Oban Sea Kayak Race weekend

 

 

 

The race start was delayed on the Saturday due to an accident on the A85. Scrutinising started at midday and soon afterwards the boats were on the water heading from the Kilbowie Centre up to the  start line in Oban Bay.

 

 

 

 





I had a race time in mind as a goal, if I could get back through the line in 2 hours 20 mins I would be happy.  The mass start from Oban Bay was triggered by the horn on the Oban Lifeboat.  Within minutes we were all hurtling down the Sound of Kerrera, wind and tide on our backs helping us on our way. Fifty odd boats, a mixture of ski's, doubles, sleek 20 foot rudder equipped racing machines and of course a good contingent of traditional sea kayaks.  As we rounded the SE corner of Kerrera the field was starting to fragment, personal battles were unfolding and the faster boats were making good ground on the rest of the field.  We made steady progress along the sheltered waters on the South side of the Island, positions remained the same and the faster race boats were making the most of the conditions.

 

 

 

 

As we rounded the SW corner conditions changed, we were now heading into a bit of tide, more importantly some choppier conditions which were being driven by a F3/4 NE wind. This is where I saw an opportunity. The GT was comfortable in these conditions and every stroke was a forward going one. The faster race boats had lost their advantage and some of the field were starting to slow up. Grasping the opportunity I decided that now was a good point for a wee bit extra grunt. I was surprised that within a few minutes I was ticking a few speed machines off my hit list as I made my way up through the field a little. 

 

The final push was a down wind blast from the top of Kerrera, across the main shipping channel and back to the finish line in Oban Bay. I was now in a group with a Nordkapp, a Point 65 and a double, all faster boats than mine but great for dragging me along and keeping my pace up.  As I rounded the last corner I was surprised to see so few boats on the beach. As far as traditional sea kayaks were concerned there was a  Greenlander Pro, the Nordkapp I had been tussling with and my trusty GT. I was chuffed to bits finishing so far up the field. Of course there were a couple of Ski's and a few racing boats over the line before me  (Brian being one of them, finishing second in his class)  but in my head I was the third traditional sea kayak home and that was good enough for me. The icing on the cake was that my time was 2 hours 15 mins, five minutes quicker than my target time.  I just hope I can improve on that even more next year.....!

 

 

 



 The top ten results in the Men's Open and Senior sections....

 



Men's Open Single Sea Kayak

1ST	CALUM URQUHART (WINNER OF THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY. 2nd YEAR RUNNING)	INVERNESS	Sissons Evolution Sea	1:58:27
2ND	MARK PETERS	CORNWALL	Rapier 20	2:01:06
3RD	STEVEN McKINNON	NAIRN	Wilderness Tempest	2:14:09
4TH	JONNY ELDRIDGE	OBAN	XP18 Point 65	2:14:59
5TH	STEVEN WHIPP	HERTFORDSHIRE	Greenlander	2:15:01
6TH	NEIL TURNBULL	COLDSTREAM	Rockpool GT	2:15:20
7TH	ALISTAIR HORNSBY	CUMBRIA	Nelo Razor	2:16:03
8TH	CHRISTOPHER BELL	AYRSHIRE	Tiderace	2:17:13
9TH	KEVIN LOCKE	DUNBAR	Nelo Mosqito	2:19:12
10TH	MICHAEL SURMON	NAIRN	Wilderness Tempest	2:19:32

 

Men's Senior Single Sea Kayak

1ST	KENNY FRASER	HAWICK	Nelo Sibir	2:02:39
2ND	BRIAN TURNBULL	COLDSTREAM	Tiderace X	2:10:31
3RD	ROBIN BELCHER	BRISBANE AUSTRALIA	Nordkapp	2:15:10
4TH	DONALD THOMSON	ALFORD	Nordkapp	2:20:08
5TH	TONY HAMMOCK	OBAN	Nemo	2:21:47
6TH	ALAN JACKSON	AUSTRALIA	Nordkapp	2:29:36
7TH	ALAN JOHNSTONE	GLENROTHES	Necky chat.	2:31:03
8TH	STUART BENNETT	LILLIESLEAF	Diamonte	2:38:05
9TH	GUS BRYDON	OBAN	Explorer	2:39:04
10TH	COLIN McWILLIAMS	OBAN	Explorer	2:42:22

 



 

 Some of the prize winners...



Calum Urquhart, first kayak over the line

 

 

Patrick Winterton, part of the fastest double team

Kate Duffus, first lady home.

 

 

 

Sunday dawned to grey skies and a few sore heads. Celebrations had gone on a bit longer than planned. We decided to go for a quiet paddle before we made for home. A pleasant trip down to the South of Kerrera to visit Gylen castle and a  peaceful picnic lunch.

 

 

The view looking down Kerrera sound on Sunday morning was spectacular. Definitely a quieter place than it had been the previous afternoon.

 



A Lovely spot to stop for a bite of lunch, it looks more like the west coast of Ireland than the South coast of Kerrera.



 

The view to the South looking out of the hallway window of Gylen Castle. Looking over the Firth of Lorne to Seil and Luing. Scarba beyond, hiding under a veil of cloud.

 

The open air castle. Historic Scotland  spent £500,000.00 on a restoration of this castle a few years ago but must have forgotten the roof.

 



It is said that St Columba used to visit these parts working hard to covert the Picts to Christianity. He would stand on a grassy knoll with his subjects engrossed in his preachings.

 

 

Hang on a minute who's the dodgy looking dude in the dry suit?

 

 

 

 



 All that was left for the weekend was a long drive home and a night to sort out all the gear.I think we're  looking forward to next years event already.