Info: The race begins at Zaloo's Canoes. The race will start at 9:30 am and boats start one-at a time. This is a timed race. The last boat can be put in at 1:30 pm (last jr/sr at 1 pm). So you can possibly do 3 races if you are fast. The average time per run is 1 hr +. The little rapids are a lot of fun. The last rapid at the mill just before the finish is the most challenging for beginner's (and some experts who change their gameplan at the last minute).
Fee: The fee is $7 per person for the 1st race and $3 for each additional race. Entry fee includes a t-shirt and entry into the door prize drawings. And I mean drawings. The community is extremely giving with door prizes (ranging from Carowinds tickets, to restaraunt gift certificates, to white water rafting trips to local crafts). In addition, you can purchase limited tickets to a drawing for a kayak.
Race Classes:
Course: The 5-mile race course is so much fun. You start at Zaloo's Canoe's. Shortly thereafter you go under a bridge. After you go under that bridge, stay to the far left, or you might scrape on rocks. Then you wind through the scenic river with mountains all around. Watch the banks for deer and other wildlife (but don't forget to watch for rocks in the water). All the little rapids are lots of fun. The most challenging will be the rapids at the old mill close to the finish. The mill will be on your left. Zaloo's will often give advice on how to run that rapid. Remember that the river changes as the water rises and falls. Once you get through the rapid, you usually need to stay left so you won't scrape on rocks. Once you see the island with some people on the left with people on it and a parked canoe, pour it on since that is the finish. Go through the blowup hippo and bee which is the finish line. Then immediately get to the right bank where the take out is.
Shuttle: Zaloo's Canoes will provide the people shuttle so you can park your vehicle at the end after dropping your boat off at the start. Thanks Zaloo's. This shuttle will run periodically based on demand. Thanks Zaloo's !
Renting: Canoes are available for rent at Zaloo's. They are wil have reduced rates for racers too. Thanks Zaloos. They also provide a real nice boat launch too.
Awards: The awards ceremony will be held at the Stae Park Finish at 3 pm. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place are given in each class. There are cash prized for each place. If you have it in your heart to be doing this race for fun, you can donate your prize money back to the Ashe Co 4-H. Each $100 will send a child to summer camp. Remember that chaildren are OUR future !
Rain out: When the weather is too rainy or the river is too, the State Park may cancel the race. If the race is cancelled, the local radio stations will make the announcements, or Zaloo's Canoes may know. If the race is cabcelled that day, it will be held the next Saturday. This has happened !
Benefit: All the proceeds from this event go to the Ashe Co 4-H to send local children to summer 4-H camp. Remember to thank all the helpers who are doing this for the local 4-H.