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Post by Ray Pellerin on Feb 18, 2012 15:26:08 GMT -6
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Post by Ray Pellerin on Feb 18, 2012 15:28:11 GMT -6
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Post by Ray Pellerin on Feb 18, 2012 17:38:19 GMT -6
Brad Rex I have done this race; I cannot/will not recommend this race! For a number of years they have had problems with their safety boats causing problems for paddlers due to wakes in close to their boats. In 2010 I was winning my class by almost 2 miles when a sheriff boat came behind me and outside me at the turn to the finish and flipped me and did not even know it and took off, I ended up almost a mile down stream of the turn by the time I got back in my boat and pumped out. The Coast Guard now had closed the gap with the other paddlers and set up at the turn and they could not see or hear me down stream. The water was quite cold and if I was not as strong as I am in the water and paddling back up stream into a 4 to 6 mph current very bad things could have happened. After talking this situation over with the Race Director he said it is not the first time this has happened with their safety boats as similar things happened in the previous 2 years. He said they had spoken to the safety boat personnel about the problem but obviously they don't get it. So I have not and will not return to that race and urge you to think twice about going.
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Post by Ray Pellerin on Feb 19, 2012 17:02:00 GMT -6
David Dupree I have done this race the past 4 yrs. and I Love it (1st race I ever did)! While I was aware of Brad’s incident (though not the details), I haven’t heard of a similar one there. Though it’s big and fast, the Mississippi River is usually a fairly peaceful paddle (I’ve seen 10 yr. olds take to it like ducks on their 1st time in a boat!). That was not the case in the 2011 Bluz Cruz, when 25+ mph winds created significant chop that made a very difficult race. On that day, the safety boats recovered 5-6 paddlers and boats who had overturned – some very experienced paddlers. All those that I heard afterward were very appreciative of the safety boats. I know I'm glad to see 'em! A lot of folks are apprehensive about getting in the Mississippi. I usually suggest that they start in this race just because the safety boats will give them an added sense of security. And it’s worth it because paddling the MS is an awesome experience. I think the ending, with Vicksburg on the bluff in front of you, the bridges to the right, and the old part of town to the left, is really spectacular! I'd love to see the folks from TDT attending, and vice versa, and build the paddling community all in between. Yeah, it’s a challenge, but aren’t they all? 2 hours ago · Like
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