[Paddlewise] Hey Everybody! Race results, and some good tips

I paddled my first race last Saturday, and did really
well. It was 6 miles on flatwater and I finished in 57
min with my brand new Wavehopper. (my 3rd time in it)

    I placed 1st in the Kayak category and 3rd
overall.

I was beaten by two professional TANDEMs racing Kevlar
canoes - the ones with the hips at the midline.
The canoes were paddled by an older couple who had
just finished a race from Fargo to Winnipeg (700 river
miles)and placed second there and also by their
son/grandson combination. They were timed at 55 and 57
minutes respectively.  I missed second place by 5
feet!
A guy who has won in previous years came in 4th place
at about 1hr, 4 minutes.     
    BIG NOTE! Next time I race a kayak - I would like
to have two engines pushing it.
    Tip: Thinly insulated Camelbacks work awesome
under PFD's, I drank over a liter of really cold
Gatorade, without having to stop and reach for a
bottle stowed below deck. The tight PFD kept the
Camelback pressurized and the cold felt bag felt great
against my overheating body.
    Big Thanks! Goes out to all fellow paddlewisers
who indirectly helped me progress to this level. Your
input on the use of footpeg pushing and body rotation,
really helped make my strokes stronger and more
efficient.
    I would also like to point out how many people
snubbed me on my choice of the Wavehopper as my second
boat. Arguing that it was stupid to drive an hour to
find water that was really suitable for the boat
(Downriver racing). A Wavehopper in North Dakota!?! ND
is the only state, so flat that if you look West, you
can see the back of your head.
     I never paddled the boat before I bought it, and
neither the dealer nor I had ever seen one before I
got to unwrap mine off the semitrailer. I simply paid
a lot of attention to talks about boat shapes/designs,
interviewed some French and English guys who had
paddled them (why all in Europe?) and simply decided
this was the best boat for me.
    Tip: I have paddled for 4 years and sold boats for
3. It really pays to look outside your paddling circle
for good recommendations. I couldn't buy it from the
place I worked, so I bought it from my competition
(they still got me a deal, tho). A leap of faith for a
boat I knew I would enjoy.    

Kudo's to Perception, This is the second boat I have
of theirs and I'm glad my leap of faith paid off.
I beat out several of their boats this weekend, comp.
Shadows, and a collection of assorted touring types
that probably were more suited to the race, but not to
me. It is awesome on lakes, rec paddling and kicking
my friend's butts on local rivers.
    
    Thanks again paddlewisers, I wouldn't have won w/o
your help.

Phil Huck
thekayaker_at_yahoo.com  

...I should mention in hindsight that I did bug out on
2 days with the wife and an inlaw reunion  (100miles
away) just for this race, because I was sure my
priorities were right. Though I did catch up with them
three hours after the race.
   Tip - if you EVER bug out on the wife/inlaws for
something like this - you better arrive with flowers
in  tow.    
    
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