Green Wave paddler wrote on 04/22/12 at 08:21:40:


THIS

Help!

With the weather as hot as it is supposed to be, I think a pitstop at Katfish Katies (or anywhere for that matter) will be in order.  I have two possibly 3 boats coming down from Illinois without a support crew.  Initially, we did not think a bank runner would be necessary, but now we are reconsidering that idea in light of the high temps expected.  That being said, is there someone out there who would mind helping one, two, or three of our teams by handing us additional water and food (which we will already have prepared for easy handoff) and pick up our empties.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

If you can help, please call me at six three zero - six seven five - four one three seven.

Hut,
Wally

Thanks for your consideration

Gus, starting early would get people out of the heat earlier, but at this point, it is too late to make changes. Many people are traveling in and have already made travel arrangements. Plus, with the safety meeting scheduled for that morning, we'll need that time to get 80+ racers checked in and staged. (or we'd all have to get there at 4:00am).  With race staff and volunteers already coordinated, it would be a big move to shift the time.

Another update:  Citizen's  Bank of Jeff City has signed on as a sponsor for the C2 class - $150 for the winning boat!  We just had a C2 from the chicago area sign up, but lets give them some more competition! 

Another Update:  Wilson's tree service has expressed interest in donating $100 toward the Rubber Duckie Rescue. They asked me if I thought we'd get 100 entries and I told him we had 80 right now. They said if we got 100 (or close), they'd sponsor a duckie for $100. That's one sweet little duck!

I am extending online registration through the weekend, but it will close at midnight on Sunday July 1st, so sign up now!

Is there any one in the Kansas city Area willing to shuttle my boat for me. I am having a few logistical issues and a shuttle would make my worries go away.
Thanks in advance!

Well Gus, I take it back...never say never, right?

The MR Freedom Race is moving to an 8:00am start time.  This honestly should not cause you to have to get there much earlier at all because the Safety meeting was scheduled to start at 8:00 anyway.  The safety meeting will now start at 7:30.

There are two main reasons for this change:  Heat and River Level.

Due to the extreme heat, we want to get people off the river sooner.  Because the river is significantly lower than it has been in the last few years, it is going to take people longer to finish, and we want to be able to get them off the water earlier and out of the heat. 

We also do not want anyone to run their boats during the dark, and with the lower river, that could be a strong possibility.  Therefore the 1:00pm cut off time to Katfish Katies will be strictly enforced.  Besides, wouldn't you rather get to the finish line and enjoy a nice cold beer as soon as possible?

What's that?  Beer did you say?  Why yes! 

Comfort King Air Conditioning & Heating (a company who does it's best to make sure you stay cool in the heat) has just stepped up and donated tubs full of ice cold beer for all racers!!

See how I did that?  Hopefully everyone will look past the fact that they have to wake up earlier and instead focus on the fact that we now have FREE ice cold beer waiting for us at the finish line!!!

Thanks Chuck and Di for the info to Taylor's Landing.

Just a few tips on places to pit:

Katfish Katie's - the only official checkpoint will have a huge food stand and will be selling all kinds of things including Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, fruit, water, pop, and gatorade (I don't have an official menu, but it is along those lines).  Additionally, the race staff will have some water and Bananas if anyone is in trouble.

Cooper's landing, while an unnofficial checkpoint, has toilets and sells all kinds of things.

Katfish Katies is 27 miles from the start, Coopers is 26 miles from the finish, and there is 10 miles in between them.

If you are having trouble at Katfish Katies, you might decide to take a 10 mile paddle to Coopers to see how you feel.

You need to be through Katfish Katie's by 1pm, and you really need to be past coopers by 2:30pm.

There is another access, Hartsburg, on river left which is about 15 miles from the finish, or 21 miles past Katfish Katies.  Your goal should be to be past there by 4:00.

Marion Ramp is just another mile down from Hartsburg but is on river right, and is more time consuming to get to since you will be coming from Katfish Katie's which is on river left further up.

I saw this on the Missouri Conservation Department,

"Canoeing       Lamine River has a series of pools and riffles so dragging canoes should be expected. A boat ramp on Route A provides good launch access. "

Should one expect to have to carry the boat because the water is so low?  Just getting all of the ducks in a row

Thanks for the update.  So how long did the 3 miles take then?  I am sure you two are faster then Scott and I, but thought I would ask.  Scott and I went out Saturday morning and all when well, but the Missouri is moving pretty slow too.

Joe,
We have a team update, please move Pappy and Son to the 3-6 team class by adding Krista Sue Patterson. WE will be in the #7347 Spencer C-3

Check out the awesome shirts!!  Make sure you wear them at the finish line party so we will be a sea of Red, White, and Blue!!