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26 May, 2003
Race Report - Vogalonga, Venice
by Sam Rechtorik
Crew Name: Unknown
Crew: Karen ‘Motormouth’ Bruce (Steerer)
Claire ‘Stroker’ Cooper (Point)
Brian ‘McGyver’ Denholm (Two)
Sam ‘Lastminute’ Rechtorik (Three)
We couldn’t have asked for a better day. The sun was shining and temperature seemed a comfortable 26 degrees or so. We were greeted at the boats by Daniela/s/o (we spent the whole
weekend trying to figure out what his name ended in - but let’s just say
it’s Danielas for this report) who bore a striking resemblance to the Incredible Hulk and was the ‘Man’ organising anything outrigger related. The ‘Man’ was a moving mountain with an earpiece - he was permanently attached to his mobile phone. You haven’t seen steering until you’ve witnessed Danielas steering whilst having a conversation with someone on his mobile. Danielas had everything under control and smoothly supervised the launching of the boats whilst confusing everyone as to whether he was talking to you or into his mobile.
After some confusion as to why our steerer was sitting in another crew’s empty boat in the middle of the bay we finally got ourselves sorted and settled. The cannon went off signifying
the start of the race. And where were we? Frantically bailing water out of our boat as we gradually started sinking. After a desperate search, tools were located and we were able to plug up the holes using a couple
of bolts, some wire and a few matchsticks. Thus Stormboys change of nickname to McGyver.
Finally we were on our way with only mild leaks to worry about. We cruised to the start line and prepared ourselves for the 3 and a half hour onslaught ahead. We quickly started
catching the tail end of the field and it wasn’t long before we saw the last boat – if you can count an old man on a raft floating with the current a contender. We took him quickly silently sniggering at the ease of
the kill.
Settling into our rhythm we steamed through the stragglers with great whoops of delight and a constant stream of encouragement coming from Karen which later became intermingled with
swear words, threats and endless apologies to the boat as the traffic became heavier and heavier.
The first hour was spent catching up, bailing and making some ground in the main field as we rounded Venice. This was not as simple as it sounds. Some of the corners resembled carnage
compared to the likes of an Ikea car park on a Saturday afternoon. But Karen kept her cool and wove us in and out of the boats with the skill of a London bus driver in peak hour traffic.
Finally we hit some open water and needed no further encouragement. We put on the power and mowed down a huge chunk of the field in minimal time. The boat felt smooth and strong - with
Claire’s consistent rating, Stormboys power, Sam trying not to have a heart attack and Karen’s skilful steering no one was going to stop us – apart from an old man in a yellow kayak who kept cutting us off causing
Karen to let forth with a stream of obscenities and scusi's at the same time.
Halfway was signified by a stopping point where water and Powerade was being handed out to the weary paddlers/rowers/riff-raff. We spotted Danielas on the side waving us over (he’s
quite difficult to miss) but due to the haphazard parking skills of the Italians (their steering skills on the water can be likened to their driving skills and anyone who’s been to Italy will know what I’m talking
about) it was impossible to get across. We left the Italians to their ‘race siesta’ of espressos and cold cuts and steamed on. The Italians were very relaxed about this race – you haven’t seen dragon boating till
you’ve seen someone smoking whilst paddling.
We hit a large expanse of open water and seized the opportunity going wide of the field and digging in for an extra 10% (2% in Sam’s case – that was all I could muster) and were
rewarded before long with the sight of Bobbi’s crew in the distance but growing ever larger as we reeled them in. If it weren’t for the sudden battle at the back of the boat between Karen and a bag of lollies and
Sam needing to stop to shovel sugar into her mouth we would have taken Bobbi’s crew and left them in our wake. Alas they started to slip away and sneakily lost us in the traffic. We later found out that Bobbi's crew
had actually stopped at that point but let's not dwell on that small detail...
Finally after two and half hours we turned into the Grand Canal of Venice to the sound of locals lining the banks and cheering us on. The next 26 mins were spent negotiating the traffic
and cruising down the canal with hundreds of people lining the streets and bridges and cheering. We accepted the cheering of the people with a humbleness and grace that belied our exhaustion until we realised we
were cruising up the canal next to the Italian dragon boat team who was the real reason everyone was cheering. Minor detail that we all chose to ignore.
We crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 56 minutes although it felt much less than that. After all the anxiety of thinking I wouldn’t make it (I had very reluctantly agreed to paddle
having just spent 3 weeks in a constant state of intoxication in Sydney and not having picked up a paddle in 2 months) – I was so hyped I could’ve gone around again! I think everyone will agree with me when I say
that paddling that canal with all the onlookers cheering was the highlight of the weekend. And an experience that I will definitely be going back for next year.
See you at Vogalonga 2004 !!!
Sam
28 May 2003
Ode to Vogalonga OCUK
by Barry Joli
It started with a missed flight
Not perturbed we caught the next one alright
We got there late and tired
First thing the next morning rushing but fired
Had to rig our boat but that was details
As we hit the water we left the rest behind in our trails
Allison was the bomb steerer
Awesome lines and couldn't be cheerier
We hit our rythym long and fast
As all the many boats we went past
Past a couple of dragon boats albeit social
The drummer was smoking I had to stop for a photo
Up into the Grand Canal crowds going wild
Stuck behind some romans who just looked back and smiled
Crusing past the finish line boats for africa
Knocking and pushing through to get the diploma
Back at the hostel we were jaded but full of cheer
Watching cruise liners from roof top, drinking wine and beer
Then on into the night it all started getting blurred
Pasta, more wine and alcohol, but no lemon curd (Malibu)
Some kicked on others wimped out
Keeping on the tradition of what OCUK's about
Paddle hard party hard and don't let anything stop ya
With a bit of latte drinking thrown in for good measure
You guys were awesome, a great bunch of people, an amazing part of the world
and thanks to the main man Graham.
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