Having spent much of Saturday cycling around Kerrera and Oban on my trusty Brompton bicycle, in what can only be described as superb weather, I was feeling well rested and relaxed the night before the race. The contrast from gloomy Friday to sunny Saturday was incredible! One annoyance though; I realised I'd left my GPS at home still attached to my road bike. I have been using the GPS tracker to keep an eye on my paddle speed when training up and down my local canal. I have found it to be invaluable. Oh well, I would just have to compete without it.
Photos from Saturday (What a difference a day makes!):
Race Day: Sunny Sunday morning arrived. I decided to drive my van and boat down to the Puffin Dive Centre and paddle to the Race HQ at the Oban Sailing Club. I had already checked this was ok with the dive centre. This would give me an easy 1.6nm warm up before doing the race and it would also alleviate any parking problems at the Sailing Club, as parking would be limited. Taking up much needed parking space with my van didn't seem to be the right thing to do. In any case, the paddle to the Sailing club was really enjoyable.
At the Sailing Club scrutinising was soon taking place and the bacon rolls were well under way. There was the usual pre race nervous chatter. The weather was still good.
All too soon the race was started and the lap of Kerrera commenced. I made a good start and felt like I was going well. I had no idea of the speed I was paddling at though - that would have to wait for the post match analysis on Strava later. I could see Les Kirkpatrick in his Taran slowly stretching out a lead in front of me, with Stephen Whipp matching my pace, all the way down to the first turn point. I was also aware of a group of three touring kayaks not far behind me, as I could hear their chatter. At the first turn, Stephen started pulling out a lead on me, but at least I was keeping the Sea Kayaks in the "Touring" class at bay behind me. The kayak I took to Oban is a "Tiderace Pace Tour 17", which despite having "Tour" in its name, is classed as a "Race" Sea Kayak.
Not long after the next turn, heading back up the island, I noticed a surf ski in a little difficulty. I asked the paddler if he needed any help. He'd picked up some sea weed on his rudder. So I stopped briefly and helped de-foul his rudder. Unfortunately, this allowed the three Touring Sea Kayaks to catch me up. One of these Touring Sea Kayaks immediately latched onto my stern, to get a tow, in much the same way cyclists do - slipstreaming each other. However, cyclists generally do take turns on the front to maximise their advantage. So, there I am with a touring sea kayak sat right on my tail, with me effectively dragging them along.
Closer to the finish, with the Touring Sea Kayak still sat right on my stern, they told me how they were planning to sit there and sprint past me at the finish. Hmmm... Lovely! And perhaps, maybe not the most sportsman like! I have to say I did not think much to this tactic. In the event, as the finish loomed closer, I was finally able to drop the Touring Sea Kayaker on my stern and finish the race before them.
For me, my goal was to beat 2 hours around the island Kerrera - And I did with a 1:58:50. Overall I was 21st. There were 18 surf skis and just two "Race" class sea kayaks ahead of me; putting me third in my class - the Mens Sea Kayak "Race" class. I was pleased I had been able to beat my sub 2 hours goal, even if it was just by 70 seconds.
It would have been really nice to have been able to track my speed using my deck mounted GPS, which was 350+ miles away at home. Being able to see your speed over the ground, does make quite a difference, as you can easily spot when you are slacking. I do wonder how much better I would have performed, if I hadn't forgotten my GPS.
The Oban Sea Kayak Race is a great event - Thanks to Gus Brydon for organising, along with his many helpers.
All I had to do after the race was paddle the 1.6nm back to my van at the Puffin Dive Centre. Enjoyable paddle of the Day, No. 3!
A top days paddling!
Sorry No pictures for this race - I was far too busy!
