Run of the Charles and Herring Run Race

The Osprey Sea and Surf Team has officially throw their hats into the Stand Up Paddle Race scene. Will Rich and I did the 19 mile course with 6 portages through the streets of Boston Suburbs. Mimi did the 6 mile race and was the only woman to enter the paddleboard division. She beat 3 men to the finish and received 1st place womans. Will and I survived the 19 mile course finishing 1st and 2nd with awesome times! Mimi was only 20 min behind guys with displacement hull boards. Way to go girl! Hank and Marion Simpson met us at the finish with food and drink.

The Herring Run Race took place on the Mystic River. Will and I did the 12 mile course and Ami and Rachel joined the team with Mimi on the 3 mile course. All of us were real fast even with the stiff head wind.Way to go Ami and Rachel on your first race ever!

The next race is June 12 at home here on The Mighty Westport River East Branch. Following that Will and I are doing The Blackburn Challenge. That is a 20 mile race around Cape Ann. July brings the Aquidneck Island Circum-Navigation 38 miles. We are going to do that one as a relay. Last year I solo'd that one but I want to share the pain with friends...
We are also planning a down wind run from Block Island to Little Compton. A full moon run of the Elizabethan Islands. Also a Run from Westport to Nantucket Island. Stay tuned for our adventures.
Times:Charles River 19 mile
Mike~3:29:20 1st
Will~3:57:23 2nd
Time:Charles River 6 mile
Mimi~1:45:08 1st
Times:Mystic River 12 mile
Mike~2:24;43 1st
Will~2:54;00 2nd(un-official time)
Times:Mystic River
Mimi~1:09:37 1st
Rachel~1:19:00 2nd
Ami~ 1:19:00 2nd

Spring Races

In the next day ,be on the look out for an update on what the Crew has been doing out on the Stand Up Paddle Race scene. I'll post some times and a brief follow up on how we did.
Mike

24 mile Osprey Biathlon

Just after 7 I stepped onto the paddleboard and headed towards the harbor. The sun had been above the horizon for a little bit and was still lower than the trees, the sky held the last colors of dawn. Birds were everywhere and fish swirled the water. There are very few ways to have a better start to the day.

I was starting a little earlier than planned and had to step towards the nose of the board to ensure the fin cleared the bottom until I reached the channel. A fisherman reeling in a Striper and I nodded to each other. The sun soared into the sky and I started hoping for a little wind.

The incoming tide slowed my progress but once I hit the harbor it pushed me along well enough. The North/East wind was strong enough to cool me down as I passed the 88 bridge on schedule. Music thumped in my ears. My iPod sat in my backpack piping out the tunes that kept me motivated. Hix Bridge soon passed as did my first wind. I dug for my second one and was thankful the breeze was light.

The shop came into sight and I breathed a sigh of relief. 12 miles finished and another 12 to go but it was time for lunch and a rest.