1st Annual Ouachita River Race

[jvickery]

Just wanted to let folks know about the 1st Annual Ouachita River Race that will be held July 31st, 2010. It will begin at the concrete ramp below Remmel Dam and end at the Ouachita River Whitewater Park. As the organizer I am looking for participants which can be racers in the event, volunteers at the event, sponser of the event, and so on. Please spread the word and let me know if anyone wants to be involved in any way. There will be cash prizes, gift cards to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners in all three events for the day. Me and my family hope to see you there! THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT.

http://www.ouachitariverrace.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
501-772-7906

[Renee H]

That is actually the same day as the AR Canoe Club Central Chapter Annual Surf and Turf. Do you know what time the race begins? You might try to coordinate your launch time with the time that lunch will be served at the ledge.

[Lifejacket]

After looking at website says 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

[jvickery]

The 9am has been changed to 1:00pm-1:45pm due to summer water levels and release info from Remmel Dam. We were not aware of the cetral meeting, that would be neet to coordinate with for a large canoe photograph on the river! The website rules page has the corect information and the incorrect info should be corrected today.

Thanks.

[Lifejacket]

Quote from the about page

"Third race Inflatable Raft Race - up to 5 racers per raft, no more than 5 racers in any raft. Raft must be made for river floating and have specifications on it stating number of people and weight limits of raft. Racers can exceed those limits."

I think you mean can not exceed limits.

[jvickery]

I will send it to them to fix. thank yo for your sharp eyes!

UPDATE: I guess they had already caught that because when I went over to see it it read correct. Thank you very much for your proof reading ...lol

[jvickery]

I am working on moving the date up one day so as not to be in the way of the ACC. Does this event go on both Saturday and Sunday? If it is just Saturday we will move it to Sunday. Otherwise we will move it to another weekend. All current racers have been informed the daye may shift due to interference of the ACC event going on. Someone please let me know about the ACC event or point me in the direction of the information about it.

Thanks, look forward to coming to the ACC event that Saturday for sure!

John

[Renee H]

The event is only on Saturday. The central chapter serves burgers, hot dogs and fixings. In the evening, there is a get together (sometimes with a live band) at Ouachita Outdoors in Hot Springs. There are quite a few folks who come from surrounding states (TX, OK, MO, TN, KS) so having another event on Sunday might make it worth the whole weekend to stay! If you move it to Sunday, keep everyone posted so people can plan to enter! Sounds like fun!

[Gordon Kumpuris]

I coordinated the ACC's Surf & Turf event last year but I'm not involved this year. That said, I personally think holding both events on the same day only add to the fun of the day.

[jvickery]

Thanks for the input. I will talk with everybody already involved (most are local and open to whatever) and see what we can do to make a great event for everyone. I talked to Malvern Water Works and we can have the river race end on the oposite side of the whitewater park which may make it work for the same day. Keep me posted and I will keep you all posted. I would like to attend the ACC event myself and meet some folks.

Thanks, John

[David Mac]

Seems to be a little confusion there. Surf n Turf isn't held at the park, it's held on river right on the Porterfield property, unless Jeremy moved it this year. If your planned take out was at the boat ramp below the ledge I can't see where the two events would interfere with each other at all...unless you count the fact that there will probably be a few extra non-racing boats on river as a problem, and that can happen anytime.

I haven't heard from Jeremy if he plans on having a rodeo event in conjunction with SnT or not, but again, kayaks in the surfing hole are going to be a race hazard no matter what.

David

[jvickery]

Thanks David. I am going to keep the date flexible from July 31st to August 7th for now until I can get more details on the ACC plans. I don't mind a large event, it can be fun for everyone and just a few boats coming over the ledge should not take away from anyone enjoying the ledge. As you said, there are always boats on this river on the weekends and this event is capped so that it is not overwhellming its first year.

BUT NEXT YEAR WILL BE ANOTHER STORY! WE ARE GOING ALL OUT AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE 2011 EVENT SINCE 2008. THIS YEAR IS MORE OF A TEST RUN AND TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT NEXT YEAR. PRIZES ARE REALLY NICE FOR THIS SIZE EVENT THOUGH AND WE HAVE SOME LAST MINUTE SPONSERS GIVING GIFT CARDS OUT.

[jvickery]

Update:

ace took place July 17th and had 47 racers. We had a hard time with sponsors for three reasons. First year of the event, most sponsors were already tapped out from other sponsorships, and the economy. But we had a bunch of folks sign up for next year! We have some changes to do to make it a better race and to let everyone know, it is a Amateur Race!

Anyways, thanks to all who came if any of you were there.

[lalyle]

J, the race sounds like fun. I've always wanted to see how I'd fare in one. I'll have to wait until next year, however. Are there different divisions for different craft? I'd be in a rec yak.

[jvickery]

well this year we had three catagories, but as with all first annual events it was really more about finding out what people wanted from the race. We have had tons of input from everyone and from multiple States. So we will be dividing it up and making it very specific for next years event.

We have a scavenger hunt coming up in Septmeber where we hide multiple prizes along the river banks with round about gps coordinates to get you close then its all you in finding it. It will be a blast. limitted participants though. Just asking folks for a refundable deposit to hold thier place. It has no real entry fee since it is refunded as long as you show up and participate.

Thanks, John