We have a Winner

Chasing dreams I finally caught up with Bill Hermmann (SnoreBringGator). No stranger to WaterTribe and testing the limits of equipment and humor, I give you the Snore Man:

Q: So Snore, What is your tale of woe?
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In 2006 Jack Cramer lent me his SeaWind and it was a hoot. After taking the last 3 years off to tend to my parents, I look forward to the madness that of a WaterTribe event; doing another long race.
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In January 2009 I picked up my new Kruger DreamCatcher from Irons. Family commitments prevented me from doing the EC 2009.
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Q: So any insights predictions and claims to be made?
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As far as predictions? No sir----- no, not me. I am the winner of the inaugural hubris, first awarded in 2007. We have a Winner!!
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Q: No paradigm shifts in WaterTribe?
-all I heard were crickets... snore didn't... then do tell, do tell...
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But I predict that there will be a great time, good camaraderie amongst some fairly skilled mariners and don’t be surprised if there is a the occasional prank. Let’s face it WaterTribers all have Peter Pan Syndrome… You know, we may grow old, but we will never grow up!
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I'm a loss for words.
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The Captain Reporting

No mama's boy

Fresh, vibrant and full of sand, Jonathan Coble (RunningMouth) throws down and enters the FC. Quite an undertaking for the young at heart; and heart he has.
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With a crisp new Sea Wind right out of the wrapper; proves to be his boat of choice. As a small boat sailor "Sea Pearl" turned paddler, JC is hooked on WaterTribe.
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Question: Paddling adventures?

Yikes...They are few and far between. Maybe it's better if you don't publish some of this until I get off the start beach!
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Where's your head at preparing for a 1200 mile challenge?
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If I had dreams and aspirations for this race, it would be to have a great time, finish somewhere around 21 days..and if we're still talking about dreams, maybe feel well enough in body and spirit at the finish to challenge Wizard to a race back to his house.
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Something tells me RunningMouth is going to fit right in. He ain't no mama's boy! His heart and attitude is going to take this newcomer along way! Hopefully 1200 miles and then some.
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The Captain Reporting

Primp and Polish

Photo by SandyBottom

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Are we talking women in adventure paddling? Then we must talk of the multi-dimensional paddler Dawn Stewart (SandyBottom). If it floats, she paddles it.

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Related to WaterTribe events, she is the only woman to complete the Florida Challenge, has 7 Everglades Challenges under her belt. Not to mention the only woman to have run a full blown WaterTribe event, The North Carolina Challenge. Which I might add has been hailed a huge success!!

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SandyBottom is taking on the EC this time around. She was in the middle of building a Grand Diva Kayak for the event and put the build on hold to start preparing physically and mentally for the Everglades Challenge.

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Yes She has been Krugerized and even wrote an outstanding article for the Watertribe magazine - click here.

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But as she puts it, "I’m all trained up in the NDK Explorer and it’s ready to go, so it’s really the obvious choice now. "
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The big question is, Has Dawn cut her hair? For the longer challenges it has been sort of a tradition. (less hassle in the wee hours of the morning) Check back to Primp and Polish - hair styles of the rich and famous!

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Paddle on - The Captain Reporting

The Big Kahuna "Chief"

The Big Kahuna, the man that started it all Steve Isaac (Chief) has saddled up as he puts it, "My Faithful DreamCatcher" to compete in the FC.
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Chief who has stated that he wanted to compete in each of the 6 classes in the annual EC; unfortunately had to pull the plug for the time being on "Tamanu" an customized outrigger sailing canoe; The weather just wasn't cooperating and the clock ticking.
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So Chief goes with the tried and true - lives and breathes WaterTribe. He's another hearty mariner all in for the adventure.
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Don't be suprised if you hear footsteps / paddle splash behind you after all, he's the Chief!
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The Captain Reporting

Who Dat?

Photo by James

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Toby Nipper (WhiteCaps) of Fort Meyers FLA - Knife maker and long-distance paddler will be paddling a Kruger SEA WIND in the up-coming FC.

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A force to be reckoned with has only a few years of paddling under his belt. Being hailed as a wild card entry for the win, those that have paddled with him call him a serious contender.

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Having Toby in the field will makes for some exciting commentary!

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The Captain Reporting

Say what?

The big news is that Mark, (ManitouCruiser) has thrown his hat in the pond so to speak in what is shaping up to be one most competitive fields in UF history.
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The WaterTribe message board is being updated daily leading up to the event. Warren Ritchey (Sharkchow) is doing a great job offering insight.
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There is a Watertribe Curse; those that boast and make unrealistic claims have over the past few years failed miserably. A few of the Tribe are trying to call the participants out and make claim but I have seen no takers. In fact the Watertribe even has a special award for such claims.
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Where are the predictions of crushing the field, blowing everyone off the water, setting new records, and some good old smack talk? We have a tradition to uphold with our award for such hubris, and we need some candidates. Sew-sew's a good candidate if he can keep his boat together. ArdieO showed everyone what he's made of in the North Carolina Challenge and in last year's EC. Roo and Tinker need to retake their winner's position, or will Lumpy and Bumpy "blow" away the field again. Sharkchow is coming back and has hinted to me he may go all-out. Last year's award winner was Sandspur, HD Agua and the Insomniacs - SaltyFrog
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The sea has a way of sorting these things out.
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The Captain Reporting

Team Nitespiritsix

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NightNavigator has assembled a 6 person coed team to paddle a Coizer OC 6 in the Everglades Challenge.
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The OC 6 Players:
Bob Bradford - Nitenavigator --(Michigan) Janet Bradford- Nitesong --(Michigan) Pete Binion- Cottonmouth-- (Texas) Beth Schluter- Nitehawk-- (Wisconsin) Kathy Jensen-- Niteknockout---(Wisconsin) Everett Crozier -- Niteowlwon-- (Wisconsin)
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This is the closest vid I could find that represents an expedition OC6. This is a great video of the crossing across Bass Strait (Australia to Tasmania - 375km). There is a segment 1/2 way through the video where they are in high seas and the canoe pitches throwing the bow 8 feet into the air.... spectacular!!
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If Everett built their OC6 its got to be a beauty. The 2010 EC is going to be fun to watch!!
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The Capt'n Reporting

The Big Dance

We're closing in on the Big Dance - The Watertribe Triple Header - FC EC and the UM. Check the WaterTribe website to familiarize yourself in the next 30 or so days as the competition is going to heat up.
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We'll be tracking the 4 Team Kruger participants , Chief, Snore, RunningMouth and Whitecaps all whom will be doing the epic 1200 mile challenge.
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We will also be tracking other notables: SandyBottom, NightNavigator and Wizard.
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I'm all a dither in anticipation!!
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The Capt'n Reporting

Verlen Kruger Bronze Statue

Stop the Press!

Mark has posted his story of the epic journey - The Ultimate Kruger Challenge. It's like you're almost there! Check it out!! - Click Here