Round Bowen Kayak Race

August-September 2000

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

June 17 2000 saw the the first annual 30 kilometre Round Bowen Kayak Race, at Bowen Island, BC. Favorable tides and light wind saw Daryl Remmler of North Vancouver paddle a single kayak (minus gelcoat to reduce weight) around the island in 2:50:10. Better than 10 km/hour!

He was just behind a double (Matt Nuttall and Kevin Vallely in 2:47:22); so close in fact that during most of the course Daryl drafted the double, and they cranked as three. Second in doubles were Greg Robertson and Sharon Keogh at 2:56:00. All of the first boats contained kevlar. Also popular in the winners' circle were wing paddles, credited for a 5% improvement in efficiency. The blades are shaped much like a bird's wing, curled over on the top edge (carbon fibre/graphite-$500).

Ross Coulter, who sent us this report, says he learned what it means to "paddle 30 km in less than 3:30 using a heavy rental boat, a 10-year-old paddle, and bad technique... and that the learning curve for competitive paddling is steep." He also "learned to covet shiny kevlar rocket boats and hard black curled paddle blades." Before next year's race in mid-June, Coulter says he "must get a better kayak, better paddle, better body, and better technique..."

He notes that "the paddle stroke of the best racers utilized larger muscle groups of the back and torso, with the arms quite straight and the upper body twisting at the hips. The paddle blades appeared to always be in the water, so fast is the transition side to side. Such a motion is unnatural at first, analogous to cranking circles with bike pedals for more efficiency."

Apparently kayakers have been beating sailboaters in around Bowen races in recent years and are very proud of the fact.