6/4/2022 Shelbyville, MI aka Gun Lake Paddle Battle. That is a minimum of the 4th time I’ve written a race recap for this race.
Typically it’s heat.
Typically it’s windy.
Typically the course zigs when it ought to have zagged.
Whatever the climate the course or another such element, the Gun Lake Paddle Battle is ALWAYS the primary race of the Midwest Paddle League schedule, and it’s ALWAYS an important race ran by the wonderful people at Shaka SUP Racing.
This yr is absolutly no exception, sunny, barely breezy, and a counter-clockwise 4-bouy diamond formed course. Easy out and again for the 1-mile rec race. 2 laps for the 5k, 4 laps for 10k.
There was racing, generally it was shut, however the actual story of the 20022 season opener was 18 first time racers! A dozen and half model spanking new dependancy candidates simply ready to get hooked on one of the best drug since espresso. That’s extra contemporary meat than Alice’s boyfriend the butcher from the Brady Bunch had on a Tuesday morning. And the overwhelming majority of them have been ladies. That’s what our sport wants greater than something, the nourishment and replenishment that comes with new paddlers from all walks of life.
It’s actually one thing the league has solely tracked since they began handing out new paddler welcome items final season, however nobody can keep in mind a single occasion that even got here shut.
The all-female one-mile race set off first, Jennifer Pollock was first throughout the road adopted by Hollee Meged within the kayak division, the hotly contested SUP division was received by Joyce Beukema, Autumn Hogle, and Lisa Wright flanked the rostrum.
Subsequent up was the 1Ok race with the surfskis setting the tempo. New comer Pieter Visser blistered the course, adopted my Mark Irish, and Jon Henderson. Kilted Dan Novak took an early lead and by no means appeared again. Alex Sandler and Jay James took 2nd and third respectively.
Yeah, the dudes have been quick, however for my cash, the ladies’s division is extra enjoyable to observe. Kattie Carpenter has been on hearth the final two season sand she got here out swinging within the opening spherical, however Julie Miller has been coaching arduous and has made up some floor within the offseason. I can’t wait to see what occurs because the season unfolds.
Hilary Bryson got here out on her OC1, tristan patrona got here noticed and conquered on a inclined, and Al Mussman braved the 10k on a 12’6” inflatable.
After the 10k, obtained began, the 5k rivals took to the blocks. A crowded area of just about 40, the recognition of the manageable and enjoyable 5k is proving out in paddling because it has in working. For the lads, a well-known trio of Doug Vojtko, Adam Rivera, and Ofer Meged led the best way on 14’ boards. Jessi Lynn received for the ladies after being absent from the races for a short time. In simply her second season, Risa Starkopf is approaching robust, Ryan Meade continues to indicate that she’s a think about each race she enters.
The 12’6” is alive and effectively in Shaka SUP occasions with Aaron Lugo, Chad Retzlaff, and Invoice Essling making the lads’s podium, and Rebecca Trapp, Christine Armstrong, and Misty Marcum Rolfs taking prime honors for the ladies.
Full outcomes may be discovered right here.
A number of footage are right here.
And the remainder of the Midwest Paddle League Schedule is right here.
