EC 2011 - Update 9

5:28pm EST
Capt'n shucking his duties out paddling the Wisconsin River; Bad Dog Bad!! Ben drops a quick message to say it was quite an ordeal getting into CP 1; crazy winds and chop but they made it! A bit of a rest top off of H2O and they will be off!
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6:23am EST
It's all about attitude.
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Day One proved a test for the mettle of kayakers and canoeists as sail-boaters worked their magic easily tacking up into a south southeast breeze.
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Choppy conditions and relentless head wind makes for a long day on the end of a paddle, constant paddling needed to make any headway; there are a lot of boats still working their way to CP1. In comparision last years times to CP 1 were 8 hours + faster; It's a tough ever changing event for sure.
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Tales of lost SPOT's, broke equipment and hull damage frequent the Discussion Board; but being called back to the starting line to move your car was a new one. SOS and Danceswithsandybottom made up time significantly and are back in the hunt for class5 mono hull.
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Well there is really only one thing to do in these desperate times of non participation; its go paddle. A bunch of us are heading to the Wisconsin River to get our paddles wet and watch the eagles soar. Just another great day to live in the America's.
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Good information an brilliant writing at: - Kiwi's Blog
Photos of the start - click here (runs as slide show)
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Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 8

10:40am EST
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Latest observations at Venice Station show that wind is picking up and shifting to ESE. All teams will battle headwinds and building seas. - CrazzyRussian

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=venf1

EC 2011 - Update 7

7:40am EST
It would appear that the sailboats hauled butt off the beach; we are 40 minutes into the race, tri's, cats out front heading outside to blue water and looking for a blow... many were still on the beach or launching.
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As you look at the challenge viewer (click here) you can zoom in and out and float the curser over a picture and/or and scull and crossbones to see who's who and how fast they are going; you will need to regenerate the challenge view periodically to get the most current view.
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Chief had a nice send off to all participants - The Eleventh Annual Everglades Challenge and Ultra Marathon will start at 07:00 this morning. After inspection day, I have to say I was blown away by this group of adventure boaters. They were all well prepared and ready to go. more...
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8:30am EST
Good information and pictures at the Log of Spartina (great looking boat too): click here
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 6

Chief throws down and puts it on the line;
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I again issue the TRC Alligator Challenge to all other Class 3 challengers. Do the WW and take the Nightmare. - Chief
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Competition is fierce in Class III ( canoes/kayaks with stowable lee boards and sails); It's a wait and see proposition as the Everglades Challenge has it own way of sorting things out.
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But to get that gator tooth, you must do the wilderness waterway.
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Safety meeting today, event starts tomorrow!!!
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 5

BUST'N OUT!!
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Word out of Michigan is Ben and family are on the road heading out; it is important to note that there is snow on the ground in Michigan and it is about 20 degrees. Notice the kids are dressed for Spring >>> this is what Spring looks like in the Midwest; hats gloves... gnaw, lets break out the wading pool.
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The organized clean garage has me worried; looks like there is room for a car in there; Ben needs more boats.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 4

Northern Triber's head to the gold coast of Florida for the start of the Everglades Challenge!! Big travel day for those entered from the frosty North. Don't forget to pack your sense of humor and a big bag of resolve.
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No whining rule is in effect; whimpering optional.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 3

It's worth a read;
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John Bell's Blog got my attention when in his opening paragraph he states;
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I really wish I'd written this account of the various dilemmas we all face as we work our way down the the west coast of Florida. Andrew Linn, who has proved himself to be one tough dude by sailing 200 miles up the Texas coast in an 8' box of a boat called a Puddle Duck Racer, who built a 23 foot boat on the beach before the start of last years Texas event, sailed it the 200 miles up the coast and burned it on the beach at the finish, as well as completed last year's Everglades Challenge and winning the coveted "Most Piratical" award wrote this nice piece about his thoughts going into the 2011 event.
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The days of Iron men and wooden boats return; arrrrr.
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 2

You want rules we got rules; we got 26 pages of rules, we got rules stacked high and wide. - The never ending rule book - click here
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The Capt'n

EC 2011 - Update 1

Packing and re-packing... getting it right
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The natives are getting restless as the tribe makes it way to Florida for the Everglades 2011. The roster is bulging at the seams, largest tribe gathering ever recorded.

The Kruger Players.

Chief - Dreamcatcher

Cwolfe - Sea Wind

HonuSail - Sea Wind

NiteNavigator / Nightsong - Cruiser

Whale - Sea Wind

Whitecaps - Sea Wind

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Neat Links
Follow along with SPOT -click here
Share Video - click here
Leader Board - click here
Discussion Board - click here

Blog or Bust

As a blogger I have been slacking; as a seeker of truth via the waterways of my mind, I have exceed my own expectations. "Show me the river!!"
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The peeps are getting twitchy, with dreams of grand adventures; Now I don't want to get you all jazzed up for the what ifs and how bout's; but some outrageous ideas have been kicking around for 2012 - 2013, big distance, big water, "Big Medicine"
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Kruger Canoe Adventures will be following the Everglades Challenge with banter and wit (dim wit), so check back during the event.
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Kruger Canoes and Balogh Sail Designs are teaming up for Canoecopia; stop on by sit a spell, get your adventure on!