Woodinville Teen Clocks Pigeons

Local teen is ‘rising star’ in pigeon racing

by Deborah Stone
Staff Writer http://www.nwnews.com/editions/2007/070305/features2.htm

Mar. 5th 2007

David Lavrentyev is a “rising star, with a great future in this activity.” He was recently awarded the Clean Sweep award by the Sno-King Racing Pigeons Club at its annual awards brunch

Like many of his peers, 16-year-old David Lavrentyev wants to be successful in life and pursue a passion that gives him the ultimate satisfaction.

Unlike others his own age, however, the Bothell teen has already found his interest and has quietly been making a name for himself.

Lavrentyev races pigeons, and according to Herb Cartmell, president of the Sno-King Racing Pigeons Club, he is a “rising star, with a great future in this activity.”

Recently, Lavrentyev, flying under the Golden Wings Loft moniker, was awarded the Clean Sweep award by the Sno-King Racing Pigeons Club at its annual awards brunch in Kirkland. The teen flew his team of 2006 hatch birds in the Young Bird Series, winning all 10 club races, and had the top three birds in all but one race.

He not only won Champion Bird, but also led in loft points and had the best overall average speed of 1344.777 yards per minute (46 mph) over the series of races, which ranged from 92 miles to 250 miles in distance.

“This is the first time this award has been given out in the 35-year history of the club,” says Cartmell. “David really deserved it. He worked hard and had his team of birds in top condition.”

Pigeon racing, as a hobby, has been around for years. It appeals to those who enjoy working with animals, to those who appreciate the athleticism of the birds and who thrive on friendly, wholesome competition. Many people who are involved in the sport confess that the allure of the birds is overpowering.

“It didn’t’ take me very long to become hooked on pigeon racing,” comments Cartmell. “I started when I was 12, after a friend of my father’s gave me a few of his homing pigeons. It became a lifetime hobby for me from that point on.”

Lavrentyev began his foray into the activity seven years ago, with two birds given to him by a friend. Today he has close to 100 birds in his loft at his home.

He says, “The birds are amazing creatures and each one has its own personality. They are very beautiful and smart and I am always amazed at their ability to fly home from so far away. For me, it’s such an incredible experience to watch them fly into their loft, knowing that they’ve just completed a long journey all on their own.”

To train the birds takes much time and patience, according to Lavrentyev. Food is the motivator and the birds begin to associate their loft with their food source.

Training of the babies begins with small distances of a half mile to a mile and once the birds are successful, the distances increase, but the process is very gradual, as with any type of discipline. It’s important that the training builds the birds up physically to have good muscle strength and endurance.

“These creatures love to fly,” comments Cartmell, “and they have such strong migratory instincts. They know which direction to fly. It’s very intriguing and a bit of a mystery, but it has to do with the polar magnetics. We do know that the weather affects them, as do the geomagnetics in the earth.”

For those who engage in this hobby, the rewards are many. Cartmell explains that there is so much to be learned from the birds.

He adds, “You learn genetics, breeding, nutrition, veterinarian skills, geology – reading weather patterns, and also construction skills. Plus, you use math to calculate time and speed and to keep proper records. It’s a great activity for kids because of all the learning that occurs in the process.”

There are obvious expenses related to this hobby, including constructing a shelter for the birds and supplying them with food. The cost of the pigeons themselves can range from $10 to $500 for one bird, depending on its pedigree. Lavrentyev’s success has already proven to be lucrative, as people from all over the world have begun to contact him to buy his birds.

According to Cartmell, the teen has had two exceptional years thus far and has been making a name for himself in the sport.

He says, “David has very good skills for someone his age. He has great eyes and an amazing memory for the birds. He knows who each one is as soon as he sees them flying toward the loft. He has a sixth sense about animals and a real passion for the sport. He’s also a hard worker. It’s wonderful to see his passion.”

The home schooled youth comes from a family of 13 and he is the only one of his siblings to show an interest in racing pigeons. His father, however, shares a love of the sport and enthusiastically supports him in his endeavors.

“He helps take care of the birds with me,” adds Lavrentyev, “which is definitely a lot of work.” Lavrentyev plans to continue racing pigeons, as his goal is to someday be a leader in the sport. “There’s no stopping him now,” comments Cartmell. “He’s got the talent and the determination to succeed.”