Oban Sea Kayak Race 2012 Results

[blackgold]

[Jim]

Another cracking event - a great day for paddling in the end.

Conditions were turned around from the previous events with the wind from somewhere in the North, this meant the southern tip was not at all rough this year but did mean that most of the latter half of the race was against the wind and tide up the Lynn of Lorne. Fortunately the wind had eased off a bit and although still strong and exhausting to paddle into it was nothing like the worst that some forecasts had predicted (race leaders are free to dispute this point!).

Also in a rebellion against forecasts there was no rain at all on the day, it was warm and sunny but not excessively hot.
The main spoiler for some was a fatal RTA on the road to Oban which closed the road and sent them on major diversions and set the programme back an hour or so to give people time to arrive.

The numbers of fast looking boats continues to increase each year as does the standard of the competition. Having not had much time in my boat recently (er, not been out at all for almost 2 months) I didn't expect to do very well and started to lose out right from the uncertain start. One minute was called later than I was expecting, but then I looked down and realised my rudder was still up so took my hand out of the pogie to lower it, at which point the start horn went. In retrospect it was never cold enough to need pogies despite strong winds, and I ditched them in the latter half anyway.

Heading cross wind to the moorings I was simply struggling to go fast and people kept on creeping past me until I was near the back. Heading down the sound of Kerrera I was ableto maintain my position pretty well, which is embarrassing because the Taran is normally so fast downwind, but being out of shape I just couldn't get the extra out of it. Turning the corner I was ctill close to the same people I had been with all the way down the sound, and at one point seemed to be gaining on them slightly. Rounding the corner I noticed Gylen Castle (too much concentration required in previous years) and initially was holding my position, but by the time I had rounded the next corner I was aware that there was almost a 3 minute gap to the boat ahead. Heading up the west coast the boat in front dropped back for a while - taking a drink or something I guess and I started to feel a bit more positive, but it slowly dawned on me that my shoulders were burning and soon the other boat pulled away again.

By Lice point I could only make out one paddler and occasional paddle flashes heading for the gap by the island. By the time I got through the islands I could only see the one boat in front already passing the fish farm, I soon lost sight of him. Around about Lice point I realised I wasn't really able to keep pouring in full effort and had to ease off to a pace that my shoulders could sustain to the end so decided to try and enjoy the paddle instead, like I said it was a great day to be on the water!

I had noted that the Mull and Western Isles ferries had both headed out whilst I had been heading up the west coast, and that the Lismore ferry had gone in, so as I rounded the tip of Kerrera into the North Channel I had a quick look around to make sure I couldn't see the 'Isle of Mull' heading back, it moves quickly but if it was out of sight then I should be OK to cross the channel when I got to the relevant mark, especially as I was no longer paddling uptide or upwind. The only thing I wasn't sure about was the Lismore ferry (which is much smaller). When I reached Seaforth I was not signalled to stop, I had a look towards the terminal and couldn't see the Lismore ferry moving, in fact it is difficult to see it all, so I waited for a pleasure boat to draw almost level and then turned to cross the channel behind her. As I approached the West Cardinal the Lismore Ferry did set off, but I was well out of her way by then and getting ready for my final sprint around north pier and over the finish line, which I managed at 3 hours dead.

The leaders had been a couple of minutes slower than last year, I was over 20 minutes slower - really not good enough for me! Fortunately I was still ahead of my first time in the sea king.

After a lucozade on the beach I headed back around to Kilbowie for a shower (which I never did manage to take) and to pack up before the presentations (which I did jsut about achieve). The organisers again provided (paid for by the sponsors) burgers and drinks after the presentations and a small band laid on providing a kind of folk music background to the evening. Many people headed straight home but for those that was left a good time seemed to be had - not a wild party, more of a relaxed drink and a chat.

It was noted at the presentations that the people of Oban are used to the event now and love to see us all at the mass start, also that the professional skippers in the area, particularly the calmac ferries have been impressed with the co-ordination and discipline which allows 50 or so kayaks to race out and back into one of the busiest ports on the west coast with large ships and significant navigational challenges, and no problems at all.

Great event, thanks to Mark, Gus and all of their extensive team of helpers.

[PSK]

Good write-up Jim.

Take a day or two off, and then start training for next year!

JW

[Jim]

Good write-up Jim.

Take a day or two off, and then start training for next year!

JW

Yes, something like that.
Grand Canyon in May so need to do some training in the wee boat as top priority, I bet I can't even get in it just now!

You were missed, as was John B - people kept asking me where you guys were, I seem to have become associated with you both by the locals!
Glen made it from Devon, he was second in class although I thought the other guy looked a bit nervous beforehand....

Jim

[PJRalph]

Thanks for a great event - first time for me,will be back next year,hopefully fitter

[blackgold]

Full 2012 results can be found here
http://www.obanseakayakrace.org/results.html

[tigerboy]

Great event, thanks to all.

[johnb]

I'll try and make it up again next year. A number of factors determined that I didn't travel up - I'm very short of brownie points due to 3 weeks travel to Greenland, I'm not very fit, it was looking like I'd be driving by myself, and then I'm flying out to Chamonix today as my missus is doing the UTMB... so all a bit hectic.

[blackgold]

Hi all, a VHF radio was found after everyone left, could the owner please make contact with the details so we can hand it back.
info@obanseakayakrace.org
cheers

[blackgold]

Hi all, a VHF radio was found after everyone left, could the owner please make contact with the details so we can hand it back.
info@obanseakayakrace.org
cheers

"Owner has come forward. thanks guys."