River rats hit water for whitewater event

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

By Sam Petri

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-While the Wyoming Whitewater Championships has become smaller than in years past, since it is no longer on the pro circuit, it allows for a local and regional focus that attracts nothing but a good time.

The 11th annual event, put on by Rendezvous River sports, went down Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the Hoback, Snake and Greys rivers, testing boaters in three skills to see who is the most proficient paddler in the region. Dudes, and a couple of gals, competed in a classic down river race, a freestyle rodeo and a Boater Cross. 

On Friday evening, 16 boaters – six in short boats, 10 in long – took off from the Ledges Rapid on the Hoback and raced three miles down to the bridge just short of where the Hoback meets the Snake. Aaron Pruzan, owner of Rendezvous River Sports, came out strong and finished first in his long boat with a time of 14.35. Brady Johnson and Jon Souter were neck and neck behind Pruzan, with times of 14.44 and 14.45 respectively.

Competitors in short boats under 12 feet, mostly play boats or creek boats, took considerably longer due to the shape of their vessels. David Schmit won the division with a time of 18.24. Like the long boat race, second and third place were close behind, with Jim Sandstead finishing in 18.40 and Mike Fitzpatrick only two seconds behind at 18.42. 

The more exciting event for spectators and paddlers was Saturday’s whitewater rodeo at the Taco Hole on the Snake. A perfect day for boating, event tents were set up, a sound system was rigged, and people paddled while the beats bumped. The wave was surfing decent, allowing competitors to pull off classic moves like enders, spins and cartwheels, as well as more difficult loops, air loops and “Space Godzillas.” A few tried to pull “McNasties,” but the wave didn’t allow for it.

Peer judges named Kyber Miller winner of the men’s junior division, followed by Davis Grove and Sam Bjoukhead. In the men’s rec division, Luke Walker took first, Scotty Craighead took second, and Dave Kemper took third. A few masters turned out and showed the young guns you only get better with age, especially Ed Conning, who took first and has paddled for so long, he looks like a river otter. Jim Sandstead and Mike Fitzpatrick came in second and third.

And yeah, a few girls showed up, and not just to watch. Sarah Kemper and Gina Shively showed the boys that girls know how to play in the water, too. Kemper, the more experienced boater, was killing it and got first. Shively hopped in and was flushed out, but made a huge effort to get back in a few times and mess around. All I could think was “Why don’t more girls paddle?” 

Finally, in the men’s expert division, Jon Souter won with a lofty air loop that scored him bonus points, along with back-to-back high scoring moves. Mark Cecchini was in a close second, and of course Will Taggart came in no less than third. 

Sunday’s Boater Cross took place on the Greys River with 13 competitors. The course covered two miles through a Class IV section called Snaggle Tooth. In Boater Cross, paddlers start on shore, out of their boats.

At the start, they run to their craft, put on their spray skirts, and mob down the river as fast as possible. It’s hard to pass people in Class IV rapids, so to win you need a fast start and a clean line. Souter was able to pull this off in the best fashion, with Aaron Pruzan in second and Brady Johnson in third.

Photo by Lyndsey Ross
Ed Conning won first place in the masters division of the Wyoming Whitewater Championships.

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River rats hit water for whitewater event | Planet JH News Article: Sports & Recreation

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