Length of the Lake 2011 Link to Video Link to Results
Length of the Lake 2011 *OC6 Relay* Fort Langley Canoe Club
100 kms from Vernon to Penticton
So exciting……
Leg 1 Kin Beach to Fintry 16 km
6:02 am start A few stars showing amongst a dark sky. Pictures taken using flash.
Water is warm. It’s breezy. Water looks pretty flat (what we can see, anyway)
Enthusiastic crew paddling into the darkness.
Blinking blue light attached to back of steersperson Terry B’s cap (with on-shore supporters tracking that blue light into the distance). How does our steersperson know where to point the OC6?
“Daylight” 6:21 am “Now we can at least find our crew.”
“There they are, I think.” Yes, the binoculars confirm this sighting of Team 1.
“Where are they going?” They are no longer heading in the direction of Leg 2’s tarp.
“We’re over here!!” Leo shakes the orange tarp. Glenn stands on the dock railing waving his paddle. Noisy cow bell.
“They see us. Everyone ready in the water.” Cow bell announces arrival. Great paddle!!
Wet bodies. Water was challenging. Thankful for canoe skirt.
Quick, smooth change of paddlers and push off.
No pics…. &%@)<+@!..... Camera needs a battery change.
Rehydrating, refueling, refocusing the tired bodies.
Mystery revealed – first time for FLCC in this race, who knew the orange tarps were at private homes and construction sites?? A thought…… an emergency flare in our kit bag??
You Rock, Brenda, Darrell, Dave, Jaye, Rita & Terry B!!
Leg 2 Fintry to Bear Creek 24 km
Steersperson Grant using little bays / shoreline as a reprieve from the challenging waves and head winds.
OC1 (relay of father & 16 year old son) using a more direct route. Lighter canoe staying on top of the water; OC6 going into each wave.
Encouragement about half way at a marina dock from Terry B, Jaye (wrapped in a blankie) and cheerleader. Familiar cow bell.
Can you stop for a coffee? “Focus. Focus,” says #2 seat.
More cheers from Terry B and Jaye at a friend’s private dock closer to finish.
Sherry and her camera lens set up on shore at orange tarp. OC 1 change.
“Here they come around the point.” Binoculars show hard-working crew on Team 2.
Cow bell announces arrival. Well done!! Another quick, smooth change and push off.
Wet bodies. Jelly legs and arms. Hugs. Stretch those tired muscles.
You Rock, Allie, Cheryl, Glenn, Grant, Leo & Neil!!
Leg 3 Bear Creek to Peachland 24 km
Mark’s encouraging pre-race words and strategy.
Steersperson Cindy’s reminder of Huli responsibilities.
Hooking up back packs with water bladders and long ‘straw’. Good thing or not??
Sightings of Team 3 under Kelowna bridge – wind picking up.
Encouragement from afar. Choppy waters.
Surf Skis and OC2 at orange tarp. “There’s our team!!”
FLCC cheering Team 3 on final stretch. Cow bell announces arrival.
Paddlers out, Paddlers in, Canoe given a push off.
Wet bodies. “You did it – great job!!” High 5’s!! Worn-out paddlers.
You Rock, Carol, Cindy, Joanne, Mark, Steve and Terry T.
Leg 4 Peachland to Summerland 20.5 km
Warm-ups. “We’re just anxious to get paddling!”
The sailboats on the far side of the lake are loving the winds for their race.
Rough waters – Team 4 finally spotted as a little dot.
Encouragement and a noisy cow bell from a campsite near Greata Winery.
Binoculars show Pacific Reach elite OC6 relay team catching and passing…… using the same route … Good on you, steersperson Gralin, for reading those tough waters!
The roughest waters at times and also the smoothest waters at times….
“WooHoo – here they come!!” Cheers. Cow bell announces arrival.
Quick, smooth change. Push off.
Wet bodies. More jelly legs and arms. Great effort.
You Rock, Betty, Gavin, Gralin, Jonathan, Scott & Tanya!!
Leg 5 Summerland to Penticton 15.5 km
Vehicle keys again exchanged. Volunteer drivers. 19C
Steersperson Terry B using the moderate winds at the OC6’s back to guide Team 5.
Teams 1, 2, 3, 4 and supporters on shore cheering on their FLCC Team.
Cow bell announces arrival. Kiss that Peach, Darrell. Total Time: 10:51
Fantastic final leg!!
You Rock, Cindy, Darrell, Dave, Grant, Leo and Terry B.
Leg 6 TBA
Thanks, Cheryl and Mark, for getting the ball rolling and all your input as the Length of the Lake 2011 race became a reality.
Thanks, Neil, for coordinating this endeavor.
Thanks, Joanne, for organizing the great accommodations.
Thanks, Glenn & Cheryl, for the interesting and informative laminated maps.
Thanks, Sherry, to you and your camera lens.
Kudos to the four steerspersons. WOW!!
Great weekend – good September weather, new experiences, relay completed, relay completed in allotted time, NO hulis, no vehicles left behind, safe journeys for all, new friendships, cheering for one Club team!
Simply Awesome FLCC!! I am so proud of each one of you paddlers!!
-Bev Konschuh, owner of the cow bell!!