August 10-15, USCA National Championships.
The USCA National Championships were held in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, this year. The first day's races were sprints. I had not paddled since AuSable where I had injured my wrist. I was allowed to remove the soft cast in order to paddle so long as I put it back on after every race. I was looking forward to being back in a kayak after having spent so much time in a canoe for AuSable. My first race was the 500 m sprint in my ICF K-1. I came in second in my division and my wrist felt fine. John Hazel, my AuSable partner, and I decided to paddle the mixed C2 sprint. That sprint confirmed that my wrist was not healed for canoe paddling but was perfectly OK for the kayak stroke. Nonetheless we had a great time being back in the boat together, even if only for 500 meters and a back of the pack finish.
My second race was the Unlimited race which I did in my ICF K1. The course was a bit weedy and shallow for an ICF boat. We first went upstream around a buoy and then back down to a short portage. The upstream leg was interesting because it twisted and turned and you had the chance to see other racers around every curve. It was challenging because of the current and trying to avoid collision with the downstream paddlers on blind curves. The portage was flat and many fans cheered us on as we went by. After the portage there were only four of the 14 miles left and the river widened out. The new challenge became some gusty winds and a few powerboats. I had paddled almost the entire course next to Ellen Roy who happened to be paddling in one of my boats. Ellen is about 26 years younger than me so I teased her a bit, telling her that she should not let an "old lady" beat her. Rounding the corner, with about 250 m to the finish line, I yelled to Ellen that I knew she was a sprinter and she better win. She did. What can I say? I was beaten by my own boat with a better paddler in it. It was a very fun day.
The next race was the K2 race. My diehard canoe partner, John, agreed to get in an ICF K2 with me for the race. At about 2 miles into the race, he must have been wondering what could he possibly have been thinking to agree to this. We had some really funny moments. Occasionally, John would get out of sync. He would try to get back in sync by very carefully placing his paddle in on time with my paddle - on the opposite side of the boat. While this may work well in a canoe, paddling on opposite sides of an ICF K2 does not work so well. We laughed every time he did it. Being a canoe paddler, John is also used to leaning the boat. This also does not work so well in an ICF K2. I would break into giggles each time he tried to lean a turn and I would remind him gently, "I promise I have a tiller bar, I swear it." We finished a good hour after the first K2 team, but I can pretty much guarantee we had the most fun of anyone on the course.
My final race of National's week was the ICF K1 race. The day was extremely windy and there were several who decided not to paddle that day. I was very nervous about the wind but decided to try it anyhow. I was last from the start but really didn't care. I had DNF'd at the Lower 35 race earlier in the year due to high winds, and I figured now was the time to face that demon. I thought about quitting at the portage, but with only 4 miles to go I thought I'd stick it out. At times during those last 4 miles I really cussed myself for that decision. It seemed like 40 miles to me. Every race has one person who comes in really, really last. It was my turn to be that person. Nonetheless I made it to the finish line upright and dry and that automatically makes it a good day for me.
My Nationals experience was outstanding. The course presented different challenges every day, the camaraderie was excellent, I just love the people at Nationals, and it was simply downright fun.
It was a good week.