Endurance boaters aim to set world records on Whitefish Lake

In September of 2008, Calgary athlete Greg Kolodziejzyk came to Whitefish Lake and peddled his custom-built boat more than 152 miles in 24 hours to set a new world record for a human-powered watercraft.

His effort eclipsed kayaker Carter Johnson's record of 150 miles, set in 2006 on California's Lake Merced.

This Saturday the two athletes will battle in a head-to-head race on Whitefish Lake to determine the ultimate world record holder.

The Pedal vs Paddle Showdown is scheduled to begin Saturday at morning on a 3k course extending from Lazy Bay to Mackinaw Point. Kolodziejzyk will man his pedal boat and Johnson will be in a kayak.

"We both thought that since our 24 hour record distances were so close together, a record attempt race would motivate us to better our respective world records," said Kolodziejzyk, who won this year’s Epic Shore to Shore race on Flathead Lake.

Kolodziejzyk has set a personal target of 155 miles for this event, nearly 3 miles farther than his current record.

Johnson is even more ambitious, aiming for 157 miles to best the current world record.

While both men train regularly, each has stepped up their preparations in anticipation of the record-breaking attempt.

"I've done many of these so I would have to say I have a lifetime (of training) at this point," says Johnson. “I've been preparing for six weeks specifically for this one."

Kolodziejzyk has been doing weekly training rides from 6 to 8 hours, along with higher intensity rides.

"For the last two weeks I was on a hiking trip in the Alps and I'm hoping the climbing we did has strengthened my legs for this event," he said.

Kolodziejzyk faces one potential hurdle that Johnson doesn't need to worry about. Johnson will race with proven, simple equipment — a paddle and a kayak. Kolodziejzyk, however, will be using a custom-built, pedal-powered boat, with a much larger potential for a mechanical breakdown.

"The only factor that can potentially destroy Carter's race is Carter,” Kolodziejzyk said. “For me, it could be me as well, but also any one of many malfunctions like my gear box breaking, my shaft snapping in two, my propeller falling off, rudder getting bent, etc. In my opinion, Carter is by far the better athlete. So, If I win, then it is because of the technology for sure."

The Pedal vs Paddle Showdown begins at 8 a.m. on Sept. 28. The race benefits MitoCanada, which supports Canadians affected by mitochondrial disease, along with research into the condition.

For more information about the race and the competitors, MitoCanada, and live race day results please visit online at www.pedalvspaddle.com.