The Nelson Area Paddlers
present
The Nelson Downriver
2008 Canoe and Kayak Race Results



Location: Tye River, Nelson County, VA.
Course: Put-in on the Tye about 2 miles downstream from Tye River Depot. Take-out on the Tye 1/4 mi. upstream of the confluence with Rucker's Run.
Many thanks to Sue and Ethan Saliba for allowing us to use their property on the Tye River.

Vital Statistics:
Date: May 3, 2008
High Temp: approximately 77 degrees
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Participation: 94 paddlers (76 racers) and 75 boats (including non-racing participants brings the total to 140 persons)
River Levels: Tye+Piney: 264 + 187 = 451 cfs, (3.99 ft.)

Please notify roussos@lynchburg.edu if you see any errors such as name misspellings, incorrect times, etc.
On This Page
Race Results
News and Commentary
Acknowledgements
Participation Counts
Legend
OC1Open Canoe, 1 paddler
OC2Open Canoe, 2 paddlers
Mixed1 male & 1 female
K1Kayak, 1 paddler
K2Kayak, 2 paddlers
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Solo Canoe
OC1 Male (Advanced)
1. Ed Sharp1:14:04
2. Tom Brubach1:15:50
3. Conny Roussos1:18:23
OC1 Male
1. John Brandt1:29:41
2. Jeff Smithson1:31:37
3. Lee Williams1:40:07
OC1 Male Masters
1. Mike Robinson1:21:56
2. Herman Schlimmer1:26:54
3. Ronnie Tucker1:27:21
4. Ned Nelson1:33:51
5. George Krieger1:37:30
6. Dave Bryan1:54:47
7. Jimbo Cary2:03:42
OC1 Male Veteran
1. Bob Whaley1:26:11
2. Dave Thomas1:28:33
OC1 Male Stubby
1. Jeff Wold1:48:11
2. William Renyer1:59:25
Solo Canoe - Did Not Race
David Reid
Hunter Reid
Joe DiMaglio
Joe Amory
Reid Bailey
Tandem Canoe
OC2 Male
1. Ander Derdeyn & Robert Whaley1:34:01
2. Brandon Weaver & Bobby Pippin1:59:37
OC2 Female
1. Suzzanne Pickney and Elaine Quick2:00:57
OC2 Mixed
1. John and Natalie DeBoer1:25:11
2. Howard and Nikki Chambers1:27:35
3. Bill and Susan Beresford1:31:58
OC2 Father/Son
1. Paul and Daniel Clemmer1:25:54
2. Paul and Nick Sarandria1:44:33
OC2 Father/Adult Son
1. Bill and Nat West1:25:36
OC2 Father/Son/Daughter
1. Devin, Seth and Alania Lively1:31:58
OC2 Father/Mother/Son
1. Sue, Ethan and Sami Saliba1:28:55
OC2 Father/Daughter/Daughter
1. Kevin, Allyson and Sydney Shifflett1:34:01
Tandem - Did Not Race
Susan Shelor and James Rugger
Nancy and Michael Conners
Dave Gregory and Sharon Steele
Kim and Kendall Fuller
Bob and Christine Loehr
Kayak
K1 Female
1. Wendy Dalton1:23:06
2. Jennifer Stertzer2:00:06
3. Elizabeth Jones2:00:17
4. Alexandra Borick2:01:50
5. Kim Lewandowski2:05:23
K1 Female Masters
1. Marti Merritt1:29:34
2. Carol Love1:34:58
3. Nancy Ronald1:47:17
K1 Female Stubby Boat
1. Connie Blair1:48:29
2. Jennifer Martin1:59:00
3. Kim Cary2:00:07
K1 Male
1. Dave Perault1:16:05
2. Matt Schoener1:16:57
3. Mike Reedal1:26:14
4. Ron Hartsong1:27:35
5. Joe Bradley1:29:30
6. Terrence Musser1:34 (estimated)
K1 Male Masters
1. Ed DeMasters1:20:01
2. Scott Keaton1:21:28
3. Ronnie Tucker1:21:43
4. Sam Keaton1:22:04
5. Luther Barden1:34:17
K1 Male Downriver Boat
1. Chris Hipgrave53:05
2. Gordon Dalton1:10:45
3. Stephen Moore1:14:31
K1 Male Masters Downriver Boat
1. Tom Eick1:06:32
2. Marek Payerhin1:17:04
K1 Male Stubby Boat
1. Kirk McGuire1:32:02
2. Dan Borick2:01:48
3. Dan Lewandowski2:05:27
Solo Kayak - Did Not Race
Kurt Sisson
Scott Martin
Calvin Young
Vivi Pollock
Elana Young


The Outstanding Paddler Award for 2008 goes to Bob Whaley.

