What a race that was on June 26! This year's Round Bowen Challenge turned out to be an even more enjoyable and exciting event than usual. New competitors, new races, new records.
With the race now set at the end of June rather than at the beginning of the month, there was a marked increase in personal best times. Also, the course record was well beaten by the first two kayaks across the line. Don Kiesling and Gabe Newton from Seattle had a truly amazing race with a time of 2:19:18, beating the existing time while Victoria's Gareth Tudor-Jones and Jan Malherbe were just three minutes behind at 2:22:50. Ian MacKenzie, also of Victoria, was first single paddler to finish while women's singles was again won by Katrja Radenbacher of North Van.
Andy Hoppenrath was first Bowen paddler home in just over three hours while congratulations go to other local heroes: Lesley Churchland, Marion Dill-Jones, Lisa Barnes, Sarah Cummins and Mike Lightbody.
Since its beginnings in 2000, the Round Bowen Challenge, North America's longest one-day kayak race, has changed in many ways. The original best time was 45 minutes slower than Sunday's result, due to improved technique and equipment. Also, the Challenge is broader in scope now that outrigger canoes have been part of the race for the past four years.
This year, stand-up paddleboards joined the race. In fact, seven SUPs raced with one paddler going round the island in under four hours.
After the event, the best of all post race parties began with Dan Parkin and the Bowen Chamber of Commerce serving up a fabulous salmon barbeque. Many thanks to them and to all who helped make this a memorable day.
Thanks to: the Gibsons' Coast Guard; Mike Segal, Alistair Westcott, Paul Grant, Bill Brown and Dee Eliott for support boats; Bowen Lodge for generous use of their hot tub; Ken Parker and Leah Cline for beach marshalling for the relay paddlers; Heather Coulthart, Barry Adams, Claire Allen and Jen Hall for timekeeping; and to Dwayne Matthews and Conrad Juraschka for compiling results. Lastly, thanks to the staff at Bowen Island Sea Kayaking for pulling it off once again.
MARTIN CLARKE
Race Organizer
