Back to the race ...
The paddlers are charging on
Heading out in the Intracoastal
During Prohibition a USCG base was located in the area of present day Bahia Mar. The "Volstead Act" banned the sale and consumption of alcohol in the USA from 1920 to 1933. This created a thriving smuggling trade. Florida history is full of stories. Hal Caudle as a 17 year old coastguardsman shipped out on patrol into the Straits of Florida. They intercepted a known rum runner, James Horace Alderman by strafing across the bow of his vessel. He had just left Alicetown over in Bimini to run some hooch into the States. Alderman managed to grab the gun of one of the men and shot three of them. Two didn't make it. Alderman was threatening to kill the remaining crew. Hal managed to get possession of the gun and nailed Alderman in the chops with it. Alderman was later executed as described in Hal's book, "The Hanging at Bahia Mar." Met Hal in the 1970s, quite a guy even then.
Photo from:
http://www.uscg.mil/history/uscghist...hoto_Index.asp
1930's Ft. Lauderdale, that may be the hanger in question while the war vessel Amphitrite is shown moored in the shallows offshore. They had built the hotel structure up from the deck. As it is sitting in shallow water, perhaps less some armor weight and gunnery, sits pretty high. The inlet is just south pending being closed by the hurricane.
http://www.broward.org/
Around the turn into New River, Packet pulls ahead of Roray and the rest and stretched out his lead. He maintained it until just south of the Hall of Fame.
Our boat was at the front of the group, so most of the photos deal with folks in that part of the race. A look east toward Bahia Mar and the old inlet location.
Turning south, past the former location of Rat Island. Apparently, it just washed away, likely sucked down into depressions created by maintenance dredging.
A bit further west was the former New River Settlement around Tarpon Bend in the 1830's. Cooley, the Justice of the Peace and wrecker was leading a salvage effort on the Spanish vessel "Gil Blas" just north of Hillsboro Inlet with most of the men of the settlement. They Seminoles attacked the settlement during the men's absence leading to the second Seminole War. We took the Secretary of State to the wreck site in the 1970's when the sands normally covering the wreck were lower than normal. Wasn't a lot left, mainly just some large timbers.
Photo from:
http://moodvane.com/?p=1795
Packet approaches a floatilla of Optimist Dingy's. Think these are a sort of sailing right of passage for kids at the yacht club.
Looking south towards SE 17th Causeway Bridge. But for a week of nice winds and resulting large waves, the race would have gone through here, into Port Everglades Basin and out into the Atlantic. Next time, should be a memorable run with some incredible images.
Pulling around the Red Bull marker at the turning point
Gebi and Roray approach the mark
As we lead the leaders back we pass the rest of the racers to port. This used to be a nice Misner style house, then they started working on it.
Don't let an Optimist take you out!
The pack leaving the turning point and working back east against all that wind
Already heading north across Bahia Mar with Pier 66 in the background
Here comes the rest of the pack and Roray is moving up
There's a contrast in images
The guys are lining up along the mega yachts. Not only do they need to make to the east eventually, they are trying to shelter a bit in the lee of the vessels from the strong easterly wind.
Packet initially turned one canal too far south of the Hall of Fame. Roray moves up fast. Roray kicks some amazing reserves into gear.
Rounding the corner into the final stretch to Coconuts. Packet and Roray are paddling hard for the lead.
Roray pulls ahead in a rush of speed.
Roray touches the dock first well and truly knackered. Packet comes in four seconds later.
Here comes Gebi, not looking winded for third place.
Here comes Amanda taking first place in the women's
Then Nicole for second
Blanca comes in for third. Helga of Tiki Beach looks on.
The overall race results and times
Jesse of Liquid Sail & Sports passes out awards
The top three guys, Roray to the right, Packet to the left and Gebi center
The top three women, Amanda, Nicole and Blanca, left to right
Group shot.
Thanks to all for a great event!
Be sure to checkout Part I of the event writeup at
http://www.fksa.org/showthread.php?p=40169#post40169
.