The 2010 race video is here!

Sorry this took me so long to produce but two videos, new computer, new video editing software, steep learning curve and....well...you get the drift.

 

 

Looking for local flat water during this dry spell?

Don't overlook the S. Rivanna Reservoir as a great, local place to paddle.  Most people don't realize that it is as big as it is and that it provides 7 miles of paddling enjoyment from end to end.

2010 Rivanna Race Winners

Categories announced for this Saturday's Race...

UPDATE: Awards ceremony will be at the Darden Towe boat ramp parking area at 1:30pm on Saturday.  We invite the whole community to cheer on the paddlers as they cross the finish line and then stay for the awards ceremony.  Bring a picnic lunch and make it a family event!  The Rose of Nelson Batteau will be there... plus other surprises.

UPDATE #2:  The Parent/Child race will be broken down into separate kayak and canoe categories.

* The Race Coordinator solely reserves the right to create or combine classes as it makes sense based on the number of paddlers and types of boats entered into this event.

May 8 canoe and kayak race is shaping up

The agenda for the May 8 Rivanna River Regatta Canoe and Kayak races is shaping up.

A local outdoors retailer will have a 'demo day' at Darden Towe so you can test drive canoes and kayaks, The Rose of Nelson batteau will be on display at Darden Towe for your enjoyment and education, T-shirts and hats will be available along with light refreshments and the Elks Club (at the entrance of Darden Towe) will be hosting a separate car show that day.  Come on out and join us at Darden Towe!  Racers are expected to start crossing the finish line at ~10:45am and with several heats and classes they will continue crossing the finish line until at least 12pm so pack a lunch, take plenty of pictures to share with us and have a wonderful time along the friendly banks of the Rivanna River.

T-shirts and hats will be available on race day

Rivanna River Regatta Canoe & Kayak Paddler t-shirts and hats are here and will be available for purchase both at the starting and finish lines of the May 8 race.  These are high quality garments with the embroidered logo and will be selling for $15 each (cash only).  All net proceeds will go to Mr. Bishop to help offset his costs/expenses for hosting this race (prize money, insurance, etc.).

The Rose of Nelson batteau returns for the May 8 Rivanna Regatta!

The Rose of Nelson Batteau will once again work its way down the Rivanna River on race day and dock at Darden Towe Park this year or (if not enough water) will be on a trailer at Darden Towe Park for the day on May 8.

The Virginia Canals and Navigation Society will also have a table display to educate visitors about the batteau, canals and early river history and exploration in Virginia.

Come on out to Darden Towe Park on Saturday, May 8 to cheer on the canoe and kayak racers as they cross the finish line and learn more about this historic batteau.  Bring the entire family because there will be other activities and displays to enjoy also.  Pack a picnic lunch and help make this event a community-building and river appreciation event!

Interview with Merrill Bishop, Race Coordinator for the Rivanna River Regatta Canoe and Kayak Races

The 2010 Rivanna Regatta Canoe and Kayak Race

Promo video for the 2010 Rivanna River Regatta Canoe and Kayak Races in Charlottesville




The most technical portions of the river

The race route

The 2009 winners

More information regarding the May 8 canoe and kayak races

This section of the Rivanna River is rated Class I + Class II by the American Whitewater Association and may reach Class II+ depending upon conditions on the day of the race.  If you are unfamiliar with the River Classification System then you are strongly urged to become familiar with the classification system and weigh that against your unique paddling skills.  Only you know your skills and what type of water you are capable of handling safely.

You are strongly encouraged to paddle the river prior to the day of the race to become familiar with it.  If you join the Rivanna River Regatta Facebook Group then you will most certainly find other paddlers willing to join you for a recreational trip on this section of the river prior to race day. (One such group of paddlers will be doing this section of the river this Friday, April 2.)

You may also view the following video that shows the entire section of the river used for the race.

Organizational Meeting for Rivanna River Regatta 2010, Wed. 7:30p

There will be an organizational meeting this coming Wednesday, March 31 at Aldersgate Church, 1500 E. Rio Road, Charlottesville at 7:30pm for any and all volunteers who wish to help out with this year's canoe and kayak races and/or those who wish to learn more so they can volunteer to keep this event healthy in future years.

Please contact Race Coordinator Merrill Bishop 975-3072 or RAMBISHOP{at}aol.com for more information or to RSVP for Wednesday's meeting.

The 2010 race is just a little more than one month away

Help us promote the 2010 Rivanna River Regatta Canoe and Kayak Races by printing out some copies of the flyer and circulating them amongst any paddlers you know.  The more the merrier. Let's make this year's race the biggest and best one yet!

Also be sure to tell your family and friends to come to Darden Towe Park on May 8 to cheer on the racers as they cross the finish line.

The 2010 Rivanna River Regatta Canoe and Kayak Race is coming May 8!

The racers are coming! The racers are coming!

Join us on May 8 for the 5th annual Rivanna River Regatta Canoe and Kayak Races. There will be several classes of races for canoe and kayaks (solo and dual/tandem) and a shorter, Youth (under age 14) race. (Under Age 14 race has been canceled.) If you just want to paddle the river during this time but do not wish to enter the race then by all means come on out, enjoy the fun and watch the racers wizz past you on the river. Spectators are welcome all along the race route but the best vantage point and most excitement will be at the finish line at Darden Towe Park.

Racers should start assembling on the upstream side of the Route 29 bridge (just north of the DoubleTree Hotel and Sam's Club) at 9am for check-in and registration. First heat starts promptly at 10am. More details can be found on the printable flyer.

May 8, 2010 Regatta Flyer with race details

2010 Race Flyer

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