Last Saturday was the third Oban sea kayak race. The event kicked off at the Kilbowie outdoor centre, which sits right on the shore in the Sound of Kererra. After a delayed start, due to many of the participants getting caught up in a road closure, boats were duly laid out on the grass for inspection.
Once on the water, the flotilla of fifty boats paraded into Oban bay. It was fantastic to be part of such a big group of kayaks.
Photo courtesy of Graham Milne
In this picture we have just started and are heading for the Sound of Kererra. Conditions are perfect with a northerly wind and no rain.
Photo courtesy of Graham Milne
Crossing Oban Bay
The route is a circumnavigation of the island of Kererra
And this is me, 20km and 2hrs 20minutes later crossing the finish line in Oban Bay
Photo Graham Milne
And here are the race results
I was the first woman to finish in a time of 2hrs 20mins. Previous women’s winning times have been in excess of 2hrs 30mins so I was pretty pleased with my time. Now of course I will have to go back next year and see if I can do better.
The event was very well run, and well supported locally. Local sponsors had covered the running costs so that race entry fees and raffle takings were donated to the Oban lifeboat, about £1500 I believe.