Downwind Umbrella Drag Races
Rules: Anything that floats; no motor, a paddle for steering and an umbrella!
I nervously listened to the regulations of the event at the 'pre-race meeting' and quickly became super nervous. Visualizing ourselves totally out of control compared to the other participants; mostly salty, experienced sailors. Just as the one minute warning was sounded, Sam plumped up our large beach umbrella. He was positioned at the front of our two person kayak, responsible for catching the wind. I was at the back, ready to snap some photos and cautiously steer behind the pack. Tick tock, tick tock; the time wound down. I whispered in Sam's ear for the hundredth time, "don't let us get going too fast, I am really freaked out right now".
The starting horn sounded....and we slowly drifted off behind the pack.
Rules: Anything that floats; no motor, a paddle for steering and an umbrella!
I nervously listened to the regulations of the event at the 'pre-race meeting' and quickly became super nervous. Visualizing ourselves totally out of control compared to the other participants; mostly salty, experienced sailors. Just as the one minute warning was sounded, Sam plumped up our large beach umbrella. He was positioned at the front of our two person kayak, responsible for catching the wind. I was at the back, ready to snap some photos and cautiously steer behind the pack. Tick tock, tick tock; the time wound down. I whispered in Sam's ear for the hundredth time, "don't let us get going too fast, I am really freaked out right now".
The starting horn sounded....and we slowly drifted off behind the pack.
Within a few minutes of the start, several boats flipped from the strong pull of the wind in the umbrella. The wind caught our large beach umbrella: propelling us forward, nearly into the back of another boat. It was definitely time to put the camera away. My competitive nature took hold. "Put the umbrella down like the guy in front of us". "Crap, I can't see, lift up the umbrella". "No, put it down! Put it down"!
From behind I hear a young kid and his dad yelling at each other. As the current pulled the kid close to a million dollar yacht...."paddle, paddle", yelled the crazed father. "Fuck this", replied the frustrated young boy. Sam and I chuckled and drifted forward.
The current swept the majority of the boats off course. We snuck in from behind, through the finish line. The 'officials' placed us fourth behind the girl floating on a crocodile raft. However, I am unsure of how because I turned to watch her go through the finish line; trying to snap a photo of her, but unable to get my camera out of the dry bag. So, technically Team Fuber took 3rd place!
From behind I hear a young kid and his dad yelling at each other. As the current pulled the kid close to a million dollar yacht...."paddle, paddle", yelled the crazed father. "Fuck this", replied the frustrated young boy. Sam and I chuckled and drifted forward.
The current swept the majority of the boats off course. We snuck in from behind, through the finish line. The 'officials' placed us fourth behind the girl floating on a crocodile raft. However, I am unsure of how because I turned to watch her go through the finish line; trying to snap a photo of her, but unable to get my camera out of the dry bag. So, technically Team Fuber took 3rd place!
We drifted home with our tiny rain umbrella out. Receiving big smiles and laughs from the local fishermen, who were out preparing their boats for their evening departure.
