The Nelson Area Paddlers
present
The Nelson Downriver
2009 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 2, 2009
High Temp: approximately 79 degrees
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Participation: 82 paddlers and 74 boats (including non-racing participants brings the total to 127 persons)
River Levels: Tye+Piney: 113 + 88 = 201 cfs, (3.42 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 2, 2009
Solo Canoe
OC1 Male (Advanced)
1. Ed Sharp1:25:27
2. Conny Roussos1:29:05
OC1 Male Masters
1. Dan Young1:24:59
2. Herman Schlimmer1:38:38
3. Jimbo Cary2:28:24
OC1 Male Veteran
1. Dave Thomas1:33:27
2. Bob Whaley1:41:01
OC1 Male Stubby
1. Flip Merica1:39:55
OC1 Male Downriver
1. Neal Fleenor1:25:19
2. John Brandt2:04:27
OC1 Female Masters
1. Joann White2:36:32
Tandem
OC2 Male
1. Larry Lubbers & Bob Davis1:21:15
2. Scott Franklin & William Massie1:36:33
3. Joe Amory & Evan O.2:01:28
4. Peyton Coyner & Bill Trap2:05:46
OC2 Mixed
1. Chris and Claudette Stec1:31:47
2. John and Natalie DeBoer1:36:44
3. Bill and Ricki Perry1:51:57
4. Jerome and Sharon Gress2:17:47
OC2 Father/Son
1. Paul and Daniel Clemmer1:37:19
2. Dan and Phillip Barto1:57:27
3. Paul and Nick Sarandria2:07:56
OC2 Father/Daughter
1. Kendall and Kim Fuller1:47:30
2. Bob and Christine Loehr1:51:27
OC2 Father/Adult Daughter
1. Howard and Niki Chambers1:38:18
K2 Mixed
1. Clark and Lindsay Scott1:41:09
2. Scott and Lisa Keaton1:46:45
Solo Kayak
K1 Female (16-44)
1. Brandi Van Matre1:46:14
2. Heather Smith3:13:52 non-racer
K1 Female Masters (45-69)
1. Marti Merritt1:44:37
2. Jan Ross2:35:17
3. Robin Meyer2:37:05
K1 Female Stubby Boat
1. Nancy Ronald1:51:51
2. Jennifer Stertzer1:53:28
3. Francine Smith1:55:39
K1 Female Sit-On-Top
1. Carol Tucker1:46:44
2. Melissa Merritt3:14:12 non-racer
3. Alexandria Borick3:15:30 non-racer
K1 Male (16-44)
1. Dave Perault1:28:53
2. Joshua Van Matre1:40:38
3. Bryan Garrett1:47:17
4. Anthony Smith2:00:29
5. Chris Borick3:18:03
K1 Male Masters (45-69)
1. Scott Keaton1:31:20
2. Sam Keaton1:33:50
3. Ed DeMasters1:34:50
4. Ron Hartshorn1:43:24
K1 Male Downriver (16-44)
1. Stephen Moore1:24:02
2. Dave Dolak1:33:32
K1 Male Masters Downriver (45-69)
1. Tom Eick1:14:22
fastest time overall
2. Dave Segars1:19:55
3. Marek Payerhin1:24:41
4. Dave Gunn1:30:11
5. Brian Yost1:34:17
6. Konrad Zeller1:58:15
7. Tim Reading2:08:43
K1 Male Stubby Boat
1. Dennis Barnes1:56:19
2. Richard Elder2:05:46
3. Joe Bradley2:10:40
4. Dan Borick3:16:12
5. Chris Borick3:18:03
6. Dan Lewandowski3:19:33
7. Doug Smithdid not race
K1 Male Sit-On-Top
1. Richard Bowles1:46:14


The Outstanding Paddler Award for 2009 goes to Dan Young.

Dan placed 1st in the OC-1 Master's Class with one of the fastest times of the day.

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 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. Conny Roussos, Emily Harper, Director of Nelson Co. Parks and Rec. and Tom Blue 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
(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 Larkin, Gail Roussos, Judy Greenberg, Damon 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, Tom Blue and Dave Perault


Photographers:
Emily Harper and Conny Roussos


Starters:
Phil Welker, Tom Eick, Dave Welker


Timers and Statisticians:
Phil Welker, Judy Parrish, Jim Troy


Food Preparation:
Roger Nelson, Nancy Welker, Emily Harper and Ron Tucker.


Logistics:
Emily Harper, Ed deMasters, Nancy Welker, Tom Eick


T-Shirt Design
Conny Roussos


Race Medallions and T-Shirts order
Emily Harper


Preparation of Award Paddle:
Dave Thomas





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