Of course being able to execute a strategy like this over a 5-8 hour race is easier said than done. We all know that completing a race like Chattajack requires a commitment to training. However the type of training you do is important and in the end, no matter what type of training program you do there are a few things that I’ve learned from experience make a difference. Here are four tips: Do your 2 km time controls. On a SUP they’ll take anywhere from 11 to 15 minutes.

At some point the draft train is going to break apart and it’s going to become every paddler for his or herself. In 2015 at Chattajack it happened to our train in the last 1500m. In 2016 our train fell apart early with about 12 km to go. When the train falls apart it’s time to work on your own, or hang onto whatever wash you can for as long as you can until you can get to the finish on your own. When it comes to preparing for the finish of the race what you’re really tryin

While the purpose of this post isn’t to discuss how to actually draft, here are some tips for making the most of your draft train that can make a big difference over a long race like Chattajack: Relax as much as possible while drafting. Find the sweet spot where it is easiest and your board is moving with the least effort, and do your best to stay there. The ability to do this improves dramatically with practice, so do your homework in training so that your drafting skills

I like to think of draft trains as either being cooperative or competitive. Cooperative trains are made up of paddlers that recognize that working together can help chew up distance, make the race go faster, and allow everyone to save energy to use in later stages of the race. Paddlers in the train share the lead pretty equally, don’t make people work to take their turn leading and will even wait for others, especially for drink and food breaks with the understanding that t

Chattajack Race Strategy Having just recently completed the 40 km SEA Paddle race around Manhattan and with Chattajack only 10 weeks away, it seems an appropriate time to begin discussing race strategy for long, five hour plus, races. Whether it’s any of the three previous Chattajacks I’ve done or this year’s SEA Paddle, when I talk to people at the finish I usually hear one of two different stories – they either worked in a draft train for all or a significant part of the ra

Just like last year, 14’ boards will have a piece of ‪#‎bacon‬ tape on their tail. If you’re on a 12’6 drafting a piece of bacon, don’t be surprised if the bacon sends a paddle full of water your way. (and vice versa). If you’re legit BOP, out of podium contention, clawing your way for the finish, disregard bacon and do what ya gotta do. #rules #drafting #bacontape

Your Bib contains your timing chip!!! Don’t forget it!!! Chattajack will begin at 8AM with a water start from downtown Chattanooga (Surf Ski/OC-2 division will start 8:30AM) ending at Hales Bar Marina. A mandatory pre-race meeting will take place at Coolidge Park at 7:30AM on the lawn. Rules: Chattajack is a WPA sanctioned event. For a complete listing of WPA rules visit: http://worldpaddleassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2013-WPA-SUP-RACING-RULEBOOK_2-13.pdf Drafti