What makes this race such a big deal is the fact that for one it has been going on for so long and that it although not very long is probably one of the harder rivers to accomplish in the southeast. Michael kayaks the narrows all the time and has for years but he has never run any of the big rapids or as they call them "the big three." The most prominent of those rapids is called gorilla. (I have no idea how they come up with names for rapids.) What makes the rapid so challenging in the entrance to it better known as the notch and the fact that it's fast and narrow and if you don't hit your line right you'll pay for it the bottom. This is the rapid where on race day you'll see boaters mess up the most, some pull it together and keep going and some have to swim and won't make it to the finish of the race.
Here's a trip down memory lane with some pictures from the last 2 races;
If you ever get the chance to go whether you're into kayaking or not, it's worth it. The hike is really hard but it's an experience you won't forget.
Happy Halloween, eat lots of candy!
And just for fun here is a picture of us (red eyed and all, we owe that to the flash) at the pre-green race party at highland brewery last night. since I'm not going to the race I wanted to at least have a 2014 picture connected to it somehow :)