Getting up early last Sunday was no problem because team BornToPaddle was competing in the 8th Annual Lost Loon Triathlon at Long Hunter State Park, just east of Nashville, Tennessee.

 
Once again, arriving early to this event gave us the race team bib #1. But that’s OK. We’ve been given that number before and we accepted the pressure that comes with wearing #1. I’d like to say we lived up to our number and came in first but we didn’t, and I really couldn’t tell you what place we came in. You see, this family friendly triathlon has no time keepers and no timing chips.

The Lost Loon Triathlon is a fun family event in which all family members of all ages can compete.  Although the race course consists of a 9 mile bike ride, a 2 mile canoe paddle and a 4 mile trail run, competitors can complete all or some of these challenges depending on how they feel. Everyone that has entered this race before knows that you haven’t finished the race until you squeeze the stuffed loon sitting in the tree and smile for the camera!

This is the only race I have competed in where you aren’t going to win an award for coming in first, but you might for coming in last! And your chances of an award increases by the costume that you wear (this year we had bumble bees, gangsters, and princesses)  and how nice you are to the volunteers!

 
My favorite part of the race course was the canoe paddle. If I had more time, I would have liked to paddle our canoe around for another 2 mile loop, but my team member still had to run 4 miles and get back in time for the pizza, cake, and of course the awards ceremony.

The Lost Loon Triathlon is a fundraising event to benefit the Friends of Long Hunter State Park.

Kayak & Paddle Board Race plus Family Fun Race.

Race your kayak or paddle board, paddle leisurely, or enter the family fun race!

This is a paddling race and event that the whole family can enjoy.

The fourth annual Kayak for the Warriors

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Garner Park, Pine Knoll Shores, NC

According to their website:

Kayak for the Warriors is an annual fundraising event to benefit our brave wounded and fallen service men and women and their families. This event is sponsored by the Town of Pine Knoll Shores, NC.

Kayaks and paddle boards will race 3.2 miles along the town’s canal and Bogue Sound.

You can race or just paddle along leisurely while enjoying the scenery. Kayakers of all ages and skill levels are welcome.

Family fun race – any paddle worthy vessel, participants will complete a race course in the vicinity of Garner Park.

There will also be a 5k and 10k Fun Bicycle Ride through Pine Knoll shores. The Bike ride starts and finishes at McNeil Park.

All proceeds go to Hope for the Warriors, a civilian non-profit organization supporting those who have sacrificed in the name of freedom.

For more information on this paddling event or to find other paddling events, paddlefests, kayak races, canoe races, festivals, adventure races or triathlons, click here to go to our kayak & canoe races & events calendar.

If you have a kayak race, canoe race or paddling event that you would like listed on our paddling races and events calendar, please use our handy contact form to send us the details.