Congratulations to Jim Dandy and Gidget for their 1st place finishes in the Buffalo paddle-fest on Saturday. This event was held at Woodlawn beach at the Buffalo end of Lake Erie. Windmills to the right and the rocky shoreline to the left made for a very scenic setting.
Windy conditions forced course changes and had many competitors doubting whether or not to even race. (Jim Dandy was surfing the break to get loose while waiting for the pre race meeting)
The shore break created some carnage as many paddlers had to deal with the swell created by a good south breeze.
Jim easily finished the 1 mile race with a time just over 20 minutes.
( he was entered in the 3mile race but there was much confusion due the course changes, but hey a win is a win!) He even surfed to the finish line.
Gidget entered the 6 mile event, 3 miles into a strong head wind and 3 miles back for a time of just under 1 hr. 10min. 3 minutes faster than the runner up.
The post race festivities included food, drink and many sup’s to try out.
Jim rode a couple of whaleback boards and an Uli inflatable or two, the inflatables were un -remarkable and the whalebacks looked better than they performed.
After the event Gidget was asked by a few of the other women competitors if she fell, or if she stayed on her feet the whole race, due to the difficult conditions. Some one even commented after the surf session that Gidget was a rock star paddler, to which she answered, “No, I am a Reef Warrior”
The Reef Warriors and Casey's Hit the Lip Blog 