The Nelson Area Paddlers
present
The Nelson Downriver
2010 Canoe and Kayak Race Results


Location: Tye River, Nelson County, VA.
Course: Put-in on the Tye about 2 miles upstream from the confluence of the Tye and James rivers. Take-out on the James at Wingina.
Many thanks to Sue and Ethan Saliba for allowing us to use their property on the Tye River.

Vital Statistics:
Date: May 1, 2010
High Temp: approximately 86 degrees
Conditions: Mostly Sunny
Participation: 74 paddlers and 61 boats (including non-racing participants brings the total to 106 persons)
River Levels: 3150 cfs, (average of Scottsville and Bent Creek gages)

Please notify if you see any errors such as name misspellings, incorrect times, etc.
On This Page
Race Results
News and Commentary
Acknowledgements
Participation Counts

A Lively Crew!
Legend
OC1Open Canoe, 1 paddler
OC2Open Canoe, 2 paddlers
Mixed1 male & 1 female
K1Kayak, 1 paddler
K2Kayak, 2 paddlers
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Solo Canoe
OC1 Male (Advanced)
1. Tom Brubach1:12
2. Conny Roussos1:13:26
OC1 Male
1. Lee Williams1:20:46
2. Jeff Smithson1:31:05
OC1 Masters
1. Mike Robinson1:14:45
2. Herman Schlimmer1:19:11
3. George Schuppin1:29:30
4. V. R. Shakelford1:37:36
5. David SuttenN/A
OC1 Male Veteran
1. Dave Thomas1:18:24
OC1 Male Stubby Canoe
1. Bill Gayle1:35:16
OC1 Female
1. Nikki Chambers1:23:21
OC1 Pole
1. Matt Swift1:20:26
C1 Closed Canoe
1. Flip Merica1:15:05
Tandem
OC2 Male Advanced
1. Ed Sharp & Kirk Havens1:03:34
OC2 Male Masters
1. Kevin Shifflett & Dave Howard1:10:54
OC2 Male
1. Josh Mays & Wyatt Kline1:36:33
OC2 Mixed
1. Chris and Claudette Stec1:14:40
OC2 Father/Son
1. Daniel and Paul Clemmer1:17:56
OC2 Father/Adult Son
1. Scott and Don Francis1:27:44
OC2 Father/Daughter
1. Chris and Sarah Dickens1:32:51
2. Devon and Alaina Lively1:48:20
OC2 Mother/Son
1. Karla and Kade Havens1:16:05
OC2 Father/Mother/Son
1. Ethan, Susan and Sami Saliba1:21:39
K2X Tandem Kayak Mixed
1. Joyce and Clark Scott1:18:19
2. Scott Keaton and Lisa Moran1:21:39
Solo Kayak
K1 Female
1. Brandi Van Matre1:28
2. Nicole Brimer1:34:57
K1 Female Masters
1. Cindi Lively1:23:49
2. Nancy Ronald1:26:02
3. Marti Merritt1:26:40
4. Jan Ross2:18
K1 Female Sit-On-Top
1. Carol Tucker1:25:14
2. Christy Mays1:36:29
3. Cheryl Burnette2:16:35
K1 Junior
1. Seth Lively1:30:59
K1 Male
1. Dave Perault1:12:15
2. Joshua Van Matre1:13:49
3. Ron Hartshorn1:20:27
K1 Male Masters
1. Andy Digrys1:12:16
2. Sam Keaton1:13:01
3. Gavin Kline1:14:30
4. Michael Kline1:15:50
5. Ed DeMasters1:16:24
6. Charlie Waller1:19:25
7. Steve Saylor2:18
K1 Male Downriver
1. Stephen Moore1:09:29
2. Dave Dolak1:10:43
K1 Male Masters Downriver
1. Tom Eick1:04:23
2. Konrad Zeller1:08:23
3. Scott Keaton1:08:25
4. Reid Bailey1:12:01
5. Brian Yost1:12:57
6. Marek Payerin1:13:26
K1 Stubby Boat
1. Luther Barden1:21:28
2. Andy Cartwright1:26:13
3. Dennis Barnes1:31:06
4. Ken Meyercord1:31:34
5. Jack Muhler1:35:55
K1 Male Sit-On-Top
1. John Brandt1:34:29
2. Richard Elder1:39:07
Surfboard
1. Ron Tucker1:34:01




The Outstanding Paddler Award for 2010 goes to Kade Havens.

Kade Havens, age 7, is the youngest paddler ever to win this pretigious award. He and his Mom, Karla Havens turned in a time of 1:16:05 in the Mother/Son class.


Outstanding Paddler Award
The Outstanding Paddler is awarded to the paddler who, in the opinion of our panel of race judges, has the best performance. Age, gender, boat type and other factors are taken into consideration in making this award.

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.

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.

National Champs
This year's participants included 6 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. Three meters is the traditional dividing line although the length appears to be increasing in recent years. 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. Conny Roussos and Emily Harper, Director of Nelson Co. Parks and Rec. shared in the photography duties this year.
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
(be sure to include your return address)

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



Support Personnel
Registration
:
Esther and Chrissie Larkin, Gail Roussos, Judy Greenberg, Kathy Hilliard and Tam Thomas


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, Stephen (Geoff) Moore and Dave Perault


Photographers:
Emily Harper and Conny Roussos


Starters:
Phil Welker, Tom Eick, Dave Welker


Timers and Statisticians:
Phil Welker, Nancy Welker


Food Preparation:
Dave Thomas, Emily Harper and Kathy Hilliard.


Logistics:
Emily Harper, Dave Welker, Tom Eick and Tam Thomas


T-Shirt Design
Phil Welker


Race Medallions and T-Shirts order
Emily Harper


Preparation of Award Paddle:
Dave Thomas





Top of this page   Top of page      Home page   Home page