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Kibler Valley River Run
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Fri, 05 Aug 2005
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| 2005 race times and winners |
C1 Junior:
1st Cody Smith 43:47
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Posted 15:07
198 comments | Post a comment
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Mon, 02 Aug 2004
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 Running the River Kibler Valley River Run 2004 |
(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.
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Posted 13:49
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