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A Master Paddler Reveals His Training Secret

Posted by Freda Rosso at Jul 5, 2009 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )

Joe Edwards is well known for his prowess in J-boat, whitewater racing C-1, outrigger or any form of canoe craft.  Over the years countless admires, eager to emulate his success, have queried him about his training techniques but Joe would reveal nothing.  Recently, after a long surfing/paddling session a few folks got together to say farewell to a club member relocating to the west coast at Oceanview Pier Pub.   As Joe relaxed and the more beer he consumed, his guard began to drop.  His tablemates listened with nervous anticipation as he revealed his most sacred training secret.  A secret he said he’d learned from a renowned Olympian.

 

“Every spring, I begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where I have plenty of room at each side.  With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, I extend my arms straight out from my sides and hold them there as long as I can.  I try to reach a full minute, and then relax.  Each day I find that I can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, I move up to 10-lb potato sacks.  Then I try 50-lb potato sacks and then I eventually try to get to where I can lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold my arms straight for more than a full minute. I was at this point last year when my buddy Charlie, suggested I put a potato in each sack.  This has taken my fitness level to new heights and when I can manage holding my arms straight for more than a full minute then I’ll know I’m ready for the Marathon Nationals. "

 

On a more serious note, anyone interested in going to the USCA Marathon Nationals in Warren PA August 12-16, entries must be sent out by this Saturday.  Leza and I are going even though we aren't quite up to a full minute with a potato in each sack yet. 

 

Rusty McLain
757-465-1317 home
757-761-4737 cell
canoe_dude@cox.net

 

 

 

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Monumental Race Report 2009

Posted by Freda Rosso at Jul 3, 2009 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
MAPA didn't field a womens team, however Freda paddled with the WCC girls and was in the winning boat, which is better than being in the whining boat.  Men's race we were lucky enough to get a displaced outrigger from Santa Barbara California (Ian D) on temporary work assignment in DC who gelled well with the crew.  When I met Ian I told him we were not much for customs and hawiian words and such, that we were just some folks that liked to paddle and race.  Ian was surprised when I told him to wear whatever shirt he felt most comfortable in during the race.  Apparently, in SoCal, if a team doesn't have matching team jerseys they are penalized $50.   Told him we all just liked to paddle and keep things simple and laid back.  He said that sounds like a traditional Hawiian attititude to him.  Anyway, we got off the line a ways back and had to steady pass by the teams that had a much quicker start.  Had the ama set pretty tender and got a bit squirrely steering in all the faster starters boat wakes.  Did an emergency poke once on the right and the ama popped up 3 feet in the air that was quickly reacted to by all but in particular Jim and Tim.  Kyle in stroke, kept in long and steady and before the point we were in third behind Philly and WCC's "A Team".  Grinding in out in typical MAPA fashion "Long and Strong", we passed WCC just before the bouy turn up the Potomac.  Rain hit us had when we got back to the point, and while passing the Baseball stadium the were several lightening flashes and we were steady gaining on the Philly team.  Translation: we were close enough that you could tell it was a six man outrigger in front of us, instead of a dot on the horizon.  They cut the race short by about a mile and a quarter and we all felt good and were glad clean living (at least clean enough living) saved us once more from being struck by lightening.  Congratulations Mens team (in seat order) Kyle M, Ian D, Jim F, Tim J, Greg P, and Rusty M. on a fantastic second Place Finish.Next it was the Mixed race and not much rest for the weary.  Well we got off the line a little quicker so in no time we were in second only behind WCC's "A Team".  Think the hard rain during the mens race put even more logs, sticks, trash and crud in the river, if that was possible.  Ginding our way through the bands of trash and debris on the way back past the point, we were passed by a strong Kent Island team.  The Kent Island crew must have had more fresh horses then we did, as they blew by us rather smartly.  Maybe, I thought to myself we were dragging a crab pot or a navigation buoy behind us.  I looked back and didn't see any tell tail signs, but then again I didn't see any other OC-6s either.  Greg P did a great job calling Huts, everyone could hear him and switched on time even though he would take an extra stroke every so often just to make us laugh.  Congratulations Mixed team (in seat order) Leza M, Kyle M, Greg P, Susie J, Freda R, and Rusty M. on a fantastic Third Place Finish.The team made quick work of breaking down and loading the mirage onto the trailer.  Then it was time for the awesome Hawiian Food banquet and traditional Hula Dances.  Amazingly, MAPA (read Rusty) was NOT first in the food line.  Awards were Chocolates in the shape of famous DC building, they were so good, I was eating my Mens award when we went up for our mixed race award.  Everyone had a great time and are all looking forward to the Paddle for the Bay on August 1st.Rusty McLain
757-465-1317 home
757-761-4737 cell
canoe_dude@cox.net imageimage
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Margo leaving for San Diego

