Take Dave Kalama's advise 100%. It's so true.

XX angie

For anyone thinking about doing the race, I'd definately recommend taking Dave's advice and doing it as a team the first time round, if you have the opportunity to do so.

But in saying that, if you can't find someone to paddle with you, then I don't think there is any harm in doing it solo, just be prepared for it to be really, really hard.
My preference was originally to do it as a team, but after over 6 months searching for a partner to no avail, I decided to have a crack at it solo as you can't spend your life waiting around for others and sometimes you just have to give it a go.
Even if I didn't quite make it over the line, I am happy that I made it across the channel and proved to myself I could do it - no regrets.

For first timers, if at all possible, I would also recommend having someone you know supporting you on your escort boat. A little bit of encouragement can go a long way to getting you through that last brutal stretch into the finish line, and hopefully next year I'll be able to find someone who wants to come and support me.

PTWoody said...

Ali I was just wondering about the boat driver who abandoned you a mile from the finish... after you got through dealing with him, I assume he won't be adding to the gene pool for quite some time.

He was very apologetic about his mistake and said he only headed in because he thought I was looking strong and wouldn't have any trouble making it to the finish. Just goes to show that anything can happen and you can never be sure until the race is over. He refused to accept the balance of the escort boat fee because of his stuff up and has said he does not want to escort any races in the future, and after talking to the race director i don't think he will be allowed to.

These things happen and we can't change the past, so although it's very dissappointing for me, there is no 100% guarantee that even if I had had enough fluids I would have been able to alleviate the cramps and make it to the finish anyway (although I like to think I would have). I am happy to have made it across the channel to koko head in better time than I had aimed for, and having taken on the race this year, I will be better prepared and know what to expect for next time.