Jet Ski Races and Kayaking on Lake Havasu

Right off the beach of our campsite at the State Park, is a huge jet ski race today. We walk over and see what it's all about. 

Apparently it is a 300 mile endurance race. The course on Lake Havasu is just over 8 miles long so about 34 to 35 laps to complete the race. Into the wind they go about 62mph but downwind they get up to 70mph. 

Boat launch pull out for refueling. 

They cannot refuel in the lake itself, so they pull out every 5 or 6 laps to refuel on land. 

Refueling on land...huge fuel jugs. 

After a quick refuel, they relaunch and join back into the course. 

Back in the water after fueling

Quick dash out to rejoin the race. 

This poor guy's engine wouldn't restart after fueling so a tech is in the engine box. He finds the battery is totally dead from the continual pounding out there. A quick reinstall of a new battery and the guy is off...doubt he won after at least 8-10 minutes on land but who knows. 

New battery being installed. 

We don't stick around for the end. Since it's a pretty calm day, we decide to do an afternoon triathlon starting with launching the kayaks. We launch at the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and head up the lake about 2.5 km to a sand bar teaming with birds.

Sand bar in Lake Havasu

As we get to the sand bar, the wind is picking up a little bit so we head back down the lake. Chris has been wanting to try an umbrella in the wind to see if it can work as a sail. 

Sailboats??

Sheila lets Chris go off and have a sail on his own. 

You can't take the sailor out of this man :)

We paddle back down the lake to the state park where we are camped. It was about a 6.5 km kayak. Then we ride our bikes back to pick up our truck, this is the second leg of our triathlon. 

The 3rd and final leg of our triathlon a sun downer on the beach from our RV. 

Ben and Trish, friends from Saskatchewan we have crossed paths with over the years happen to be at the state park as well. They join us for our last night here. 

Chris, Sheila, Trish and Ben

Lake Havasu puts on a beautiful California sunset for our last night here. 

California lies on the other side of the lake. 

Good bye Havasu.