Today I paddled in the
3rd annual 25K Hudson River Challenge that is sponsored by the
River Rowing Association in Nyack NY, just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. I entered as a tune up for the
North Carolina Challenge that Ben and I will do in 3 weeks. The race begins about 2 miles north of the George Washington Bridge at the Englewood Boat Basin. One of the competators above was padding an expedition shell that could carry 3. Rowing alone he really struggled with the heavy headwind and finally pulled out.
I was the only single kayak in the race so even though I came in last I won in my class. There were single, 4 and 8 shells. The winner of the race was in a fast racing shell and set a new record of 1 hour 57 minutes. This is an amazing time considering a fierce headwind and choppy water. One of the 8 person shells with high school girls flipped about 3 miles out. I and the above rower stopped to assist as we were able. They loaded them all into the chase boat finally and slowly towed the shell to the Alpine Boat Basin. I stopped about 20 minutes or so to assist and then continued on my way.
As I approached the bridge I headed directly for the landmark in Nyack. When I got near the bridge there were signs posted of a 25 yard security zone. This meant over a 2 mile paddle to the highest section of the bridge and then back. Not fun. I found out later that it just meant that your couldn't linger around there but could pass through. Oh well....the extra miles were good practice. I paddled 16.8 miles and averaged about 4 mph. I was able to stay in my kayak paddling for 4 1/2 hours, however my left leg was badly cramped when I finally got out. Now I just have to be able to do that x3 two days in a row.
Today I paddled in the 3rd annual 25K Hudson River Challenge that is sponsored by the River Rowing Association in Nyack NY, just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. I entered as a tune up for the North Carolina Challenge that Ben and I will do in 3 weeks. The race begins about 2 miles north of the George Washington Bridge at the Englewood Boat Basin. One of the competators above was padding an expedition shell that could carry 3. Rowing alone he really struggled with the heavy headwind and finally pulled out.
I was the only single kayak in the race so even though I came in last I won in my class. There were single, 4 and 8 shells. The winner of the race was in a fast racing shell and set a new record of 1 hour 57 minutes. This is an amazing time considering a fierce headwind and choppy water. One of the 8 person shells with high school girls flipped about 3 miles out. I and the above rower stopped to assist as we were able. They loaded them all into the chase boat finally and slowly towed the shell to the Alpine Boat Basin. I stopped about 20 minutes or so to assist and then continued on my way.
As I approached the bridge I headed directly for the landmark in Nyack. When I got near the bridge there were signs posted of a 25 yard security zone. This meant over a 2 mile paddle to the highest section of the bridge and then back. Not fun. I found out later that it just meant that your couldn't linger around there but could pass through. Oh well....the extra miles were good practice. I paddled 16.8 miles and averaged about 4 mph. I was able to stay in my kayak paddling for 4 1/2 hours, however my left leg was badly cramped when I finally got out. Now I just have to be able to do that x3 two days in a row.
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