I had never been to the Elora Gorge before. I knew there was a slalom race on the sunday.
I missed the down river race on saturday due to paddling on the Washago Black with my friend Ryan.
I thought I would head over and at least take pictures or help out with the race. The weather forecast was cloudy with chance of rain. Not idean for picture taking but I figure what the hell.
I finally made it there around 09:30 after making the two hour trek from Barrie. It would have been sooner but the Tim Hortons in Fergus had to be slower than the one in Petawawa and that is saying alot.
I ran into the Greve's family and they pointed me down to the river where I ran in Katina, Jim, Steve, and by fluke Greg. Aparently Greg and Al were going to be the only open boaters in the slalom race. The course was definitely not open boat friendly.
I took a couple of test shots near the hole at gate 13 but decided to venture further up river in the flat section. Luckily I had my booties on as the rocks were very slippery. I also had on my PFD for the just in case oopps into the river. The scenery in the Gorge is absolutely beautiful which warrants another trip back on a nicer day to take pictures of the river and the old buildings in towns of Elora and Fergus. I found a semi-rock ledge that was making its way across the river. I walked out on that as far as I could to take pictures. I had to drop dwon on one knee and get wet for each of the pictures I took of the paddlers.
These slalom boats can really move. It is amazing how they just zip in and out of the gates with ease. Well maybe more technique than ease as the paddlers made it look real easy. I continued taking pictures of all the slalom boats untl this one paddler in particular caught my eye. I had to do a double take thru the lense. Was I seeing things .... nope it was a play boat going thru the gates. To my surprise it was young Richard Maggs. This would be his first time doing a slalom race. This kid is an excellent playboater and puts alot of the older paddlers to shame at places on the Ottawa. Now there was something else different about his paddling style .... he actually had a smile on his face as compared to the serious zoned in look the ther paddlers had.
Smile:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2484221139_bca30f6bbd.jpg
Serious:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2487300386_d1ee960fb2.jpg
Next came the two open boaters. It was interesting to see them negotiate the course as it was a difficult one. They both did great considering how hard it was.
So here I am standing out in the river when I almost get run over by a play boater. The guy was definitely not paying very close attention. His paddling style is just as bad as his driving style. It turned out to be Kevin Maggs.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/2484027475_23a48cfe82.jpg
He spent the next little while watching the race while sitting in his boat on the ledge I was on. Now just prior to this I noticed that Richard was on shore looking depressed. I heard him oversay "Gee dad I didn't mean to come dead last!".
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2484223209_9904d07c3e.jpg
Just kidding ... the above picture of Richard was taken just as he was picking up his boat to carry it up river. Kevin and I continued to watch the race when some of Richards friends stopped by just in time to cheer him on. The rest of the racers had now finished their final runs when the motly crue armada of play boaters came up to me led by this guy.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2484854970_2ea87cddc1.jpg
They asked me if I had the GF with me and I said yep and that Greg and I were going to take a run down the river from just below the old mill to the low bridge.
I quickly changed into my paddling gear and we set up the shuttle on the way out to the Old Mill in Elora. We did a quick run down the river and managed to play in a few spots and check out the scenery. The only thoughts in my mind was how this run would scare the crap out of my in higher water with all the undercuts and potential toilet bowl eddys, etc. We managed to make it back just as the awards cermonies had finished. We had to make sure Greg got his medal.
After that I said my goodbyes and headed back home.
All the pictures can be found here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmnypny/sets/72157605009013083/
