The Nelson Area Paddlers
present
The Nelson Downriver
Canoe and Kayak Race Results



The 2002 race was held on the Tye river. Paddlers put-in on the Tye about 2 miles downstream from Tye River Depot. They paddled 7 miles to a point 100 yards upstream of the confluence with Rucker Run.
Many thanks to Sue and Ethan Saliba for allowing us to use their property on the Tye River.

On This Page
Race ResultsNews and CommentaryAcknowledgementsParticipation Counts

Saturday, May 4, 2002
Canoe
OC1 Male under 50
1. Kirk Havens1:26:32
2. Dave Howard1:38:37
3. Ed Demasters1:47:53
4. Dan Barto1:50:34
OC1 Male over 50
1. Dave Thomas1:31:13
2. Conny Roussos1:33:44
3. Ralph Hambric1:40:47
4. Greorge Krieger1:42:50
OC2 Male
1. Kevin Shifflett & Billy Orme1:26:44
2. Kevin Shifflett & John Proffit1:29:43
3. Greg Grant & Junior Pippin1:29:54
4. Bobby Pippin & Matthew Taylor1:34:11
OC2 Father/Son
1. Ron Tucker & Dan Tucker1:45:21
OC2 Father/Son Senior
1. Don Francis & Scott Francis1:35:35
OC2 Mixed
1. Karla Havens & Ed Sharp1:21:47
2. Sue Saliba & Ethan Saliba1:37:58
3. Greg Grant & Bonnie Grant1:40:04
4. Conny Roussos & Joanne White1:42:56
5. Gayle Culler & Ron Ashmore1:47:58
Kayak
K1 Female
1. Carol Tucker1:56:11
K1 Male under 40
1. Tim Hall1:24:05
2. Dave Perault1:33:57
3. John Rudmin1:42:55
4. Andrew Quada1:43:26
K1 Male over 40
1. Tom Eick1:25:18
2. Jim Hennessee1:28:32
K1 Youth
1. Drew Tucker1:42:07
Sit-On-Top
1. Mike Hannan1:47:50

Legend
OC1Open Canoe, 1 paddler
OC2Open Canoe, 2 paddlers
Mixed1 male & 1 female
K1Kayak, 1 paddler
K2Kayak, 2 paddlers



The Outstanding Paddler Award for 2002 - Kirk Havens



Outstanding Paddler Ceremony
The Nelson Downriver Race is held annually on the first Saturday of May. The winner of the prestigious Outstanding Paddler Award this year is Kirk Havens, a member of the reknowned Havens family of canoeists. Each year the name of the award winner is incribed onto a brass plate that is placed onto a paddle displayed in the Nelson County, VA visitor's center. This year, for the first time an additional wooden paddle was inscribed and given to the winner of the award at the culmination of the awards ceremony. Upon presentation of the paddle to Kirk, he asked that the youngest paddler present come forward. Dan Tucker (age 10) came forward. Kirk then handed the paddled over to Dan asking Dan to retain the ceremonial paddle for him until the awards ceremony at the 2003 race. Dan graciously accepted the offer.

National Champs
This years race featured three perrenial national champions and two one-time national champions. Kirk Havens, his wife, Karla Havens and Ed Sharp regularly compete nationally and often win first place in their divisions. Dave Thomas and Conny Roussos won the national OC2 over-50 years of age division title in 1998.

Paddling Tip
Ed Sharp's next race is New York State's DeWitt Clinton, a downriver race of 70 miles. "Get in shape for that one" announced Ed, "and you don't have to worry about the rest of the season."

Race Photos
Once again this year many paddlers will receive action photos of their participation thanks to Vernon Powell, local canoeing guide and event photographer.

Thanks again to Ethan and Sue Saliba for their generosity in allowing us all to use their riverfront property.



Support Personnel And Other Information
Registration:
Nancy Welker, Phil Welker and Gail Roussos

Race Judges:
Phil Welker (Head judge), Conny Roussos & Tom Eick

Race Committee:
Phil Welker (Chair), Conny Roussos, Sue Saliba, Kevin Shifflett, Ron Ashemore and Tom Eick

Safety Boats:
Kevin Shifflett, Tom Eick and Vernon Powell

Photographer:
Vernon Powell

Starters:
Phil Welker, Conny Roussos, Dave Perault

Timers and Statisticians:
Phil and Nancy Welker

Food Preparation:
Nancy Welker, Ed Demasters, Miriam Roussos, Gail Roussos & Volunteers too numerous to mention.

Preparation of Award Paddle:
Dave Thomas

Participation:
36 paddlers and 28 boats



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