Epic Paddling.
The oldest of trees! Literally! Ginkgos have been around longer than any modern tree.
It looks like a stand up paddle board class!
(6 hrs later) ...no, it's a race! Sponsored by MEC, we went to watch the 8km race (or 4 km, for the tired). They may look like kayaks, but they are "surf skis".
...Bringing up the rear!
The group soon seperated itself by speed: Surf skis, then outrigger canoes, then kayaks, then paddle boards.
Now this guy is making a big wake...
Just in time for the lead surf skis!
It was a 4km course, so 2 laps for the 8km. Think and Epic are the major surf ski manufacturers. You can see the paddler's knees, there is no "inside".
The fastest of the outrigger canoes was mixing it up with the slower surf skis. These are all narrow and tippy and fast.
It turned out that several of the paddle boarders were doing quite well, and beating many of the kayaks.
The big boats were not part of the fun, but the 2-seater kayak was. They were one of the faster kayaks.
This guy was making good time as well. The kayakers were much more casually outfitted than the surf ski paddlers.
The first one back from the 8km course! ...crossing the line with a paddleboarder from the 4km course. The fastest were averageing almost 11 kph.
Afterwards, it was like a sports car rally "show and shine"!
...next page.