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===== Re: Prince George canoe race =====

([[:bobputnam|More Stories From Bob]])

Bob Putnam\\
02/22/10 #7915

Yo,\\
The Nechako 500 was my first ever paddle race. 1982 maybe. 40 miles from Isle Pierre ferry to the confluence of the Nechako and Fraser River. Boy were we ever out of our league! I was working construction on Prince George pulp mill and had a Grumman 17' aluminum canoe. Me and Pat Bell, a couple of strong guys, decided to show up for the race. We brought along a case of beer in case we got thirsty.

When we showed up at the start there were many high end kevlar racing canoes with battery powered bailers and hydrations systems people were using bent shaft paddles. Pat and I were wide eyed as we looked at all these serious paddlers. He came over to me and whispered, "Maybe we should leave the case of beer back in the truck?" I agreed. We started in the novice class and when the gun went off, we were quickly dropped

It was the spring and there was drizzle and a cold wind blowing up stream. At one point there was a big hole in the river and our construction work-mates had shown up on a nearby rock to cheer us on and direct us around the hole. More than likely there hoping for some carnage. We managed to get around the hole.

After about an hour the sweep boat came up and told us that we were miles behind the group and asked us if we wanted a lift. We said, there is no way we're quiting. We were soaked starting to get cold. The patrol boat left us and we began questioning our decision. About 30 minutes later the boat returned to tell we were even further behind. We cracked and agreed to take a ride. We jumped into the support boat and started to speed down the river. The support boat driver pulled out a flask of brandy and asked if we wanted a shot to "warm us up". We took him up on his offer and started to kill the flask. Well we were miles behind and after about 40 minutes of speeding down the river we started to catch the lead pack of four canoes. Soaking wet, tired, alcohol in our blood with wind chilling us to the bone it wasn't long before we were hypothermic.

But I wasn't cold enough to not appreciate the high level of paddlers these guys were. The four lead canoes were drafting in a diamond formation and were picking up the pace for the final push to the finish line. it was a thing of beauty. After the finish, our friends were at the finish line to witness our undignified DNF. We were so cold that simply putting the canoe on the roof racks was a major effort that we need assistance with.

Ah the memories!\\
Bp
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