World Kayak Event Coverage

Friday, June 5^th was the scene of our region’s second Hometown Throwdown, the Slippery Rock Giant Slalom. Building upon the downriver mile race that used to exist in years past between McConnell’s Mill and Eckert Bridge on Slippery Rock Creek, this year as the race was revived from history, a new twist was added. In addition to attempting to be first through the mile long downriver course, racers (except for the greater than 12’ boat class A) had to negotiate two eddies on their way towards victory. Racers and spectators alike agreed that this year’s race was one of the best in our region’s history as 27 competitors paddled their hearts out to be this year’s champions of the slip.

Racers were first broken into classes based on boat size. D class for those boats 7’ or shorter, C class for those between 7’ and 9’, B class for 9’ to 12’ and the open A class for boats 12’ or greater. Fortunately for us, we had so many participants that the classes were broken further into heats allowing friends to make sure they were able to race against their buddies in their pursuit of Slippery Rock Glory.

While most racers were able to negotiate the course without mishap, my safety boaters did report some carnage towards the second eddy, with a swim or two resulting in some good laughs by the creek side. The most notorious of these swims came from a competitor who apparently swam out of his boat, and then managed to climb back in and race the boat full of water to a second place finish. This stunt earned the competitor a round of applause by all participants at the final prize presentations.

Big thanks to IR, Smith Optics, Rocky Mountain Kayak, Mountain Khaki, Crocs, Nuun, LVM, Stonyboater Paddle Wax, and of course World Kayak.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event, The Loop Mass Start Down River Race – Friday evening, July 31st.

Results:

Canoe – A Class

1 – Mark P

2 – Emile Castro/Larry Wetzel

Kayak – A Class

1 – Ed McGuinness

2 – Matt Pascal

3 – Natalie Thomas

4 – Steve Kroser

B Class

1 – Paul Eisner

2 – John Rudland

3 – Luke Gitner

4 – Josh Bernstein

C Class Heat 1

1 – Brian Kish

2 – Bill Schwab

3 – Joe Sharie

4 – Mike Wasco

C Class Heat 2

1 – Rick Gates

2 – Carolyn Devenne

3 – Heather Macieko

C Class Heat 3

1 – Jeff Macklin

2 – Brian Walker

3 – James Stockman

D Class Heat 1

1 – Gary Rigdon

2 – Jeff Johnson

3 – Michael Bolton

4 – Matt Wehman

D Class Heat 2

1 – Joey Eisner

2 – Astrid Layton

3 – Suzie Colhane