Ohiopyle Falls Race 2008

OK I thought I'd throw up a quick post on Ohiopyle Falls Race---Geoff, Maggie, Jason or Jordan might follow up with their own takes on the weekend. Falls Race in Ohiopyle this year was pretty much, as Jason put it, a 'PPS team meeting', hahaha. And we tweaked out some pretty good results in the mix! aaand i think we all came to the conclusion that none of us took any good pictures. but Ohiopyle Adventure Photography did!

anyway, it was a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l day in Ohiopyle and the crowd was bigger than i can ever recall. everyone from our crew had clean lines for their race runs and we made a good showing on the podium. i had a personal feat in the freestyle competition, two lefty freewheels were feelin' pretty good and were enough to seal 6th overall. especially the second bugger!

geoff swept first place for the third time in a row--AMAZING. AND, he broke the one-minute barrier, sealing the victory in a phelps-ian fashion. beakes was right up there too, as always, and with the kiddies rooting him on! can we say... "my daddy rips it"...?? hahaha, and maggie kept it strong in the ladies class.

right before the race (like 9 minutes before) i asked Geoff if he wanted to do a K-2 run... and in typical Calhoun fashion, he said 'fuck yeah'. it was so much fun, we'll be back next year, folks. 8th fastest time overall is what you get when calHOOOOSE is pushing from behind! which kind of makes me feel like dead weight, haha, but i tried to turn up the heat, i swear.


here are the rest of them results... for those interested.

Men's Long Boat
1. Geoff Calhoun 0.57.16
2. Jason Beakes 1.02.85
3. Jesse Shimrock 1.04.41

Men's Short Boat
1. Geoff Calhoun & Jesse Shimrock 1.14.40
2. Jason Beakes 1.14.60

Women's Long Boat
1. Kara Weld 1.14.09
2. Monica Gokey 1.16.80
3. Maggie Snowel 1.27.00

Women's Short Boat
1. yours truly 1.24.38
2. Susan Hollingsworth 1.31.96
3. Maggie Snowel 1.45.16

C-1 Sprint
No competitors, but to be DOMINATED by Jordan Poffenberger in 2009.

K-2 Sprint
1. Geoff Calhoun & Monica Gokey 1.11.38
2. Jesse Shimrock & Kim Alexander 1.27.80
3. Ron & Jocelyn Metzger 1.46.00

Freestyle
1. Adam Johnson
2. Dave Fusilli
3. Geoff Calhoun
Women's
6. Monica Gokey (pretty stoked not to be last this year, haaa)

it really couldn't have been a better weekend. falls race is kind of like an annual yough river reunion... people come from far and wide, and if the race doesn't bring them together then the after-party does. it's one of the best times to celebrate each other's company and the boating community in general.

this past Tuesday we lost one of kayaking's finest. Isaac Ludwig passed away while creeking the gnar and though he wasn't from this area, i think the whole boating community feels a hit when we lose such an amazing spirit. i had the privilege to work with Isaac on the Lower Yough for a few seasons, and he is easily one of the most compassionate, genuinely-good hearted souls i know. i'm so grateful to have paddled with him and family all weekend, good times i'll never forget.

cheers to isaac; freewheelin' into the sky, we're gonna miss you buddy

thanks for reading, everyone. cherish your kayaking buddies and go have fun!