In this episode we get a chance to catch up with Trey Reaves, recent winner of the mens solo division, and overall winner of The 2023 Great Alabama 650. Originally from Arkansas, Trey now resides in Alabama where him and his family spend the majority of their time outdoors. This year, he will end the year completing with his son Colt in the 2nd Annual Last Paddler Standing.
Trey Reaves on Facebook
Trey Reaves on Instagram
Last Paddler Standing
Alabama 650
Check out NRS for all your paddling needs.
Join Dan Arbuckle from Headwaters Kayak and I as we talk story about my journey to the 2023 MR340 in a surf ski. The race was untimely called to an end at mile 244 for me and at other various spots on the river for 500 + paddlers. But the journey it took for me to get there was still the same!
Enjoy.
In this episode we talk story with Andrew Hansen about his recent experience running safety in the 70/48. A unique paddling race that traverses the puget sound starting in Tacoma, Washington, heading north into Port Townsend. But there is a catch...it starts at 7pm and goes through the night. It is completely self sufficient, other than safety boats, that you will probably not even see unless there is problem. With that being said, hypothermia becomes one of the main issues that a racer needs to prepare for.
Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature falls dangerously below 95 F (35 C). It can happen in as little as 5 minutes.
Here are our top picks for cold weather/water paddling gear:
- Base Layers (I wear these under waterproof gear).
- Waterproof Gear Splash Pants and Splash Jacket
- Boundary Socks (I usually wear wool socks under these)
- Extreme Rescue Drysuit (Rescue Team Pick)
- PFD's (These keep you not only SAFE but WARM)
- Medical Kits designed for Paddlers
- Waterproof Matches (Great to keep in lifejacket)
- SUP Skin
- Gloves
- Hydroskin Gear three neoprene thicknesses, a variety of tops and bottoms to mix and match
- Ignik Handwarmers
- Dry Bags
- Booties
In this episode, I talk story with Florida native Bobby Johnson about what it takes to be one of the best, He has tackled the Everglades Challenge multiple time, Alabama 650 since the year it started, Last Paddler Standing for the 1st year in 2022, Suwannee 230 and many more. If there is one thing I took from this episode it is that you must have the belief that you can do it. Bobby has shown that he believes if they can do it, he can do it. Enjoy!
Support the showJoin me as I talk story with Damien Rider.....Extreme Athlete, Motivational Speaker, Author and Creator of One Breath Meditation, a modern approach to 5000 year old techniques of traditional meditation and mantras combined with movement and psychology. I learned so much from just one conversation with Damien and I know everyone out there listening will too, even if your next adventure doesn’t include climbing up the side of a hot air balloon at 10,000 feet then skydiving off of it, your going to be inspired!
More about Damien
One Breath Meditation
SUPPORT THE SHOW! Click here
In this episode, I talk story with Greg Wingo, owner of Roam Projects about the 2022 Alabama 650 recap and the first inaugural Last Paddler Standing, a new SUP endurance race event in Sarasota Florida at Benderson Park.
Sign up for Last Paddler Standing
https://paddleguru.com/races/lastpaddlerstanding
Want to start ultra distance paddling or racing? I will help you reach your goals.
Click here and start your journey
On September 20, 2022, after 91 days and 9 hours, Cyril Derreumaux completed 2,544 nautical miles from California to Hawaii. in fact, he is only the second solo kayaker to accomplish this. This is a recap of his inspirational journey through grit and determination. Make sure you check out Season 1, Episode 7 to hear our pre-crossing chat.
BLOG https://www.cyrilderreumaux.com/blog
PODCAST https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-really-want-to-do-this/id1574971421
Adam Shoalts is a Modern Day Explorer who grew up in the Canadian forest. His father was a woodworker, and taught him how to build canoes and paddles from a young age. He still resides in Canada where he is the Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Adam is best known for his 2017, 4,000 km solo journey across Canada’s Arctic. In this episode, we talk all things canoeing. From exploring unknown waterways, portaging through black fly infested musk egg, canoeing off of unforeseen waterfalls to coming face to face with polar bears, black bears, grizzly bears and giant musk ox, his stories will leave you captivated.
