Key West Paddle Classic 2023. A 12 mile circumnavigation of Key West on the paddle craft of your choice. Wind, waves, and tide. Clockwise around Key West–this course has something for everyone. As their pages promises “more FUN than most people have in a year.”
By 7 :30am, Kevin and I joined the stream of paddlers picking up race packets, unloading gear, and seeking coffee. At our 8:30am safety meeting, the race director noted that the predicted 8-9 mph winds were instead 13 mph and that storms might reach Key West mid-race. Paddleboards and prone boards would start at 9 am, and kayaks, OC 1 and 2s, and the dragonboats at 9:30.
The guide boat led us out to the start, then 30 seconds,and go! The first leg: south towards the southernmost point of the continental US and west towards Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Just stay upright, I thought. The southeast winds offered some push, but the swell and rollers kept my focus on balance. I braved a few strokes on my left, but continual right side paddling kept me upright—mostly. Playing in swell and surf this summer paid off here. But, I wondered, do I really want to move to a narrower board this year?
Around the corner–relief! The swell eased beyond Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, and we traded our tailwind for an incoming tide passing through Key West Harbor and the Coast Guard station. I moved into the tidal waters ripping under the Fleming Key Bridge, and my speed rocketed to over 6 mph. Thank you tide. That was the easy part. I knew I would pay dearly going back out Cow Key Channel.
Fair winds and clear skies through the sailboat mooring field and northeast along Dredger Key. Almost like vacation paddling. Well, except that the black cloud in the distance now loomed straight ahead. Motivation—I did not want to be on the open water between Dredger Key and Cow Key Channel if a storm blew up.
The OC1 and 2s, kayaks, and dragonboats had caught up to us, and all of us fought the headwind and, now, incoming tide. The mangroves that lined Cow Key Channel grew larger, and finally I was across. My speed plummeted as I fought the incoming tide under the bridge. No surprise, I had seen the tide ripping through the day before and wondered if I could even paddle against it. But I made it under the bridge and headed towards the open water that would bring me to the finish line.
But not yet. The squall finally hit. Wind and rain, but fortunately no thunder and lightning. It passed quickly, and the winds dropped. I followed the sea wall towards the open water and then perhaps the longest 2-ish miles ever. Was that the most fun part?
Back in the chop and again paddling for balance more than speed. Nobody was around me, and the paddlers I thought I was following turned out to be navigational markers. I passed the airport and the Margaritaville Resort, too tired (or seasick) to even sing Jimmy Buffett songs. Towards the end, my stroke devolved to a death-zombie pace, and I fell in several times. I hoped to pick up my pace for that photo finish but settled for not throwing up and not crashing into the finish line. (Note to self: pack dramamine in my first aid kit.)
3 hours, 10 minutes, I finished! Kevin was waiting at the finish. 2nd place Women’s SUP, and 12/30 overall SUP. Times ranged from 2 hours 10 minutes to about 4 hours 15 minutes. Revived by cold water and Dr. Pepper, we watched tired but happy paddlers complete the race.
The Key West Paddle Classic brings it on. Fun but challenging, and I’m sure it is different every year. The Lazy Dog crew ran a wonderful event with plenty of safety,on and off the water. The event raises funds for the Special Olympics, and they served cupcake sushi at lunch! I focused on this event over the summer, and it’s been the perfect kick-off for my Everglades Challenge training.
Florida Waterscapes 