SEVENTY48 BY SUP: TEAM SEASTR’S RACE ODYSSEY
Racers eagerly awaiting the start of SEVENTY48 in Tacoma’s Foss Waterway. SEVENTY48 is a 70-mile race with a 48-hour time limit from Tacoma to Port Townsend with intentionally few rules: no motors, no support, and no wind. Human power only, pedal, paddle, or row. This was my second time completing the race on a stand-up paddleboard and, again, the journey was quite an adventure. The race start on the Foss Waterway was at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 10. When I arrived, the weather was restful and a bit muggy, then the drizzle came. Teams were wet, the water was tame, and the community of racers was strong. 48º NORTH
Part of my plan after the start was to get into race pace quickly, and I held a steady stroke to the first waypoint. After checking in near Point Defiance, I readied myself for what I call the “lazy river,” Colvos Passage. I set out alongside a three-man kayak crew, Team Dumas Bay Brethren. They were very charming and asked if I would like to stay with them for a presentation of the audiobook “Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown. I adore this community. As dusk came, vessel lights were still clustered and we had a bit over 60 more miles to go to the finish. I broke away from the
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