BELLINGHAM - Jonathan Greer once fantasized about competing in the 2008 Olympic Games, but a strained muscle in his back during training in California derailed his Olympic dream.

After rehabbing and taking a couple years off, the 29-year-old Seattle rower is making a comeback, as Greer took first place in the Flat Water Racing Shell Men's Division with a time of 35 minutes, 28.88 seconds Saturday, Sept. 24, at the 2011 Lake Samish Salmon Row & Paddle.

"It was a fun race," Greer said. "Robert (Meenk) was pushing really hard. He got out in front of me, but I was able to pass. I haven't done too many head races like this, but getting back into it after a couple years off feels good. I think I'm competitive and it's exciting to have the opportunity to compete again."

If it wasn't for some skillful maneuvering on the glass-like water of Lake Samish, Greer's chances of a first-place finish in his division seemed bleak.

"I had to start way out on the outside," Greer said. "There was kind of a back-up at the start, with everyone launching into the water, and I got there just a few minutes before the start."

The poor position to start the race didn't end up hindering Greer, who finished 26 seconds ahead of second place finisher Meenk, who recorded a time of 35:54.89. Chris Wales took third in the division with a time of 37:31.43

Greer's finishing time is a testament to the training regiment he recently has endured. By no means is competitively navigating a 5.2-mile lake course an easy task.

"It's really trying, with an emphasis on trying," Greer said. "I would say it's a full-body fatigue, particularly in the flat water. We got lucky and got great weather today, though."

Since Greer has been training more vigorously, he said he would consider making a push to compete in future Olympic Games.

"I'd love to do that," Greer said. "That would be great, but unfortunately there are a lot of people who can (row) really fast times."

One of those fast rowers is Seattle's Lindsay Meyer, who also has Olympics on her mind.

Meyer competed in the Rowing Flat Water Racing Shell Women's Division, which was one out of 32 various divisions rowers competed in at the 2011 Row and Paddle.

Meyer crossed the final buoy first in a time of 38:43.81. Jennifer Huffman of Snohomish finished second with a time of 42:02.5, and Lena Jaffe from Seattle took third, finishing in 43:15.02.

"I have trained a lot on this lake before, but I have never actually raced on it," said Meyer, who is a member of the Seattle Rowing Center and is taking a year off from her studies at Stanford University in order to train full-time for the 2012 London Olympics. "It was fun to win."

For Meyer, the row was easier than she expected it to be - evidence that her three practices a day have been paying off.

"The race seemed a lot shorter at the end, but it was nice that I had a double (boat) to chase," Meyer said. "It wasn't a whole lot more strenuous than I'm used to, but it's a lot of work."

While most people used their arms to navigate Lake Samish, Michael Lampi used his feet on his model V-15 6m.

Rowing experts might not recognize Lampi's boat. That's because he constructed the pedal boat himself.

"The six in 6m stands for six meters long, and the 15 in V-15 stands for the 15th attempt," Lampi said jokingly.

Although his watercraft has speed capability, Lampi entered the race recreationally, as he spent much of his time photographing competitors.

"I wanted a boat that was faster than my old pedal boat, so I began talking to a friend who gave me some sketches, and I put them into action last September."

Lampi's boat is constructed from okoume wood, which is a marine-type plywood. He said it took him roughly 150 hours of work to complete.

"I have no upper body strength being a cyclist," Lampi said. "I have much more leg strength and (using a pedal boat) is a great aerobic activity."

Co-event Director Duncan Howat said 140-plus boats knifed through the water of Lake Samish Saturday. Between Howat and the original founder of the race, Mickey Bevens, the two couldn't come up with an exact number of years the race has been held, but they both estimated in the 15-20 year range.

For Howat, it is remarkable to see so many people partake in an activity he has a passion for.

"My goal has always been to see human-powered craft in our area," Howat said. "It's good to see these people involved."

Reach Andrew Lang at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-756-2862.

High Performance Kayak Men:

1. Gabe Newton 39:48.12

2. Erik Wermus 41:28.07

3. Jim Nosella 41:28.67

High Performance Kayak Women:

1. Vanessa Haycock 49:29.63

2. Linda Warren 50:40.86

3. Trista Bilmer 53:39.52