Why don`t WW paddlers cross over

[tomcat]

yea, I'd love to have some gates hung nearby just to use for fitness and fun. The old Rockport site is no more....where we used to hang gates from the old Tanner St bridge. I'm not sure of another site that would meet the need and be able to keep gates up without vandalism.

[Cowper]

Even though you have clarified that you were really asking about racing, I do want to share an observation about flatwater paddling.

If it rains in Arkansas in May, the next weekend a significant percentage of the serious paddlers in the state just might all show up at one or two streams. You will see them, if you're there that day. Just to put a number on it, that could be 50 people from all over the state that you might see that day all converging on the same stream.

For flatwater, even if the total number of participants is actually much greater, rarely will they ever be so concentrated. They won't paddle only following local heavy rains, they can paddle any day of the week, any time. So they will be spread out over many more days. They won't be concentrated on only one or two streams - they will be on multiple rivers, streams, lakes, bayous, and swamps, possibly in any county in the state. This will create a perception that you are "all alone", even if there are dozens of other people doing the same thing that day, just somewhere else. I've often seen other canoes or kayaks when headed out to go swamp paddling; but only once or twice have I actually passed another canoe on the water.

[knu2xs]

Paddling as recreation and padding as sport, these are two very different things. As a lifetime paddler and now serious racer, this I have most definitely witnessed first hand. Many of the top athletes in this country and others are athletes only. When their competitive careers are over, they no longer paddle. This is not every athlete, but most definitely some. The are quite a few others more like myself, who are paddlers and athletes. One of the current team members, Tad Dennis, he most definitely falls into this category.

In the span of about four years, my quiver has become almost exclusively composite as a result of becoming a racer. Downstairs in my garage right now there are three slalom C1's and one downriver C1. In any given week, I will be in both boats for at least five, but typically six days of combined paddling. This past weekend I was in my slalom boat for five sessions over three days. Today after work was a 45 minute paddle on the flat in the downriver boat.

The competition I have become addicted to. However, I most definitely prefer slalom to downriver as it is a much more complex puzzle of fitness, skill and intellect than any other sport I have ever engaged. The training puzzle is always changing based on the relationship of skill and fitness. Further, the process of studying, planning, and visualizing for a race is simultaneously challenging and addicting.

Racing, it is addicting to some, but for a very large part of the paddling population, paddling is a recreation as opposed to a sport. This fundamental difference is the why although there may be quite a few paddlers, there may not be so many racers.

[David Blaske]

Have the race !! Let me know if you want and I'd help advertise/promote it in the Jonesboro area.
David Blaske
dbcanoe62@yahoo.com

[KAYAKN]

Maybe we could have a race for 09 at Rendezvous or Surf-n-Turf. Maybe from the dam down to the lower ledge and have something hanging from the bridge Maybe everyone has to have some type of costum on. (kinda like the redbull thing that takes place once a year) My paddling buds and I also sign up for mtb races. Now some of us have never finished,(in our minds we are some middle age bad a$%) but all the BS around the camp fire at night sure makes it all worth while and we get some great video for Youtube. I would love to have some sort of races close to home.

[bryanpin]

I'd race, but first someone has to make me a deal on something long and fast!!! oh wait, wrong forum.

Or Maybe I could get my hands on one of those Sexy New Dagger Green boats from OOO. !!!!

[Cathy]

You know you're a diehard paddler when you describe a boat as "sexy" (and mean it).

[steve kirk]

A little bit of information on a new canoe kayak marathon in Arkansas in 2009:

June 6, 2009
Syllamo Canoe and Kayak Marathon
White River
34-mile marathon Norfork to Allison
17-mule marathon Calico Rock to Allison
8-mile short distance Boswell Shoal to Allison

The website will be up very soon at: http://www.syllamo.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Steve Kirk
Race Director
syllamocanoekayak@mail.com

[Richard]

Assuming you are putting in at the boat access across from Vest Spring Branch and taking out at the AG&FC boat ramp at the mouth of Sylamore Creek, the distance from Boswell Shoals to Allison is 9.2 miles.
I may have a BSA conflict that weekend but if not I would love to be there.

What are the various boat and age classes?

[steve kirk]

The take out will be up the Sylamore at Sylamore Creek Camp. Stay tuned to http://www.syllamo.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for details.

Thanks steve kirk

[Donald]

A race on the White river sounds great, I will let the rest of the folks around here know about it.

[potterspoint434]

Gee I guess I should cancel mine and go to yours
A lot less work,
You need to promote this on some the out of state web sites
Most racers will start planning the races they are going to at the first of the year.
The City of Calico rock has put on a race the last couple of years in late June do they know about yours??

[Donald]

Please don't cancel the Little Rock race, the more the merrier.

[Paleo paddler]

The 28th Annual Jungle Boat Race is Sunday, March 8th ending at Turners Bend on the Mulberry. This race features multiple divisions and lots of great friends with a keg at the end! Olymplians, paddlers in costume, and families with dogs all have been participants. I've competed in the 3D division -- Dads, Daughter and Dog for a few years now.

For those of you only riding the short boat, this is the most fun race to try... Especially after it is over!

[steve kirk]

I have made a course change for the Syllamo Canoe and Kayak Marathon. I am droping the 17-mile from Calico. The distances will be 35-miles from Norfork to Allison and 10-miles from Boswell Shoal to Allison.

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. There will be a post race cookout and awards ceremony.

I will be advertising in all of the surrounding states, including; Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, as well as in many publications and magazines. My goal is to make this a national caliber race.