Saturday, May 26, 2012

Cheat Race Day by Barb

This year, most of the Youts made it to the Cheat race: Liam, Ben, George, Will and Thomas competed and did very well. The results of the race can be found here.



Thomas, Sandrine, Tom, Georgio, Liam, Ben and ... we are missing Will who could not be very far.


We also had an honorary team member joining us this year.  Barb, Ben's Mom, tagged along in the Little Gray Van to fully experience the Cheat Race fun.  Barb nicely took the time to write about her experience so here is her account:


"Ben did not complain about his Mom cramping his style. She rode up in the van ride up to the race. 



Mom learned many things:

1.  It’s a long ride for six minutes of viewing.

2.  The road to the take out is especially scary in someone else’s vehicle.

3.  Mom needs to learn how to be calm like the kayakers:



Mom was too scared to drive LGV* back up the road so she waited for someone to rescue her. Tom and Sandrine noticed Mom and the boys waiting for rescue and graciously got off the shuttle bus, leaving their paddles behind. 


After the shuttle bus dropped everyone off at the put in, it drove away with Tom and Sandrine’s paddles on it.  So, once those of us in LGV got back to the put in, Tom and  Sandrine had to find their boats: which had been dropped off in one direction and their paddles: which had been driven off in another direction.


Meanwhile Mom felt guilty and responsible for the lost paddles: if she could have just driven LGV up the horrible road Sandrine and Tom would not have been separated from their paddles.  So Mom fretted while Tom and Sandrine found their paddles.  Mom should just learn to chill and be calm like the Kayakers."


(*) For those of you who would not be acquainted with Tom's now legendary vehicle, LGV is the Little Gray Van."

I also think that Barb ended up driving LGV home while everybody else was snoring in the van after a full day. :) And yes, this was a bit of a chaotic day but I am not sure I know any kayaker who would mind a little chaos once in a while.

The Cheat Race is always a great cap to the end of the Spring paddling season and I know I always feel a little pinch in the heart at the thought that the fun weekly training with the Youts are over.  But this year again, I had a fun time with this great group and I am already looking forward to next year!





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