….“Going down to Greenlake, by myself……some things never change……this is just like the early eighties.” But I had a great time……paddled with some great athletes, saw some fantastic Juniors race, paddled for and hung out with the Seattle Canoe Club, a wonderful and hardworking bunch of people. What these people do for Canoesport is huge!!

Now flatwater is not the easiest kind of paddling you might want to try, but I feel the try is well worth it. I have always felt you should go out and try to polish your technique in the tippiest boat you can manage…….(but maybe not race it). I do hope that some more Whatcom Paddlers will give this kind of paddling more time and effort……it will make you better. Be like Greg……..right?

And my goodness…….doesn't that guy continue to make us proud!!
See you on the water
Pete

steven wort
08/29/12 #13155

Hey Pete,

Thanks for coming down and joining the SCKC crowd at Nationals.

Dont let those folks put you down, its a great achievement to race at Nationals, and while there may not always be much competition, you did show up, and you did race, and you came third.

ONLY being 5 minutes slower than the fastest paddler in the country over 5Km is also a great achievement.

Cheers,
Steve

Ps.
Dont forget that the World Marathon Championships are here in the US in 2014 ;)

debbie natelson
08/29/12 #13156

Hey Steve,

Good to see your comment here. I had lost your email over the years, but wanted to thank you so much for one– helping to put on a really great Nationals and also, for managing to remain pleasant, cordial, and accommodating in finding us a replacement boat – all in the midst of racing and officiating the event. Well done Steve. While i cobbled that TK1 together from various broken boats, it worked out great. It's a heavy tank, but I still managed to beat out 6 other sleeker sprint boats, so that tubby trainer is still my dreamboat.
(Yes, I've finally graduated to an Orion, but am still at a point where “rotation” occurs on a horizontal plane and thus, includes swimming).

And Pete, nice to finally meet you in person. Whatcompaddlers, you should be especially proud of your homeboy! What Pete didn't mention is that while he may have come in 3rd in the C2 (seconds behind our Cascade guys), Pete & Jim were only about 30 seconds behind Jordan Malloch – who is much younger (I think) And a two time Olympian! So Pete, don't let them pop your bubble – which I guess is hard to do with a guy known as Bubbles…. And yes, 5 min behind an indomitable Greg Barton – on that super windy course – is also pretty impressive.

Be it at Seattle C&K (Greenlake) or Cascade (So. Lake Wa - Renton), come join a practice if you are ever down south on a Wed eve or Sat morning. We'd both welcome you with open arms, especially if you could help fill a team boat. If the boat's set up right, the K4s are a literal blast.

Thank you Pete & Steve,
Debbie N

babyrebozo
09/01/12 #13161

Steve,
Thanks for the kind words. It was a pleasure to paddle with you SCKC paddlers, and I hope to do it again soon. Please give my best to all at the Flatwater Nationals volunteer party, and tell them they did a fantastic job!
All the best,
Pete

babyrebozo
09/01/12 #13162

Hey Debbie,
You and Steve are very kind and encouraging….thanks so much. It was really great having a chance to meet you, and discuss race organizing. The Sound Rowers organization is really fantastic. and it is through their efforts, and those of PNWORCA that will help keep race entry fees affordable, and the paddling community atmosphere non-commercial. My hat is off to all of you that help make this happen.

Your invitation to Whatcom Paddlers to come down for an occaisional practice is really a great idea. Flatwater is a good discipline to compliment the open water skills that we all are trying to improve on, and you've got a really great group of talented paddlers down there. I'll see what I can do to try to get a van load of folks to come down and give it a try.

In the meantime, we've got the Lake Samish Salmon Row coming up soon……so we will be seeing you and maybe some more SCKC paddlers up here I hope. Thanks again and…….
All the best,
Pete