Rivertown Raft Race to benefit the Fort Smith Boy's Shelter

[Dave Thomas]

The Fort Smith Jaycees are putting on the 1st Rivertown Raft Race on July 31st 2010 race starting at 11:00Am. What is it?? Its a 3 plus mile race that begins on the Poteau River in Arkoma, Ok off of HWY 9a at the boat ramp. It will end just on the other side of the Garrison Bridge. This race is only for homemade man powered boats. You say what??? It means any idea that you have that can be made into a raft its ok with them. As long as it floats! But no marine certified vessels will be allowed to enter the race. If you bring your certified vessel we would like your help. Also they would like to invite you come out and watch the boats finish at Harry E. Kelley Park!

Rules and Entry Form Link:
http://www.fortsmithjaycees.com/images/rivertown2.doc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sponsorship Form Link:
http://www.fortsmithjaycees.com/images/ ... n-2010.doc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rickyrod]

saw this last week on TV. sounds fun and in my back yard. The Poteau river is my baby so i'm glad to hear about somthing around these parts. next we need a rodeo. in the fort. help us out here Dave

[Dave Thomas]

Ideas on a venue for this rodeo?

[rickyrod]

Starting with a Tulsa wave type thing on the Ark. In Pocola or The FT. or anyplace within range for the local folks/YAKERS. or a scheduled realese from one of the ones like THE WISTERWAVE in Wister Ok. The ARk. is nasty but so is the Poteau or poto as we spell it. and it's the river the WWave is on and people still hit it even tho the water sucks, so dont let that stop us. ANYTHING dave ANYTHING close to home I live in Heavener and theres three or four good hole/waves within 15 miles of here. on the blackfork (trib. to the poto river) jack creek in rock island OK. all rain depndt. so the ARK. looks as good as it gets.

[rickyrod]

Realy just anything paddle related is good. so happy to see this race. if I wasn't already busy with other yakking stuff Id float along just to check it out or take vid.

[Dave Thomas]

The following write up and video is provided by channel 5 news:

The Fort Smith Jaycees are gearing up for their first Rivertown Raft Race Saturday morning.

The 3-mile race of homemade, human-powered rafts will start at 11 a.m. on the Poteau River in Arkoma and ends at the Harry E. Kelley Park, under the Garrison Avenue Bridge on the Arkansas River in Fort Smith.

"And at the Garrison Bridge, under it, we will have a local band playing," says Jeff Riggs with the Fort Smith Jaycees. "We'll have some food and we'll have some other activities that some of the public can do."

Proceeds from the event will go to the Fort Smith Boys Shelter. The activities at the park start at noon. The public is encouraged to come and out wait for the rafts to make it across the finish line. Food, water, soft drinks and other items will be available. Riggs says there will also be a chance for people to take helicopter rides over the race and the city.

A $500 cash prize will go to the winning team. Trophies will also be awarded in several categories, including "Most Unusual Raft."

Channel 5's video:
http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-jayc ... 6134.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dave Thomas]

A $500 cash prize will go to the winning team. Trophies will also be awarded in several categories, including "Most Unusual Raft."

[Dave Thomas]

See you there!

[Tim Jones]

I was with Crawford County Search and Rescue providing safety with our Avon raft for the race. Thought we might rescue some rafters but ended up rescuing a guy in a bass boat that sank and rolled over.
P.S. a boat wrap will work on a bass boat to flip it back over too. Got the guy in our boat and recovered the bass boat too.

[Dave Thomas]

Took this pic of you guys before the incident.

[Dave Thomas]

There are other pics from the Rivertown Raft Race posted on the USCG Auxiliary-Flotilla 15's facebook page.
Check'em out at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/USCG-AUX- ... 4490343182" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;