BOTB 2016

Another Battle On The Bayou kayak race in Ocean Springs is history.

Despite a week of dismal rainy weather forecasts, just prior to the race the skies turned blue. Temperature was a comfortable 70 degrees. Winds were light.

The poor weather forecasts no doubt kept race registration low. Only about 150-160 people registered for the BOTB.

Although the BOTB is a serious kayak race for some, others like to have fun and make the race entertaining.

Racers were starting to gather on the water for the mass start. Time for me to put the camera away and race.

End result? Another bit of memorabilia for the book shelves. Another notch in the battle belt. Sore muscles.

Mike Herbert, a three-time Olympian was the first to kayak across the 10 mile race finish line setting a new record time for the race beating the old record by about 4 minutes.

Best Kayak Race on the Gulf Coast

Only 1 month to go before the big Battle on the Bayou race in Ocean Springs Mississippi.

http://battleonthebayou.com

03/12/2011 - Battle On The Bayou, Ocean Springs, MS

Launch: Washington Street Bridge (Hwy 609) at Old Fort Bayou
Launch Cost: Free
Destination: Old Fort Bayou to watch and take photos of the race.
Distance: 20.5 miles (round trip)
Paddle time: 4-1/2 hours
Weather: Clear, winds calm. Air temp perfect. Tide coming in. Current 0.5 mph. Sunny.

Battle on the Bayou race results: CLICK HERE

Header Image

1) There were a lot of participants in the Battle on the Bayou kayak race.

2) The start of the first group - recreational racers. The starting cannon was LOUD - look at the smoke.

3) And they are off!

4) The racer kayaks are of all types - canoes, sit-in kayaks, laid back sit-on-tops, surfskis and more.

5) The start of the second group (fast kayaks) and they are off!

6) The kayak traffic was busy at the very beginning but kayaks spread out quickly.

7) Capsize mishap on the first curve.

8) The Washington Street bridge.

9) Bright Orange is an eye-catcher.

10) A Hobie pedal boat with an outrigger.

11) Racers chatting as they pass each other.

12) The Party Boat - Mardi Gras inflatable kayak.

13) Unless you were in first place, there were always kayaks in front of you as far as the eye could see.

14) I love this photo. Is she dead tired or catching some of the nice rays of warm sunlight?

15) A patriotic racer. Check out the interesting anchor for the flag.

16) There were a lot of different agencies helping out with the well organized race which draws a lot of participation. Young, old, fast, slow - this is a race everyone enjoys.

17) Go Tom Go!

18) The end of the race was at The Shed BBQ. Despite the steady stream of finishers, the exit out of the water was well organized.

If any of you find a particular race photo bothersome and you want me to remove it, email me and tell me which one. Thanks.

03/06/2010 - Battle on the Bayou Race, Ocean Springs, MS

1) Staging area for the beginning of the Battle On The Bayou Kayak Race 

Above photomerge: Registration and pre-race instructions were held at the Gulf Hills Hotel.
Turnout was great with something like 120 boats entered in the race.

According to the Sun Herald newspaper, there were 150 competitors.
Official results are in. Click here.

(You may have to scroll to see all the photo in photomerges.)

2) Remarkably it only took about 20 minutes to get all the boats on the water.

3) Thus it began - a fine day indeed for a kayak race.

A BIG thumbs up to all the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors!

4) The race ended at The Shed BBQ where participants were treated to a hardy meal and liquid refreshments. In this photo, racers were getting their kayaks out of the water to make way for the incoming finishers.

Battle on the Bayou Track

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