2007 Aluminum Nationals in Pocahontas, AR For many paddlers who made the investment of hundreds of miles traveling (over 1000 for some) the Sunday race was additional payback. Jon Webb drove 15 hours from Michigan and “wouldn’t have gone” without the second day of racing. Dave Dahl and Doug Berg drove about 800 miles from Minnesota, Gareth Stevens drove 12 hours from Wisconsin, Tave Lamperez 10 hours from Illinois, and Jim Normandin and Neal Sanders came from South Carolina and Tennessee respectively. All appreciated the extra day of racing. But the distance prize goes either to Mike Gunther who came 1000+ miles from Colorado Springs or to Jeannie Shaffer and Pat Bayers who drove and then flew 900+ miles from Tampa, FL to Little Rock, AR then drove some more to Pocahontas. While Sunday’s race “had no impact on my decision to attend the Aluminum Nationals,” said Jeannie Shaffer, “It impacted my decision to stay an extra day for the event!” “Icing on the cake,” added her partner, Pat Bayers.
team (Teddy & me), by throwing off waves in our path at least five times.” This writer was impressed with Clifton’s approach to promoting and publicizing the Aluminum Nationals. It was methodical and thorough. With the exception of the Minnesotans who reported that they had heard of the opportunity through Canoe News, every one of the rest, it appeared, had been contacted directly and invited by Clifton. It was rifle shot marketing at its best. I was also impressed with the level of support that Clifton had elicited from the community: witness all the volunteers, the signs welcoming USCA paddlers, and the local businesses whose sponsorships were heralded in ads in the race brochure and on the sides of all the participating Aluminum canoes. This was one of the more successful and impressive Aluminum Nationals of recent years. Thank you, Clifton and Pocahontas, for hosting us.
Accolades for host city Pocahontas and the race organizers Jon Webb: “Everything was set up so well. The town played it up almost like a mini Shawinigan, though it was a week getting all those Arkansas skeeters out of my car. Couldn’t they feed them a little more so they weren’t so hungry? In all honesty, I wouldn’t change a thing. This was as good as it gets.” Doug Berg thought “the meal was terrific and the award ceremony went smoothly and didn’t drag on too long.” Don Walls: “Great, though as usual there was too much time spent with local politicians patting themselves on the back. And it needs to start earlier, I was starving after a long race.”
Above, Tave Lamperez, Nationals Coordinator in a lively address to the dinner crowd (“New members out there, y’all joined USCA, whether you wanted to or not, so welcome”). Below, MC and race director Clifton Rickey thanking . . . everyone!
Nadalyn Riggins: “The spectator area was outstanding: shaded pavilion, trees, great viewpoints, including the bridge, and overall the location. The looped courses lent themselves well to general specatators. “The awards dinner was the nicest I have been to. They went all out and everyone stayed around. “I thought it was very special, touching, (I am searching for the right word) that Dale Burris made traveling trophies for the women.” Pat Bayers was effusive. She liked: “Race course, distance, festival at finish line, races for masters and open classes, awards banquet, Clif’s assistance in finding boats and paddles (this is VERY important for folks flying in), the Big Dog Race, everything being organized so well, plenty of parking at the start, car shuttle, race sponsors, nice race brochure that was sent out in advance of the event, having the scout group participate, the welcome from the folks in the town. The safety and support boats did an excellent job. The course was well-marked with no confusing navigation.” Appreciated by most of the racers, some of the safety crews were nonetheless not attuned to how their waves can cause steering and wake-riding difficulties for the competitors. Cindy Meurer: “Even after having a conversation with them after the first race, the safety boats still interfered with the lead Upper photo copyright ©2007 by Susan Thielemier / Pocahontas Star Herald. Lower photo ©2007 by Joyce Radcliff.
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Canoe News, August 2007