Congrats for a great try. Was watching and hoping it wasn’t an injury or equipment failure that took you out. People don’t realize how much it takes just to get off the beach…
Thanks for the update and I think congratulations are in order. You entered and did your best, plus used good judgement in dropping out. Look forward to reading your report. Rest well and know that what you accomplished is not a small thing.
Glad you knew your limits. I have seen too many people who couldn’t swallow their pride and stop.
Last time I tried the Challenge I never even launched. There were six foot waves coming from the west. More than half of those that did launch barely made it across the Bay’s mouth.
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❤️🩹😎
Here are some photos. I’m back home on my boat and the wind is still howling out there - straight out of the south!!
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Do you still plan to be at the awards party on a Saturday?
Yes - I have a room from Thursday to Sunday so planning to drive down.
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Great, some of my friends know some of your friends so we might get over there. We are about 1.5 miles away…
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Yes indeed! Congratulations! what was it 58 miles against those winds. I agree with those that said you used good judgement listening to your body. I bet you have stories to tell. Saw that you had made it to the bridge.
@castoff about 50 miles I think. Snake Island is 40 miles from the start and I had about 10-12 more to the checkpoint at Cape Haze marina. So in ~5 hours on Sunday morning I only covered 10 miles. Ugh!
I’m still impressed. I’m hoping to have the choice to stop or continue next year. Time will tell. It’s raining at lagoon bay SP, Pensacola right now and in the 50s. We are camped and I have yet to take a kayak of the roof. Hope to get on the water before we head home.
Mega accolades to Greg Stamer (Kayak Vagabond) for finishing his 10th consecutive Everglades Challenge last night. 
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Mega accolades…I like that…Ditto.
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Good to see that not everyone is as beat up as we are.
Just got back home last night ( spent some nice time relaxing in Key Largo ). Thanks for the kind words. The general consensus is that this year was the third worst EC for headwinds – a very tough year! Kudos for everyone who made it to the starting beach and gave it their best.
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It was great to see you and Pauline! On to next year!
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Not kayaking, but a new record was set today in the Ultimate Florida Challenge, the 1200 mile version of the EC that circumnavigates the state. 15 days, 9 hours and 14 minutes - shaved two days off the old record. The crew of two did paddle a Kevlar Wenonah canoe on the river and portage section of the race. There were about 40 people at the boat ramp at Ft Desoto today to welcome them in.
So when they weren’t paddling the canoe they were sailing the sailboat that was pictured?
Just something wrong with the whole challenge turning onto a beach catamaran Sailboat Race…
Sailboats have always been allowed in Watertribe events. As long as you can launch the boat with only the crew from above the high tide line the boat is allowed. Boats are separated by classes to keep it fair, although many “competitors” don’t view it as a true race. The UFC has slightly different rules as you are allowed to change to a paddle craft for the river and portage section if you want.
It was amazing to watch these guys casually dock the boat under bare poles in a solid 15 knots pushing them right onto the ramp while we had all just spent 15 minutes watching a group of people take 6 tries and a lot of yelling to get a 20’ powerboat tied up to the next dock over.
I just don’t feel like it is that great of a feat to sail around Florida now paddling around Florida is a different story. The beach cats should try the Worrell 1,000 race…
Just me venting
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