The NESurfski Downwind Run, 2011

Words by Tim Dwyer, photos by Pamela Swan

Race Start in Kittery, and 82 degrees - Photo: Pam Swan

Mike Tracy just can't get excited racing in flatwater in a surfski. There is something wrong with just gliding in a boat that begs for downwind action. On race day I had to move past that similar wish for a real downwind and focus on the reality of what is.

With the water level past mid tide and dropping, your line would play a big role in the outcome of this race. Some pre-race scouting led me to believe there were three courses to take immediately after the start. The most conservative was to go way outside in deep faster moving water but with a longer distance to the next point, the middle course had some shallows but looked passable and the inner line was most direct but with shallows and many formidable rock outcroppings just beneath the calm surface. Little did I know that this would be a constant series of choices for most of us for the whole race.

More than half the pack chased Eric thru that risky rudder removing route. I took the middle route but soon it was apparent Eric's choice was better as his group opened a gap on the 2nd half of the pack within a few minutes. Already I was giving chase to catch up. Eric stayed very close to the shore and the group of Francisco, Graham, Joe S., Greg, Mike M. and myself at the tail end converged and separated repeatedly as we all scanned the depths to avoid a race ending rock smack.

After a mile the aforementioned pack tended toward deeper water to the outside but I chose a closer inside line. I eyed them with envy as they pulled and drafted together and opened an even greater gap on me while Eric remaining on his own amazingly close inside line also continued to pull away while closely following the shore all the way. Like Mike Tracy last year at this point I was in a hole.

Some advantages of being outside was to be in fast, deep water but the downside was minor but increased side chop and wind and a slightly longer line. My "middle route" had less wind and side chop but it was far more shallow than expected with a drop in boat speed and constant nerve wracking rock piles to avoid.

But how was Eric continuing to pull away? Was there deeper water so far on the inside line? Eric first did this race in 2008 finishing an amazing 2nd place and he is a Mainer so there might be some local knowledge going on here.

My main focus was the five pack of paddlers at the halfway point still well to the outside. I was hammering hard and seemed to be gaining slightly on them and was earning a fighting chance to finish with them.

Francisco appeared to be pulling till this point but began to open up a gap on his chasing pack. We all gradually began to converge with less than two miles to go and all were making the final push. The water was so flat it seemed dead, shallow and slow. But it was no time to let up. I hit the beach first but a very hard charging Francisco cut the gap dramatically with a full out sprint up the beach to finish within 5 seconds. Greg, Graham, Joe and Mike M. all finished within about a minute later for a very close and exciting finish.

The Duggan - Photo Pam Swan

Eric won an impressive 4 races this year and finished out the season with a convincing win and earned the top spot. Congratulations are in order. We are all grateful to Pam who again gives us so many great photos that complement the event. Thanks again to Andrew for hosting, organizing and keeping the NE Surfski site up, running and relevant.

From NESurfski:

Thanks to all who attended the season closing race and made it a great day - it was so good to see so many smiling faces . I'd like to thank all who contributed to the Downwind Run - Renee LeClair, Malcolm Binks, Eric McNett, and The Anchorage Hotel

Thanks for a competitve 2011. We'll see you again in 2012 for our 8th season of the NESurfski Series.

Looks like someone else had a good season - Photo: Malcolm Binks

Correction to Series Table.

Original posting of final standings did not include 9 Points for Eric McNett's 4th place ski in the Blackburn Challenge.

2011, Epic Kayaks' Most Improved

There cannot be much debate as to who gets the most improved paddler award this year. Francisco Urena appeared amongst the surfskiing crowd late last season. Many knew him through him asking to try their ski as he searched for his own to buy.

He made his purchase and was paddling by the end of the season. He was then back on the water this year while there was still snow on the ground and took his fair share of swims in New England's freezing ocean in the early spring. By the time the season started, he was more stable and getting faster. His first Blackburtn was sub-three hour and he was the 6th ski over the line - a remarkable achievement. A regular at the Salem series he started to beat the veterans of the sport, and regular attendance and success at races he climbed to sixth place in the NESurfski series.

Yesterday Francisco was awarded a Carbon Wing generously donated by Epic kayaks and given the title, 2011 Most Improved Paddler.

Just when its gettting cold in the North East, head down to SW Florida and race with the guys down there in the Calusa Classic. Held on the 5th and 6th of November, the water will still be warm!!

More details can be found on the event website: www.calusaclassic.com

NESurfski on Facebook