2010 Millrace Massacre and Iceman race

Every January, kayakers in Columbia, SC (the Saluda Boyz) host an informal event on the Saluda river. This year it will be on January 9th.

The Millrace Massacre is a timed event where competitors race through one rapid, with markers indicating some required moves (time penalty if you miss it). Last year, the top 10 males and top 5 females won the right to compete in the tubing race which is just a straight shot through the same rapid.

After the Millrace and tube race is the Iceman race. It involves downstream, racing part of the way back upstream, portaging the rest upstream to the starting line, back downstream, and then you have to swim beside your craft for the final fifty yards to the sandy beach. I was told last year after the event that if I wanted to try this one in future years, that they would simply let me carry the entire upstream portion if kicking upstream proved to be too difficult. Also, just to remind you that you're in South Carolina, this race is started by a cannon. It's pretty funny to watch the competitor who knows how to fire the cannon light the fuse and then try to get into his boat before the blast goes off.

I would like to go back as last year everyone gave me a lot of love for coming out and boarding in their race. I usually wait till about 3-4 days before the event to check the projected weather and make a decision because there is "get a heavy wetsuit" cold and just plain "this is stupid" cold.

If you're in the southeast and want a little bit of winter water fun, think about going, I'll let you know for sure if I'm going to do it or not about the middle of the week before the event.

peace,

Kevin,