On Saturday August 18th around 11am when the sun was shining and the temperatures were high, about a dozen kayakers gathered in Tumwater Canyon for a race, but it wasn’t a typical kayak race… In this competition, contestants stashed their kayaks on a sandy beach on river right above Chaos Rapid on the Wenatchee River in Tumwater Canyon. The starting line was downstream of Chaos Rapid, across the old pipeline bridge, also known as the Red Bridge, about a mile away. The finish was achieved by crossing underneath the Red Bridge after kayaking through Chaos Rapid.
After the 3, 2, 1 countdown, contestants ran on foot across the bridge and along the Penstock/Pipeline Trail back upstream to the sandy beach where they had previously stashed their kayaks.
On Saturday August 18th around 11am when the sun was shining and the temperatures were high, about a dozen kayakers gathered in Tumwater Canyon for a race, but it wasn’t a typical kayak race… In this competition, contestants stashed their kayaks on a sandy beach on river right above Chaos Rapid on the Wenatchee River in Tumwater Canyon. The starting line was downstream of Chaos Rapid, across the old pipeline bridge, also known as the Red Bridge, about a mile away. The finish was achieved by crossing underneath the Red Bridge after kayaking through Chaos Rapid.
After the 3, 2, 1 countdown, contestants ran on foot across the bridge and along the Penstock/Pipeline Trail back upstream to the sandy beach where they had previously stashed their kayaks.
It was a hot day with temperatures in the high 90’s and I’m sure after their foot-race, it felt great to be in the water, but no one looked relaxed. The competition was close for 1st place and 3rd places as the kayakers passed by towards the end of Chaos. All contestants put on an amazing show for the spectators and appeared to have a great time competing with their friends. Stay tuned and keep an eye out for additional photos and video from the event, including footage from a remote helicopter!
Thanks to Leavenworth Mountain Sports and World Kayak for organizing the event and to all the participants and volunteers!
Written by Icicle TV Contributor and Photographer Andy Jaynes
See more of his adventures around Leavenworth at http://www.youtube.com/immaculatehedz2
