Outdoors Club Holds First Kayak Race at Lake

Yellow kayaks and green canoes skimmed along the waters of Lake LaSalle Wednesday afternoon at the first Paddlin' Regatta, held by Buffalo Outdoor Pursuits.

From 5. until 7 p.m, about 20 participants made their way to Baird Point, jumped in a canoe or kayak, and participated in one of the regatta's time trials along a nearly two-mile course.

"This is really just meant to expose the outdoors to the students at UB," said Russ Crispell, head of Buffalo Outdoor Pursuits, which is based in the UB Recreation and Intramurals Office in Alumni Arena.

A meeting of the Outdoor Adventure Club -- which featured an 18th Century wilderness survival presentation by Paths, Peaks and Paddles, a local wilderness adventure store -- followed the race.

Though winners were announced for men's canoe, solo kayak and co-ed canoe, victory in the event took second place to having a good time. Some participants chose to paddle the lake just for fun instead of racing.

Chris Veiders, the store manager at Eastern Mountain Sports, one of event's nine sponsors, praised the event for encouraging those new to the boating scene.

"This is a great way to introduce canoeing and kayaking to people who want to try it but have never done it before," said Veiders.

According to Crispell, Buffalo Outdoor Pursuits is growing rapidly.

"(The club) is really expanding. I'm excited about that," said Crispell. "Down the road we're even looking at a new outdoor recreation center next to the Center For the Arts."

Many of the regatta's participants were club members or varsity athletes from the UB men's tennis team, which Crispell coaches.

"Oh, it was fun," said Randal Rocchio, a junior geography major and member of the tennis team. "Last year we went canoeing with Coach (Crispell) down in Florida during spring break, so when he told us about this we all came out for it."

Midway into the regatta, one kayaker capsized, prompting a quick rescue by volunteers on hand.

"It was the first time kayaking for me," said Jui-Ming Lo, the second year grad student who fell overboard.

Lo was soaked but still in good spirits despite losing his UB card, his glasses, and $10 in the lake.