The new Goshen Race trophy.
Pyranha paddler Gordon Dalton delivers the pre-race talk.
Sunday, March 15th was a bluebird beautiful day in western Virginia. The awesome weather and good flows on the Maury River brought out thirty paddlers from as far away as Ohio and D.C. for the 8th Annual Goshen Pass Downriver Race. The stoke was high as several young guns hoped to take home the 1st place win; a title which has heretofore only been held by one paddler – a Team Pyranha local who shall remain nameless here for modesty’s sake. In a surprise premeditated move, the defending champion decided to sit this race out and focus on organizing the event, since the rest of the race committee was off skiing instead.
Spring flows of 1300 cfs made for a bumpy mass-start and the racers did some serious jangling as they entered the first class III rapids. The field was still thick as they entered “Devil’s Kitchen,” a technical class IV rapid, especially for the racers in Speeders and Wavehoppers (Fun fact: A Pyranha Speeder has won this race in 6 out of the past 7 years!).
Carnage in the “Kitchen:” a racer earns his booty-beer. Photo: Steve Kvech
Carrie Hood is all smiles during the race. Photo: Steve Kvech
Post-race party.
The awards ceremony is always a good party; thanks to generous support from Pyranha Kayaks, Appomattox River Company, and Werner Paddles. This year Werner even supplied “life jackets” for the beverages provided by Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company. Brett Mayer is new holder of the “Gold Blade” trophy.
Father-Son “rivals” Will and John Moran with a new sprayskirt for Dad.
Virginia’s “Paddle VA” family loves the Goshen Race.
Women’s champ Melissa Fawn checks out some new threads.
Brett Mayer receives the trophy from Gordon Dalton.
Virginia’s “spring kick-off” was a success. Think Rain!