Compass Rose
Date: 03/18/2013
My Epic 18x was named in honor of my Mother, Rose, who passed away in late January.
Greg and Pauline
Date: 03/01/2013
Fresh from registration with my brand-spanking-new "Kayak Vagabond" shirt.
Loading up
Date: 03/18/2013
Getting the boat loaded the night before the race, prior to the boat inspection (a check for required gear).
line-up
Date: 03/18/2013
A mix of small boats, kayaks, canoes and sailboats. All the boats must be small and light enough to allow for launch from the beach by only the crew.
line-up with the Sunshine Skyway bridge in the distance
Date: 03/18/2013
The start of the race is on Mullet Key, in Fort Desoto Park, Tampa Florida. The finish is at Key Largo, roughly 300 miles away.
Roll Call, race day
Date: 03/02/2013
Up at 4:45AM. Not much sleep the night before -- excited to get started. I start most of my expeditions the same way; not ideal, but when you are "raring to go" it's hard to sleep!
Foredeck layout
Date: 03/18/2013
I prefer minimal deck clutter and found the North Water small mesh deck bag to be perfect. I made a bottle holster for the deck bag to carry my Hammer Perpetuem (endurance fuel), mixed as a thick paste. Inside the kayak are two additional bottle holsters to carry extra Perpetuem and water. Also on deck are a Silva marine compass, GPSMap 78 and Spot tracking device (that made it possible to follow the competitors on a tracking map). Visible is a short leash that I used at night to reduce the risk of paddle loss.
Cockpit Layout
Date: 03/18/2013
I modified the kayak with a "Bumfortable" seat, that saved over 3 pounds. I also use a "Skwoosh" gel pad. In this photo the pad isn't in its final position, it should be turned around -- the indentation in the pad fits to the rear of the seat (to provide tailbone relief). Water with hydration hose is behind seat. Bilge pump is clipped to the hull. Next year I will run the hydration hose through the hull for less hassle.
All smiles while we countdown the final minutes.
Date: 03/02/2013
Hmmmm, do I have time to make a final visit to the bathroom before the race starts?
Dragging the kayak past the first sand-bar
Date: 03/18/2013
While some competitors explode off the beach, I took my time. There's over 3 days of racing ahead -- important to ensure that there are no creases in fabric (to cause skin issues), and to get hydration system adjusted.
Sunrise on catamaran
Date: 03/18/2013
One catamaran capsized and sunk in the Gulf on day one. Rescues boats streamed by and aircraft buzzed overhead.
Photo Boat
Date: 03/18/2013
Warren Richey, Maura and Marty Sullivan filmed competitors from a Gheenoe (motorized canoe)
SUP
Date: 03/18/2013
Shane Perrin was the first person to complete an Everglades Challenge on a SUP. He was continuing on to Key West to set a new SUP distance record.
First Checkpoint, Cape Haze, 60 miles
Date: 03/02/2013
It was a blustery day and cool. Many of the competitors stopped for the night at checkpoint one. It's very easy to get comfortable and stop -- especially with hot showers, hot soup, pizza and beer available. I warmed up and headed out toward Cayo Costa.
"Jungle Jim" and "Kayak Vagabond" at CP2, Chokoloskee
Date: 03/04/2013
Jungle Jim and Busted Rudder are tenacious competitors!
I was forced off the water near Naples when onshore winds gusted into "Victory at Sea" conditions, making it unsafe to continue in the darkness, surrounded by breaking waves far offshore. There is no "inshore" option at this point. I made a safe surf landing, and holed up for the night in the mangroves, but valuable paddle time was lost. I was up early, broke through the surf, and had a good run to Chokoloskee, after refilling water, onto Flamingo (a 28 hour, 108 mile run).
I was forced off the water near Naples when onshore winds gusted into "Victory at Sea" conditions, making it unsafe to continue in the darkness, surrounded by breaking waves far offshore. There is no "inshore" option at this point. I made a safe surf landing, and holed up for the night in the mangroves, but valuable paddle time was lost. I was up early, broke through the surf, and had a good run to Chokoloskee, after refilling water, onto Flamingo (a 28 hour, 108 mile run).
Crash-time at Flamingo.
Date: 03/18/2013
By the time I reached Flamingo, I had been paddling for 28 hours, and covered 108 miles. I arrived into Flamingo just ahead of the double kayak manned by "Iron Bob" and "The Juice". We came alongside by accident in Ponce de Leon bay, in total darkness. In Flamingo, I needed rest and I had thought that the double was going to wait until the wind calmed, but as soon as they saw me fall asleep, off they went -- smart and clever tactics!
Shallow Florida Bay
Date: 03/18/2013
Florida bay is very shallow, inches in spots, requiring you to find a series of small, serpentine passes. This was a challenge at night, but having good GPS routes made it possible. Near midnight all wind died, and all sensory input. As I fixated on a glowing beacon, miles distant, it felt like I was seated on my kayak erg, and motionless. I nearly hit a manatee in the darkness, and the resultant explosion (like a depth charge) worked better than caffeine to keep me firing on all cylinders.