Feb 14 - Umatac-Agat-Umatac Relay - Guam

The open water OC1 season started off Saturday with the traditional relay race from Umatac Bay to Nimitz Beach, Agat and back. Flat seas and little wind kept the paddlers working hard both directions with the Northern and 1st leg a little easier with a small swell and slight wind chop pushing the first boats up the coast.

Each leg was seven miles, and high clouds kept the paddlers cool, which helped a little anyway. Held on Valentines Day this year, the top 3 mixed OC1 teams were awarded with champagne for their efforts. A few teams had brand-new deep water OC1 paddlers who seemed to enjoy the race, despite their flipping or sometimes erratic course lines.

Paddler/Division Split Times Total

1. Jim Maher (solo) 55:38 2:02:20
2. Dick Soriano (MM) 57:06, Joe Perez 1:17:04 2:13:38
3. Mike Gawel (Mixed) 1:03:50, Annie Leon Guerrero 1:19:36 2:24:26
4. Tom Diego (MM) 1:09:14, Mark Capone 1:21:09 2:30:23
5. Fred Shroeder (Mixed) 1:08:07, Toni Von Sheele 1:33:31 2:41:38
6. Rick Appleton (Mixed) 1:04:48, Vivian Larsen 1:41:12 2:46:00

The next race in the 4 Relay race Series is the Inarajan to Agat relay, 4 legs; with changes at Achang Reef, Merizo pier, Umatac and finishing again at Nimitz Beach in Agat.

Rick Appleton

Posted by keizo on Sun, 02/15/2004 - 5:55pm