Bloody Knuckles

On wednesday July 8th Richmond, Va boaters gathered for World Kayaks event no. 4. We had a real nice showing with 15 racers, from longboats to handpaddles. The water level was around 4.4′ which isn’t to bad for July. The course was setup at Pipeline rapid on the Lower James river. Everyone felt like the course was very challenging and fun, with a mix of gates, eddy catching and attainments. Hope everyone had a good time..

Results:

Heat No. 1
1st Todd Craft (mirage)
2nd Greg Hawkins (mirage)
3rd Mark Canada (pirouette)
4th Chris Hull (mirage)
5th Sean Russell (animas)

Heat No. 2
1st Chuck Garner (ammo)
2nd Jeff Hinkins (gus)
3rd Sejal Kinker (pirouette s)
4th Neill McDuffie (blunt)
5th Wad Kinker (burn / handpaddles)

Heat No. 3
1st Barry Dixon (juice)
2nd Dave Gunn (cr)
3rd Dave Bradford (420)
4th Liz Bradford (kingpin)
5th Peter Leavesley (superfun)

Finals heat:
1st Todd Craft (longboat)
2nd Greg Hawkins (longboat)
3rd Mark Canada (longboat)

4th Chuck Garner (shortboat)
4th Sejal Kinker (womens longboat)
5th Dave Gunn (shortboat)

Another nice turnout and good water level for Richmond World Kayak event No. 3. The water level was just over 6′ which is a really solid level for downriver racing. Racers started at the island just downstream from the Reedy creek put-in and finished at the the 14th St. takeout. This course has become the standard downriver race course for the World Kayak events. Some impressive times where put up and it seems like the racers are getting faster. Checkout the race results and pics below.

Results:
1) Todd Craft 16:00 (K-1 Mirage)
2) Patrick Griffin 16:23 (K-1 Dancer)
3) Greg Hawkins 16:35 (K-1 Mirage)
4) Neal Fleenor 17:06 (C-1 slalom)
5) Chuck Garner 18:44 (K-1 Pyrhana Mountain)
6) Michael Stratton 18:48 (K-1 Hercules)
7) Sejal Kinker 19:00 (womens K-1 piroutte S)
Cooper Salade 19:30 (K-1 Salto)
9) Guy Colombini 19:35 (K-1 Burn)
10) Patrick Wray 20:50 (K-1 WS X)
11) Wade Kinker 22:25 (handpaddles K-1 Burn)

Great day on the river and a great turnout for the second Richmond World Kayak downriver race of ‘09.
The water level on the lower James was around 7.5′, which is pretty juicy. The racers started above Grumman rapid and then had to paddle to far river right to hit the main drop at Hollywood, and then sprint to the finish. I hope everyone enjoyed the course, thought I’d throw a little twist in the mix, taking advantage of the nice water level. Thanks sandysdad for the pics I hope you don’t mind me borrowing them for the post, they where too good to pass up.
Next race will be June 10th.

Race Results:
1. Todd Craft 13:30
2. Patrick Griffin 13:33
3. Van Nall 13:35
4. Chris Hall 13:36
5. Tom Daley 14:30
6. Greg Hawkins 14:40
7. Jeff Hinkins 14:41
8. Dave Gunn 14:42
9. Chuck Garner 14:46
10. H Whiton 14:48
11. Sejal Kinker 15:50 Womens K1
12. Ty Schmierer 15:53
13. Rich Prado 15:55
14. Mike Elsea 16:05 OC-1
15. Neil Fleenar 16:06 C-1
16. Guy Columbini 16:07
17. Chris Craft 19:04 Womens K1 creek
18. Wade Kinker 19:31 Handpaddle

With the awesome water levels we’ve been having here in Richmond lately I’m leaning towards another downriver race. Feel free to shout out any ideas you may have for upcoming events. Hope to have another awesome turnout. Thanks, Mike

Cool video of the Jackson Dynamic Duo. Check it out.
http://www.jacksonkayak.com/kayaks/product.cfm?product=dynamicduo

Awesome turnout for the first event of 2009. The weather was chilly and we had a bit of rain, but that did not deter the Richmond boaters from showing up in masses.
We had a total of 25 racers, which proves to me that Richmond is an awesome place to paddle. I big thanks goes out to all that showed up to race and to my top notch crew of volunteers (Neill, Jed, Ross, Russ, Daniel) you guys rock. Thanks Jeff for the pics, they turned out great.

Results:

1. Chris Hull 17:35 Wavehopper
2. Patrick Griffin 17:45 Longboat
3. Todd Craft 17:50 Longboat
4. Greg Hawkins 18:20 Wavehopper
5. Van Nall 18:35 Longboat
6. Max Posner 18:50 Longboat
7. Dave Gunn 19:00 Longboat
8. Justin Harris 19:20 Longboat
9. Scott Keaton 20:05 Longboat
10. Mike Elsed 20:15 OC1
11. Mike Dowell 20:22 Longboat
12. Josh Evans 20:35 Creekboat
13. Sam Keaton 21:05 Longboat
14. Rich Prado 21:55 Creekboat
15. Brandon Nutter 22:12 Creekboat
16. Chris Craft 22:19 Womens longboat
17. Chris Woodson 22:55 Playboat
18. Shawn Creasey 23:28 Creekboat
19. Sejal Kinker 27:55 Womens playboat
19. Sophie Smith 27:55 Womens playboat
20. Wade Kinker 28:05 Handpaddles
21. Jeff Smith 28:06 Playboat
22. Derek Keaton 28:50 Handpaddles

23. Mark Pizzini too much playboating
24. Shawn Alexander too much playboating

Great time at the Webster Springs festival. A bit chilly camping at night, but well worth it for the great daytime temps and awesome water levels.
Saturday my buddy Pat and I ran the Back fork of the Elk at 6.5 with a great group from PA. This was a pfd for everyone in the group which really added a level of excitement to the trip. The back fork is a fantastic run lots of waterfalls and beautiful scenery.
Sunday we hit the Middle Cranberry with Seth Chappelle and his buddy. Once again no one had made the run before. We had a blast with warm temps and good water.

A new kayaking team has developed here in Richmond. A group of elite swimmers has joined to start a new team. They call themselves the “Lower James Swim Team”. To become a member all you have to do is swim on the Lower section of the James River while attempting to kayak/canoe it. I’m sure there are quite a few members out there, I know I’m one.
Just remember there ain’t no shame in swimming.