2009 Bay to Bay Race Results
Having missed last year's Bay to Bay race with my trouble-some elbow, I thought of a more enjoyable way to participate in this year's race. So I thought it would be fun to enter the Parent-Child category. Since I don't own a tandem, the kind folks at Aqua Adventures, lent me one of theirs.
The original plan was to enter the race with Ben, since there was a birthday party that Shira might enjoy as a substitute. However, Ben had some issues with self-control, and was grounded. Shira happily stepped up to the plate. It was tough lesson for Ben, but I am glad Shira was ready to go paddling. I felt bad having to pick one over the other in the first place.
Jen and Jake brought the tandem beast down to the starting line at Shelter Island. Shira was so excited to get in the boat and go paddling. She got high-fives from Jane Hardy, Jen, Jake and Mike Brown.
At 9:45, the starting horn sounded, and off we went!
Shira was paddling her heart out and loving every minute of it. We headed straight for Island Prime to the first bouy. The weather was perfect for racing, not too hot. There was a touch of wind, but it was mostly at our backs.
As we rounded the first buoy, we headed south toward Coronado. Instead of following the eastern side of the bay, the course now followed a more westerly route. This meant a longer channel crossing, but less boating issues.
A bit past the ferry landing, Mike Brown caught us and gave Shira a thumbs up on her paddling. Shira was hanging tough. She would paddle for a bit, then take a small break, but she was pulling her weight on Team Griffith.
We rounded the last marker and headed toward the finish line, now we felt the wind a bit more. Just then Shira's hat flew off her head. I quickly snatched it from the water and kept motoring on.
I kept my pace up, and giving Shira encouragement to keep on paddling. We crossed the line at 11:15:33, covering the 5 miles with an average speed of 3.4 knts.
We hauled the kayak up on to the grass, grabbed our shirts and waited for the results. Shira was so proud of herself for doing it.
Then, we found out we were first place beating the other entrant by nearly 11 minutes!
Here is Shira with her shirt and plaque. She was one tired little girl, as she nodded off as we rode back with Jake to the starting line. I can't wait for their kayak classes to start.
The original plan was to enter the race with Ben, since there was a birthday party that Shira might enjoy as a substitute. However, Ben had some issues with self-control, and was grounded. Shira happily stepped up to the plate. It was tough lesson for Ben, but I am glad Shira was ready to go paddling. I felt bad having to pick one over the other in the first place.
Jen and Jake brought the tandem beast down to the starting line at Shelter Island. Shira was so excited to get in the boat and go paddling. She got high-fives from Jane Hardy, Jen, Jake and Mike Brown.
At 9:45, the starting horn sounded, and off we went!
Shira was paddling her heart out and loving every minute of it. We headed straight for Island Prime to the first bouy. The weather was perfect for racing, not too hot. There was a touch of wind, but it was mostly at our backs.
As we rounded the first buoy, we headed south toward Coronado. Instead of following the eastern side of the bay, the course now followed a more westerly route. This meant a longer channel crossing, but less boating issues.
A bit past the ferry landing, Mike Brown caught us and gave Shira a thumbs up on her paddling. Shira was hanging tough. She would paddle for a bit, then take a small break, but she was pulling her weight on Team Griffith.
We rounded the last marker and headed toward the finish line, now we felt the wind a bit more. Just then Shira's hat flew off her head. I quickly snatched it from the water and kept motoring on.
I kept my pace up, and giving Shira encouragement to keep on paddling. We crossed the line at 11:15:33, covering the 5 miles with an average speed of 3.4 knts.
We hauled the kayak up on to the grass, grabbed our shirts and waited for the results. Shira was so proud of herself for doing it.
Then, we found out we were first place beating the other entrant by nearly 11 minutes!
Here is Shira with her shirt and plaque. She was one tired little girl, as she nodded off as we rode back with Jake to the starting line. I can't wait for their kayak classes to start.
Labels: Bay to Bay Race, Shira, winner
posted by Chris Griffith at
12:07 PM
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