I need some info!!!

[2fast2reid]

I was asked by someone a few weeks ago about how to put on a canoe/kayak race that will be in front of a large group of people. This will be performed on Lake Harrison in the spring and I need some input from you all. It needs to be something that does not string out all day long and is interesting to the crowd. I know that longer boats will have the edge on short rec boats and any WW boat. I need to come up with a set of rules and regs for this event. This is the 1st year this event will be put on and hopefully many more to follow. It will be taking place during Crooked Creek Crawdad Days in Harrison, AR.

I was unsure as to a barrel race such as you see in rodeo, or a down and back or what?? I am very VERY open to ideas on this event. Not sure if a straight line race would work or what, but I figure this will attract somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 or so boats...canoes and kayaks. Depending on entries as to if enough canoes or kayaks will be race separately. Very open to any suggestions and appreciate any input you all can give.

Thanks again,

Jake Reid

[Tim Eubanks]

Good luck, Jake. Don't have any helpful ideas, but it is about time they used that "lake" for something other than a settling pool. It would be pretty easy to set up some "gates" over the lake for a slalom course of sorts.

[Gordon Kumpuris]

How about a paddler "Triathalon" I.E. - Run, Swim, Paddle?

[Donald]

At the USCA Canoe/Kayak Marathon Nationals there is a 3k run/paddle biathlon that draws spectators and is short enough to be fun. They do a 3k up and back run, followed by a 3k paddle with about 4 loops. The 4 big loops keeps the racers where folks can see them and cheer them on. They have a ironman division where one person runs and paddles and also a tinman division were one person paddles and a different person does the run, kind of like a tag team. At the end of the race you grab your canoe or kayak up out of the water and do a 100 yard sprint to the finish.

Don

[Donald]

Speaking of barrel races, I have also seen a short course race ~1/4 mile out and back. Get an outfitter to rent you about a dozen of the same brand canoes and have a few heats were the winners advance on to the next heat till you have a winner. All you would need is some sort of bouys to turn around and some canoes or kayaks.

[bmartin]

Rent one of these for your turn around point or have available for half time and you will be golden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6S0XbJrodg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[justin.payne]

I would talk to the BOC and see if they would loan out some canoes and sit on tops. I'm sure there are alot of people that would be more interested if they did not have to bring their own boats. I would set up some buoys and make it like a slalom race. While your at it, why dont you see if you can talk the city into restricting the flow running in from Crooked creek and make a play park by the junior high

[painterbob]

http://www.worldwide-canoeingandkayakin ... ities.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; hope this will help!

[Clif]

Cardboard boat races works for Heber. Maybe some for fun divisions/events as well as more serious races?

[Tim Eubanks]

Unless the water quality has improved since I lived up there, you don't want to swim in that "lake". Jake, has the city changed its "use" restrictions? The only time I ever saw a boat on it was during Crawdad days when the scouts rented canoes for a spin.

[kayakrat]

What about different length classes? It would kinda break apart the lake yaks from the shorter.

Would you allow drift boats????

[2fast2reid]

Well about the cardboard boat races....that has been done I am guessing every year since they started Crawdad days. I believe last year they only had 2 entires. So to my knowledge they will not be having that this year, but don't quote me on that.

Jake

[2fast2reid]

We will for sure have to have different lengths/classes and heats I am sure. All of this is very VERY helpful keep it coming you all!!!!

As to drift boats, well I guess it would depend how many entries we have. We are very open to suggestions.

Jake

[2fast2reid]

Bob those are some great ideas on that site thank you very much!!!

Mr. Eubanks

You know as well as I do how they use Lake Harrison.....such a waste. Water quality is not the best to my knowledge I am only up there on the weekends....I don't think much has changed.

The "use" of the lake is....well I cannot think of a time besides when the HFD got a new Tigershark jet ski, and seeing the cardboard boat races that I have seen a boat in there.

I think this event has great potential and will bring a lot of new faces to Crawdad days.

This is the only time of the year that Lake Harrison sees any use besides be photographed during flooding....keep the ideas coming nothing is ruled out!!

Jake