The "No-Talent Andrews Sis (Brother?)" Makes it to

slug · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Birch Bay, WA

In 2007, I stumbled onto the AweSomeEight's team as the second paddler in the canoe team. It is now apparent that I was the least talented member of the team, but Ken Langernak, who has had a long career in racing in the recreational canoe category also has a talent for doing wonders with horribly uninitiated canoe partners.

My first lesson was that when he gives advice, keep your mouth shut and you will learn something. The training proceded in an almost military-like fashion, which basically saved a lot of time. It was amazing how quickly I became comfortable in the boat.

Fast forward to race day.

When I arrived in Everson, Ken had the boat ready and waiting. My job was to go to the transition area, wait for the cyclist, grab the chip, swipe the chip and run like H___ for Ken and the boat.

All of that went OK, as did our navigation of the traffic jam out into the main channel of the Nooksak and our passage down the river -- well except for that time I got us hung up half in the slow water and half in the fast. (My bad).

One cardinal rule was to bring bottles of water, and if either team member needed to drink, the other would would paddle and maneuvour the canoe while the first was rehydrating. Ken needed to grab water twice on the route. I guess I should've done so as well, but I was more than a little wired.

Our last dash under the I-5 and Ferndale bridges and into a stiff head wind was truly epic. Our landing and run up the beach with the mountain biker helping was truly rewarding. Our getting the boat away from the initial staging area basically put the finishing touches on our after-the-leg celebration.

Well, almost.

I was peeling the PFD off my sweaty body and Joyce was hugging me when I saw Ken look down into the boat. He picked up my water bottle. It was full. He glared at me and asked: "Are you part camel?" then dropped the bottle back in the boat with a loud "thud!".

Something else that I'd forgotten to do in the heat of battle.

Anyway, we both lived.

It looks as though I'll be doing something else this year for Ski to Sea, since Ken's got some other business that he will be addressing this year. It sure as H___ would be nice to join him in locking horns with the Nooksak again, though. I might even remeber to drink some water on the course then.

--Bob Aiken.