Why don`t WW paddlers cross over

[steve kirk]

Don't cancel the race in LR!!!! A lot of people look forward to the event.

[Donald]

I am working on all the details for the race and should have everything out within a week. Camping will be available at the finishline. ACA rules will utilized.

What are ACA rules? I am familliar with USCA and ICF rules for canoe and kayak marathon and also USACK for downriver canoe and kayak. Basically will my ICF kayak or USCA Proboat canoe be legal? There are a bunch of us USCA canoers and ICF kayak racers around here. I will race in whatever boat is legal, doesn't matter too much to me. I just enjoy paddling fast and love the idea of another race to compete in.

Don

[steve kirk]

For rules I meant USACK.

[steve kirk]

correction USCA rules!

[seark]

I think a lot of paddlers have misconceptions about flatwater racing - it is growing around the country and varies from the short but very crowded Memphis in May race sponsored by Outdoors Inc. to marathon, multi-day races like the circumnavigation of Florida sponsored by the Watertribe. I've done several now ranging from 3 miles to 45 miles, and for me it is the equivalent of 5K run/walks to the Little Rock Marathon (which I will NEVER do - just wasn't built to run.) There are usually a few serious racers in any event but the majority are amateurs out to have fun and maybe challenge their previous times. It is about fun and fitness and another opportunity to get on the water.

I might not ever have gotten up the nerve to paddle the Mississippi if not for the races, which provided safety in numbers and organization. Now I can't imagine not paddling the Big Muddy and dream of a solo trip someday.

My reasons are also the opposite of some posted previously - I'm in eastern Arkansas -WW is too far away and too impractical for me. I can't schedule my days off around the rain. I hate having to organize a shuttle. And, then there's just what floats YOUR boat. When I've paddled WW I've felt like I was trying to battle the river - and usually losing. Flatwater - whether cruzin or racing - I feel like I'm one with the river - Serenity Now.

[potterspoint434]

There are all kind of races to do from the Memphis Race to several long distance races around the country. I would like to try one of the long races
like the MR340 of Tx water safari but I started this to late in life and don`t think my body could take It.
I think I`m strongest in races shorter than 2hr.
Just like running you can find a race that is the distance you want.
I`m glad someone is going to put on the White River race it`s a great place to have a race.
I try to do 6-8 races a year and would like to try more this year and would like to see more Arky`s out paddling. I know its not for everyone but there
is a class for everyone so I wish more people would give it a try.
I do most of my training in downtown Little Rock(in the AR River) and I never see anyone paddling, I feel like its my on private place during the week.
I paddle Greers Ferry on the weekends and hope I don`t get run over.
I would like to see this grow in our state.

[Lupe]

Here's a thought: maybe some of you racing enthusiasts could do a clinic at a club event next year to show others what it's like and maybe spark more interest. Like maybe a clinic at Rendezvous, or maybe just do a presentation about racing at a club meeting. Mike Stanley is always looking for things to present at the chapter meetings! Maybe next year someone could put together a slide show and maybe explain different races and also different techniques that are used. Maybe more in the club will start to feel the "need for speed"!

Also - are there racing organizations or clubs that you all belong to? If you all do not already have a forum or a "community" persay, then maybe you all could use our message board more - to announce events, to discuss more racing/training specific things - whatever. It's certainly a more specialized group of paddlers, but I think there's room for that in the ACC. We already have our steep creek crazies (THAT's a specialized group!), our more general whitewater enthusiasts, our general flatwater paddlers, and then you also have smaller pockets of wildlife/birding viewing paddling enthusiasts, or photography paddling enthusiasts. Heck, in addition to the standard canoe and/or kayak fare, we have a sizeable rafting contingent. Oh - and I nearly forget to mention the overnight camping paddling contingent.

Anyway - I'm glad to see any and all enthusiasm for paddling, and while racing may never be my "cup of tea," I still hope it is a healthy part of the larger paddling community here in Arkansas!

Cheers

[Donald]

Also - are there racing organizations or clubs that you all belong to?

We don't have a racing club but we all help or are a part of the local Venture crew, which is geared toward canoe/kayak racing. I know I would race regardless whether anyone else did though. I will post our races for the year when the schedule gets solidified. We have race canoe and aluminum canoe classes but any canoe would work in the Aluminum class.

Don

[seark]

I forgot to mention that its really cool to do something that to the uninvolved seems like a really athletic event - but to me is just another day on the water. And, being most often one of the few if not the only females over forty participating - I have a deceivingly large collection of medals that really impresses the nieces and nephews. And, did we mention the doorprizes some races offer. My oldest nephew starting going to races with me - unfortunately, he is always in the most competitive category and has yet to place, but he's won some great doorprizes - like a $100 gift certificate to Outdoors Inc.!

And the price of admission - well, it's worth it for the really cool t-shirt that let's you brag quietly. I've worn mine to fun run/walks because even if I'm a slow as a tortoise on land, it lets folks know I'm a force to be reckoned with in my more natural element.

[potterspoint434]

Gee all this talk makes me want to paddle!!!!

[Fish]

This thread has been really educational for me. I've paddled the Mulberry R. and I didn't know there was anything flatter than that. Learn something new every day.

Thanks,
Fish

[seark]

There's a whole lot of water - in fact, probably most of the water in Arkansas is flatter than the Mulberry - but that does not mean that it can't be challenging. Try paddling through a tree studded bayou when the water's up and you may find yourself jammed cross ways between cypress knees - a situation that can be more frustrating that any boulder strewn stream. Bayous can be a cross between an obstacle and anorienteering course.

And, the Mississippi may be flat, but it is definitely not easy.

I've been paddling the network of bayous around Arkansas Post and you never know which way the current will be flowing. It all depends on the level of the Arkansas, what they're doing at the Dam and which way the wind's blowing. Sometimes its downstreams both ways and sometimes its upstreams both ways.

The moonlit water tonight was sure beckoning for a paddler.