"You never step in the same river twice."
- Heraclitus, ancient Greek philosopher
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If you are a fan of the Kansas River, you absolutely understand that.
The Kaw, as she is known by the locals, is a work in progress... even by river standards. Bare sandbars you could camp on a few years ago, are now forests of cottonwoods. Cornfields that used to line cut banks are now part of the river, and deep channels that you used to count on for easy passage have swapped places with gravel riffles that grab your boat and make you doubt your memory.
But all that makes it such a great little river. While the Missouri River has been artificially preserved by wing dikes and riprap, the Kaw maintains most of her independence and likes to redecorate from time to time. So, you never get bored enjoying the Kansas River. There are no reruns.
The annual Kansas River "Gritty Fitty" is a canoe and kayak race meant to showcase this under used recreational beauty. Starting in Lawrence at the 8th street access and winding across the eastern valley to Kaw Point where the river blends with the big Missouri, this race is 50 miles of non-stop tests for your boat, your shoulders and your navigation skills.
Expect to see all sorts of boats lined up Saturday morning, July 4th, 2009... battle scarred aluminum canoes next to sleek, carbon fiber needles that look more like aircraft than rivercraft. But the Kaw is the great equalizer. Someone in a more modest boat, who knows the latest version of the river, could put up a pretty good fight against a $3000 boat that has trouble finding the channel.
The Kaw, as she is known by the locals, is a work in progress... even by river standards. Bare sandbars you could camp on a few years ago, are now forests of cottonwoods. Cornfields that used to line cut banks are now part of the river, and deep channels that you used to count on for easy passage have swapped places with gravel riffles that grab your boat and make you doubt your memory.
But all that makes it such a great little river. While the Missouri River has been artificially preserved by wing dikes and riprap, the Kaw maintains most of her independence and likes to redecorate from time to time. So, you never get bored enjoying the Kansas River. There are no reruns.
The annual Kansas River "Gritty Fitty" is a canoe and kayak race meant to showcase this under used recreational beauty. Starting in Lawrence at the 8th street access and winding across the eastern valley to Kaw Point where the river blends with the big Missouri, this race is 50 miles of non-
Expect to see all sorts of boats lined up Saturday morning, July 4th, 2009... battle scarred aluminum canoes next to sleek, carbon fiber needles that look more like aircraft than rivercraft. But the Kaw is the great equalizer. Someone in a more modest boat, who knows the latest version of the river, could put up a pretty good fight against a $3000 boat that has trouble finding the channel.
Divisions: Men’s Solo Unlimited, Women’s Solo Unlimited, Men’s tandem unlimited, Women’s tandem unlimited, Mixed tandem unlimited and Teams.
Prizes:
First place trophies for all divisions. Medals for 2nd and 3rd.
Prizes:
First place trophies for all divisions. Medals for 2nd and 3rd.
