2010 Boatercross Results

Boatercross was the last event of the 2010 Potomac Whitewater Festival, and once again it was a huge success.  Eighteen competitors met for the pre-race meeting at the rubble dam, including five women and a river boarder.  The river board technically exceeded the 7'0 boat length requirement, but Luke was allowed to compete because he had a severe disadvantage at the upstream gates and the spectators (me) wanted to see some carnage.

The event consisted of three rounds held in successively harder rapids: the Feeder Canal, Z-Channel, and Little Falls.  In the first round, competitors had negotiate gates 7-13 at the Feeder Canal while jockeying for position and finish by paddling over a fallen log.  In the second round, competitors had to circle two buoys and go right of the rock at the bottom of Z-Channel before finishing on the left.  In the final round -- which was a mass start of everyone remaining -- competitors ran down the Virginia side of Little Falls, circled a volunteer, ferried through a slot on the left, and finished in the big eddy against the island.

Every heat was hard-fought, but the competitors showed great sportsmanship and were very supportive of each other.  It was truly a pleasure to see so many boaters competing and having fun.  I would like to offer special thanks to the women, enough of whom showed up to make a class for the first time!  I hope everyone comes back next year to make this event even bigger and better.  I would also like to thank NRS for their generous sponsorship of this event.

Men's Results

1. Scott Parsons
2. Adam Van Grack
3. George Brewer

Women's Results

1. Shelby ???
2. Risa Shimoda
3. Lauren Bixby, Allyson Connor, Julie March (tie)

Click here for volunteer Emily Cohn's photos of the 1st and 2nd rounds, along with event organizer Scott Anderson's snarky comments.

Click here to watch Bion Kim's video of the final round through Little Falls.