Great result on the Oban Sea Kayak Race – After much sweating, swearing and surfing the waves, I managed to come in seventh overall in the race with my trusty Tempest 180 Pro kayak, and the first recreationaltouring kayak with a time of 2.14-09 for the trip round Kerrera. Pretty pleased with the results and with beating all the other leading brand fast touring boats, a number or racing boats and a K2. I did manage to get past finisher no 6 in a wave ski at one point on the outside of the island with the rougher water, but fair’s fair, he took me on the home run back into Oban bay. Note – must work harder next year. Not a bad result this year for Mags Duncan in her plastic Tempest 165 in the Ness Marathon either, fastest female and fastest sea kayak, beating all the composite boats and smashing the female course record by twelve minutes. As well as the fastest female in the Spey marathon, proving the wee sister of the Tempest range still has it. A great racer, is the tempest fast and stable? Well it beat a few full on racing boats so I guess it must be, certainly being able to put all the drive into forwards speed in the bouncy water helped. Thanks to Wildreness Systems for making a top boat, and to the organisers for handling a great event. Good result to Nairn Kayak Clubs Michael Surman too in my loaner plastic Tempest 170 with a time of 2-19, beating a large number of composite boats. Looking forward to next year, hope to see you there. Or maybe the Dee marathon in October. Steve Mackinnon
