Another Year, Another EC

Photo: Some of the WaterTribe Challengers from the Rouges Gallery

Registration is now complete for this years 2009 WaterTribe Everglades Challenge, a 300 mile unsupported, expedition style adventure race for kayaks, canoes, and small boats, scheduled for March 7-15th.

I just love this event, it will be my 6th. It’s such a wonderful, interesting, and exciting eclectic mix of adventurers and boats, and as such, is unlike any other small boat race out there.

With a bit of an international flavor, participants will include a Kiwi, Aussie, Russian, two brothers from Singapore, Canadians and Americans.

This year also includes world class sailors Randy Smyth (SewSew) and Steve Lohmayer and Jamie Livingston (Bumpy and Lumpy) cat sailors, naval architect and renowned wooden boat designer Graham Byrnes of B&B Yacht Designs (ROO), Matt Leyden (Wizard) known internationally for his “microcruising sailboat designs”, and the rest of us average crazies all looking for challenge and adventure.

The varied mix of participants is especially noted by the wonderful and unusual mix of boats, all making this a really unique and different kind of event.

In addition to the more traditional plastic, fiberglass, and homemade wooden expedition sea kayaks, there are a few racing models from Epic and Sisson, and including a tandem sit-on-top, a Chesapeake Light Craft triple, as well as a 12’ 24” touring kayak. There’s a traditional touring canoe, a collection of Kruger Expedition Canoes, and this year a 6-man outrigger canoe. Some of the paddle craft will also include pedal systems, and sail options.

The sailboat category also continues to grow each year, especially in its variety, and this year is no exception. A Hobie 14 catamaran, a 20’ Tornado, homebuilt trimarans and proas, an inflatable cat, and a couple of low draft cat-catch Sea Pearls and B&B designs.

If you aren’t able to participate, this race enjoys quite an exciting following on the WaterTribe forum as the challenger’s land contacts report in on status, stories, and adventures. This year, many will also be using SPOT, which will also allow for armchair viewing.

I'm off to the lake, need to get in some boat time, there's only 4 weeks to go.