Werner Paddles Reports On The 2008 Green Race

Danny Mongno reports on this last weekends Green Race...

Mother Nature blessed the 2008 Green Race with warm weather and beautiful sunshine that really set off the fall colors, making for a fantastic day down in the Narrows.  But if you ask the racers they will remind you she did forget one small thing…water.  With a severe drought in the south east the 6 ½ inch level on the Green made things very interesting as Andrew Holcomb, last year’s winner, kicked the race off at High Noon. Andrew lead the fastest seeded racers down the steep creek race course to the crowds of people waiting at the most anticipated rapid of the race, Gorilla.  Gorilla and the lead in rapid the Notch, get monumentally harder and more dangerous at these lower levels. 

A huge congrats goes out to all the racers for handling these super challenging conditions.  Although there were some down right hideous lines, nobody was hurt and everyone was able to participate in the post race party.  Although there are several classes in the race, the purists will tell you there is but one winner of the Green Race.  We are proud to congratulate Werner Paddles Team Paddler, Pat Keller for taking down the overall crown with a blazing fast time of 4:31. 

A special thanks to all the racers out there supporting Werner Paddles, we can’t tell you how much we appreciate it.  Thanks to all the volunteers who helped with timing and of course setting safety.  Sorry to the two spectators that fell in the river?  “Hey all, have we not learned yet that water makes things slick?” 

If you are down in the Asheville, NC area and you want to check out next years Green Race or learn more about the three awesome sections of the river, including the Narrows which is home to the race course, check out these local resources.  Diamond Brand, Green River Adventures, North Carolina Rivers & Creeks from Bushy Mountain Publishing.

For all the post race news and video go see our friends at Lunch Video Magazine.

 

Comments

[Jon Crain]

Danny-

Thanks to Werner for helping out at Green Race 2008 with the shuttles. Special thanks for making the 200cm foam core Shogun. Probably one of the best pieces of gear ever.