For the last three years Jerry Nyre from Canoe Colorado organized and sponsored (including cash prizes!) this great marathon race on the North Platte River during Memorial Day weekends. The race started at Hot Springs in Saratoga and run 44 miles down the river across a quite remote area to Fort Steele (I-80 boat ramp). It was usually high and fast water and, typically, some headwind closer to the finish.

Thank you Jerry! I had a good racing and spent together with Connie and our dogs three wonderful weekends in Saratoga.

Unfortunately, the Wyoming Outback Challenge will not by organized any more. The organizers were obviously disappointed by a poor participation. Here is what Eric Nyre wrote at Canoe Colorado forum this year as an explanation:

Last year was the last year of the race.
Local racers weren’t interested.
Racers from other parts of the country wanted free loaner boats/ transportation.
We gave it 3 years, and the crowd kept getting smaller. So no mas, we’re paddling the White instead.

I don’t think that Eric is the best person to comment on that event since during these three years he never showed up at the race neither as an organizer nor as a racer.

Morgan House, a sprint kayaker, the first US Indoor Kayak Championships, the role of interval training, rest and recovery in paddler’s training cycle by couch Shaun Caven, developments in surfski racing, strength training for racers by Abel Hastings, a preview of the Show-Me-State Canoe and Kayak Marathon, a review of high tech training paddle, Excalibur …

All this and more in the March-April 2010 issue of Canoe and Kayak Racing Magazine.

Missouri Breaks 150 Race planned for June 13-13, 2010 (150 miles from Fort Benton to Kipp Recreation Area, Wild & Scenic Upper Missouri River, in two stages) has been cancelled. Race organizers didn’t get a permit from BLM. See some related discussion at RiverMiles.com forum.

Bummer! I just started preparation for three long races on the Missouri River this year. I was even hoping to connect the Missouri Break 150 race with a short visit to Glacier National Park. My plan “B” for the 2nd weekend of June is to use some frequent flier miles and to fly south to photograph Texas Water Safari this year.

A dozen of the most popular posts in this blog during last year.

Most popular means with the highest number of readers. These include also articles from the old blog before I migrated to wordpress platform. Some posts need update. The article Is Ultra-Marathon Kayak and Canoe Racing Growing? was written in the middle of 2006 before the first Missouri River 340 race.

1. 14 Tips on Kayak Forward Stroke Dynamics by Mark Zollitsch

2. Tips on Training, Boats and Paddles for Endurance Paddling Races

3. 2009 Rotten Egg Race – Results, Pictures, Handicap System

4. 3 Years of the Missouri River 340 Race

5. 12 Pictures from 2008 Missouri River 340 Race

6. Carter Johnson on Training for Ultra Marathon Kayak Races

7. 13 Tips on Training for Endurance Paddling Races from West Hansen

8. A Simple Suction Cup Mount for Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS

Dan Grubbs just released the 6th Issue (January/February 2010) of Canoe and Kayak Racing Magazine. So, it has been already one year. Congratulations!

There is a lot on paddling and virtual racing using ergometers in this winter issue the including incoming US Indoor Kayak Championships in Oklahoma City.

I don’t really have a room of kayak ergometer in my house, so I would have to use it outside … I prefer to drive to the South Platte River for some cold water paddling. Fortunately, the river is still flowing while everything else in northern Colorado is frozen.

You will also find an interview with an outrigger canoe champion, Karel Tresnak, Jr, and more on the ICF women’s canoe program. Rob Bean, my local paddling partner, talks about Passion in the Paddle – how to turn your race into more meaningful experience by using it to raise funds for charity.

Previous issues:
March/April 2009, May/June 2009, July/August 2009, September/October 2009, November/December 2010

Inside the 5th Issue (November/December 2009) of Canoe and Kayak Racing Magazine:

How to get faster – faster! Interval training by Abel Hastings
How NOT to race
Lessons learned from the inaugural Laredo Riofest by Joe Mann
One small stroke stroke for woman … another giant leap for womankind by Pam Boteler
Outrigger racing finding home waters beyond warm currents of the Pacific Ocean by Stephen Mahelona
Hemmens couple set a new record for Phatwater Kayak Challenge by DeAnne Hemmens
Abel Hastings’ thoughtful take on the ICF World Marathon Championships

Previous issues: March/April 2009, May/June 2009, July/August 2009, September/October 2009

With this issue, we are hoping to introduce many of our readers to the world of open water racing. If you are like me, you are landlocked and don’t know ebb from rip.

The racing world is large and varied, which is wonderfully illustrated by the fact that open-water racing is contested on surf skis, outrigger canoes, paddle boards, sea kayaks and a host of other platforms.
….
Dan “Osprey” Grubbs

Dan “Osprey” Grubbs just released the 3rd issue of Canoe & Kayak Racing Magazine. The leading theme is a sprint racing this time.

The second Saturday of June. 2009 Texas Water Safari started today with 100 boats lined up at Aquarena Springs. 260 miles to go down the San Marcos and Guadelupe Rivers to Seadrift in San Antonio Bay.

7 mile race open to all paddled and rowed boats. August 2nd, 2009 Frisco Marina, Frisco, CO. Highest and most scenic regatta in North America. For registration and information: Frisco Rowing Center at Lake Dillon. Great prizes and medals.

Dillon Reservoir at Mountain Wayfarer
November Paddling at 9,000 feet – Dillon Lake in Summit County, Colorado
9 Pictures from Paddling Lake Dillon, Colorado – Mountains, Sails and Dead Forest
Paddling in the Rain – Dillon Lake in Colorado Rocky Mountains