fitness paddling: exercise, train, race by kayak & canoe

• 07/03/2007: 1st Annual Kansas River "Gritty Fitty" Race - GPS Tracks and Pictures

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• 07/04/2007: West Hansen on Choosing that Next and Faster Boat for Ultramarathon Racing

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• 07/06/2007: 10 Top Posts in "Fitness Paddling" in 2007 and 2006

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• 07/10/2007: Texas Paddler and Racer Takes Vacations on Animas River and Lake Dillon, Colorado

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• 07/11/2007: Poetry in Motion - Hank McGregor Paddling Out in a Surfski

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• 07/13/2007: Kayak Racing in Sweden - Pictures from National Championships by Björn Olin

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• 07/14/2007: 2007 Texas Water Safari in a Surfski by Carter Johnson - I. Race and Boat

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• 07/16/2007: 2007 Texas Water Safari in a Surfski by Carter Johnson - II. San Marcos and Guadelupe

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• 07/17/2007: 2007 Texas Water Safari in a Surfski by Carter Johnson - III. Finish and Solo Record

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• 07/18/2007: How to Sit in Water and Paddle a Surfski for 260 or 300 Miles by Carter Johnson

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• 07/20/2007: Following the 2007 Missouri River 340 Race from Kansas City to St Charles

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• 07/23/2007: Thunderbolt Kayak for a 340 Mile Nonstop River Race?

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• 07/29/2007: 5 Myths in Conditioning for Paddle Sports by Tommi Paavola

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• 07/30/2007: 2007 Missouri River 340 Race in Pictures: 1. Kayaks and Canoes Starting at the Kaw Point

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• 07/31/2007: 2007 Missouri River 340 Race in Pictures: 2. Kansas City to Boonsville

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During the first 6 months of 2008 year the virtual race gathered 21 paddlers and 55 entries in a variety of boats including recreational, sea and racing kayaks, canoes, surfskis, and even, rowing shells.

We are racing at two distances this year: 5 and 10 mile. Each racer is recording his distance and time with a GPS. Any number of entries from a given paddler is allowed, but each next entry in the same boat must be faster than the previous one. See, a summary of race rules below.

A racer is earning points for each entry with a some extra bonus for speed. Here is the current (June 27, 2008) point standing for all virtual racers.

Summary of virtual race rules

1. Race distance. 5 and 10 miles (8 and 16 km).

2. Race course. A closed loop to average over water and wind conditions. Standing water without current is recommended since any current will usually work to your disadvantage on the loop course.

3. Boat. Any human power boats - kayak, canoe or rowing shell

4. Entries. You can enter any time and as often as you can and are able to satisfy the next condition. Use the entry form if possible or follow that format by sending information by e-mail.

5. Go faster. Each subsequent entry in the same boat and race distance must be faster than a previous one (except the first entry in a new year).

6. Time recording by any GPS unit. I can accept some other recording methods like, e.g., a speedometer on a water without current.

7. Points:

• 1 point for each 5 mile entry
• 2 points for each 10 mile entry
• 1 additional point for every 0.5 mph above 6 mph

Just a reminder and invitation:

Exercise, train, race by kayak and canoe ...

.. and post pictures from your racing events or paddling workouts in the new Fitness Paddling and Racing photo group which I just created on Flickr. You can see four randomly selected pictures from that group on right.

You can find plenty of pictures from different races on Flickr including such ultra marathon events like Texas Water Safari, WaterTribe, Missouri River 340, or Yukon River Quest. There are posted in various paddling, kayaking or geographically oriented groups.

I think it would be useful to gather all these pictures in one group and, perhaps, put more emphasis on different racing boats, their outfitting, paddles and other racing gear. It means that less artistic, but more technical documentary pictures are also welcome.

So, if you are already on Flickr please sent your pictures to my group. If you are not, it is easy to join. A free Flickr account will allow you to upload up 100 Mb of pictures per month. It's a lot, especially, if you downsize your pictures before uploading.

Technorati tags: Flickr kayak canoe paddling race racing fitness workout paddle