Testing the GoPro Hero
I wanted to test the 5 second interval setting of the GoPro Hero camera while kayaking. I am happy with it overall. I still wish the GoPro’s camera’s screen was on the back so I could see the settings and image count (oh, yeah, another con) but it does have the small red light inside the view finder so you can tell if it is on or not. That is mostly what I need, anyway, so I can live without seeing the screen.

The Video
Two of the guys were in a canoe, one was in a 14 Wilderness Systems kayak (a Tarpon, I think), another was in a Perception Carolina with a rudder, and I was in my Dagger Savannah with a rudder. I am still not a fan of canoes but I was nearly impressed with the sit-on-top from Wilderness Systems. It tracked very well but almost too well as it seemed like the currents really had their way with it. It held well in the wind, though.

The Water Tower
If you go paddling on the same stretch of water you might hear people say to “look for the water tower” and you will know you are at the end. You will see the water tower at the end of the video (last 10 or 15 seconds). Thanks to the John and everyone else at Rising Phoenix Adventures for their outfitting and pick up and drop off services. They were ready when we arrived and picked us up within about 20 minutes of our phone call.

The Oh, Yeah
The image count on the GoPro Hero stops at 999. This is stupid since it can take about 3,800 images on a 4GB card but I have no idea what’s going on past 999 pictures. Aside from a few simple things, the camera is great and worth every penny.

The regatta is great fun, raises money to clean up and protect the bayou, and you should come out next year. Learn more about the Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Buffalo Bayou Regatta.

See the 2009 Buffalo Bayou regatta video.

The video was taken with the GoPro Wide camera. It worked great for the race but I had to switch cards about 3 miles from the end as my 4GB card was running out of space. That just means I should paddle faster next time.

I am in a Dagger Savannah with a rudder I bought from Southwest Paddlesports who also rents kayaks and canoes for the race each year.

Eventually, they will post the race results here (usually at the bottom): http://www.buffalobayou.org/regattabayou.html

My actual time was about 2:25(ish). After editing, the original video is about 2:11 and this version is 8 minutes and something. I used the GoPro Wide action camera mounted on my deck to capture the video. The quality is not fantastic because I compressed it so you wouldn’t have to wait forever to download it.

Enjoy.

Thanks to Ryan for going to the race with me and to Nathan for letting Ryan use his boat. You can see Ryan in the red Perception Carolina and brown hat buzzing around me throughout the video. He did awesome, especially for his second time in that yak. Also, of course, thanks to Lead Optimize Outsourced Marketing for sponsoring me.

I also want to give props to Bruce for the 2008 Buffalo Bayou Regatta video. He was there this year but didn’t bring his camera. Here’s his video.

The Buffalo Bayou Partnership is a good group and has been organizing the BB Regatta every year for 37 years or so. See you there next year.