If you are ever in NW Pennsylvania for this race…decide to either not go for it, or go for it and embrace it. There is no middle ground. Love Hate Canoes Kayak Race
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Thanks for sharing with a first person view of that “obstacle course!” Congrats on the race result.
-sing
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Great video.
Yes, quite the ‘Mad Max’ scenario (at least the first few miles).
Have always admired the Westside kayaks, though I’m not a racer.
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Shenango river watchers always puts on a nice event. I usually paddle thier spring and fall paddlefestspymatuning dam to greenville
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I will participate in this race in 2025. The shenango river has a lot of twists and turns most people go for a swim on that bend where all the boats flipped especially when they open the dam if theres moving water that bend can be treacherous ive dumped my boat there along with alot of other people over the years
Great video and thans for sharing
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In a race like that (narrow, twists and turns), you don’t start towards the back like many times in your videos. Get out in front early to avoid collisions. You know that I am sure, but you saw what can happen.
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I don’t have a lot of experience in solo racing canoes, but I did have a J-200 for a while. They don’t like to turn, and they are tough if you get turned sideways in the current, as you see at about 9:45 when the guy goes sideways into the stainer. I gave my J-boat to Jack(L?) – the old p-net member who lived in FL and did a lot of racing. Haven’t seen him around here for a while
What was the guy in the tandem boat doing at 10:27 when he swings his leg out over the gunwale. It looks pretty intentional. Of course when they swing into the strainer the boat is now leaning upstream, and over they go.
When in current always lean into the obstruction. You need to keep the up-stream gunwale up which allows the current to flow under the boat rather than into the boat flipping you over. Its tough in a strainer. Even if you start off leaning into the strainer, the boat often moves downstream under you shifting your weight and tipping you over.
Those guys in those canoes were really moving.
Haha that’s my friend Teresa grabbing the hat. Part of my amazing pit team for Texas Water Safari this year and a long time paddling partner
I think the guy swinging his leg over the gunwale was anticipating that he would hop out of the boat just then, but waited when the boat remained upright for a while longer. It’s been a while since I watched the clip so I may not remember clearly, but it seemed that boat was going to flip sooner than it did and that may have been that guy’s impression as well.
Canoes are very predictable once you have experience with them. Rivers are very unpredictable and change every day. Paddle partners can also be a wild card, unless you paddle with the same people all the time.
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100% agree, but I start from behind these days to try to get everyone in the video at the start.
I miss JackL. He was old several years ago though. One if the few dedicated canoe racers on here with me at the time
I’ve thought a lot about your approach and been a practitioner. In the whitewater realm I created a pod of trusted paddling partners who quite simply were predictable. I knew what to expect, we got along well, and goals aligned. Some were more skilled and some less skilled so my role changed from leader or to a follower based on the difficulty of the run and the pod members and my skill level relative to their advancement. I think it’s a real advantage in challenging environments to be out with your trusted mates. Even simple things like boat loading, shuttling, and paddling pace go smoother. I’ll run harder water with folks that have my back.
On the other hand when I go out, meet “new to me” folks, and simply expand who I paddle with, I almost always enjoy their passion and enthusiasm and often learn more. I try these meet ups in environments that I am comfortable paddling solo. So I’m not looking for the same level of support. It all can be good. Local knowledge, new techniques, and different ways to think about nature or paddling is also fun . Sorry to the OP if I rambled off topic but ppine’s comment was like a good eddy, too hard to pass up!
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good thoughts by tdaniel.
Nevada is like the Siberia of paddling. Finding experienced paddlers here is not easy. I have led lots of trips and broke in some newbies along the way. Now I am old and set in my ways and do not like drama on boat trips. I mostly paddle and row with the same small circle of friends. I really value people that are easy to get along with and don’t whine. One or two friendships have ended over the years on paddle trips.
Sold my last canoe and now just run drift boats on rivers. Very stable and easy to move around in.
100% !
What paddle are you using?
Also are you planning on doing this race in 2025 Dave? I watch yor videos and would like to paddle with you next year. I live close to here.
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So I’m using a wing paddle that is equivalent to the Epic Mid wing in this race. I’m not sure what my paddling dance card looks like next year yet. I’m originally from Western PA and my aging parents are still there, so I try to make it up there as often as possible…but more and more I want to spend as much time with them as possible when I’m there. Thank you for watching my videos! I greatly appreciate you.
Thank you!