C1 Junior: 1st Cody Smith 43:47

(By TOM PATTERSON) (Bulletin Staff Writer) Saturday's Kibler Valley River Run had an activity to match everyone's interests Ñ whether it was guiding a kayak through the roaring whitewater or simply taking in the scenery of the Blue Ridge. Several hundred people gathered Saturday along the headwaters of the Dan River for the event, with 130 competing in the 22nd annual kayak/canoe race sponsored by the Red Bank Ruritan Club in Patrick County. "The course is a great mix with the top part being pretty consistent boogie water and then it flattens out and is good for the racers," said John Davis of Winston-Salem, N.C. The course opened at noon and racers had the rest of the afternoon to get down the river before the winner was to be announced around 5:30 p.m. Times usually range from 30 to 50 minutes depending on whether the contestant is shooting to win or just out for the fun of it. Davis, a kayaking and canoeing instructor at the Hanging Rock Outdoor Center in Westfield, N.C., said he teaches on the Dan River and likes returning to its origins. "Plus it's close to home," he said. "It's only about an hour from Winston-Salem." The $25 registration fee served as an all- day pass on the river, Davis said, and after the race he planned at least one more run to really enjoy his favorite spots. Getting the water level high enough for this year's event was a challenge, said CCDF Fire Chief Randy Burge, since the pipeline which carries water from Pinnacles Dam to the generator powerhouse was being replaced. "We're having to work with just the flow over the dam. Normally, there's not enough water to put a canoe in," he said. But that did not matter to those who turned out to pitch a tent, fire up a grill and enjoy a cold beer. David Hamm of the Ararat Fire Department said some people have turned the river race into a vacation. "People start coming on Wednesday and just hang out for the weekend. Some are just spectators," he said. The river was not restricted to racers and people lazily wound their way down on inner tubes while children waded and splashed each other to cool off. Stan Morefield of Floyd sat on a large boulder in the shade, anxiously waiting for the racers to begin shooting past his perch. A 30-year canoeing veteran and former park ranger in Fairfax, Morefield said he prefers a two- or three-day trip to Saturday's short race. "I like to open canoe versus kayaking because it's more of a challenge. The kayakers can just pop back up if they turn over. We used to pack up a canoe with enough food for three days and then camp out. We'd gather up some wood, have a bottle of wine and a T-bone steak. It was a good time," he said. Red Bank Ruritan Club President Roger Gammons said paddlers from Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia and Georgia signed up for this year's event. "Most of these canoeists travel to these events together. They all know each other," he said. The proceeds from Saturday's race benefit the club, Gammons said, and fund things such as its Christmas program for needy children and providing firewood for elderly residents during the winter. "This is our big fundraiser of the year," Gammons said, adding that the club takes in about $5,000 annually before expenses. Treasurer Tom Bishop also said some of the money is reinvested in the club's building so it can continue to be a voting location and host birthday parties and family reunions. Dorcas Epperson Slopey, who owns the land used for the event, said she has come to the race the past three years and continues to support the club's work. "My brother gave the Ruritans permission to use the land before I inherited it from him," she said. "My family has always supported the community, and the Ruritans do a lot of worthwhile things.