Mississippi Kayaks

1) 10 km Downwind Ocean Race
This event started in Póvoa de Varzim Fishing Harbour in the late afternoon when the wind and wave conditions were at their best, and finished in the Vila do Conde Harbour. Over 180 participants, many from the recent Szeged World Sprint Championships (Max Hoff, David Smith, Jacob Clear, Luke Morrison, Naomi Flood, Bridgette Hartley, Hannah Davis .. ); ex World Sprinters (Ben Brown, Kenny Wallace, Tim Jacobs, …); surfski greats (David Mocke, Sean Rice, ); and marathon legends (Manual Busto, Beatrice Gomes) were on the line. After the start the racers enjoyed a short calm section but as they rounded a lighthouse at the end of the harbour breakwater the water became rough and choppy. From here they headed into the ocean at a 45 deg angle; this 3 km leg, featuring 1.5 m high waves, proved to be the most difficult section of the race and a number of competitors retired before hitting the downwind portion. After rounding the yacht turnaround point, the exhilarating rides with 1.5 to 2m high wave trains started. For 6 km the boats surfed at more than 18km/hr in the runs, with participants trying to link the waves to get as long a ride as possible. Close to Vila do Condo another yacht marked the turn into the Harbour. A short choppy section followed by a flat out 500m sprint over the calm harbour waters and a short run up the Harbour boat slipway finished the race.

Nelo Portugal Summer Challenge
Pat Lester and Rory Böhm (the grand prize winners of the Nelo Ontario Surfski Challenge) earned the honour to participate in the Nelo Portugal Summer Challenge race held near the Nelo factory in Vila do Conde August 27-28. The grand prize from the Nelo Ontario Surfski Challenge was sponsored by Nelo, Wavepaddlesport and Mississippi Kayaks. The Nelo Portugal Summer Challenge is fast becoming the best sea and beach race in the world. It comprises of two races: a 10 kmdownwind ocean race and a shorter 800 m. tournament event.

2) 800 m. Surfski Tournament

This event, a mono class with all boats identical (Nelo’s Spec Ski for Surf Life Saving Racing) started and finished on the beach. Each participant was given a boat with a specific color for each race with a matching shirt. The top 5 finishers in each heat of 16 participants moved onto the semi-finals, and the top 3 of the semi-finals advanced to the finals. Lining up some 20m from the surfskis, the competitors ran to their boats and launched into the surf. A furious pace was set through the waves, with the racers rounding a marker and surfing back to shore where they abandoned their skis on the beach and made a final dash to the line – 2 ½ minutes of action, thrills and spills. Aurora Böhm made it all the way to the ladies final and Patrick Lester to the men’s semi-finals.