Distance: Long course 23 miles, Short course 13.3 miles Difficulty:  3. Open ocean, marathon class Saturday June 14, 2008 Race start: long course: 9:00 a.m. short course: 10:00 a.m.
Human Powered Craft - kayaks, ocean canoes, rowing shells, warrior canoes, paddle wheels, etc.

This is a modest single-day, self-supported race for human powered boats of all types. The race should be challenging to all comers - presenting an array of strong tides, winds and currents, and a myriad of islets. However, if you’re ready, the weather is often glorious and the experience always exhilarating.

Racers can choose the long course (23 miles) or the short course (13.3 miles). Both long and short races start and finish at Sitka Harbor on Japonski Island. All racers depart to the north in a counter-clockwise course. The race will start in the water as a mass start, and head north out of Sitka channel.

All racers are expected to attend the pre-race meeting 6:00 pm at the day before the race (June 13) at Harrigan Centennial Hall. There will also be a pre-race briefing 30 minutes prior to your race start.

The race starts at 9:00 a.m. for the long course and 10:00 a.m. for the short course.

<back to top>

download map of the course (if it opens up in your web browser, come back and right click it)

Sitka Sound is protected on the north and west by Kruzof Island to the south by a natural arch in Baranof Island forming a peninsula at Povrotni Point. Mount Edgecumbe, an extinct volcano on Kruzof Island looms over Sitka Sound; views of the open Pacific Ocean to the west fill the horizon as far as the eye can see.

If the weather is inclement, the offical course may change.

<back to top>

The Sitka Search and Rescue team and other coordinated volunteers will monitor the course. Participants acknowledge that advanced skills, conditioning and experience are essential to safe completion of the race and that they are prepared. The race director reserves the right to remove a racer with an unseaworthy vessel, who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or for unsportsmanlike conduct.

This is a self-supported race - you will need to carry everything that you need for the race, which will last four to seven hours.

Required:

• All participants must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD with attached whistle per Alaska State law;
• be capable of self-righting their boat (this usually means carrying a paddle float for kayakers.)
• Participants are expected to go immediately to the aid of a racer who has capsized (the race director will make his fairest allowance for lost time).
• All boats must meet industry standards of sea worthiness.

Recommended:

• Rescue line (65 ft floating line, weighted end)
• VHF radio or cell phone
• sunscreen
• plenty of water
• paddle leash
• paddle float
• bilge/bailer pump
• non-cotton clothing (polypropylene)

<back to top>

June tends to be our mildest month for weather.

Almanac for June 14 in Sitka:

Avg Low	Avg High	Avg Precip	Record Low	Record High
44°	59°	0.13 in.	36° (1952)	71° (1918)

Tides:

LOW	5:06 am	(0.34 ft.)
HIGH	11:31 am	(+6.68 ft.)
LOW	4:33 pm	(+3.56 ft.)

<back to top>

Entry Fees

Boats of 1 or 2 competitors: $40 for one person and $25 for second person in same boat

Boats of 3+ competitors: $40 for first person and $25 each additional person

Entry Form

download the entry form (if it opens up in your web browser, come back and right click it)

 

This is the race t-shirt for the first applicants to the race. It is a Patagonia silk-weight long sleeve tee made from high tech top secret material. It will sport the SSOAR logo. Supplies are limited, so get your entry form in early otherwise you will get a used t-shirt from the middle school's lost and found box.

Who's Entered?

Check out the race roster (once we post it).

<back to top>

Picnic

A picnic is planned at one o'clock at the Sitka Maritime Museum (right next to the start and finish line). There will be a picnic potluck with grilled salmon.

Prizes

Awards will be presented at the post race picnic to first, second, and third place finishers in each race class. Additional prizes will be awarded by drawing.

Course Records

Check out the 2007 race results.

<back to top>

Getting Ready for the Race

Here's a few resources for getting ready for the big day from Heather Nelson in her blog www.ultramarathonpaddling.blogspot.com:

1. Set a goal – research the event. Know the miles, specific challenges, and your expected time.
2. Mark it on your calendar
3. Work backwards – where do you want to be 2-weeks before, a month before, two months before…and what do you need to get there in the 2 – 6 months before that?
4. Periodize your training – stroke technique, endurance, speed.
5. Give yourself mini goals and ‘tests’ along way to gauge your progress.
6. Listen to your body…if it needs a break, listen! If you have to miss a few days, that is fine, just pick up where you left off.
7. HAVE FUN!!! If you aren’t having fun…figure out how to make it fun, a big part of achieving your goals is enjoying the process of getting there.

Some other good links on training for long water races:

Fitness paddling website with some great suggested approaches by different types of racers.

<back to top>

by sea:

From Juneau, Haines, Ketchikan, or Bellingham take Alaska Marine Ferry to Sitka terminal (6 miles from downtown Sitka. They charge a $30 flat fee to transport a kayak, or put it on your car. Arrangements will be made to meet arriving ferries. Please confirm arrangements prior to arrival by calling 907-747-2552. Go to Alaska Marine Highway website.

by air:

Alaska Airlines has daily northbound and southbound service to Sitka. Go to Alaska Airlines website.

in Sitka:

Race will start on Japonski Island (airport side of Sitka) at the Mount Edgecumbe school boat ramp. There will be signs identifying the race start.

<back to top>

Kayak rentals may be available through Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures 907-747-6375

Camping

Camping is available at two U.S.F.S sites: Starrigavan campground near the ferry terminal at the north end of town (7 miles from downtown) and Blue Lake campground at the south end of town (6 miles from downtown). Go to Forest Service Camping site.

Housing and Hotels

There are several hotels in Sitka but space is limited and prices are high due to large influx of tourists from June to September.

Totem Square Inn – Newly remodeled hotel right downtown. Complimentary continental breakfast, and free high-speed internet and Wifi.
www.totemsquareinn.com
866-300-1353

Sitka Hotel - Oldest hotel in Sitka, right downtown.
http://www.sitkahotel.com/
907-747-3288

Westmark Sitka - Free High Speed Internet Access, Raven Dining Room & Lounge.
http://www.westmarkhotels.com/sitka.php
1-800-544-0970

Super 8 Motel - Easy walk to downtown. Complimentary continental breakfast, and free high-speed internet and Wifi.
http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=03097&brandInfo=SE
907-747-8804

Sheldon Jackson College has dorms rooms on a limited basis. Contact for SJC is 907-747-2552.

<back to top>

Come see why we're so spoiled. If you are coming over for the race, stay a few days and discover this amazing place. In addition to kayaking, there's mountain biking, climbing, hiking, and some of the best fishing in Alaska. Definitely worth exploring!

<back to top>

http://www.alaskarowing.org/
Alaska Midnight Sun Rowing Association (based in Soldotna, Alaska)

http://www.kenaicrewsers.org/Links.html
Kenai Crewsers Rowing Club (based in Seward, Alaska)

http://www.anchoragerowing.com/
Anchorage Rowing Association (based in Anchorage, Alaska)

http://www.juneaurowing.org
Juneau Rowing Club (based in Juneau, Alaska)

<back to top>