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Low river gives racers a rocky run American Canoe Association holds river races over the weekend despite low water levels Date published: 10/12/2009
BY JEFF BRANSCOME Zaak Havens wasn't concerned about flipping his canoe during races in the Rappahannock River over the weekend. There wasn't enough water. Instead, Havens and others literally ran into another problem: rocks. "It's a whole different kind of river, really," said Havens, 21, a senior at Albion College in Michigan. The 29th annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Kayak/Canoe Race this weekend drew just 50 or so competitors because of the low river level. More than 100 have participated in the past, said Bill Micks, who helped organize the American Canoe Association event. "The recreational season has been hit hard on this river," he said. The event--headquartered at Old Mill Park--normally takes place in early June. Organizers pushed it back this year because, ironically, the water level was too high then. Micks estimated that the river was at about 7 or 8 feet in June. It was running at about 2 feet yesterday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service office in Sterling. The area had almost 8 inches of rainfall in June. However, it has barely rained this month. Still, Micks said he was pleased with the turnout for the Collegiate Canoe and Kayak National Championship, which was held in conjunction with the white-water race for the third straight year. "I have never seen as many people under the age of 25 on the river," he said. More than 60 students competed from eight colleges, including the University of Mary Washington, Penn State and winner Albion College. Kirk Havens, president of the American Canoe Association's board of directors, said he was impressed by the students' enthusiasm. "You would think with all the low water they might get discouraged," he said. The river conditions did impact finish times. Yesterday, Keith Havens and Ed Sharp finished a five-mile race together in an hour and 13 minutes. In 2007, their time was 56 minutes. Asked how often his canoe was stuck on rocks, Keith Havens quipped, "I'm not sure I can count that high." Even so, he and others said they enjoyed themselves. "This is the driest we've ever raced in," Keith Havens said. "But it's still a lot of fun." For race results: grwcr.org More results: americancanoe.orgJeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
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