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Reno trip
flypaddle
05/21/08 #4400
Hey Gang,
Well last evening's wet ride from Stevens Pass to Bellingham marked the end of an otherwise hot, sunny, six day motorcycle trip. In, and among all the events, scenery, and general happenings that had occured since last Thursday, I also participated in the Truckee Downriver Race that runs through downtown Reno.
Last Saturday morning, I walked from our hotel, down to the Truckee River a few blocks away. This river runs through a very nicelly developed river front area within Reno. To my surprise, a full slalom, whitewater course has been permanently set up, and people from as far away as southern California, come here to train. When I got there, people were busy setting up the regristration table for a downriver race that would be held later that day, and a slalom race for Sunday. During my enquiry, they asked me if I wanted to sign up. When telling them that I just showed up the previous night on a motorcycle, and didn't have any paddling gear, they immediately directed me to Charles A. After the introductions, and general paddling discussions, Charles took me to his house to get me a DR boat, wing blade, PFD, and helmet. When I entered his garage, and looked at the dozen (or so,) boats, I realized that this guy was serious about paddling. Then, I entered his house, where hanging from his vaulted ceiling were another dozen (or so) boats, that included a beautifully restored wooded K-4, K-2, a couple of K-1's. Also accompanying those boats were a mako surfski, Phantom, two person high kneel canoe, various types of slalom boats, etc. It didn't take long before I had a Zastra Savage 2000 Downriver boat and gear set up. When I seemed impressed by his collection, he told me to go down to the basement, where an additional 40 +/- boats were placed. then glancing in his back yard was another pile of boats. I estimated seeing around 60 boats!! Larry G, eat your heart out, you have some catching up to do!
The race course was approximately 4.5 mile long, and rated as a class 2+, river. Since I have never run this course before, I had no expectaion of myself other than to have fun. It did take me a bit to get used to the 65 degree pitch russian wing blade, which has a different feel to it from my 82 degree epic blade. Once the race got underway, I took an early lead, and in spite of some seat issues, and quick last second navigation techniques, I ended up winning. The prize for having the fastest time was a very nice camelback, stuffed with a teashirt, and sunblock lotion. I felt a bit guilty about taking it because everyone was so nice to me, and bent over backwards getting me gear at the last minute, and giving me advise on various places to be aware of during the course. The paddling communtiy in Reno could'nt have been nicer to me, and I would certainly encourage anyone that travels there to check out the beautiful Truckee river park.
See you on the water,
Joost
Re: Reno trip
Bob Putnam
05/21/08 #4401
Nice one Joost! A few year back at Port Townsend Sea Kayak Symposium I met a couple of guys from the “Desert Canoe & Kayak Club” based in Reno. They were doing a presentation on how to set up a “virtual kayak club”. I can't remember their names. It sounded like the sea kayak segment of the club was small in comparison to the whitewater segment. Wonder why?
Bob
