Racing the Rapids

Slim Coates and Oscar Tayolor, a team sponsored by the Klamath Club in California, brave the rapids

“We were young and energetic and it looked like fun,” Birl Lynch said recently when recounting the race down the Wind River Canyon. “We had a canoe and even though it tipped over in the white-water lace, it was a lot of fun!”

The year was 1951 and it was the Jaycee’s Memorial Day boat race on the Wind River’s choppy white water. It was considered the world’s roughest navigable racing course and the winner was declared the “Champion White Water Boatman” of the world.

“I got to do it twice,” said Lynch, “Most of the town came out and watched. We met a lot of people and just had fun! Lots of good times.”

His brother, Aubrey, had won the year before and was ready to race again. Borrowing a canoe from their good friend Johnny Wells, the two brothers lost the boat after negotiating Pink Canyon and did not finish. Their boat was recovered miles away, near Bob White’s place in the canyon.

They weren’t the only ones to take an icy bath. Six men were even hospitalized from shock and exposure but all were released the same day. Good sportsmanship awards were handed out to two Cowley racers who rescued a Billings man when he was thrown from his boat. They followed him for about seven miles before successfully fishing him out of the river. Lloyd Barnes was also rescued by fellow racers after his boat broke up in Pink Canyon.

That year, 26 boats were entered and 13 finished. They ranged from crude home-made affairs to specially-designed river boats. Skill and daring were prerequisites which explained why Johnny Wells, the top competitor in the race, had won in 1949 - riding in the converted belly gas tank of a P-38 airplane.

The race lasted only a few years, from 1948 to 1952. Once the Boysen Dam was completed, the annual race ended and many of the participants, workers on the dam like Lynch, moved on to other places. Today, thrill seekers can still experience the white water by booking a ride with the Wind River Canyon White Water & Fly Fishing guides. It is much safer these days but, in the words of racer Birl Lynch, “lots of fun!”

3 Bedrooms • 2.5 Bathrooms Cabin with 2 Twin Beds Pool Table

4 Bedrooms (Sleeps 8) 3 Bathrooms Deck & Patio, Full Kitchen, Gaming Rm, Washer & Dryer, AC

The Wind River Retreat

LUXURIOUS LODGING IN THE WIND RIVER CANYON

Welcome to our unique properties nestled in the secluded Wind River Canyon.

Book a float or fishing trip with Wind River Canyon Whitewater, grab a tribal fishing permit for your opportunity to fish the banks below or simply enjoy all our homes have to offer.

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WindRiverRetreat.com

1275 Highway 20 S. • Thermopolis, WY 82443

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