North East Surfski Racing

Welcome to the 2008 racing season. After starting in 2005, NESurfski is now in its fourth year and still growing. This site provides information on ocean races in the North East, race results and articles relating to surfski paddling and training

Epic Kayak Most Improved Paddler Award, 2008.

The most improved paddler award was presented after the Downwind Run on Sunday. The first winner of the Epic award is Alexanova McLain. Alex has shown a dramatic improvement over the 2008 season. In several races this year the student from Bowdoin College has finished in leading groups and has beaten competitive male paddlers in demanding conditions.

If there was ever an example of improved form leads to speed it was seen in Alex this season as her times tumbled. Her progress and success culminated in San Francisco at the Nationals a couple of weeks ago where Alex came second to a Nikki Mocke of South Africa.

I paddling along side (and later behind) Alex in Jamestown amongst significant waves earlier this season and it was difficult not to appreciate the soild technique and style she showed in the bumps. This was a different paddler to the one I'd paddled with (and in front of) in 2007. Congratulations to Alex, and the very best of luck as we wish you a bright and successful future in paddlesports.

Despite the incredible progress made by Alex, the decision as to who should get the award was not a simple one. An honorable mention goes to Mike McDonough. Mike's performance has also improved dramatically and his hard training regime has allowed him to beat three-times series winner, Ken Cooper, on several occasions this season. If his increase in speed/form can be sustained, Mike will be a strong contender for the series next year.

NEXT RACE: Mayor's Cup, Manhattan, NY, 19th October.

The final race of the 2008 series is upon us. Details can be found at the race website.

Points Series: Three for three

Cooper wins 2008 Points Series. Even with a race left in the series, Ken Cooper wins the 2008 NESurfski Points Series; just like last year... and the year before that.

The prize ceremony after the Downwind Race included the conclusion of the NESurfski Series even though there is still a race left - Ken didn't need it, he is 13 points clear and even a win at the Mayor's Cup would not be enough for second place Mike Tracey to catch Ken.

Ken's season has been another impressive one. His 5th place at the Blackburn put him with some big names in US surfski racing; Borgnes, Kiesling, Bexuidenhout, Glickman, then Cooper. He has generally dominated the local scene in New England, rarely allowing other paddlers a chance for first place and becoming the yard-stick by which the New England paddlers measure their own performance.

The second and third places in the series are far from decided - the 'best six' points rule puts Mike Tracy, Cory Lancaster and Tim Dwyer within 7 points of each other. The Mayor's Cup on the 19th October will decide who places this year.

NESurfski Downwind Run: "Perfect"

"Perfect" was the answer, 'How was it?' was the question. This year the NESurfski Downwind Run had good conditions for surfing the modified, 9 mile course. A field of over twenty paddlers on surfskis and outriggers ran the course from Kittery to York with what was supposed to be a light wind (forecast to be 5 knts) behind them.

Gathering at Long Sands beach for the pre-race meeting the wind started to build and become more southerly. Trade winds they weren't, but it was enough to generate surfable chop. This year the course ran straight to the finish line on Long Sands without the trip around the famous Numble lighthouse, cutting about 1.5 miles off the previously run route.

By the time the paddlers were lined up off a jetty in Kittery, the wind was still playing ball and the start was brisk - it was going to be a fast race. The organizers had barely got back to Long Sands before the first paddlers appeared on the horizon, rounding the point of York Harbor. It was Cory Lancaster that first appeared, with none other than OC paddler, Eric McNett behind him. Both paddlers ran parallel to the beach on the approach to the finish line. Eric, in his first race on a surfski was putting pressure on Lancaster. Both came close in to the beach and paddled the last 100m in the breakers - Lancaster's boat handling in the surf allowed him to gain extra seconds on McNett, who, with less experience of skis, lost time in the waves.

Lancaster finished the 9 miles in 1:11:35 (pictured below; courtesy of Richard Germain). Lancaster won last year's downwind race with an average speed of 6.4 mph, this year his average pace was 7.6 mph. McNett took second 29 seconds behind him. It was an OC1 that came in next; Rod McLain finishing in 1:13:00. Mike Tracy of Beverly, MA took third for the skis at 1:13:56.

The Women's ski race was won by Alex McLain, finishing in 1:16:20 and 7th overall. Ellen Stewart wisely ended her race at York Harbor after a brief swim left her cold. Ellen was by no means the only swimmer, but all paddlers who took a dip in Maine's cool water got back on and stayed safe.

Fingers are already crossed that conditions repeat themselves next year. Thanks to all paddlers who travelled to the race - competitors came from Quebec and Rhode Island. Congratulations to Lancaster on his second consecutive Downwind win, and also to McNett who's first surfski race was undeniably impressive.

Full results for the Downwind Run are on the Results page.

Oscar Chalupsky Surfski Clinics

Oscar will be making four stops leading up to the Mayor’s Cup. The clinics are limited in size and space has been filling up fast. If you would like to enquire about a clinic please contact one of the clinic organizers from the list below. The organizer for each clinic will be able to provide details for that date (price, location, time, etc.)

The enthusiasm and motivation of the paddlers throughout the Northeast was the main catalyst for getting Oscar to the States this year. Epic Kayaks appreciates the passion Northeast paddlers have shown for this sport; as well as the great strides you have achieved in its growth over the last four years. Our hope is that Oscar’s visit will help advance surfski paddling in your region, and aid its continued growth in 2009.

· Clinic 1 - Jamestown, RI (October 11 & 12) Contact: Tim Dwyer

· Clinic 2 – Boston, MA (October 13) Contact: Mark Jacobson

· Clinic 3 - Brick, N.J. (October 14) Contact: Craig Impens

· Clinic 4 – New York, NY (October 16) Contact: Marcus Demuth

History of Surfskis

Making the transition from kayak to surfski

Surfski Reviews

Surfski Repair

Surfski Survey - results of paddlers' opinions on ski performance

Modifying footwells for a shorter paddler...