The Nelson Area Paddlers
present
The Nelson Downriver
2013 Canoe and Kayak Race Results


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

Vital Statistics:
Date: May 4, 2013
High Temp: approximately 56 degrees
Conditions: Overcast
Participation: 39 paddlers and 30 boats (including non-paddling participants and helpers brings the total to 67 persons)
River Levels: 209 cfs, (sum of Tye and Piney gages several miles upstream), Tye stage=3.49', Piney stage=2.59'

Please notify if you see any errors such as name misspellings, incorrect times, etc. or have other comments/suggestions
On This Page
Race Results
News and Commentary
Acknowledgements
Participation Counts
Former Oustanding Paddler Award winner and future national champion, Kade Havens, skillfully glides through Rockpile Rapid while watchful Mom, Karla, handles the stern.
Legend
OC1Open Canoe, 1 paddler
OC2Open Canoe, 2 paddlers
Mixed1 male & 1 female
K1Kayak, 1 paddler
K2Kayak, 2 paddlers
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Solo Canoe
OC1 Male
1. Lee Williams1:33:40
2. Cory Hash2:06:00
OC1 Male Masters
1. Conny Roussos1:33:51
2. Herman Schlimmer1:43:43
OC1 Male Veteran (over 70)
1. Dave Thomas1:34:16
OC1 Male (double-bladed paddle)
1. Ronnie Tucker1:31:05
Tandem
OC2 Male Advanced
1. Ed Sharp & Kirk Havens1:25:23
OC2 Male
1. Damon Roussos & Pete Jaketic1:31:42
OC2 Mother/Son
1. Kade and Karla Havens1:45:21
2. Cole and Nikki Chambers2:08:08
OC2 Father/Daughter
1. Shannon and Violet Tillman1:52:35
2. Chris and Sarah Dickens1:59:42
OC2 Father/Son
1. Greg and Zachary Grant1:47:23
OC3 Grandfather/Father/Son
1. Tom Blue, Tom Blue II, Tom Blue III1:47:58
Solo Kayak
K1 Male
1. Dave Perault1:38:16
2. Brandon Reynolds1:40:41
3. Joshua Van Metre1:49:27
4. Todd Spencer1:54:30
K1 Male Masters (45+)
1. Scott Keaton1:31:46
2. Mike Thomas1:38:46
3. Sam Keaton1:39:10
4. John Fritschi2:10:47
K1 Male Veteran
1. Doug Wellman2:23:41
K1 Male Downriver
1. Tom Eick1:17:28
2. Dave Dolak1:24:36
K1 Stubby Boat
1. Roger Ritenour1:50:06
1. Bob Blue1:58:31
K1 Stubby Boat Jr.
1. John Blue1:58:31
K1 Male Sit-On-Top
1. James Dickens2:13:30
1. Tom Dickens2:13:30


The Outstanding Paddler Award for 2013 goes to Dave Thomas.
Emily Harper holds the perrenial award paddle
while Phil explains the surprise.
The Outstanding Paddler Award this year was a very special affair. Dave Thomas usually presents the award but Dave was retrieving the individual award paddle from his SUV located at the put-in where he had inadvertantly left it. While Dave was gone Conny Roussos announced to the crowd that Dave had won the award and that all should play along until the winner was "announced".

Upon Dave's return with the award he was told to "hurry up" as everyone was waiting for him to present the award. Dave asked who the winner was but Conny told him that Phil would announce the person and Dave would then do the presentation. Dave then took the stage and explained to everyone the purpose and history of the award. After doing so Phil announced the winner - Dave Thomas - to no one's surprise except Dave himself.

Dave Thomas, who normally presents the award, won it himself this year.

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 5 ACA 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 (or must have been) 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 for 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.
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..


Sponsors
 Nelson County Parks and Recreation

Roseland Rescue Squad (on Facebook)

The Ski Barn - Nellysford, Va.

Rockfish Gap Outfitters - Waynesboro, Va.

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports - Charlottesville, Va.

Stoney Creek Auto Center - Nellysford, Va.


Support Personnel
Registration
:
Gail Roussos, Esther Larkin, Kathy Hilliard, Ginny Newton, Helene Richards


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


Safety Boats:
Tom Eick, Conny Roussos and Dave Perault


Photographers:
Emily Harper and Conny Roussos


Starters:
Phil Welker, Dave Thomas and Dave Welker


Timers and Statisticians:
Phil Welker, Nancy Welker, Jim Troy, Gail Troy, Judy Parrish, Allison Love, Emily Harper and Sandy Brown


Food Preparation:
Ronnie Tucker, Ginny Newton, Paul Newton and Pierre Constans


Logistics:
Emily Harper, Tom Eick


T-Shirt Design
Emily Harper and Conny Roussos


Race Medallions and T-Shirts order
Emily Harper


Preparation of Award Paddles:
Dave Thomas





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