Run of the Charles Paddle Race April 27, 2014

I used an 18' Great Auk kayak for my first experience in this grueling race. 17 miles of paddling, 1.6 miles of carrying in 6 portages. 3:44:17 for a first time (the race committee placed me into the wrong category and starting time but it was all moot.) According to other participants, the river was higher this year than in previous years. The boat exits at the portages are onto rocky, steep, and slippery river banks that are difficult to manage with 40 pounds of boat, wet gear and clothing on your head. Many of the experienced kayak racers have wheels mounted on their rear decks near the stern.

I was awestruck by a 2 man canoe at the take-out for the last portage (06 out) I was having trouble standing and fell as I was trying to maneuver my boat up the embankment. A C-2 canoe came in well behind me and they got out of their boat, got it up onto the walkway, emptied it of water, and began their run to the put-in downstream. The whole maneuver took them perhaps 20 seconds. It took me 1:45 and I was in no condition to run with my boat.

All and all it was a fun experience and I have lots of ideas for improvement for next year. Total statute miles was 18.5.

Current speeds range from near zero in about half the river, and increase downstream of the put-ins up to about 2 mph. One exception is near Bemis Mill where it is about 6 mph for about 200 feet and you have to avoid some close bridge abutments.

Leg times:
Paddle 1: 4.8 miles, 54:00 min:sec
Portage 1: .2 miles, 4:45
Paddle 2: 0.1 miles, 1:15 min:sec
Portage 2: 0.3 miles, 7:00
Paddle 3: 1.6 miles, 16:30 min:sec
Portage 3: 0.5 miles, 10:55
Paddle 4: 5.0 miles, 56:00 min:sec
Portage 4: 0.3 miles, 7:53
Paddle 5: 0.6 miles, 6:00 min:sec
Portage 5: 0.1 miles, 3:50
Paddle 6: 1.9 miles, 18:05 min:sec
Portage 6: 0.1 miles, 5:00
Paddle 7: 3.1 miles, 37:56 min:sec