Kayak Challenge Race, Wednesday, August 5th.
Attention Kayak Race Fans.
Here's the results from the 2009 Great Great Huggers Regatta.

First off.
Generally on a Wednesday Night Race there are around 20-30 racers. I think a record was set on July 15 where there were 48 racers. Well, the night of the Huggers Cup there were 68 racers, 68! Understand that this is a normal race night at Bay Creek with the Huggers Regatta as a side race. But still, 68 racers. Paddlers had to wait in line to get to the Start Line. It was great fun. Bay Creek had to send out for more beer and Hots. Did you like the hot sauce? Thank Bill H. Last year 15 Huggers competed in the Huggers Regatta, this year 22 of the 68 were Huggers. Kayaking is really growing.

To put our times in perspective Jason Q., a K1 specialist who'd recently qualified to represent the U.S. at the upcoming World Marathon Champs, had a time of 14.04 minutes. How do I shave 11 minutes off my time? Evinrude?

Ladies First.
Fast Huggers Women.

Third Place with a time of 25.97 minutes Joyce H.

Last year Joyce had a time of 26.50 and was not in the top 3. Nice improvement young lady. By the way third place last year was won by Barb G. with a time of 26.45 minutes. The competition is getting tougher.

Second Place with a time of 25.83 minutes Wendy R.

Last year Wendy had a time of 27.75. Major improvement Wendy. You shaved almost 2 minutes and that's a lot.

First Place with a time of 24.85 minutes Iris R.

Last year Iris had a time of 25.07 minutes and won first place. Not a big improvement but this year Iris held her paddle the right way but hated the boat she borrowed. Yet she pulled through. Get it, pulled though? Never mind.

Fast Huggers Men.

Third Place with a time of 24.20 minutes Richard H.

Last year Richard also came in Third but with a time of 25.17 minutes. Slipping .03 minutes. Richard, ya gotta want it!

Second Place with a time of 23.53 Don G. This is Don's first appearance in the Huggers Regatta and a spectacular showing it was.

First Place with a time of 22.45 minutes George M. In a stunning upset to the veterans of the race this was George's first appearance too. Last year the winning time in the Men's division was 23.52 minutes. George just blasted through that time and shows just how tough the competition is getting.

A few notes.

1) Paul T's time was 19.05 minutes and he finished in First Place in the Touring Kayak Division for the whole race, not just Huggers. But Paul is a member of the Bay Creek Racing Team. Last year Paul's time was in the 24.00 minute range. Good coaching and practice, practice, practice and a strong will has turned Paul into the kayak animal he is. But he's a PRO and we are just amateurs. Whine, whine, whine. Other Huggers not Paul who was actually very understanding.

2) Bill H. came in Fourth Place at 25.05 minutes. A very good time but just out of the money. Bill has a new Carbon Kevlar kayak, very light and very fast that he cleaned and waxed to make it as fast as possible. As a very fine gesture of sportsmanship he let Don G. use his prepared boat rather than one of Bay Creek's pool of loaners. If Don had used a regular boat maybe his time would not have been quite so good? Could Bill's generosity have knocked him out of Third Place? If only we had a Sportsmanship Award...

3) A few people said I should have had more classes of racers based on boat length. George and Richard both were in the Touring Kayak Class while most everyone else was in Rec. Kayak. To my critics I can only reply "Well then, next year YOU run the Regatta and YOU can have whatever classes and awards YOU want".

4) Where did your Humble Scribner place in all this? Lets just say that too many people came to me personally to gloat. My quick has been cut! I missed a PR by .13 minutes. I think Jason Q. was in my way.

Thanks to all who attended, you know who you are. A big thanks to Ken and all the Bay Creek Staff for putting on a fine race and putting up with the Huggers.
- Rob