At noon this past Saturday, 121 racers set off down the Green River Narrows in Henderson and Polk Counties. Battling cold November waters, paddlers fought for the top times in seven different categories: Long K-1 (single paddler – long kayak), K-1W (single paddler – women’s division), C-1 (sprint canoe), K-1 hand paddlers, Short K-1, Short K-1W and open canoe.
Canoers of all levels are invited to slalom down the Tuckaseigee River for glory and prizes.
For most people, canoeing is a leisurely way to spend a sunny day of the weekend. But for the 30 paddlers who took to the French Broad on Saturday morning for the first stage of Asheville’s latest canoe and kayak race — the inaugural French Broad Classique — canoeing is a fast-paced sport with no down time.
photos, story and video by Eric Crews
