No novices at this event, paddlers signed in are either full pro or very passionate ‘semi pro’s’. Everybody knows what there in for, this is the real deal. The line up of the latest high tech in endurance paddling equipment is impressive and the pre dawn start prep has something meditative. Start at 5:30am, the sun had just risen above the horizon. Welcome to the Hudson River.
Once getting out of the wind protected creek leading from Kingston to the River, the Hudson feels big, vast and majestic and the headwind reminds us all… this is a serious challenge. Lush summer green frames the river with sandbanks, rock walls and wetlands Nature and the wildlife is beautifully present everywhere. Soon the field of paddlers spreads out and they become tiny specks dancing on the horizon

 
“Hydration is king for shorter distances, for this kind of event you also need to eat, eat and eat ! ” endurance athlete Karen Wrenn changing camelbaks. Local paddler William started strong and while leading the pack found time to clean up the river, throwing a pot of grease back to the support boat.

With the weather ever changing down the river, though thunderstorms were in the forecast, the first one caught everyone by surprise. The support boats raced to picked up paddlers bringing them underneath the bridges for cover from the lighting, Shane Perrin, Robin Biancalla and Tim Ed were sitting on their boards clinging to our support zodiac avoiding the destroying shore rocks in almost 2 feet chop at 40 mph wind gusts. Tim Ed later described this challenging moment as one of the best during the entire race, it reminded him of his times as a US Marine.
 
After 13 hours of paddling, the head wind is killing the timing and in the name of safety, the race organizers decide to pull some boards and paddlers from the back of the pack off the river before nightfall. The night will give a short rest, some food and time to aid the aching muscles, but this is only half way, the most treacherous waters around Manhattan are still to come tomorrow.