G'Day, Have just completed the Hawkesbury Classic, a 110km overnight race for charity down an estuarine river. The race was very well organised and I learnt a bit about surviving long paddles. Following notes might be interesting: - Some of the mandatory race requirements were: - A green cyalume stick capable of lasting all night and visible for at least 0.5km, supplied by the race organisers, - A waterproof torch and a pealess whistle attached to a PFD - A waterproof torch running off D cells - A PFD - warm clothing - A dustbin bag or space blanket - Food and water in the boat - A land crew for looking after the paddler during the race and driving them to and from the venue - A compass attached to the boat. I actually used an additional wrist watch style of compass, my eyesight not being good in the dark. The compass turned out to be essential as the river had several tributaries and it could have been quite easy to go several km in the wrong direction. - Laminated maps, the maps were supplied unlaminated by the race organisers - A kayak/vessel with inbuilt flotation - Racer was obliged to register at check points every 5km - several of these doubled as rest points All the requirements were rigorously scrutinised and the PFD flotation was tested by the race authorities. The cyalume stick was very effective and the PFD light very useful. The D cell torch didn't get used. Strategy The race was tough for sea kayaks and major tough for canoes - less so for racing kayaks eg TK1's etc. My boat was a Pittarak. Last year I pulled out with a damaged shoulder due to poor technique. This year my training focus was on forward stroke technique, although strength building was also key. Training was over two to three months including gym work, regular paddling two to three times/week and several trips ranging from 50 to 72km. Strategy was not to worry about speed but to concentrate on maintaining a perfect stroke. My objective was to finish not to win. Consequently no particularly sore or damaged joints or muscles despite a last minute need to use an unfamiliar paddle. I may revise my opinion about soreness in the next few days:~). I opted for two planned rest stops the first for 20 minutes after 42km the second for 3/4 hour after 60km. Problems Energy/sleepiness for the last 20km was a major problem. I ate bananas, rice pudding, muesli bars and drank about 500ml of water and 250ml of sports drink every 25km, plus tea and coffee at rest stops. At one stage fell asleep while paddling and woke in time to save myself with a fumbled brace. Almost pulled out during the last 4km having problems with balance and apparent exhaustion. Coffee didn't work, regular food, while essential during the race just didn't convert easily enough to energy in the last few km - maybe I hadn't ate enough earlier. After an unscheduled rest stop of 3/4 of an hour at 90km I was kept awake and able to continue and finish by using sports drink, bananas and, absolutely critical no joking, one or two toffees per kilometer!! Thanks About 400 entrants this year. The voluntary race organisers were magnificent and totally professional including physio's, Red Cross, Volunteer Coast Guard and people with boats as scrutineers as well as many others - thanks from this paddler to them all and especially my magnificent land crew Beryl and Naomi! All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Oct 26 2002 - 23:53:55 PDT
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