Kelly Stone was given the name ‘Bay Momma’ by her fellow contestants in the 2019 Texas Water Safari. At 262 miles long and a limit of 100 hours to complete the race, the Texas Water Safari, often dubbed the world’s toughest canoe race is long, grueling and only for the determined.
Kelly was given the name 'Bay Momma' because of her pre-race new moon ritual. A practice intended to put forth positive intentions before she paddles her way to the shores of Seadrift, Texas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Only six women had ever finished this race in a solo C1 boat, that was before Kelly set her sights on the competition. Crossing the finish line came days later and not without struggle. In this story Kelly overcomes several obstacles, the most devastating of which is a broken boat.
This story was recorded 10.1.19 at Brick as part of Texas Public Radio's live storytelling program Worth Repeating. If you have a story Worth Repeating email worthrepeating@tpr.org.
