Rivers
and Events
Flatwater Floating
Second Sunset
Float another Success
Just like the first Sunset Float in July, the second Mississippi River Sunset
Float of the year on Friday, September 19th drew plenty of paddlers. There were
16 people in 12 boats. Most of the boats were single kayaks (including
sit-on-tops and touring boats), but we also had three tandem canoes, one tandem
sea kayak, and Elmore Holmes brought his racing kayak.
Although the day started out overcast, just before sunset a nice breeze came
and cleared out the sky. The feathery clouds that were left were just what was needed to create a beautiful sunset. It was cool and
there were no bugs.We could have timed it a little
better, since it was quite dark by the time we pulled the boats out under the
Elmore talked about the possibility of a future
—
Photos by Joe
Royer
What started out as a consolation float
for the few folks that couldn’t go to the Nanny over the holiday weekend
blossomed into a major event for the club. A group of
30 paddlers in 10 canoes and 9 kayaks showed up for the after-work paddle. We
put on the river at the north end of Harbor Town. Joe Royer, who paddles the
river all the time, came along to help guide the group through a couple of
tricky areas. Joe cautioned everyone that after we floated under the I-40 bridge, we’d need to make sure we headed close to shore. We
floated leisurely down the river for some time. Above the bridge, the river
current was moderate. After we passed under the bridge, Joe motioned everyone
to head directly towards the shore. In just moments, it became clear why it was
important to listen to his advice — the current was very fast in that area and
some of the group who were further out in the river had to really paddle in
order to get over to Mud Island. Joe guided us around the dredge at the south
tip of the island and safely into the harbor. The trip up the harbor to the
Auction Street Bridge was a lot more work than the trip down the Mississippi.
The wind was blowing from the north and added some resistance. By the time all
the canoes and kayaks were loaded, many of the group were
ready to eat. We met at the Harbor Town cafe called "A Pizza and A
Movie" to enjoy conversation, beverages and gourmet pizza. Next time we float
the Mississippi, it will be on a weekend so that we can put on later and get a
better view of the sunset.
— Sandy Stacks & Naomi Bourne
THE 22nd ANNUAL
OUTDOORS, INC. CANOE
AND KAYAK RACE
AND FESTIVAL
(On the Mississippi
River, Memphis)
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2003
10:00 a.m.
For information, call
race director, Joe Royer at
901.722.8988 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m. CST)
Race information website: www.OutdoorsInc.com
Outdoors, Inc. Canoe and
Kayak Race Facts:
•This is the 22nd annual Outdoors,
Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race.
• All barge traffic on the
Mississippi River stops by order of the US Coast Guard
during the race.
• Memphis police and harbor patrol
will be on duty.
• Tennessee State Wildlife Resources
Agency will be on duty.
• Double gold medallist
kayaker, Greg Barton of Seattle, 3 time winner and
holder of the racecourse record, will
return for the 5th time.
• Pan Am gold medallist,
Michael Herbert, will return to regain his 2001 race
championship.
• Canadian national team members will
race.
The largest canoe
and kayak race in the southeastern United States!
Next race: May 3, 2003 The Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race is the
largest such race in the Southeastern U.S., with more than 500 paddlers on the
starting line.
Check out:
http://www.outdoorsinc.com/News-and-Events/Events/2003CanoeandKayak/index.cfm
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