Campus to Coast - 2014 the untold stories

 

 

As we wait in anticipation for the untold stories to seep from the depths of murky waters, not to mention the lack of any real information, the untethered introduction is left to me.  I apologized in advance if references leave you woozy and unsteady of gate.

 

Introduction

Most of my musings are fabled tales - met with wincing eye; as for me -the author - a rum guzzling, Oreo eating self proclaimed poet, I enjoy the simple things, these preposterous musings of fictitious lore.

The C2C event, highly symbolic, full of hidden meanings - launching the reader into a labyrinth of obscure ramblings, rejecting all basic storytelling principles. Like a mixed sea one must hold fast, endure what cometh.


more rum...

Campus to Coast 2014

Campus to Coast is a paddle sport adventure race put on by the Michigan State University Outdoors Club. The race starts on MSU’s campus at the Rock, following the Red Cedar River into the Grand River and out through Grand Haven, finishing at Grand Haven State Park. The race is approximately 160 miles, with estimations of the fastest times being anywhere from 36-40 hours and 57 hours being the cut-off time.

 Ben Algera - makes it a family affair as Emily and the chitlands follow his progress; Ben is paddling a Kruger Sea Wind standard hull

 

Racers are organized into 3 major divisions with 6 different prices, the major division being as followed:

• Collegiate: Any team composed of members all of who are studying at a secondary education school, including but not limited to colleges, universities, trade schools, and technical institutes.
• Open Expedition Style: A team composed of members who will carry all their gear and food, and will obtain no outside assistance.
• Open River Runner Style: A team who is only required to carry the required gear, and will have a support team following along the river. However, the support team may in no way assist in the forward progress of the paddle team.

Risks are many with non-stop adventure races; emotional physical and environmental challenges test participants to take their journey far beyond initial expectations; encouragement from others push challengers to succeed.

 Mark and Lauren doing what they do; not exactly sure where these photos were taken, but they sure look comfy. Wisconsin weather is rivaled only by Michigan; we share a lot of the same weather; pictures indicate balmy weather early on and a turn for the wicked as the event progressed.

Team Kruger tears it up in the open expedition style; looks like many records fell as the bar has been raised to new heights.  I do not have the official times, but top finishers smashed the holly grille (yes holly grille, it's summer in Wisconsin) of 40 hours.

Sandy Kruger - open expedition passing the humble abode of Sir Woodruff; paddling a Kruger Sea Wind standard hull version.

Mike Smith - open expedition passing the humble abode of Sir Woodruff; paddling a Kruger Sea Wind standard hull version.

Photos and information was pirated from the web; I leave you with this; Drinking Rum and pilfering photos before 10am does not make you a drunken thief; it makes you a pirate!! arrrr...

EC 2014 9.0

and if you needed inspiration for 2015 - Key Largo at Sunset

Congrats to Team Kruger with an impressive 100% completion rate during the EC 2014.  Another dip of the paddle to:

• MicroTom (aka Tom Dyll) and WaterLily (aka Erika Dyll) - Kruger Cruiser
• NiteNavigator (aka Bob Bradford) and whitecaps (aka toby nipper) - Kruger Cruiser
• Peacepaddler (aka Sandy Krueger) -Sea Wind
• WindwardMark (aka Mark Rowe) and LeewardLauren (aka Lauren Fry) - Kruger Cruiser

"The 2014 WaterTribe Everglades Challenge has come to an end with the arrival of the last boat being tracked. I'm very thankful that every participant is safe and for the number who said, "I'll see you next year!" Lord willing, yes. Thanks again to our Chief for the opportunity to volunteer as race manager and to every volunteer for their commitment and professionalism in representing WaterTribe. Especially to my dear friend, Dana Clark. We're a team! So long for now, Key Largo. We'll be back!" - Paula Martel event director.

I couldn't have said it better myself even if the teleprompter was front and center!! "cut print wrap!!", another EC in the record books; stories lore and legend will immerge; keep your eye on the bubble, you powder dry and watch your top knot!!

EC 2014 - 8.0

Peacepaddler (aka Sandy Krueger) is on the move after a long @ss night in Florida Bay; she is about to navigate Jimmy Channel.  The tribe waits in an...tsipation as she makes her way to Key Largo.

EC 2014 - 7.1

With the big storm cell that came through yesterday and the need to get off the gulf, Sandy takes to the inside and is now crossing Whitewater Bay!!  Woo hoo!!  Bold move!!

EC 2014 - 7.0

Impressive in so many ways!! Welcome to Key Largo!!

EC 2014 - 6.2

Ole Salts Toby (L), Bob (R) gettin'er done Everglades Challenge 2014

EC 2014 - 6.1

Good work Ben, thanks for tracking Team Kruger!! 

 

Wednesday evening update for Team Kruger...

• Bob and Toby at CP3 resting up before the final push across Florida Bay
• MicroTom and Lily in the southern reaches of Joe River, probably headed for CP3
• Mark and Lauren on Shark River, I believe headed for South Joe Chickee
• Sandy southbound in the open Gulf approaching Plover Keys.

Looking good everyone!

EC 2014 - 6.0

"Keeper moving"

 

 

Quotes heard around the world during the EC 2014

"This event is harder then poking a cat under a porch with a wet rope" - Kneadingwater

"I'm as clueless as a checkpoint manager with no cell coverage" - Kapakahi

"Us old foxes is trap-shy; especially when the bait comes looking for us!" - Whitecaps

"I reckon you done what you done because you didn't know we was who we was. And if we ain't been who we was, we'd have still been much obliged for you to have done what you done" - Delirious WaterTriber, a conversation with the Coast Guard.

Inspired by Jed Clampett

EC 2014 - 5.1

 

"Ben - a - Drone"

"I saw in your blog post that you don't have Microtom's SPOT link... his is one (of 9) that are not coming through on the WT site for some reason. - I've sent out the Ben - a - Drone" to gain intel"

"BTW... they are in, or have recently finished the nightmare, SPOT has not updated in a while, I'm assuming due to heavy mangrove vegetation... but feel free to make up a more interesting story :D"  - Ben A. (Kruger canoes research and development center Area 51)