4/23/2022

Grand River Canoe And Kayak Race

Madison, Ohio

8.5 Mile Kayak Race 14′ And Under Kayak Race

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  1:11:41

Overall Place:  6th Place / 112

Division Place:  1st Place / 25

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

This was my first time competing in the Grand River Kayak race since 2018.  The race was cancelled in 2020 and 2019 and I was unable to compete due to injury last year.   This year’s race featured the largest race field I have ever seen there with almost 350 total paddlers.  The race conditions were fast and furious with high water levels and fast flow creating exciting class 1 and class 2 rapids throughout the course.   Previous years when I have competed in this race water levels have been low and slow with rock hazards and hang up risks the entire course forcing paddlers to really focus on the water to find the right line of safe passage.  This year with high water most obstacles were removed so paddlers could choose their line and be very aggressive or sit back and let the strong currents guide the way.   I did my best to choose lines that kept me in the fastest water.   I chose to paddle my Liquid Logic Intuit 13.5 for this race.   The Intuit 13.5 is a great river boat that can take the punishment of rocks and shallow bottoms that this river usually offers.   The river was deep enough that I felt confident using my carbon fiber wing paddle without worrying too much about damaging it from hitting rocks or the bottom.  It proved to be the right choice.   I spent a little extra time at the start zipping into the spray skirt I had already installed on my kayak.  As soon as I hit the first set of rapids I knew that this also ended up being a smart choice.  The water was crashing over the bow of my kayak on every set of rapids and without it I may have had to stop to empty my kayak of the water as I saw many paddlers pulled off onto the banks doing.   I had so much fun in the fast water hitting rapid after rapid.  I think I smiled the entire race!   The scenery of the course was beautiful.  Cliffs filled with cascading waterfalls everywhere and bald eagles soaring above.  I was shocked how quickly the race seemed to fly by.  The fast water knocked about 20 minutes off of my fastest time previously at this race.  I was happy with my result of 6th overall in the 14′ and under race and winning my age division.  All participants received t-shirts and custom finisher medals.  The finisher medals were a new addition to this year’s race swag.  The finisher medals featured a compass style design with a kayak in the middle that spins.  This finisher medal might be the nicest I have every earned at a race.  Winners received trophies with a canoe on the top.  In previous years they used beer glasses as awards.  Lake Metro Parks always does a great job with organizing this race.