 |
|
The 99 Basic was not a race; but it was an event. Advance promotional materials emphasized “THIS IS NOT A RACE! The 99 basic is a one day paddle in kayaks down the class II-V Arkansas River to raise money for River Access in Colorado.” At daybreak on June 4, 2003 twenty paddlers gathered at the put-in for the Numbers section, two miles above Pine Creek, for a very long day on the river. These paddlers were going to attempt to paddle from the Numbers downstream to Centennial Park, a distance of 99 miles!
Paddlers buddied up in pre-determined teams for safety and attempted to paddle from Clear Creek Reservoir at mile 9 to Centennial Park at mile 108 in one-day and in daylight. This included severl miles of flatwater as well as miles and miles of whitewater in Pine Creek (Class V), Numbers (IV-V), Narrows (III-IV), Browns Canyon (III), Parkdale (III) and the Royal Gorge (IV-V).
On the non-race day, the water was medium high at 2400 CFS. Two paddlers, made it the entire astonishing distance, five made it 96 miles, seven made it 86 miles, and six made it 76 miles. Wow! You know the finishers had to have blisters.
Event Organizer, Thomas Morgan, observed that “The volunteer support was tremendous as well as donations.” Donations? Yes, more than bragging rights, the event was designed to raise funds for American Whitewater’s Zirkelbach Fund.
The 99 BASIC may sound like intentional anguish to some; but to the participants it was a personal challenge and for a cause that every paddler holds dear to their hearts. NOT A RACE, the 99 BASIC is fundraiser for the Right-to-Float issues facing all river users in Colorado. Private landowners are pressing for legislation that would prevent the public from floating on water that passes over private land. This legislation could shut down almost every major waterway in the state of Colorado for rafting, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
The money raised from the 99 BASIC went to the Paul Zirkelbach Fund for River Access in Colorado. This fund is used protect the rights of the public river users and outfitters around the state.
Participating paddlers and volunteers raised pledges for every mile they paddled. Buena Vista local participant, Earl Richmond recalled “this paddle has been done by a handful of people over the years but never with such a large group of paddlers and for a reason of this magnitude.”
Morgan presented American Whitewater a check for $579 after the event, and stated “We are happy to support American Whitewater and its efforts to preserve, protect, and create River Access nationwide.”
What more can be said? These paddling superheroes,represent the best the sport has to offer. Thank you to everyone who contributed, volunteered, and paddled in the 99 Basic!