Follow his adventures on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/adam_shoalts/?hl=en
Books:
https://adamshoalts.com/literature/
Website:
https://adamshoalts.com
In this episode we talk story with Jason Magness and Daniel Staudigel of Bend Racing. These two just set a new record for fastest time racing in the Yukon 1000, completing the course in just 5 days, 11 hours and 48 minutes. The prior record was 6 days 2 hours and 11 minutes in 2009.
Jason and Dan are no strangers to adventure racing. In fact, they are part of Team Bend Racing, located in Bend Oregon. While we talked story about their experience at the Yukon 1000, the conversations free flowed into everything adventure racing. We learned about what it takes to enter these kinds of races, how to train, what to eat and more. It really made me want to enter one!
Here are just a few of the most recent adventure races they have competed in:
2nd -Americas Toughest Race | Bend, OR | May 2021
1st -WA 360 Race | June 2021
1st - Wembo 24 hour Nationals | July 2021
4th & 5th -USARA Nationals | Sept 2021
1st -Expedition Canada | Oct 2021
24th -Top American Team | World Championships | Oct 2021
Check the Team out at http:\\www.bendracing.com
In this episode, we talk story with the Arctic Cowboys, a team of experienced paddlers from Texas who are about to embark on a expedition of a lifetime. They will traverse through an area known as the Northwest Passage. Although this route has been attempted by other kayakers with various degrees of success and failure, this team will be the most experienced group of kayakers to attempt the passage via a strictly water route.
To learn more and follow their journey, check out http:\\www.westhansen.com
DIRECT LINK TO DONATE-------> Donate (paypal.com)
Team Sponsors:
The North Face https://www.thenorthface.com/
Templar Knives https://www.templar-knives.com/
Epic Kayaks https://www.epickayaks.com/
Resistol (cowboy hats) https://resistol.com/
Books
The Amazon from Source to Sea (get it on Amazon)
Mentions:
Robert Youens
Inuit People
We all know that there is a lot of time and planning spent preparing for ultra endurance races, so having to grab a DNF before reaching the finish line is a hard pill to swallow. It happens to all of us at some point for several different reasons. I've been there when I have to pull out of the California River Quest due to a few poor decisions early on in the race that definitely could have been avoided. But we paddle, we learn, and we paddle again. Weather its an issue this gear, equipment, nutrition and hydration, so many moving parts can fall apart.
This is a story of Brian´s journey through the Everglades Challenge in which he had to pull out of the 2020 race, but went back and kicked some serious tail in 2022.
This journey comes in 2 parts, so make sure you listen to Part 1 first. If you have every felt defeated because you had to pull out of a race, Brian´s positive outlook and perseverance will motivate you to go back and make it to the finish line.
Join the tribe at https://watertribe.com/ and claim your tribe name. I wonder what mine would be?!
Stay safe out there with an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
The Best EPIRB for 2022 (boatsafe.com)
Check out Jensen Canoes https://www.jensencanoes.com/
Get your sail on with Falcon Sails https://www.falconsails.com/
We all know that there is a lot of time and planning spent preparing for ultra endurance races, so having to grab a DNF before reaching the finish line is a hard pill to swallow. It happens to all of us at some point for several different reasons. I've been there when I have to pull out of the California River Quest due to a few poor decisions early on in the race that definitely could have been avoided. But we paddle, we learn, and we paddle again. Weather its an issue this gear, equipment, nutrition and hydration, so many moving parts can fall apart.
This is a story of Brian´s journey through the Everglades Challenge in which he had to pull out of the 2020 race, but went back and kicked some serious tail in 2022.
This journey will be in two parts, so make sure you listen to Part 2. If you have every felt defeated because you had to pull out of a race, Brian´s positive outlook and perseverance will motivate you to go back and make it to the finish line.
Join the tribe at https://watertribe.com/ and claim your tribe name. I wonder what mine would be?!
