2003 Canoe/Kayak Racing Season Preview
By Marsh Jones
April 10, 2003
HUT!!!
The ice is off the water in the southern half of the state,
and the temperatures are beginning to go from blue to klister.
(Almost) everyone has put the skis away, pulled the bikes
off the wall and the boats off the hooks. Aside from the 'pure
paddlers' who made the trip to Inverness, Florida for the
Gene Jensen winter camp, most of us are still trying to shake
off the winter and get paddling muscles loosened up. Paddlers
are suffering from the winter's lack of snow (and now rain)
this spring, with low water levels in most of the rivers.
Paddling makes a great summertime activity for skiers. Low
impact, good upper body work, and it's outside! It's also
a sport ideally suited for the average ski racer's body type.
Rookie Night is a great opportunity to try paddling.
This program has been going on for nearly 30 years, meeting
down below University Hospital on the east bank. (Mississippi
Flats) at 5:30. This is a great way for skiers (and others)
to learn to paddle efficiently, plus find out about canoe
racing in a very low-key outing. Bring appropriate clothes
(ski clothes work well this time of year), waterproof shoes
or boots, a life jacket (PFD) if you have one. We'll provide
the rest. Hard core paddling experience isn't required - in
fact it is probably easier to teach someone who didn't grow
up paddling 'Canadian style' using 'J' and 'C' steering strokes
all the time. We pair up a newcomer with an experienced paddler,
cover the basics on dry land, and then hit the water as a
group. We normally try to be on the water at 6:00, and off
by a little before 8:00. The pace is fairly relaxed, and should
be fine for anyone reasonably fit - it isn't necessary to
be in 'racing shape' to enjoy. In addition to basic paddling
skills, the Monday night sessions cover wake riding (like
drafting), racing tactics, and etiquette. Other group training
paddles take place almost every day from now on, with semi-scheduled
paddles on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends (unless there
is a race). Most of these training runs will stay in groups
by speed and ability, with faster boats circling back to pick
up the slower ones.
 |
The Minnesota racing season kicks off on May 3 with the annual
Snake River Canoe Classic (or Knife Lake, depending
on water levels). This is the biggest individual race in Minnesota,
drawing large numbers of recreational paddlers both from Mora
and the rest of the state. In addition to being the first
event of the year, Mora always does a fine job with the course
and feeding the competitors afterwards. Other favorites are
the weekly Hoigaards Canoe Derby (Thursdays thru mid-August),
Klarbrunn Classic in St. Cloud (May 31), the Chippewa
Triathlon (June 7), the re-born Marine-on-St. Croix (June
21) and the Jensen Handicap (June 22). Two other races
of particular note are the Four-State Challenge, held
on the Wisconsin River (July 13), and the Mississippi Classic
(August 17). The Classic has been held for 30+ years, drawing
professional and amateur paddlers from all over the US and
Canada. The Challenge is a unique event. Paddlers from Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois form state teams, with the intent
to take as many points as possible in each competitive class
from the 22 mile tandem and solo races to the 16 mile adult-child,
junior, kayak and recreation categories. Last year came down
to a tie between Minnesota and Wisconsin, with both states
vowing to snatch the title outright next time.
Todd Elison, Joe Manns, and Fred Rayman
continue to be Minnesota favorites, along with Calvin Hassel
(NE), John Hugas, and Al Limberg (WI) for
any race they team on, with Kjell Peterson, Brett
and Devan Arenz being the best 'up&coming' paddlers
(and podium regulars). Also look for Al Rudquist's name on
the 1st place check on any race he enters, with whomever he
paddles. Al is better known in places like Shawinigan, Quebec
and Grayling, MI due to his consistent top finishes at the
'Triple Crown' of canoe racing rather than outside the paddler's
community on the local level. On the women's side, Deighen
Blakely, Stephanie Larson, Josie Nelson
(MN) and Beth Schluter (WI) are the threats in any
race.
As a closing footnote, the term 'HUT!' is now used universally
as the command to switch paddling sides. This was started
in the 1940's by the legendary Gene Jensen (who designed
most of the racing canoes in use today). Gene found that it
was a lot easier to bark 'HUT!' than to say 'switch sides'.
While Gene no longer competes due to health problems, we enjoy
his presence at many races thru the season.
|
|
About the author...
Marsh Jones is a 'forty-something, multi-sport,
weekend warrior' to use his description. His best finish
last year was 25th at the Chippewa Triathlon. In addition
to skiing and canoeing, Marsh generally gets involved
in whatever sports his 11&13 year olds are doing (currently
lacrosse). Marsh races for Ketter
Canoeing and ActiveElite.
|
Related links
|
