Anyone who doesn’t think midwest boaters are badass –doesn’t know sh!t (literally).
South bend had storms the few days before the throwdown, and any of you familiar with the area know what this can do to the water quality on the St. Joe river… Pair that with the 42deg air temperature yesterday, and you’d think no one would want to get in their boats. Far from it! We had 9 boaters in attendance for our very first throwdown, representing Indiana, Illinois and Ontario. Hell Yeah!
We had 6 folks competing in the Intermediate/Advanced arena… and 3 in the beginner group
Ryan D. took first place, disproving the myth than East race is too shallow to throw a loop… and was happy to walk home with a $110 gift card for Chaco.
Ryan D. -the loopaholic
Kevin M. was the champion of split-wheels taking second place, and walking home with a Smith Optics Beanie.
Kevin M.
Adrian O. showed us what it takes pull off some solid cartwheels, coming in at third place and taking home a sweet Chaco belt.
Adrian O.
First round of boaters getting ready
Sexiest Judges on the Planet… Especially Jeff (showing some leg)
In our beginner class we had Jason in First, Henry in second, and Kevin in third.
Jason T.
Henry F.
Kevin
Jeff M. was on a mission to rack up style points, and earned the title of “King of style” for the day with his paddle-twirl-window-shade combo. I think there’s now a patent pending.
Jeff (aka: “king of style”)
Being one of the judges, I felt it was fitting to show everyone how *not* to playboat… and I think I pulled it off wonderfully.
Yours Truly
After the rodeo comp we had some prizes leftover, so we decided to have a little impromptu boatercross. I gave everyone the option of doing 3 rounds, or having a super-crazy-all-9-boats-at-once-insane-boatercross. The unanimous answer was “do you really have to ask”? I really wish I had a picture of this… because it was fricking awesome. I could have stayed on the side of the river to document the mayhem, but then we would have been one boat short for a “super-crazy-all-9-boats-at-once-insane-boatercross” so I had no choice but to join in myself. Bernie, our resident Canadian, was the champion of the chaos for this event.
Thanks for everyone for participating despite the chilly temp… without all of you this wouldn’t have been any fun.
Also, a big thanks to our umbrella holders, time keeper, our Judges (Jeff, Adrian and Kevin) and Henry and Mary for taking a ton of pictures! You guys rock.
And one more thanks… To all our sponsors, for contributing those super sweet prizes!
I’m looking forward to next throwdown, hope you are too!
-Bob