Creek Race Season Recap

I wrapped up a memorable Fall racing season at the Green last weekend. It all began at the Russell Fork on the second weekend of October. Twelve hardy souls lined up at Ratliff Hole (the usual takeout) for a burly triathlon (the Baddlun). The race was designed by Brian Mattingly and it involved a super steep 13 mile bike ride, followed by a long nine mile paddle that included the Class V section of the Russell Fork. The icing on the cake was a three mile trail run up and down Pine Mountain. I won in 2:32. Brian Menzies was second (2:36) and Gareth Tate was third (2:38). We are pictured below from right to left. Photo by Steve Ruth. Two weeks later I competed in the Lord of the Fork Race on the Russell Fork gorge. Turnout was unprecedented with over 50 racers. Some of the biggest names in the sport showed up to blitz the course. Andrew Holcombe won in 10:03. Last year I finished fourth with a 10:44. This year I had a personal course record (10:38), but the times were so fast I came in ninth place. Extreme racing is becoming incredibly competitive. It is great to see the sport progressing. Photo of Climax by Russell Marcus.
Last but certainly not least was the Green Race. I was pressed for time this year so my training consisted of visualizing myself paddling the course once a day for five days before the race. I also ran a 5k and did a bunch of boating on the Fork. No Green runs though. It was working out really well until I got to Zwicks:
Luckily I had my Peak Creek top on to keep me dry. After recovering from the barrel roll and successfully negotiating Gorilla I completed the course in 5:11. Not bad considering my limited training. It did push me fairly far back in the pack though.

In October and November the Southeast is the place to be! Thanks to Anthony Bellemare for the Green photos. For more check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/abellemare/.

PeakUK dry suit in action.

Here is a quick view of how you get into the new PeakUK creek dry suit. The suits will come in 2 styles, 0ne for sea kayaking, and one for white water boating. The white water version is shown here.

Available February 2009 from PeakUK dealers. MSRP of $799.00.

They key features of the new dry suits are:

• Ease to get into, as you will see below this is by far the easiest dry suit on the market to get into.
• Comfort, the zipper is out of the way, no restriction of movement at all. No thick zipper running under your PFD.
• Pee and or poop access.
• Cordura reinforced elbows, shoulders, upper spine, knees and bum.
• Built in booties.
  

On the Creek dry suit, it will have the features of our Creek top. With the removable motocross
pads for the elbows, shoulders and spine.





















Unzip from ankle to ankle.






















Slip it on like a extra long dry top.




























































Step into the booties.

















Zip up. Put your shoes on and your on your way.