Announcing the 2012 Chalk Banks Challenge. The fun will be held on Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. at the Chalk Banks Access Area - Lumber River in Wagram, NC.
Contestants may compete in raft, recreational canoe and kayak races and can add a 5k run to the end of the canoe/kayak race as part of a water/land biathlon.
The highlight of the day will be the homemade raft race. A Laurinburg tradition, raft races will be divided into two classes: single person and group (two or more people). All rafts must be homemade and may not be motorized in any way. Trophies will be awarded to the winners. Door prizes will also be available.
In addition to the 7.0 mile canoe and kayak races, the 2012 festivities will include a water/land biathlon featuring the canoe/kayak leg and a 5k trail-run. The biathlon may be entered by either an individual or as a team event (one person canoeing or kayaking and one person running) different divisions will be established.
Come out and enjoy the unique beauty of the state park and the Lumber River voted one of North Carolinas Top Ten Natural Wonders. In addition to the races there will be food vendors, live music, nature displays, canoe rides and kids can try their hand at fishing.
Contact Information
For more information on the canoe and kayak races, please contact Mickey
Turlington of the Carolina Canoe Racing Association at 910-904-1578 or by
email at watersafari@aol.com
For raft, inner tube float or overall event information, contact the Lumber
River State Park at 910-628-4564 or by email at lumber.river@ncmail.net
Schedule of Events
10:00 – Event Opens
10:15 – Welcome and Kick-off
10:00 - 11:00 – Continued registration (canoe, kayak, raft) – There is a
$3.00 surcharge for same day entries
11:00 – Raft Races Begin (put in at Chalk Banks – finish at Highway 401)
11:30 – Start canoe & kayak races – single & tandem. Paddlers will put in at
Turnpike Rd. and race to Chalk Banks - 5K run follows for biathlon competitors.
2:30 – Awards
Fishing, music, food vendors, canoe rides, fly-fishing exhibition and
nature displays go on throughout the day.
Official Rules
• No alcoholic beverages allowed.
• All occupants shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifesaving device.
• Contestants are duty bound to help others in jeopardy.
• Any racer not finishing must report as soon as possible to race officials.
• Canoes and kayaks will race against like boats.
All rafts must be homemade in both the single and multi-person categories.
Paddles do not have to be homemade
Contestants must bring their own canoe or kayak.
No canoe, kayak, or raft is to have any motorized propelling device.
Canoes, kayaks, and rafts, must stay in the water throughout the race.
Overland portages are not allowed.
Interfering with another vessel for the purpose of hindering its progress will result
in disqualification.
5k runners must stay on marked trail.
All State Park rules are in effect while in the Chalk Banks Access Area and/or
on the Lumber River.
If you want some ideas for homemade rafts, check out the following links
including other rafting events from across the country:
http://www.woodstock-village.com/bridgewater_raft_race.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLeYH8sMAA8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy1Xmxg7y7A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYDmw4In-q0&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nj4qAO2jmU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnkfax-1778
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