Row, Row, Row Your Boat … The Blackburn Challenge is Saturday, July 25th.
A Marathon for Rowers and Paddlers – the Blackburn Challenge, a ‘marathon’ for rowers is named after famed adventurer Howard Blackburn who demonstrated courage, endurance and perseverance against the odds. Originally from Nova Scotia, Howard Blackburn was fishing out of Gloucester for halibut from the schooner Grace L. Fears. A winter storm came up suddenly, stranding Blackburn and another fisherman in their dory. Blackburn lost his heavy fisherman’s mittens overboard. Knowing that his hands would freeze, he held them in a curved position that would allow him to slip his frozen hands back over the oars. Five days later-days virtually without food, water or sleep, Blackburn had rowed back to shore. His dorymate died en route. Blackburn lost all of his fingers, thumbs, and toe due to frostbite.
The Blackburn Challenge is a 20+ mile open water circumnavigation of Cape Ann. For experienced boaters with a boat that can be paddled or rowed. Not for the faint of heart or ‘day boaters!’ The waters around Cape Ann can be very rough, with strong winds, strong currents and high waves.
Registration Ends at Midnight Tonight!
To Register – http://www.blackburnchallenge.com/BBC_Race_Info.html
Caution – This event is for paddlers/rowers with solid experience in difficult ocean conditions.
Things to Consider Before You Enter –
- You must be able to complete the course within 6 hours.
- Take into account your personal health and conditioning.
- Take appropriate food and fluids for the race.
- Wear a pfd (personal flotation device.)
- Know the course; tides, currents, wind, weather all need to be factored in
- Train for the event; practice and prepare as you would for any marathon or endurance race.
- Study a chart of Cape Ann and familiarize yourself with rocks, tides, currents, wind, and weather.
- Follow boat safety and navigation rules!
US Coast Guard Boat Safety Tips – http://www.uscgboating.org
What Boats Can Enter – The Blackburn Challenge is open to seaworthy oar or paddle powered craft.
The difference between paddling and rowing? Rowing requires oars to have a mechanical connection with the boat, while paddles are hand-held and have no mechanical connection.
Boats you might see in the water that day – paddle boards, dories, rowing skulls, outriggers, kayaks and surf skis. Some powered by a single person, others by teams.
Circumnavigating Cape Ann. – Rowers launch at Gloucester High School, head down the Annisquam River to Ipswich Bay and clockwise around Cape Ann past Rockport, with the race ending at Pavillion Beach, near Gloucester’s infamous Greasy Pole.
Blackburn Challenge
To see more about the course – http://www.blackburnchallenge.com/BBC_Race_Course.html
For a nautical chart of the course – http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13279.shtml
Wear You Can Watch the Race/Vantage Points Along the Route –
- Corliss Landing (Gloucester)
- Light House Beach (Gloucester; Private beach for Annisquam residents and guests.)
- Halibut State Park (Rockport)
- Andrew’s Point (Rockport)
- Emerson Point (Rockport)
- Eastern Point (Gloucester)
YouTube Video from GMG’s own Marty Luster – Blackburn Challenge 2014 –
Photos From 2013 Blackburn Challenge – https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/michael-chamness-wings-and-wavest-blackburn-challenge-photos/
Those interested in volunteering for this epic race – Contact Cape Ann Rowing Club President, Suzanne Sweeney- SuzanneSweeney05@gmail.com.
Note – The Cape Ann Rowing Club is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization. Excess registration funds to deserving non-profit organizations.
For more on the story about the legend behind Blackburn Challenge – http://www.blackburnchallenge.com/BBC_Race_History.html. You can also read about the life and adventures of Howard Blackburn in The Extraordinary Adventures of Howard Blackburn; Hero Fisherman of Gloucester, by Joseph E. Garland.
Please, Boat Safely! Motor Boats, Please Beware of Paddlers and Rowers During the Race.
See you at the Blackburn! ~ Karen Pischke BSN, RN
Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness™ Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other health care worker. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which the authors are affiliated.
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