Get Ready, Set, Paddle! Sakonnet River Race Takes Place Saturday

The fourth annual Sakonnet River Surfski Race will kick off at 10 a.m. this Saturday, June 4, at  McCorrie Point, 495 McCorrie Lane.

The 13-mile race, which is hosted by Betsy and Wesley Echols, runs along the shore of the Sakonnet beginning at McCorrie Point and ending at the northern most part of Third Beach in Middletown. It is projected that the race will take the fastest surfski paddlers about two hours to complete.

Surfskis, a type of extremely fast and lightweight paddle boat, originated in Australia in the 1960s for lifeguards to efficiently power through the surf to rescue swimmers.

Their design has evolved over the years ultimately earning themselves the reputation of “the sports cars of the paddling world,” says local resident and race director Wesley Echols. 

Compared to sea kayaks, which weigh about 40-60 lbs, surfskis weigh in at about 21 to 33 lbs. and are hugely popular in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

“In 2006, I bought my first of about 30 surfskis and started racing them. I then started logging in all my training miles on all the different surfskis and making notes of the different characteristics of each surfski,” says Echol’s of his endeavor into the world of surfskis. 

Since then, Echol’s has gained some notoriety in this niche through his Web site. 

“I was one of the first paddlers to ever review and chart all the major surfskis and post them for viewership on surfskiracing.com," he said. "I was also the first to have an instructional DVD on surfskis."

Echols co-operates his Web site with Chris Chappell and Mark Ceconi.

The race on Saturday will culminate in a celebration on the beach with refreshments and an award ceremony. Participants are reminded that this is not a novice course and personal flotation devices are required at all times.