This is the second annual Battle on the Bayou Canoe and Kayak Race. Everyone I've spoken with that participated last year said it was a WHOLE LOTTA FUN. I am not a huge fan of flat water paddling, nor do I like to race, but I do like to have fun. So I've signed up for this event and if it's even half as good as I've heard, it should be great! And if they have a category for women born in Cuba, over 55, wearing a red hat, and paddling an aqua colored sea kayak, I may even win something. Except I may not be wearing my red Chinese hat - I think it may slow me down.
FYI: Proceeds from the race benefit the conservation efforts of the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain.
Here's some information from their website:
THE COURSE
The Battle on the Bayou will take place on Old Fort Bayou (OFB), located in Ocean Springs, MS. OFB begins in the Latimer area of Jackson County and meanders southwest growing wider and deeper till it empties into the Back Bay of Biloxi. The race course runs roughly 9.5 miles over black-water bayou through estuarine marsh and maritime forest. It will start at the Gulf Hills Resort grounds and conclude at The Shed and Camp Journey's End.
This race is intended to be a fun event on the water for both competitive and recreational minded paddlers alike. Fast paddlers will complete the race in under 2 hours. Average recreational paddle time will be around 2-3+ hours.
There will be a minimal tide rise to our advantage at the time of the race (Note from editor - thank goodness for that!). The down stream discharge will ultimately depend on local precipitation levels.
Hope to see you all there! |