World Kayak Event Coverage

Temperatures hovered in the mid 90’s with high humidity in classic D.C. fashion. However, the mid-atlantic region wasn’t the only thing bringing the heat as Jason Beakes, Jeff Calhoun and Danny Stock, local residents, scorched the course during the 2008 Potomac Festival and Great Falls Race.

Water levels sprung up from rains earlier this week bringing the Potomac somewhere in the range of 3.5 feet come race time making the center lines the course of choice for race officials. Such rapids as “Grace Under Pressure” and the “Streamers” were being dialed in early this week as well as early this morning on this short, fast course.

In classic paddler fashion, the race got started nearly an hour late, as the meeting time of 7:00 AM is a bit early for most of the athletes. The usual safety talk and heat orders were discussed at the competitors meeting as well as areas to completely avoid on the falls. One rapid to note that would make anybody’s day go sour was “Subway,” and when race officials asked if anyone was not aware of said rapid, quite a few big names in extreme racing raised there hands. I believe it was the LVM crews first time down. Notch another PFD for them however as they styled the lines.

The biggest challenge for competitors throughout the race was not the lines as most everyone had fast, clean lines. Instead the challenge was staying hydrated and out of the sun as well as hiking back up the cliff side for subsequent runs down the course. I believe organizers should consider revising the race and include the hike as part of the “extreme” race. Full race results and video are below. Pictures to follow soon courtesy of Potomacpaddlers.com

Short Boat Class

1.Danny Stock
2.Jason Beakes
3.Pete Morey
4.Jeremy Laucks
5.Nathan Sass
6.Toby McDermott
7.Kevin Vesely
8.Eric Orenstein
9.Jake Greenbaum
10.Billy Armstrong
11.Danny Doran
12.Zack Kellman
13.Chris Wing
14.Sean Chapelle
15.Ben Davis
16.Justin McGiver
17.Chris Poli
18.Andy Janoski
19.Scott Anderson
20.Paul Twist
21.Sam Kane
22.Steve Graybill
23.Matthew Wallace

Women

1.Maggie Snowel
2.Monica Gokey

C-1

1.Ryan Bahn
2.Seth Chapelle
3.Will Lyons

Long Boat

1.Jason Beakes
2.Geoff Calhoun
3.Danny Stock
4.Jesse Shimrock
5.Louis Geltman
6.Toby McDermott
7.Nathan Sass
8.John Grace
9.Will Lyon
10.Jake Greenbaum
11.Bryan Kirk
12.Eric Orenstein
13.Pete Morey

Click here for the video courtesy of H2O Dreams

[Show as slideshow]