Conny Roussos (left) presents award for 1st place OC-1 Veteran's Class to Bob Whaley

Outstanding Paddler Ceremony
The Nelson Downriver Race is held annually, normally on the first Saturday of May. Normally, the entire race is on the Tye river but due to low water conditions the race may be moved downstream. Each year the name of the award winner(s) is inscribed onto a brass plate that is mounted onto a ceremonial paddle displayed in the Nelson Center in Lovingston, VA. An additional wooden paddle is inscribed and given to the winner(s) of the award at the culmination of the awards ceremony.

This year's winner, Bob Whaley, added the Nelson Downriver Outstanding Paddler Award to his lifetime achievement list. Bob is 81 years old at the time of this posting.

National Champs
This year's participants included 5 national whitewater downriver racing champions.
(See www.outdoorsmantriathlon.org/wwocd/ for information on the Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver National Championships.)

Canoe and Kayak Racing Categories
Canoe and Kayak Racing Categories are almost too numerous to mention. Boats may be separated into different classes based upon many criteria including the following The reason for the distinctions (different classes) is that it is very difficult to judge the comparative paddling abilities of individuals when they are paddling different kinds of boats. The longer, lighter and more narrow a boat is the faster it tends to be.
Unfortunately, in many races there are not enough participating craft to divide them into proper classes. In fact, in some events, notably many triathlons, no distinction is made whatsoever. Obviously some attempt should be made to create classes of comparable boats whenever possible. A short, broad kayak designed for fishing in a pond is certainly no match for an Olympic racing canoe, so narrow (and fast) that only highly trained paddlers can stay upright for more than a few seconds.

Canoes
Probably the easiest and most useful distinction is that used at the National Downriver Whitewater Recreational Canoe Championships sponsored by the American Canoe Association. Boats that compete there are divided into 2 classes referred to as formula 16 and formula 14 (or sometimes as 16% and 14%).
Formula 16 boats must be made of plastic (vinyl/ABS, polyethylene, etc). or aluminum or wood/canvas. Additionally, the ratio of the width of the boat mesasured at the 4 inch waterline to the length of the boat may not be less than 16%. These must be commercially available boats. Some modifications such as the inclusion of a limited amount of additional flotation may be made. However, allowed modifications are very restrictive.

The formula 14 category is designed for faster boats. These boats may be constructed of other lighter materials such as fiberglass, kevlar, woodstrips, graphite and carbon fiber. The ratio of the width at the 4 inch waterline to the length may not be less than 14.375% for formula 14 boats.

To see the full specifications for formula 16 and formula 14 canoe racing connect to www.acanet.org/ocdownriver/drrules.htm

Kayaks
Discriminating between kayaks is even more difficult than canoes. Kayaks may be divided due to material (plastic or fiberglass) or length (normally 3 meters is the dividing line). The shape of the kayak may also be considered. For example, the width to length ratio, as with canoes, has a significant impact on hull speed.

Race Photos
Reduced resolution photos of most paddlers are displayed on this website. Vernon Powell, Conny Roussos and Emily Harper, Director of Nelson Co. Parks and Rec. shared in the photography duties.
Those who wish a CD of full-resolution race photos may purchase one by sending a check for $10.00 to
Conny Roussos
245 Cabell Mt Ln
Arrington, VA 22922

Thanks again to Ethan and Sue Saliba for their generosity in allowing us all to use their riverfront property..


Support Personnel
Registration
:
Nancy Welker, Gail Roussos, Tam Thomas, Kathy Hilliard


Race Judges:
Phil Welker (Head judge), Conny Roussos, Dave Thomas, Dave Perault & Tom Eick


Race Committee:
Phil Welker (Chair), Conny Roussos, Dave Thomas, Dave Perault and Tom Eick


Safety Boats:
Tom Eick, Conny Roussos, Dave Thomas, Gary Cody and Vernon Powell


Photographers:
Vernon Powell, Emily Harper, Conny Roussos


Starters:
Phil Welker, Tom Eick, Dave Welker


Timers and Statisticians:
Phil Welker, Judy Parrish, Tam Thomas


Food Preparation:
Roger Nelson, Nancy Welker, Emily Harper + other coconspirators.


Logistics:
Emily Harper, Dave Perault, Vernon Powell, Conny Roussos


T-Shirt Design
Phil Welker


Race Medallions and T-Shirts order
Emily Harper


Preparation of Award Paddle:
Dave Thomas





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