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Greg Barton and Me
On July 20, 2005, I had the opportunity to try out the Epic V10 surf ski and paddle with Greg Barton at Pier 7 in Annapolis, Maryland. Mr. Barton holds many prestigious kayaking titles, amongst which are
Double Olympic Gold Medalist (K-1 & K-2 1000 meters), Seoul, Korea, 1988
Olympic Bronze Medalist (K-1 1000 meters), Barcelona, Spain, 1992
Olympic Bronze Medalist (K-1 1000m), Los Angeles, CA, 1984
Mr. Barton spoke about paddles and maximizing stroke efficiency. Then, he took us out in small groups and gave us personal critiques. It was an honor to receive advice from a living legend.
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Second Annual Paddle for the Cure
This event took place on June 18, 2005 at Gunpowder Falls State Park, Hammerman Area. I collected $360 to be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. With the large number of volunteers and participants, almost $20,000 was raised. I competed in the 7.9 mile race for the more experienced paddlers. There were about 50 others in this event. I finished in 1:17:35, averaging 6.11 mph, a personal best. I took second place overall, finishing 15 seconds behind the winner. I led for the first 7 miles with the winner hot on my tail, only to have him kick it into high gear at the end. The first photo on the left shows folks from my kayak club, the Chesapeake Paddlers Association (CPA). Some participated while others helped run the event. The second photo on the left is of the overall winners. On the right is Charlie who took first place. In the middle, is me. On the left is my friend Neil who paddled a Futura Sea Horse outrigger canoe and took third place.
Click thumbnails to enlarge.
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Ponies at Assateague Island
From April 29 to May 1, 2005, I camped at Assateague Island National Seashore on the eastern shore of Maryland. The island is famous for its large number of wild ponies (actually horses) and sitka deer. We originally planned to explore Sinepuxent Bay via kayak but changed our plans after wind gusts up to 30 knots were announced. Instead we paddled up the Pocomoke River, launching at Pocomoke River Canoe Company in Snow Hill and turning around at Porters Crossing Road. The deep winding river took us through natural woodlands where we saw many turtles sunning themselves on the logs.
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Oscar Chalupsky
and Me
On October 30, 2004, I had the opportunity to meet Oscar Chalupsky at Truxton Heights Park in Annapolis,
Maryland. Mr. Chalupsky is the
10 time winner
of the Molokai World Ocean Championships
6 time South
African Ironman Life Guard Champion
Captain of the
South African team in the 1992 Olympics
winner of the
Sella Descent marathon kayak race
10 time winner
of the world’s longest surf ski race (180 miles)
2 time Tahiti
World Cup surf ski winner.
Mr. Chalupsky
gave an informative talk on boat designs and paddling form.
Later, we had an opportunity to paddle with the master.
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thumbnail to enlarge.
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Pocomoke Sound
On October 9, 2004, I paddled with the Chesapeake Paddlers Association
(CPA), launching from Tall Pines Harbor Campground
in Sanford,
Virginia. About 8 of us explored the Saxis Wildlife Management
Area. Photo taken by Brian Blankinship.
Click thumbnail to enlarge.
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Janes Island
Sande and I camped at Janes Island State Park on July 2-4, 2004.
We found several turtles along with the remains of hatched turtle
eggs. The shells curled up on themselves and felt like plastic,
not brittle like chicken egg shells.
Click thumbnail to enlarge.
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Whitewater
rafting, May 3, 2002
Not exactly kayaking but this photo doesn't seem to fit anywhere
else. Sande and I participated in guided whitewater rafting trip
just outside of Coloma, California. We paddled down the South
Fork of the American River toward Folsom Lake with American River
Recreation, phone: 1-800-333-7238. Shortly after this picture was
taken, one of the people fell out. We eventually found him.
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