Maybe some on the Paddlewise list will find this interesting (Thanks to West):: John >Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 07:05:00 +0000 >From: West Hansen <west_at_smithsys.net> >X-Mailer: Mozilla 2.01 (Win95; U) >To: SMDRnews_at_CENTURYinter.net >Cc: canoetx <canoetx_at_world.std.com> >Subject: Hill Country Canoeist 6-10-98 >Sender: canoetx-approval_at_world.std.com >Reply-To: West Hansen <west_at_smithsys.net> > >HILL COUNTRY CANOEIST >By West Hansen > > The Texas Water Safari, set for this Saturday, is world renowned not >just for being the world's toughest boat race, but for the unique rule >that disallows assistance in any form, except water, during the race. >This means that all gear and food must be carried in the boat from the >starting gun to the finish tape. Since racers must paddle and carry >these often heavy boats, the idea is to pack as little weight as >possible. So, the trick it to get as many calories as possible with the >least amount of weight. This leads to some pretty interesting >concoctions. > Real food tends to be bulky and spreads calories, vitamins, >carbohydrates, electrolytes and protein over a wide area. You have to >eat a lot of sandwiches to equal the amount of calories that will be >burned hour after hour during non-stop paddling. But mere calories >aren't the answer; otherwise racers could just pack in all their >favorite candy bars and go to town. For the long haul, Safari racers >will need everything included in a normal diet multiplied times ten. >When reading the governmental Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) on the >side of food packages, bear in mind that these amounts are what is >recommended for a sedentary lifestyle, not that of an ultramarathon >racer. In fact, most information regarding RDA for ultra distance >athletes can only be found in tests conducted by the actual >manufacturers of the food that is recommended. Despite the claim of >double blind testing, it 's tough not to be skeptical about test bias. > Ultimately, word of mouth between canoe racers and trial and error is >the determining factor for the specific energy food. Several paddlers >concoct their own magic potions for success. It's quite simple to >purchase concentrated amounts of carbohydrates, vitamins, electrolytes >and protein and mix it all together, but the real problem is swallowing >and digesting the nasty mess throughout the race. > Over the past few years of trial and error during my Safari attempts, >I have mixed together ingredients that could power a Saturn V rocket and >should have been buried in a toxic landfill. After a week of >experimentation, I would show up for weekend practice with my partners >and announce my latest mixture designed to end all need for calories and >small spaces. Somehow, I had managed to cram over 5000 calories in a >small plastic quart bottle. All I had to do now is take a gulp from the >bottle every few minutes to have enough energy for a hundred miles or >so. It even had a cool banana taste… sort of. > After an hour of paddling came the moment of truth. I announced my >intentions and warned my partners to buckle their seat belts because we >were going to take off. I uncapped the semi-liquid gruel and should have >taken notice of the smoke cloud that popped out and the falling buzzards >above the lid, but I was determined. You'd think a quick glance at the >yellow-orange sludge would've deterred the sip, but I was convinced this >was just the thing for a winning race. I tilted my head back and took >four deep gulps, then quickly recapped the bottle before anymore river >foliage was permanently damaged. The "milk mustache" above my lip >removed what razor stubble remained, but I felt pretty good. I >calculated that I was able to ingest a little over one thousand calories >in a few seconds. Ha! That should scare our competition! > Predictably, as with many seemingly good plans, the idea was >rejected. Not by my partners, but five minutes later by my stomach. I >guess it had just too much of a good thing. This led to a more >conservative diet with smatterings of actual food in my waterproof >packaging for the Safari. I don't do as much experimenting these days, >but occasionally get a new idea. > Hmmm, I wonder if I could make a sandwich out of two energy bars and >some energy gel… > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> The Texas Water Safari, set for this Saturday, is world renowned not > just for being the world's toughest boat race [...] Longest? Sure. Hard? Darn right. But toughest? Not even close. The toughest race in the world is the Great Falls Race, the shortest and most extreme whitewater race in the world, which would probably kill 90% of the boaters who finish the T.W.S. if they tried to participate in it. ---Rsk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk_at_gsp.org> > > > The Texas Water Safari, set for this Saturday, is world renowned not > > just for being the world's toughest boat race [...] > > Longest? Sure. Hard? Darn right. > > But toughest? Not even close. The toughest race in the world is > the Great Falls Race, the shortest and most extreme whitewater race > in the world, which would probably kill 90% of the boaters who finish > the T.W.S. if they tried to participate in it. "Toughest" is in the eye (or definition) of the beholder. I think West means toughest as in most grueling and difficult long distance cross-country race requiring a great deal of stamina and grit as well as long-distance racing skills, not most difficult whitewater race. With temps that have been running in the 100 F's, and drought-like conditions, I suspect there will be a lot of paddler interaction with fire ants, mosquitos and water moccasins with a real threat of heat stroke on this 260-mile race to the Gulf of Mexico. I'm not sure if the smoke filling the Texas atmosphere from Mexico's burning forests will have much impact, but a lot of Texans have been finding themselves in emergency rooms due to both the extreme heat and the ash in the air. Cross your fingers that recent, long-awaited rain will provide some relief. Many participants will not finish this race, regardless. GFR may be the toughest race skill-wise for ww, TWS the toughest race skill-wise for long-distance (difficult cross country). Both have their own meaning in "toughest" with an altogether different purpose and, depending on who's participating, a matter of "pick your own poison." :-) For update info on the Texas Water Safari, check out the web site: http://nacpc2.tamu.edu/~x075bb/safari/ Thanks, John, for passing along West's article. Jackie _ _ _ _ _ \\ / \0/ \ / \0/ \ \\ " " `\ ,sSSs,\, )\w/( ,sSS..)/{) <<..> sSSS_v)/ \ )<*> sSS[(\_]___\ <(_/_o_o_ 'sS[_`-+---+) \----+-------+-------'---`-----\-------------') ~~~~~~~ ~~jf ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~\~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ o \ o \\ o o \\ o o ` (\ o o >jf:-) o (/ o *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> >> > From: West Hansen >> > The Texas Water Safari, set for this Saturday, is world renowned not >> > just for being the world's toughest boat race [...] >> >> From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk_at_gsp.org> >> >> But toughest? Not even close. The toughest race blah blah woof woof On 6/10/98 17:38PM, Jackie Fenton wrote: >GFR may be the toughest race skill-wise for ww, TWS the toughest race >skill-wise for long-distance (difficult cross country). Both have their >own meaning in "toughest" with an altogether different purpose and, >depending on who's participating, a matter of "pick your own poison." :-) Well put Jackie. IMO, Difficulty in a skill context doesn't compare to the physical hardship endured in a 260 mile non-stop (paddle 'til you finish or die) race thru 100+ degree heat in which the participants are allowed absolutely NO support-only what they can carry in their boats (and that includes water). As you also noted, with the drought conditions and strange weather that we're having in Texas right now, this year's Texas Water Safari looks to be the most grueling ever. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neil Harrison-Houston, Texas email: nil_at_nol.net (_at_ _at_) web: www.nol.net/~nil/ ----------------------------ooO~(_)~Ooo---------------------------- 100% recycled electrons *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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