Stay safe out there with an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
The Best EPIRB for 2022 (boatsafe.com)
Check out Jensen Canoes https://www.jensencanoes.com/
Get your sail on with Falcon Sails https://www.falconsails.com/
In this episode , we talk story with Danny Mongno, Product Manager at Northwest River Supply about the new GORE-TEX Pro Dry Wear and what it takes to create a product that is durable, breathable AND waterproof. I personally use NRS gear when packing for my ultra endurance races and stand behind the company. If there is anything that I look for when searching for paddling gear, its durability, dependability and comfort, to say the least.
"GORE-TEX Pro is the world’s most advanced technical material for performance outerwear and the most ideal for paddlesports use. No other material matches it for durability, breathability, and waterproof dependability". -nrs.com
Enjoy the episode and be sure to check out https:\\www.nrs.com for your dry wear needs.
Mentions:
Duct Tape Diaries NRS
https:\\https://community.nrs.com/duct-tape/page/7/
Also be sure to subscribe and hit the link below and support the show!
In this episode we talk story with Cyril Derreumaux, the guy who at the release of this episode is set to launch from California to Hawaii on a solo kayak in about 10 days. The entire journey should take around 70 days .
This will be Cyril´s 2nd attempt conquering the 2,400 nautical mile distance, solo. In 2016, he and 3 other teammates completed the crossing and set a world record.
Cyril and I wanted this podcast to be raw and honest. With all the hype surrounding the crossing, its hard to realize that he is just a regular guy with a passion for adventure like the rest of us ultra endurance athletes. We hope you enjoy our talk story and are able to follow the LIVE TRACKER and BLOG which can be found at http:\\www.solokayaktohawaii.com or https://www.facebook.com/CyrilDerreumauxAdventure
Episode Artwork by Tom Gomes (Photographer)
Mentions:
Ed Gillet-The Pacific Alone
https://www.adventure-journal.com/2019/01/the-pacific-alone-recounts-ed-gillets-harrowing-kayak-crossing/
SUPPORT THE SHOW https://paypal.me/UEPC?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US
Background Music:
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/cruisin
License code: LPY13X6JFZNDO120
In this episode I talk sorry with Greg Wingo, Race Director for the Great Alabama 650 and Jay Grantland, Executive Director for the Alabama Scenic River Trail.. The AL650 course in only a small part of the entire Alabama Scenic River Trail which covers over 5,300 miles of accessible waterways.
Learn more and plan your next adventure at www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com
Greg Wingo is the owner of ROAM Projects, an outdoor recreation consulting company for all types of adventures. Learn more at www.roamprojects.com
If you are interested in learning more about Ultra Distance Paddling, how to train, how to eat, how to pack and more, contact jenniferfratzke@gmail.com for information about an upcoming destination clinic and be sure to follow my instagram @Paddlefishsurf
Racers would be nothing without their support crews during ultra distance races. Not only does it take someone with time, but it takes someone with patience, creativity, problem-solving skills, and much much more to be able to figure out how to make everything run smooth or play smooth when things get heavy. During the 2020 Great Alabama 650 in 2020 I was ultra lucky to have April Zilg be all that as my single support crew! In this episode we spill the beans on how it went from the support crews perspective. For anyone who is thinking about or planning to be someone’s support crew this is a must listen!! Hope u all enjoy.
PS: Somewhere in this episode is a question and if you can answer it, send me an email at jenniferfratzke@gmail.com to receive a 20% off discount code for ANY Garmin product for your next adventure.
