Rowers Stories

The 2011 Longboat Key Challenge

A fun race for rowers/scullers & all human powered craft

The Statistics …as it happened on May 15

• Entrants
• Start - 17
• Finished 16 (1 kayaker saw the course beyond her capabilities and returned after 2 miles)
• 4 scullers
• 1 Surfski
• 1 K1 Kayak (nota bene: paddled by 2 time member of the Olympic teams from Bulgaria (1) and Rumania (1))
• 1 Paddleboarder
• 1 Tandem Kayak
• 9 Single kayaks
• Gender 5 F / 12 M
• Age range from ca 25 - 69
• Route distance, as measured by Google Earth, 5.6 miles
• Start at 9:45 am (1/2hour prior to High tide)
• Last participant back at the finish line 11:38
• Fastest time 48min ( K1 Racing kayak)

Water condition - Calm at the start along the West-side of Sister Key to mildly rough on the open Bay to rougher on the North West side of Jewfish Key.

Toughest point - the 1/4 mile Mangrove channel for the scullers - it was clearly to narrow - yet no one complained - Scullers lost about 10 min in maneuvering through the narrow 1/4 mile passage.

Support / Spotter Boats 5 (3 in fixed positions, 2 scanning the course) + 1 Long Boat Key Police Boat observing the crucial 2 course crossings of the ICW.

Mishaps or issues - None!

Race Day

Poseidon the god of Storm and the Sea finally gave his favorable nod to the LBK Challenge. Though the early forecast was less then promising and showed storms on Saturday and Sunday with high winds as well. A heavy thunderstorm went over our area early Sunday morning, between 4 & 5 am.

The weather remained doubtful until about 7am when Dean Weihnacht and I started setting up the race reception tent & “things” - just in spite.

As of 8am it became clear the Regatta “could” happen. By 9:30 am we decided to do the full route of 5.6 miles and at 9:45am Tom Asposporos, ringing the big Swiss cow bell, sent the first group, Scullers, Surf-ski and K1 Kayak, on their way. The second group, all the excited Kayakers, followed only minutes later.

Organizers in Patnership with RUM International & Volunteers, the LBK Chamber of Commerce Staff, Tom Asposporos (the President) & Dawn Mims, VP & 4 Volunteers did a fantastic job.

The After Race Party

40 Participants, Spectators and Family members have been treated by MarVista (on the beach with white table cloth!) to splendid burgers, grilled chicken & salads.

The 2011 Longboat Key Challenge "Island Style" was a big success. All participants felt very good – all sponsors felt gratified.

 

 

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