Tour de Gudenaa
This weekend I had the pleasure to participate in the Tour de Gudenå – a 120 km race consisting of 50 km on day one and 70 km on day two. There’s a helping current on the majority of the last 70 km.
As this was my first real race I didn’t know what to expect. Until now paddling a fast kayak has mostly been a matter of covering more distance with less effort and less time when touring.
I won’t bore you with the details on my race but I sure learned my share of racing tactics and the fine art of drafting(still can’t believe how efficient it is). I ended up number 4 in the seakayak class.
The winner was the Swedish paddler Sven Abrahamsson in his spaceship the Reval Extreme. Sven an all-around nice guy was clearly stronger than the rest of us. Btw He also paddled the Swedish coast in year 2000 – it’s such a small world.
Sjef Schlappi came in second in his Vyneck – a no rudder no skeg boat. Very stylish I think. If there ever was a “Sea Kayak” it’s the Vyneck.
During the race I was drafting both Sven and Sjef. While Sven’s spaceship only left a wake somewhat similar to those of the ICF racing kayaks, the Vyneck gave you a much easier ride. And still Sjef is a much smaller/lighter guy than Sven. Draw your own conclusions on hydrodynamics. I wasn’t drafting any Inuks so I can’t compare with my own boat.
As for my new seat it was quite a success. Sure my butt hurt(and still does) but I enjoy the poisture too much to ever go back. I’ll try padding the seat a bit.
Hi Peter,
I’ve enjoyed catching up again with your writing and adventures!
Visit me too at blogger.com under “Summit Stones By DSD”
I am new to blogging, and likewise new to kayaking, doing some adventure racing. I have a $600 Old Town kayak, mostly designed for recreation. The race I did was 1.25 miles downstream on the Mississippi River, and then back. I did recently well for a guy my age (58)
I did the course on a cheaper kayak once, and did it several minutes quicker. I am confused as to what makes a kayak faster??
Some beginner advice is what I am seeking.
Thanks.
Jim
Hi Jim
Sorry for a late reply. You ask what makes a kayak fast. The best answer really is that the engine(the paddler) is what makes a kayak fast. As for the kayak itself a fast kayak will have relative little wet surface and a long waterline. I once wrote some text on the subject: http://unold.dk/paddling/articles/kayakstatistics.html
The links to the articles by John Winter are recommendable.
Best regards Peter
I am looking for some experienced kayakers to review my new kayaking-related novel set on the Arkansas river in Colorado. I will send you the book in pdf form. I hope to have it published next Spring but my agent wants reviews to send to prospective publishers now.
Any takers?
Contact me at barryjameshickey@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Barry James Hickey