Terri Plunkett Breaks Down The California 100 Ultramarathon

This is the second year SUP's have been included in the CA 100 Ultra Marathon

REDDING, California - On May, 25, 104, the California 100 Ultra Marathon sets off from Redding and follows the Sacramento River all the way to Chico. The course moves along one of the most beautiful stretches in Northern California, but the race is no picnic - 100 miles is 100 miles, no matter where you're paddling. To find out more about this unique race, Supconnect's community assistant, Alex Mauer, caught up with Terri Plunkett, who will be paddling her ULI inflatable next month in Nor Cal.

What/when is the Cali 100?

The Cal100 is on the Sacramento River the race is on Sunday May 25th . The after party is Monday (we all are too dead tired to party immediately after 100miles)

What made you want to do it?

Chris Koener and I found this race last year. Last year was their 1st year of putting the race together. The money raised from race fees were all donated to the organization Rivers For Change.org. I was intrigued to do this race because it was very different than most SUP races and I I had never paddled the Sac before. The Cal 100 river course on the Sac was gorgeous! Miles of open grassy land, seeing wildlife drinking from the river and the 4mph river flow was perfect to push me along the 100mile adventure. The race was very well organized-even tho this was the first year. Logistically the organizers planned the coarse perfect and they were big on safety and requiring us to ...

Chris Koerner at last year's CA 100 


What gear will this take?

Mandatory Equipment List:

1. Cell phone (most carriers have continuous coverage along the river)
2. Coast Guard approved type III inherently buoyant (not inflatable) vest style personal floatation device must be worn at all times while on the water to comply with event insurance.
3. 2 Chemical lights, 12 hour type, fixed to bow and stern of boat for night travel (also called glow sticks)
4. Minimum of 2 forward facing lights (Headlights or bow lights or one of each is fine. The second is a backup)
5. Space Blanket
6. Method of carrying at least 1/2 gallon of fluid per person at all times
7. 1 whistle per boat
8. First Aid Kit (things like anti-diarrhea, blister treatment, pepto bismol, band aids and tape)

Recommended Equipment/Supply List:
1. GPS
2. Spare paddle

Stand Up Paddlers

If a leash is worn on a Stand Up Paddler, the paddler must demonstrate at the check-in that the leash is quick release. The California 100 did not recommend leashes connecting equipment to paddlers as it poses risks in moving water.

How did you chose your gear?

I never paddled this part of the Sac so Chris and I opted to ride our ULI inflatable SUP's. Now last year the river flow was perfect but this year??? We won't know. The California drought might bring the river to extreme shallow conditions. If that's the case I will bring my ULI inflatable again. Carbon Fiber raceboards don't like rocks:) This year I should be more comfortable for me. I plan on using my Ultra light weight Kialoa paddle with a small blade. For any long distance paddling I choose a small blade. Too big will fatigue you quick!

Last year the airlines snapped both Chris and I's Carbon Fiber Paddles. So we tried not to cry when the only paddles we could find to borrow were somebodies old Garage Sale sucky aluminum adjustable paddles . Image 100 miles with sucky paddles. This year we hope our luck is better.

Will you have a support boat?

No personal boat support is needed. This organizers do provide great water safety throughout the course.
There are 3 mandatory check points along the river. What was great was that at these checkpoints our personal food would be there waiting for us . My favorite thing about these endurance races is that I get to eat like a kid. PB&J and Snickers candy bars. Yum!

What are your worries about the event?
I am personally not worried about the event. This race is 90% mental. You have have to but mind over the physical matter.