The water level had dropped significantly since yesterday, but the stacked section of waterfalls and slides were still flat out burly. Some were stoked; others probably didn’t want to even run it. “I am ready for some stouts,” said Evan Garcia, an athlete needing to pick up some points to stay in contention for the overall winner. “ I am ready to run it.”

The time trial had some simple rules: Athletes got two rides, best time counted, fastest racer wins. The town of La Tuque made a monstrous effort in order to make this event happen. The city decreased the flow of the dam and regulated the outflow as much as they could, making the section navigable, if only barely so.  La Tuque’s residents came out in flocks to enjoy the sunshine and show their support for the international group of kayakers putting it all on the line to showcase the class V aspect of their sport.

« » 2 of 6 Fullscreen

And nobody argued it wasn’t class V. “My first practice run was pretty good, although I flipped on the slide, lost my paddle and had to run the rest of it without it,” said Logan Grayling. The warm-up lap saw multiple swimmers…and this from a group of paddlers who rarely pull skirts other than in bars.  Carnage continued during the first round and nervous paddlers waited in the eddy above, leaving every 3 minutes to face whatever awaited them on the course below. “It was pretty intense waiting in the eddy above,” said Anton Immler. “I think every single person sitting there was scared,” said Rush Sturges.

The competitors beat their way through the first round with several swimmers and a few minor injuries. Seven competitors decided not to even go for their second run through. However round two saw little carnage, no swims, and the winning times. After a short confusion over final standings, judges made sure that the winners got the applause they deserved after stepping up the entire bar on competition Creek Racing. Montana, USA born and natural huckstar Evan Garcia ended up taking 1st followed by Dane Jackson and Ben Marr in third. The competition field is beginning to spread in the overall standings as the Grand Prix reaches its half-way point. The crew will now head to the Mistassibi River for a freestyle competition. Check out our features, videos, and results for all the latest.

Website: www.whitewatergrandprix.com