The Nelson Area Paddlers
present
The Nelson Downriver
2005 Canoe and Kayak Race Results



Location: Tye river.
Course: Put-in on the Tye about 2 miles downstream from Tye River Depot. Paddle 7.5 miles to a point 100 yards upstream of the confluence with Rucker Run.
Many thanks to Sue and Ethan Saliba for allowing us to use their property on the Tye River.

Vital Statistics:
Date: April 30, 2005
High Temp: approximately 68 degrees
Conditions: Overcast and occasional light drizzle
Participation: 56 paddlers and 42 boats
River Levels: (adjusted for time of race)
Tye: 200 cfs, 3.9 ft.
Piney: 117 cfs. 2.75 ft.
Total: 317 cfs (very approximate based upon upstream Tye and Piney gages and excluding the Buffalo River)

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, April 30, 2005
Solo Canoe
OC1 Male (Advanced)
1. Ed Sharp1:18:33
2. Tom Brubach1:21:32
3. Conny Roussos1:22:17
OC1 Male
1. Scott Forrest1:23:13
2. Dave Thomas1:23:30
3. Dale Swanson1:27:00
4. Dave Howard1:33:15
5. Mark Cerny1:34:43
6. Jeff Smithson1:35:16
7. Bruce Harkin1:40:11
OC1 Male (Formula 14)
1. Phil Welker1:26:45
OC1 Female
1. Martha James2:08:01
Tandem Canoe
OC2 Male
1. Greg Grant & John Proffitt1:21:35
2. Kevin Shifflett & Ben Hutt1:23:02
3. John Atthowe & Ben Benevento1:29:16
4. Dwayne Piepenburg & David Poulin1:29:49
5. Peyton Coyner & Mark Fleming1:42:51
OC2 Male Masters (Over 50)
1. Bob Davis and Larry Lubbers1:15:55
OC2 Mixed
1. Lynn McDuffie & William McDuffie1:13:33
2. David & Lena Welker1:25:15
3. Corrie Pedro & Kevin Parker1:31:21
4. Carole & David Crighton1:51:58
OC2 Father/Son
1. Charles & Curtis May1:38:22
2. George and Trent Powell2:12:01
Kayak
K1 Female
1. Nikki Chambers1:35:22
2. Wendy Dalton1:37:24
3. Jennifer Stertzer1:46:34
K1 Female Masters (over 50)
1. Marti Merritt1:35:41
2. Jenny Newton2:09:15
K1 Male
1. Dave Perault1:19:13
2. Tom Womble1:23:17
3. Gordon Dalton1:24:10
4. Ted Heneberry1:31:10
5. Luther Barden1:38:17
6. Charles Morris1:47:26
K1 Male Masters (over 50)
1. Sam Keaton1:26:37
2. Bob Morris1:28:48
3. Glen Bayley1:49:47
K1 Youth Female
1. Suzie Hartzog1:47:16
K1 Youth Male
1. Nick Kirchner1:29:59
2. Ted Heneberry1:31:10


The Outstanding Paddler Award for 2005 goes to Lynn and William McDuffie


Outstanding Paddler Ceremony
The Nelson Downriver Race is held annually, normally on the first Saturday of May. Due to conflicting events the race was held on April 30 this year. The winners of the prestigious Outstanding Paddler Award this year is the mixed tandem crew of Lynn and William McDuffie. Each year the name of the award winner is incribed onto a brass plate that is placed onto a paddle displayed in the Nelson Center in Lovingston, VA. An additional wooden paddle is inscribed and given to the winner of the award at the culmination of the awards ceremony.

National Champs
This year's participants included 7 national whitewater downriver racing champions.

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.

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 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

Race Photos
Reduced resolution photos of most paddlers are dinplayed on this website. Thanks to Vernon Powell, local canoeing guide and event photographer, our webmaster, Conny Roussos, and Emily Harper, Director of Nelson Co. Parks and Rec. for sharing in the photography duties.
Those who wish a CD of full-resolution race photos may purchase one by sending a check for $5.00 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, Phil Welker

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:
Ed DeMasters, Nikki Chambers, Dave Perault and Vernon Powell

Photographers:
Vernon Powell, Conny Roussos, Emily Harper

Starters:
Phil Welker, Tom Eick

Timers and Statisticians:
Phil Welker, Dave Welker

Food Preparation:
Dave Thomas, Nancy Welker, Tom Eick, Ed Demasters, Betty Powell + other coconspirators.

Preparation of Award Paddle:
Dave Thomas
Finally, a special thanks goes to Les Fry, the godfather of Virginia paddling, for being available to sign copies of his book,
You Can't Get There From Here - Except By Canoe




Top of this page   Top of page      Home page   Home page