Posted by Freda Rosso at Jun 7, 2009 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
Hi Mapsters! Well, in case you didn't know, I am moving to San Diego. My husband was awarded a fellowship to specialize in infectious diseases at the Balboa Naval Hospital. Abby, Gretzky, and I are leaving this Saturday to drive there. I really wanted to write you a message to tell you how much I enjoyed paddling with you all. You are very special to me and I will never forget the great times and races we had. If it weren't for MAPA, I don't think my experience in the Hampton Roads region would have been nearly as fun. You showed me a totally cool new paddling sport (outrigger). From the first time I hopped into the 6 man with you till the most recent time, I always enjoyed myself. You guys are the coolest people, don't forget that. It's nice to paddle and train hard with people with whom I can talk and relate afterwards. I am going to miss you and think of you often while in San Diego. I won't, however, say "goodbye". If you will have me, I can come back for the Kent Island race and paddle with you. I will train hard and hopefully pick up some new information from the west coast outrigger paddlers to give to you, if you like. You will have a friend in San Diego. Should you ever want to come down and visit and paddle in Sunny California, you will have a place to stay with me (at least for 2 years, anyways). Don't be a stranger. I will email you with my new address and phone number when I get settled in. I need to say a few things to some very special people I have come to know and grow very fond of.  Freda, I don't think I would have ever enjoyed paddling a 70 mile race as much as I did with you. You taught me a lot about paddling and about life. I thank you. You are loyal and kind and you really practice what you preach, a very rare quality that is hard to find in people. Rusty, you are a great coach and an inspiration. Everytime we paddled in the 6 man, you were always so positive and gave constructive tips and motivating remarks. I'll miss that I and I hope that the people on the west coast are as constructive as you. Leza and Kyle, I will never forget you. I really enjoyed racing with you and hope you McClains will all come for a visit sometime. Charlie, you sold me a great boat and rescued me so many times when I fell in the drink. Thank you for not letting me drown and thank you doubly for coming over and repairing my surfski and OC-1. I enjoyed talking with you about many different things over breakfast at the golden trough. I will miss hearing you and Joe talking about whatever it is you talk about (bowshooting mostly). To be honest, I never understood much of what you two said, I just enjoyed hearing the way you two talked. Susie, I will miss hearing your voice, too. I will also miss your thoughtfulness. You never forget special occasions and you are always there to organize races. You are a terrific person, and I hope you get everything you want from life. Tim, I really want to thank you for being our club president and being so kind to me. You let me use your Stilletto whenever I asked, and I think you are a really good man. It is really good to know you and April. You make a fine couple. Chuck, I will never forget the times we paddled together. You taught me a great deal about kayaking. I will never forget the 3 day class you and Ben taught. You really acted like a brother that weekend. Jim, I will never forget the times we raced in the 6 man together. Usually, you were seated right behind me. You may have shown up just before the race was about to start, but you always made it and it felt good to have you in the boat because were able to go fast. When I paddle in California and look across the bay, it won't be the same because I won't see you padlding over to practice on Wednesdays at Ocean View. We were fast because we all were able to work well together. Not all clubs have this, so keep working well together. We may not be the youngest or most fit, but we are often the fastest because of our ablility to paddle well together. That really is something.  Lastly, I wanted to thank you for the nice card and Mapa racing bag you gave me. It is a really thoughtful gift and I am going to use it to pack my clothes for my trip. I'll think of you every time I use that bag, which will be often. Thanks for letting me say thank you and ramble on a bit.  Take care, and I will see you on the water. Fondly, Margo
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General Clinton News

Posted by Freda Rosso at May 24, 2009 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )

MAPA had several paddlers travel to upstate NY this weekend to compete in races at the General Clinton Canoe Regatta. Kyle McLain paddled C-1 Sunday in the 18 mile race and finished 5th. On Monday Rusty & Leza, Vic & Tracy, Tim Jones and Greg Peters paddled in the 70 mile race. Rusty & Leza finished 10th in 8:33:48 C-2 mixed class making this their best finish to date and putting them on the podium. Vic & Tracy finished 22nd in 10:36:35 C-2 mixed class in their first 70 miler finish as a C-2 team. Tim Jones finished 10th in 9:12:23 C-1 Mens 50 & over and Greg Peters finished 14th in 10:01:04 C-1 Mens 50 & Under. Also racing was Rusty's "little" brother Gary McLain who finished 7th in 9:01:16 C-1 Men's 50 & Under. Congrats to all the folks that raced Memorial Day weekend on the Susquehanna River.

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Buckroe Beach Splash Results

Posted by Freda Rosso at Apr 26, 2009 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
A big thank you to all the folks that came out to play at Buckroe. Extra big thanks to the Canadians for making the long trek down. The weather cooperated for a downwind run. Some bigger bumps would have been preferable but we’ll take doable over crazy scary big. We couldn’t have done the race without our faithful volunteers April, Jill and Adrean. They helped with registration, retrieved iakos, timed the race, took pictures and shuttled paddlers.

 

We even had famous standup board paddlers Bill and Anne Gassett come out. The temptation of a downwind run was just more than Bill could resist.

 

Name Boat Cat Time
Andrey Drachenko OC-1 Men Open 0:59:12
Chuck Conley SS-1 Men 0:59:55
Lang & Chrisy OC-2 Mixed 1:00:00
Rich Hamady SS-1 Men 1:03:13
Randy Drake OC-1 Men Golden 1:03:14
Sheila & Tim OC-2 Mixed 1:03:40
Mitch Potter OC-1 Men Golden 1:03:54
Phil Mutton SS-1 Men 1:05:38
Rusty McClain OC-1 Men Senior 1:06:18
Bobbie & Art OC-2 Mixed 1:06:45
Margo Duplessis OC-1 Women Master 1:07:47
Wendy & Rick OC-2 Mixed 1:07:56
Tim Jones OC-1 Men Golden 1:08:14
Freda Rosso OC-1 Women Master 1:12:58
Roger Crossland OC-1 Men Golden 1:16:02
Amy Potter OC-1 Women Senior 1:21:18
Susie Johnston OC-1 Women Master 1:23:48
Bill Gassett   SUP 1:26:50
Anne Gassett   SUP 1:27:50

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