Sign up for your next distance race to include the AL650 at:
Check out the Kahele OC-1 I use and other models at:
Start your customized training program at:
Hit the water with the Vanilla Gorilla (April Zilg) at:
www.aprilzilg.com
Check out all the gear you need to survive at:
http://www.nrs.com
In this episode I got the pleasure of talking story with 2020 overall winners and new record setters of the second annual Great Alabama 650. A grueling ultra distance paddling race that spans across the entire state of Alabama into Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay. Racers have 10 days to complete the full 650 miles. With 9 portages and 3 mandatory checkpoints with cutoff times, this race is no easy feat. Since each portage has only 30-45 minute downtimes, racers have to manage their food, sleep and navigation skills in order to traverse through the Coosa, Alabama and Tensaw Rivers and through the wild windy and choppy conditions in Mobile Bay. Lucky for me, I had the partner/support crew of a lifetime and was able to complete the adventure in a little less than 8 days. I hope you all enjoy and see you on the water!
https://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/calendar/great-alabama-650/
www.nrs.com
In this episode we explore hallucinations in ultra-distance racing. They are not something that happens to everyone, but for a lot of us, they happen so often that some pretty outrageous stories are created. From giant whirlpools, bookshelves rising out of the river, lego waterfalls, to mutant pigs, these athletes has "seen" it all. Jennifer shares some insight on how to prepare, deal with and let go of these strange occurrences.
Stories by:
Bill Siersdorfer
Terry Short
Geoff Waters
Candi Hill
Rusty & Amber Coons
Steve Schnarr
Zenith Sara (support team for 2 males)
Gina Bradley
Susan Tretter
Marie Ramsey (and husband)
Chris Gemlo
Dan Prater
David Blackman
Mahalo for sharing via Audio File and Facebook!
Races you may experience hallucinations:
MR340
Yukon1000
YukonRiverQuest
Texas Water Safari
Great Alabama 650
How to prepare:
In 2016, Trail Runner Magazine came out with an article titled “Ultra Running Hallucinations Happen. Heres How to Deal With Them” The author, Doug Mayer shares a few suggestions on how to handle this strange phenom.
https://trailrunnermag.com/training/trail-tips/ultrarunning-hallucinations.html
Personal Fixes:
A. Splash your face with river water
B. Slap yourself (not too hard)
C. Touch things that you know are real, your paddle your boat
D. Breath.... Make sure you are getting enough oxygen with deep breaths IN your nose and OUT your mouth.
E. Eat some sugar
F. Eat some carbs.
GREAT Lifejackets are a MUST....so here is the link to buy one!!!!
https://www.nrs.com/search/?q=pfd
Salli O’Donnell is an inspiring female athlete who grew up in Dotham, Alabama participating in the usual “free range” activities such as swimming, running, biking, gymnastics etc. She attended Auburn University as a gymnast, until she blew out her knee sophomore year. She then finished her undergraduate at Texas in Marine Biology and joined the Army National Guard. While military life was busy, Salli used running as her “go to” activity. She competed in her first and only marathon in Berlin in 1988, and then shifted to ultra-marathons. With a growing passion for mountain trail running, a knee replacement in 2010 led her to distance kayaking. In 2012, she competed in Watertribe’s North Carolina Challenge.
***In this episode, Salli and I talk story about her first ultra-distance paddling experience at the North Carolina Challenge and her adventures at Yukon 1000, MR340, and Great Alabama 650. We also discuss what it takes to compete and complete in these long distance races mentally, physically, technically and tactically.
Interested in entering one of the races discussed in this episode? Visit these sites:
https://rivermiles.com (MR340)
https://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/calendar/great-alabama-650/
www.watertribe.com (North Carolina Challenge)
MR340-Allowed 88 hours to complete it. 7 Mandatory checkpoints.
Results: 2017-Salli completed this race 4th overall and 1st Female **HOLDS 2nd fastest time record female 44:06
Overall Solo Course Records:
Joe Mann record 36:39
Robyn Benincasa 38:41 AGE 42
YUKON1000- Whitehorse Canada to Dalton Highway Bridge in Alaska just over the Arctic Circle. 10 DAYS to Complete
- No back-ups, no safety blankets
- Absolutely self-sufficient
- Braided and poorly mapped channels
Results: Salli O-Donnell and Paul Cox in 2018 took 5th overall in 7 days, 9 hours and 45 minutes.
