Sandbridge Ocean Challenge, ECORA OC-6 Race Series

The weatherman was wrong again. As the sun came up on Sandbridge Beach in Virginia, the clouds broke and the ocean stood up in anticipation of kanus and paddlers, for what would be an epic day (by East Coast standards anyways) of OC-6 racing. The 5th event of the 2006 ECORA series provided experienced paddlers the thrill of working the waves and the in-experienced crews got worked a little. Because of the larger waves and amplified winds, the normal "death march" distance was shortened and even the hard-core paddlers did very little complaining...everyone came away satisfied. With steep faces and narrow troughs taking their toll on competitors and equipment alike, we were bound to have something come un-done, but when one of the women's teams lost an ama, that made everyone a little tense. The ladies handled the situation like pros, kept the kanu upright until the support boats brought some help, got the wayward ama reattached (upside down) and then they paddled their wounded kanu through the surf to a smooth beach landing. Well done! Spirits were lifted even higher at the "Baja" post race luau and awards ceremony, with awesome grinds from our very own Boardwok.

As race organizers, the Sandbridge Outrigger Canoe Club would like to commend everyone who turned out to paddle, for conducting themselves with significant aloha as we negotiated the compromised course distance and execution of the race. All of us appreciate our paddling ohana, more every year. Can't wait to see all of you at the Kent Island Relay!

Aloha

Significant links:

Photos:
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=05OH001N

ECORA:
http://www.eastcoastoutrigger.com/index.html

Kent Island Relay: http://www.kiocc.com/kiocc_cup.html

Canadian team steersman shucking his broken paddle for a good one