Thanks to Moore Outdoors

Race day at the Big Piney. I arrived an hour or so early. Talked with several canoers and then I met Minna and Donna. The three of us sat in the shade and I enjoyed their company. Then we heard, "ALL BOATS IN THE WATER!". The excitement was building.

We are now floating around waiting to speed off. Myself I'm in a 17ft Coleman "Barge" and I know there is no way I'm going to paddle 5 miles at top speed. The day before I floated from Heltons Farm to Longpool and I'm sure that played a part in my energy levels.

I"m next, seconds are ticking away, I've told a few that I am going to give it my best till I pass all the crowds. So here I go, can't run over any swimmers now. Into the fist rapid as the pool empties, it is tricky little rapid that many people just aren't ready for it. As I shot through it their were cheers, pictures being taken, ...invigorating.

Very quickly I came up to a upturned kayaker. He said he was ok so I sped on. There were many people on the banks along the way and I sure enjoyed their loud encouragement. In one neat little chute, as I went through it a guy in the water told me I had the best approach into it as anybody, cool. Two rather young guys pass me and they were really into it, in to a rhythm of switching sides. Just ahead of me they got hung up and were using their paddles as pry bars, they got off that and then the canoe upturned to the rushing water side, hit a rock and started to bend (alum canoe). I turned around to help them but they manage to rotate it off. Shorty after that they passed me again and said they managed to get the bend mostly out.

I got to the finish line at 1 hour 9 minutes. I was happy with that. I came in 3rd in my division. I then bummed a ride back to Longpool to retrieve my truck. Back at Moore Outdoors Campground they had the awards ceremony, some hooting and hollering going on. Then I enjoyed fellowship with many people. A great day indeed.

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