Tag: Blackburn Challenge

190 Days to the Blackburn Challenge

Posted on by paultmorrison

Only 190 more days to the Blackburn Challenge. That is when people row or paddle from Gloucester High School Parking lot up the Annisquam around Cape Ann and then finish by calling out their boat number as they cross under the Greasy Pole.

Saturday, July 17, 2010. I am telling as many people as possible that I am going to do it in a kayak so that when it comes time I will not be able to weasel out. Last year I caught a wee bit of bronchitis and bailed.  Not this year.

I have made a page with some links to info about the race, Howard Blackburn and a google map I made of the circumnavigation of Cape Ann. Check it out.

If anyone wants to try out a chunk of the race in the spring or anytime before the race I might be looking for someone to paddling with. Give me an e-mail. My goal is to finish in time before the beer runs out on Pavilion Beach. I don’t care if granny is ahead of me.

Blackburn Challenge on Saturday!

Posted on by Sharon

BBCLOGOInfo from Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce:

THE BLACKBURN CHALLENGE

The Blackburn Challenge, held on July 18 this year, is the premier human-powered open-water event on the East Coast. One of the reasons why this event has been recognized as one of the best open water races in America is due to the venue – a 20 mile circumnavigation of Cape Ann Massachusetts – a course that inevitably serves up a wide variety of conditions on the water. The first three or so miles of the race are along the protected and tidal Annisquam River, resulting in something akin to a head race, but with plenty more interesting obstacles to avoid (mooring and navigation buoys, boats, docks, etc.) and a 17 mile open water race after it. Once the river empties into the open waters of Ipswich Bay, the wind strength and direction play a decisive role in determining the conditions of the day, which range from relative calm (it’s never a flat water event) to very rough (staying upright and afloat trump the idea of competition). The last couple of miles from the Dogbar Breakwater at the entrance of Gloucester Harbor to Pavillion Beach, are usually plagued by confused boat wakes from numerous fishing, whale watch and pleasure boats going in all directions. Each year at the Blackburn brings us a very different story, making the event so interesting for open-water aficionados. One thing that thankfully remains the same each year is the fun time after finishing – cold beer, massages, good music and food and the inevitable harrowing stories from the event. The 2009 Blackburn Challenge will be the 23rd running of the event.

All event information may be found at the event website: www.blackburnchallenge.com

Rich Klajnscek
President, Cape Ann Rowing Club
rich@seafoxconsulting.com
978.239.7321

photo from official website
photo from official website

2009 Schedule of Events – Dory Races

Posted on by Sharon

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2009 Schedule of Events

March 6th Winter Races 6:00 pm St. Peters Club
April 18th Dory Prep Day 8:00 am Eastern Ave
April 25th Dory Launch Day 8:00 am “ “
May 2 & 3 Adventure Open House Cruiseport Terminal
May 9th Essex River Race 9:00 am Essex
June 5th Elimination Registration 6:00 pm St. Peters Square
June 6th Elimination Races 8:30 am Niles Beach
June 8th Final Elimination (if needed) 6:00 pm Niles Beach
June 18th International Reception 6:00 pm St. Peters Club
June 20th International Races 8:30 a.m. State Fish Pier
June 20th Awards Banquet 1:00 pm Heritage Center
July 18th Blackburn Challenge 7:30 am Annisquam River
August 8th Oarmasters Challenge—Solo Race
August ?? Eliminations
September 22nd International Races — Lunenberg NS

For more information- check here.

Blackburn Challenge Today

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

If you see a gazillion kayaks and boats powered by oars today on the water you must know it’s the Blackburn Challenge.

Geoff Thomas will be making his tenth trip around Cape Ann in a Grand Banks Dory.  That’s pretty wild.

For more info about this event check out their web page by clicking this highlighted text

Things To Do- The 22nd Annual Blackburn Challenge

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Blackburn Challenge Logo

The Cape Ann Rowing Club presents the 22nd Annual Blackburn Challenge

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Information Packet

6:00 am ……….… Registration & check-in, Gloucester High School
Each participant must register in person

7:00 am …………. Skipper’s Meeting for all participants

7:45–8:30 am …… Staggered starts by boat class

12:00 noon ……… Pavilion Beach Finish Line facilities open

3:00 pm …………. Award Ceremony & Festivities

The Blackburn Challenge is a 20+ mile open water circumnavigation of
Cape Ann. Participants row or paddle small boats in the open ocean waters around Cape Ann, and conditions can vary dramatically throughout the day. Occasionally the water can be very rough, with strong winds and high waves. While we have some powerboats on the course to monitor checkpoints, we do not provide boat escorts—you should expect to be out of their sight and fully independent most of the time. Unless you have solid experience in difficult conditions with the boat you plan to use, you should not enter this event. Always plan an “escape” path to safety, and if you encounter any problems along the way, pull out and call to let us know. The orderly, safe and sportsmanlike conduct of this event is your personal responsibility, and is essential to guaranteeing the future of the Blackburn Challenge.

We have no rain date; there’s always an event. Alternative courses will be in place for rough weather conditions, or fog. The Blackburn Challenge is open to all seaworthy oar or paddle powered craft. Classes include men’s and women’s Banks dories, fixed seat singles, doubles, multi-oars with cox, multi-oars without cox, sliding seat singles & doubles, single & double touring kayaks, single & double racing kayaks, surf skis, and outrigger canoes, in about that order. Refer to the enclosed sheet for anticipated start times. A final breakdown of heats and classes will be announced at the skipper’s meeting as well as changes to course if warranted. Though CARC attempts to recognize any class represented by several entries, we make no guarantees.

Registration & Check-in: 6:00 am

YOU MUST REGISTER IN PERSON! 6:00-7 am at Gloucester High School. See enclosed map for directions.
Registration tables will be located in the cafeteria. Access is from behind the tennis courts. Vehicles should be parked on paved areas in front of and to the side of the building. Do not leave vehicles near ramp. Rest rooms are available in the building.

Launching

LOGISTICS CAN DELAY YOU! Please allow plenty of time to park, register, attend the skipper’s meeting and launch. Smaller boats can use the unpaved areas for launching. Boats must be rowed or paddled up the Annisquam River to the starting line near the railroad bridge.

Check our website: Blackburnchallenge.com for further updates. Final race results will be posted approx. 2 weeks after the race.

Entry Information

The deadline for entry is 6/28/08. Entries postmarked later than 6/28/08 will not be accepted. Register as early as possible!

Entry Fee: $60 per participant post mark by 6/13/08
$70 per participant post mark after 6/13/08
$330 per boat maximum
50% discount for traditional banks dories

Fees include T-shirt, race management and pre/post food & beverages.
Meal tickets for non-racers must be ordered on Race Application form.
Extra T-shirts may be purchased at the finish line if available.