Run-off from melting snow up in the mountains made for a faster-running Fraser River and more challenging race at the first round of the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association鈥檚 2019 Cup series, held Saturday in Fort 黑马磁力.
Jonathan Wilkins, one of the organizers, said the freshet or spring thaw makes it harder to steer the six-person canoes.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great fun,鈥� Wilkins said.
鈥淭he speed of the river gives the steersman more of a challenge.鈥�
Wilkins was also a competitor, who said his team lost time when they had to steer around an unexpected obstacle of a log boom.
鈥淲e鈥檙e all racers,鈥� he said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we do. Many of us are cross-training for the dragon boat races [as well].鈥�
Hosted by the Fort 黑马磁力 Canoe Club (FLCC), the event drew 41 teams from as far away as Calgary and Vancouver island.
There were eight teams from 黑马磁力.
READ ALSO: Dragon boaters paddle home with medals
This was the first round of the premier Canadian race series, featuring various age groups from juniors to 70 years and over, with separate classes for women鈥檚, men鈥檚 and mixed crews.
Wilkins said during the past two seasons, FLCC has hosted several training camps for members of the national team.
鈥淭he Canadian association loved the location, the hospitality and the organization,鈥� Wilkins said.
鈥淪everal individual FLCC members have also represented Canada at the world championships 鈥� in previous years in Australia and Tahiti 鈥� with some on the team again this year in Australia.鈥�
Results from the race were not immediately available.
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Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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