A look at the first Gables To Bay Paddle Regatta.
The course down the Coral Gables Waterway from Federal Highway, turning northward up Biscayne Bay, through Dinner Key Marina and finishing at Shake-A-Leg.
There was an excellent turnout!
CLICK PHOTO for full sized image
http://www.gablestothebay.com/
Packet and Paula warm up for the race, folks get ready to paddle
Lots of paddle craft out there, getting ready for the start
Helga tools around on her sporty new JL "Slice" SUP board
Special thanks to all the sponsors that made this first time event possible!
Still trying to find out if dog paddling is ok in a paddle race?
JL Rep and Organizer Ken and son deliver instructions,
http://www.fuacatasports.com/
You may not know it, but this is Superman. Who else could paddle almost five miles on their stomach?
A view of the Coral Gables Canal, a while back
From:
http://merrick.library.miami.edu/
A friend of Rory is in all the way from Hawaii
Kent and Maui tour. Huge thanks to Kent with
http://www.adventuresportsmiami.com/ for running me all over on his boat to shoot the race!
They're off, all 121 of them! A bit dense packed at the start.
Moving out, JL Rep and organizer Garry cons the lead boat,
http://www.fuacatasports.com/
Able to spread out a bit, stroking hard down the canal
Look at all those people, believe this may be the largest race of its kind in South Florida to date
Passing the first bridge over the canal
Great support out there
Long tradition of fun in the water here, a look at the Venetian Pool circa 1926
From:
http://www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/
And the second ...
The community threw in on this one, there were even signs of shouts of well wishes from residents along the way
Nice form Paula!
The yakkers had a bit of advantage over the Standup folks, who was that masked man anyway?
Pulling hard, bay is coming
The Bay is in sight!
The leaders, lead out into the bay
Neck and neck
The rest soon follow
That's a start ... and trip down the Coral Gables Waterway, there's still Biscayne Bay and the finish to come. Stay tuned!