Arkansas River Canoe and Kayak Race June 4th

[potterspoint434]

We are proud to announce 2011 Arkansas River Canoe and Kayak race will be Saturday, June 4th. Don't miss out on the States largest canoe and kayak race.

The 2010 race had some of the fastest racers in the South paddling this 6 mile down River course.

The race starts at Murray Park and on river left passes the cliffs of Emerald Park. As soon as you pass the park you will be able to see the Arkansas State Capital on river right. In the final stretch you will pass under 5 bridges and after the last bridge you will pass the finish line with the Bill Clinton Library on river right.

If you are racer and want to test your skill against former gold medal winner and some of the nations elites or just want to see the sights, this is the race for you.

Check and see what class your boat will be in and get out and start training!

Also, don't miss out on some of the great outdoor activities in Little Rock. Bring your running shoes or bicycle and try out our River trail that runs down both sides of the river or relax after the racer at one of the great restaurants in the Little Rock River Market.
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[AR-Nimrod]

That's the same weekend as Rec. School. I'll be on the Spring along with a lot of other ACC folks.

[potterspoint434]

I understand, but we have had the race the first weekend in June for 8 years
come if you can

[74broncogirl]

I'm planning on joining the race this year and am in the process of trying to recruit some extra friends. I don't really expect to win but at least I'll get in a great day of paddling!

[potterspoint434]

There are lots of winners, it depends on your boat size.
Mike Herbert has won the last 8 years, of course he is the second best
sprinter in USA history right behind Greg Baton. Google Mike herbert kayak and do some reading.
There was a group of paddlers trying to get on the US National team last year that came to try their luck against Mike and he still won.
They are coming back again this year for another try.
You will see about every kind of Kayak and Canoe there is from sit on tops to the sprint boats that weigh about 20lbs.
We have people come in from about 4 different states for the race.
I wish the local support for the race would grow, it seems you say race and it scares people away or you say the Arkansas River and the local people
stay away.Check out all the classes we have and see where you fit in.
I paddle the River several times a week and most of the time its like a lake without much current. The spring rains will bring the river flow up so always see what the flow is before you go out and wear a PFD.
Phil Capel
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[Shark Attack]

I'm interested. Would like some more information i.e. shuttle info etc. I just happen to have a new to me solo canoe & think that would be a great trip for it. And if no one else in the club is going to participate, I'm going to be very dissapointed. Harumph There are a lot of paddlers in the nearby area

[Wildwood]

Wes,
I paddled in the race last year. I came in first in my class! :shock: It was a lot of fun, something I never dreamed I'd do.
Have a great time. I still wanna see yer purty new boat. I'm going back to rec school so won't be in the river race this year.

Jan

[potterspoint434]

We do supply a shuttle back to your car before the awards, should be a great turnout with all the races being canceled this spring due to high water. I know of people from 6 different states coming.
Its fun just to see all the different boats.

[ducktrooper]

is this an event a beginner paddler would enjoy? I paddle a 13' Hobie Quest SOT and have been on the water 4-5 times, last weekend on the Spring which was running pretty fast compared to normal. I'm fairly athletic and just looking to have a good time.....Thoughts?

[potterspoint434]

All I would say is start at the back and let the fast people get out of the way. The River will be at about 85k cfs on race day so its pretty swift water. We will have the Sheriff`s Dept boat and the Coast Guard out there as safety boats. Wear a good PFD
I paddled it today at 122cfs and the only problem I saw was at the start where you come out from the dead water into the current.

[74broncogirl]

I'm so excited the race is still on! I will see y'all there!!!

Christy

[Donald]

Phil,

As usual the Russellville folks will be there with several canoe teams.

Don

[potterspoint434]

The race is history now, after people telling me we should not have it because of the water flow, I went ahead and had it. I paddled the River several times that week to check it out and even though it was high and fast I still felt safe.
We where down in number with the plastic rec boats but up in numbers on racers .
We did have people from 5 states and some from Austin Tx, the Ms. coast and of course the group with Coach Shuan Caven from Oklahoma.
The pictures are up on the website and results, check out all the K-1`s in the race. There isn`t a race in the country that has this much talent.
We had several of the US National team here.
You will see pictures of winner Carlos Garica, Cedric Bond, Kaitie McElroy, Jen Burke and Arkansas`s own gold medal winner Mike Herbert.
We had some of the top canoe racers here also with Don Walls and Dale winners of the canoe class.
check it out
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next years race date is set for June 16th