Course Records: Team Hendron and Team After the Gold Rush at 6 days, 2 hour, 11 minutes
GREAT ALABAMA 650-12 entries in 2019 for the first year. Salli was the ONLY FEMALE SOLO ENTERED
9 Portages
- Weiss: No mandatory downtime (Mile 9)
- Neely Henry: 45 Minutes (Mile 88)
- Logan Martin: 45 Minutes (Mile 137)
- Lay: 30 Minutes (Mile 186)
- Mitchell: 30 Minutes (Mile 200)
- Jordan: 30 Minutes (Mile 218)
- Robert F. Henry: 30 Minutes (Mile 307)
- Millers Ferry: 30 Minutes (Mile 414)
- Claiborne: 45 Minutes (Mile 479)
Article Mentioned:
Smith, Sarah L. What It Takes To Be An Ultrarunner. Trail Runner Magazine, 10 May 2017, trailrunnermag.com/training/trail-tips/what-it-takes-to-be-an-ultrarunner.html
Sara Lavender Smith's list of the top non-physical attributes for ultra-distance:
1) Mental Toughness
2) Patience
3) Respect & Humility
4) Strategic Planning
5) Experience.
On this episode Jennifer discusses the MR340. A grueling 340 mile race across the State of Missouri, on the Missouri River. Competitors have 88 hours to complete this race, with 7 checkpoints and no mandatory layovers. She covers the logistic of the race, proper planning and what she experienced during her first Ultra Distance Canoe Race. Jennifer and her support crew learn what it takes to complete an event of this magnitude while rolling with the punches along the way.
Race: MR340
Where: Missouri
When: Every year, unless nature decides otherwise.
Distance: 340 Miles
Boat Used: Kahele OC-1 by Puakea Designs (*custom kick-up rudder installed by John Puakea)
Paddle: Kialoa
Nutrition: Perpetuem by Hammer Nutrition, Apple sauce, baby food, corn on the cob, burger, chicken soup, dates, chocolate, almond butter. bananas.....yes i'm ashamed.
**Placed 5th overall in the female solo division in 50:58 hours (under 51 hours haha)
Hallucinations: Giant whirlpool, waterfalls ahead, mysterious boat disappearing (this really happened....I think), people in the bushes, racers in the distance
Checkpoints (Mandatory)
Start: Kaw Point
CP1 Lexington (50 miles)
CP2 Waverly (23 miles)
CP3 Glasgow (68 miles)
CP4 Jeff City (82 miles)
CP5 Hermann (46 miles)
CP6 Klondike (42 miles)
CP7 FINISH St Charles (27 miles)
Noteworthy websites:
www.rivermiles.com
www.puakeadesigns.com
www.kialoa.com
www.hammernutrition.com
Jennifer started her own podcast because she wanted to share her passion for ultra-distance paddle racing with others. She is deeply intrigued with the mental toughness it takes to endure these kind of events. This podcast will explore what we need to do reach our full mental potential. There are many wild things that happen when your alone out there and your body starts screaming at the mind for help. Jennifer wants to share the madness, fear, pain, and joy that her and her fellow athletes experience.
Jennifer started paddling in 2010, and soon fell in love with long distance racing after competing in the Sea Paddle NYC. After years of racing for Focus SUP, KM SUP and Team Hobie Hawaii, she ultimately found her passion in ultra-distance. Jennifer shares how a meeting with an old friend, sparks her curiosity for ultra-distance racing, and enters the Missouri River 340 (MR340), On the next episode, with only 4 months to train, she will dive head first into how she prepared, endured and recovered from 340 miles of pure exhaustion, hallucinations and more.
***Please leave your comments, questions, and what you would like to hear on future episodes. Any feedback is good feedback! Aloha
Races mentioned:
SeaPaddle NYC. www.seapaddlenyc.org
Yukon 1000 www.yukon1000.org
MR340 https://rivermiles.com/mr340/
Website mentioned:
www.rodpriceadventure.com
Connect with Jennifer online at:
E-mail: Jenniferfratzke@gmail.com
Instagram: @Paddlefishsurf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennifer.fratzke
Support the show