The Nelson Area Paddlers
present
The Nelson Downriver
2007 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 5, 2007
High Temp: approximately 60 degrees
Conditions: Overcast
Participation: 73 paddlers and 60 boats (including non-racing participants brings the total to 85 persons)
River Levels: Tye+Piney: 144 + 57 = 201, (3.5 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 5, 2007
Solo Canoe
OC1 Male (Advanced)
1. Ed Sharp1:20:41
2. Tom Brubach1:21:37
3. Conny Roussos1:24:59
OC1 Male Masters
1. Dave Thomas1:27:33
2. Herman Schlimmer1:31:44
3. Peyton Coyner1:45:54
4. Joey DiMaglio2:05:57
OC1 Male Adult
1. Jeff Smithson1:36:53
2. Lee Williams1:38:27
3. Bruce Harkins1:40:43
4. Todd Glasgo1:42:12
OC1 Male Under 18
1. Chris Essweier2:02:45
OC1 Male (Formula 14)
1. Phil Welker1:25:08
Tandem Canoe
OC2 Male Advanced
1. Bob Davis & Larry Lubbers1:17:48
2. Kevin Shifflett & Dave Howard1:20:21
OC2 Male
1. Tom Blue & Bob Whaley1:27:48
2. Andrew Welker & Ben Shirley1:49:39
OC2 Female
1. Emily Berry and Terri Christ2:33:24
OC2 Father/Son Under 12
1. Ethan, Sue and Sam Saliba1:38:52
2. George and Trent Powell1:48:26
3. Nick and Paul Sarandria2:03:34
4. Reed and Hunter Harris2:33:56
OC2 Father/Son Over 12
1. David and Andrew Welker1:29:33
2. Don and Scott Francis1:34:40
3. Ellsworth and Ed DeMasters1:54:40
OC2 Father/Daughter/Daughter
1. Kevin, Allyson and Sydney Shifflett1:36:45
OC2 Mixed
1. Ben Craddock and Jen Hilliard1:28:17
2. John and Natalie DeBoer1:33:05
3. Andy Lee and Terri BSullak1:49:39
4. Brian and Mattie Pietrosimone2:08:22
Kayak
K1 Female
1. Wendy Dalton1:38:07
2. Carol Tucker1:42:27
3. Lisa Welborn1:58:09
4. Josie Shroder2:06:12
K1 Female Masters
1. Nancy Ronald1:46:08
K1 Male Under 15
1. Armi Legge 1:39:46
K1 Male 15-18
1. Drew Tucker1:30:10
2. Dan Tucker1:32:07
K1 Male 19-39
1. Brian Bartholomew1:29:57
2. Terrance Musser1:37:25
3. Stephen Welborn1:57:03
K1 Male 40-49
1. Ronnie Tucker1:23:48
2. Marek Payerhin1:24:03
3. Ray Legge1:35:41
4. Joe Bradley1:37:29
5. Dan Borick2:03:32
6. Dan Lewandowski2:44:29
K1 Male Over 50
1. Ron Hartshorn1:36:46
2. Robert Kephart2:05:24
K1 Male Downriver Boat
1. Dave Segars1:19:06
2. Damon Roussos1:20:23
3. Sam Keaton1:21:41
4. Gordon Dalton1:22:28
5. Stephen Moore1:27:56
K1 Male Sit-On-Top
1. Jeff Powell1:41:10
2. John Brandt1:58:33
K1 Male Inflatable
1. Hank Burchard::


The Outstanding Paddler Award for 2007 goes to the tandem team of Bob Davis and Larry Lubbers.


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 incribed onto a brass plate that is placed 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 winners, Bob Davis and Larry Lubbers, added the Nelson Downriver Outstanding Paddler Award to their long list of awards including numerous national championships.

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 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. Thanks to Vernon Powell, local canoeing guide and event photographer 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, Gail Roussos


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 and Vernon Powell


Photographers:
Vernon Powell, Emily Harper, Conny Roussos


Starters:
Phil Welker, Tom Eick


Timers and Statisticians:
Phil Welker, Dave Welker, Judy Parrish


Food Preparation:
Dave Perault, Nancy Welker, Emily Harper, Pierre Constans, Betty Powell + other coconspirators.


Logistics:
Dave Perault, Vernon Powell


Shuttle Drivers:
Pierre Constans, Kathy Hilliard.


T-Shirt Design
Phil Welker


Race Medallions and T-Shirts order
Emily Harper


Preparation of Award Paddle:
Dave Thomas





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