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Paddling is Key to Success

Posted by Bob Gernert on April 14, 2008 at 9:12 am

No, we’re not speaking of corporal punishment … but the best way to win the Second Annual Chain of Lakes Challenge Canoe & Kayak Races is to paddle your boat better than anyone else in the competition.

Bring your canoe or kayak to the Lake Summit Boat Ramp Park this Saturday, April 19. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. and the races start at 7:45 a.m. There are four divisions:

Professional Kayak (under 26″ wide)

Recreational Tandem or Solo Kayak (more than 26″ wide)

Professional Canoe (single bladed paddles)

G-2 canoe or kayak encouraging two generations to participate together (i.e. parent/child or grandparent/grandchild)

The first three categories will depart Lake Summit and travel along the shoreline of Lake Eloise clockwise and into Little Lake Eloise back into Lake Eloise continuing in a clockwise direction to the Eloise/Lulu canal. Paddlers will travel directly across Lake Lulu to the Lulu Shipp canal and back across Lulu into Eloise and on to Lake Summit and the Boat Launch Park finish line. (Approximately 7.7 miles.

The G-2 race will depart Lake Summit shortly after the above divisions and travel through the Cypress Gardens ski show circle, on around the tire breakwaters and back to Lake Summit Boat Launch Park.

Entrants must bring their own canoe or kayak. All crafts must be manually paddled. All participants must wear flotation throughout the race. All participants must finish or report out of the race at a check point to account for whereabouts. Checkpoints will be located at Little Lake Eloise and Lulu/Shipp Canal (east end).

First Place winners in each division get Cypress Gardens Passes and $50 cash awards. Second Place finishers receive $25 and Cypress Gardens Passes. Registration forms available at Andy Thornal Company and the Winter Haven Chamber Lobby. $20 registration fee per boat. All entrants receive Challenge T-Shirts.

The Chain of Lakes Challenge is sponsored by Andy Thornal Company, The News Chief and The Ledger. It is the final event in the 2008 Chain of Lakes Festival. The Chain of Lakes Challenge is organized by the Winter Haven Chamber Foundation and the City of Winter Haven Department of Natural Resources. Course Checkpoints courtesy of Marine Supply - The Boating Center.

Pictured at left, Don Nettlow noses between the finish line buoys to win the inaugural Chain of Lakes Challenge Professional Kayak division in 2007.

See other entries filed in: Chain of Lakes, Chamber Events, Cypress Gardens, Sports