SEL+Training+Technique=PR

Phil Capel in his SEL at 2011 Phatwater Challenge on Mississippi River.

On Tuesday, November 22, I had an all time PR for my 11 mile course from Mccorrie Point to 3^rd Rock in my Stellar SEL Excel. This is the Sakonnet River Race Course that I host, just a mile shorter. I have done this course 82 times since 2002. My previous record was in my SES Excel February 5, 2011. Today I broke that record by a minute. My average pace was 9.11(minutes per mile) with a HR avg of 140. I have only used the 4 inch rudder with the SEL since I have had it. This PR is significant for several reasons:

1. Winter paddling requires extra gear so I have an extra 10 lbs of stuff: drysuit, pogies, extra hat, phone, epirb, muckluk boots.

2. Cold water is more sticky than warm summer water so times could be slower though not today.

3. Today was very flat. Previously I would have said my SES’s were faster on a day like today but my times(races, PR’s) have not supported this over the past six months. The SEL’s stability lets me lengthen my paddle by a centimeter getting a longer catch and I can solely focus paddling technique,leg drive and not stability.

4. One notable obvious difference between the SES and the SEL is the longer length of the SEL allows it to track like a rail, so not much correction in the steering to counter stability. Just point it and go. Go Fast!!

5. Training: Nothing happens without training! Last week, I just started my erg training(concept 2) in preps for the World Indoor Championships in Boston in February. I believe this training is already paying dividends. My previous PR for this course was in February 2011 as mentioned, was just 2 weeks before the World Championships a year ago. On another training note, I ran a 5 mile road race on Thanksgiving Day with virtually no running training time and did well. So the paddling/erg training is paying dividends when I want to cross train.

6. Lastly, I have been working on my technique during the off season as Ben Lawry has suggested to me for the past few years: My catch on my right side was slightly shorter than my left and on my left side I have been working on a cleaner exit.

So this confirms for me again that the SEL has the top end speed over distance of the any other high performance ski on the market due to its perfect combination of stability and speed. Looking forward to my Ultra SEL in a few months!!!

SES Looks at Newport Bridge

Robin Francis just bought this SES Advantage. She upgraded from a V10 Sport Ultra since the SES fits her small frame, 5ft 3, perfectly. Another happy Stellar Customer.

SEL Full Review

See my full review of SEL on SurfskiRacing.com

Stellar Ski Performances on East Coast

1st in Snow Row, Wesley Echols, SES Excel

6th in Snow Row, Chris Chappell, SE

4th in Essex, Wesley Echols, SES Ultra

2nd in Sakonnet, Wesley Echols, SES Ultra

5th in Sakonnet, Chris Chappell, SE Ultra

1st inBlackburn, Mike Tracy/Tim Dwyer, SE2 Course Record, 2:38:00

3rd in Blackburn,Barend Spies, SES Excel, 2:43:03

7th in Blackburn, Wesley Echols, SES Ultra, 2:49:55

8th in Blackburn, Francisco Urena, SE Excel

10th in Blackburn, Chris Chappell, SE Ultra

2nd in Double Beaver,Wesley Echols, SES Excel

11th in Double Beaver, Chris Chappell, SR Excel

3rd in Nahant, Francisco Urena, SE Excel

5th in Nahant, Wesley Echols, SES Ultra

10th in Nahant, Chris Chappell, SE Ultra

2nd in East Coast Surfski Champs, Reid Hyle, SES Ultra

7th in East Coast Surfski champs, Francisco Urena, SE Excel

8th in East Coast Surski Champs, Rob Mirlenbrink, SES excel

11th in East Coast Surfski champs, Wesley Echols, SES ultra

5th in LightHouse to lighthouse, Wesley Echols, SEL Excel

1st in Marblehead Rotary Race, Francisco Urena, SE Excel

This is a tabulation of most of the performances in the North East. As you can see both the SES, SE2, and SE are as competitive as any other ski as far as speed but what sets them apart is they are the most stable. The ability to have great speed with amazing stability is what Stellar skis are all about. They also have some of the best built quality in the world. The Ultra Carbon is the best construction of a ski in the world using a high grade pre preg unidirectional carbon that Wintech Rowing Shells has been using since 2000. Both Stellar and Wintech are built at the Flying Eagle Factory.