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.

Old Fort Bayou (MS)

Got in a little pre BoB training paddle today on the race course with some of the Mississippi Kayak Meetup Group. 

Beautiful day today compared to the recent windy and rainy days. Despite all the flooding going on in Mississippi, Old Fort Bayou is not a waterway affected by the flooding. Conditions are great on Old Fort Bayou which is a waterway just north of Ocean Springs Mississippi. 

BoB is short for "The Battle On the Bayou," a big kayak race sponsored by Everything Kayak and a few other sponsors.

http://www.everythingkayak.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.

02/28/2010 - Old Fort Bayou (MS)

Launch: Old Fort Bayou Hwy 609 (Washington Avenue)

1) Sunrise over the Old Fort Bayou, where the first annual Battle on the Bayou kayak race will be held this coming Saturday. The forecast is calling for almost 70 degrees and sunny - sign up today, even if it is just for the after event party. I was checking out race route today.

2) The Washington Avenue bridge (Hwy 609) in Ocean Springs, MS.

3) Click here for a PDF brochure on the relatively new Old Fort Bayou Blueway. One of the blueway mile markers is shown in this photo and they will definitely help racers keep track of their progress to the race end at The Shed BBQ.

4) Grasses and pine trees are prominent along the bayou river banks.

5) A few shore birds could be seen on the mud banks.

6) Even saw a few wood ducks.

7) Old Fort Bayou has some residential areas and reminded me a little of Dog River except the Old Fort Bayou waters were free of trash.

8) The I-10 bridges.

9) North of the I-10 bridges, sandbars begin to appear which is great for kayakers who want to get out and stretch the legs.

10) Back toward the Washington Avenue bridge area, jet skis were busy making noise and wakes. If you ever get over toward Ocean Springs, be sure to visit South Coast Paddling.