Green Race 2007
by Shane Benedict, Photos by Ben Edson http://www.downstreamphoto.com and Ben Wiggins http://www.downstreamphoto.com
The race takes place on the first Saturday in November at high noon. Its a schedule that all Green River locals know by heart. One month before that the intensity level on the river takes an obvious step up. The long boats start to come out of the basements and groups of paddlers begin slicing down the river in elite squadrons. There is also another tension on the water and that is of people thinking of racing for the first time, its this energy that keeps Green race real, and growing. Some people are trying to win, some are trying to improve their time, while others want to beat their friends, but everyone is just trying to make it down in one piece.
There was added excitement this year because the water was extremely low. It actually had many veteran racers thinking of not competing because of the extreme danger of running Gorilla at the low drought condition levels. Fortunately the local paddling community has a good relationship with the dam and Duke Power started releasing extra water just days before the event, in fact it was more water than had been in the river most of the summer. So as quickly as Frank at the dam could flip a switch we were looking at fluffy levels and lots and lots of racers.
Race day came and once again there were record crowds, record number of racers, and this year nearly all record times. This annual homegrown event has become the focal point of extreme racers throughout the U.S., and now more international paddlers are beginning to make the journey as well. Though the top end competition gets stiffer every year as evident in the nearly year round training by some competitors and the design of three Green Race specific boats by Dagger, Wavesport, and Liquidlogic, its the energy that the crowd and nearly 120 racers supply that make this not just a race but a happening. Sitting amongst a group of paddlers I heard the quote of the day about bombing into Gorilla with 1000 people watching you. "Dude its so cool, its like boofing into a stadium". "It really is like nothing else I have experienced in paddling", said race organizer Jason Hale. "They are right on top of you screaming at the top of their lungs".
The party continued from Gorilla down the river and ended up at Woody's house just shouting distance from the takeout. Hundreds of folks came out to share the adrenaline happiness overload that everyone was buzzing on and it just got better with the announcement of the winners and times. Andrew Holcombe was crowned the new Green Race Champ and Robin Betz won the womens category, both in record times.
The party went well into the evening and in true Green community fashion, every bottle, can, and baggie was picked up the morning after.
For Full Results Go To:
http://www.boatingbeta.com/races
by Shane Benedict, Photos by Ben Edson http://www.downstreamphoto.com and Ben Wiggins http://www.downstreamphoto.com
by Shane Benedict, Photos by Ben Edson http://www.downstreamphoto.com and Ben Wiggins http://www.downstreamphoto.com
The race takes place on the first Saturday in November at high noon. Its a schedule that all Green River locals know by heart. One month before that the intensity level on the river takes an obvious step up. The long boats start to come out of the basements and groups of paddlers begin slicing down the river in elite squadrons. There is also another tension on the water and that is of people thinking of racing for the first time, its this energy that keeps Green race real, and growing. Some people are trying to win, some are trying to improve their time, while others want to beat their friends, but everyone is just trying to make it down in one piece.
There was added excitement this year because the water was extremely low. It actually had many veteran racers thinking of not competing because of the extreme danger of running Gorilla at the low drought condition levels. Fortunately the local paddling community has a good relationship with the dam and Duke Power started releasing extra water just days before the event, in fact it was more water than had been in the river most of the summer. So as quickly as Frank at the dam could flip a switch we were looking at fluffy levels and lots and lots of racers.
Race day came and once again there were record crowds, record number of racers, and this year nearly all record times. This annual homegrown event has become the focal point of extreme racers throughout the U.S., and now more international paddlers are beginning to make the journey as well. Though the top end competition gets stiffer every year as evident in the nearly year round training by some competitors and the design of three Green Race specific boats by Dagger, Wavesport, and Liquidlogic, its the energy that the crowd and nearly 120 racers supply that make this not just a race but a happening. Sitting amongst a group of paddlers I heard the quote of the day about bombing into Gorilla with 1000 people watching you. "Dude its so cool, its like boofing into a stadium". "It really is like nothing else I have experienced in paddling", said race organizer Jason Hale. "They are right on top of you screaming at the top of their lungs".
The party continued from Gorilla down the river and ended up at Woody's house just shouting distance from the takeout. Hundreds of folks came out to share the adrenaline happiness overload that everyone was buzzing on and it just got better with the announcement of the winners and times. Andrew Holcombe was crowned the new Green Race Champ and Robin Betz won the womens category, both in record times.
The party went well into the evening and in true Green community fashion, every bottle, can, and baggie was picked up the morning after.
For Full Results Go To:
http://www.boatingbeta.com/races
by Shane Benedict, Photos by Ben Edson http://www.downstreamphoto.com and Ben Wiggins http://www.downstreamphoto.com
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