C-Forum

Well, I did a downriver race this past Sunday on the James River in Richmond, and I get to let y'all know that I captured first place! Yep, this means that I beat not just the open boaters, I beat ALL the kyackers too! Not an easy task when you see that some of the kyackers are talented boaters in their own right--like Trip Jennings and Rob Tompkins. There was also a wildwater c-1 paddler by the name of Chris Davis who raced, but he did not get to preview the course and was stuck following the other racers. The competition was close and I ended up having to run the last significant rapid (Pipeline) with Trip Jennings right next to me . It was dicey, but I was able to stay on-line and upright. Not to take anything away from Trip (other than he paddles a kyack ); he is a class act.

Another cool thing about the race is that a picture of me running Pipeline made it on the front page, top of the fold, of our local paper (Richmond Times Dispatch). The photographer who took it also printed a pic of me paddling on the James on the front page of section "B" in the same paper, 2 weeks before . Wish I could find 'em online so I could post a link. Oh, well. If anyone wants to see those pics, just come on over to the house or catch me on the river. There's a good chance that I'll have a copy in my wallet

I had a slice of "humble pie" after the race by paddling Chris' wildwater c-1, Bala. He uses a kneeling thwart in his, so I was FUSSIN' at him to hold onto the boat so I could get in without flipping . Once in, it took a lot of work for me to stay upright AND balanced. I couldn't turn around quick enough to get back to shore and get out of that thing. He told me that it is one of the easier wildwater c-1's to balance and turn. Hmmm, I'll just take his word for it.

KNeal (still stoked from the race)

Addendum: the boat I paddled is a Maverick I got from Billy Hearn several years ago and it has a kneeling thwart. I also used a Mitchell premier paddle (carbon shaft/wood blade). The blade was recently replaced after fending off a "rock-a-dile" attack in the Cheat "Massacre-ence" race this past May. I was thinking of replacing the Maverick because of its many leaks, but now...?

Wow, congrats Kneal. Way to go!!!
What boat were you paddling?

MB

GREAT JOB KNEAL!!!!

Always nice when a single blader can show you don't need training paddles...and that knowing the river really does make a difference!

After paddling my Ace III a bit I must say I have A LOT of respect for the hard-core WildWater paddlers. It's an entirely different sport (kind of like slalom boating versus rodeo boating...only moreso;) ).

First Will kicks some, now KNeal. Way to go lads! Maybe there is hope for the rest of us!

I'd have paid to see you in that wildwater boat The easiest way to get in is to put the boat in a narrow creek so it won't flip over. It's a wonder they don't come with kick-stands so you can get in & out of the darned things. I'd really like to watch someone who knows what they're doing just get in, strap down & get the skirt on.

Tippiness asside, what did you think of the speed? Dog-gone amazing is what I thought of mine. Almost as fast as a flat-water marathon boat & you can just roll back up when you flip And you will flip. Especially if you have a 10" saddle like I put in mine

Aint it neat to watch that long, tall bow punch waves I wondered what it would be like to keep the wildwater bow, but re-design the stern so you could stern-squirt it. That would be a goofy looking boat, but it sure would be cool when standing up on the stern

Oh, before I forget, congrats on the win. Glad to hear that you kicked some butt-boater butt

Kneal- I have seen you in the paper twice in the past month- However, the caption of your action shot from the race refers to you as a kayaker! I know that you won't take that kneeling down. I fully expect to see a letter to the editor from you, or at least a correction from the ombudsman about this horrific error.

Brendan