Rain, high water delay kayak events

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Rain and high water were responsible for cancellation of the IR Triple Crown kayaking events at Rock Island State Park Saturday and the rest of the local events were put on hold pending future water levels.

Park Ranger Joe Moore said although the park anticipated hosting hundreds for the weekend events and has hosted several practicing competitors for about a month already, water levels at “the hole” were simply too high.

Friday and Saturday’s rain complicated already problematic water levels, which had caused the U.S. Team Trials, originally scheduled to be held at the park, to be moved to the Nolichucky River located near Erwin, Tenn.

Moore had hoped earlier this week water levels would be improved for Saturday’s events. They included the “Ranger Joe Rumble” race and a showing of technical kayaking tricks, but he said should kayakers have attempted to maneuver certain areas, the water there could have been threatening.

“It seems weird for a kayaking event to have a rain delay, but that’s basically what’s going on right now,” he said of Saturday’s cancellation, making note kayaking in high water is risky business. “There’ s a place downstream from the hole that can take you down in a heartbeat. When the water gets big, it gets way too dangerous,” he added.

Moore said organizers were waiting until today to see if the water stabilizes. He said all the planned events would still take place, but organizers want to ensure safety. Where they might take place was debatable Saturday morning, however.

“It could be like the team trials, where they had to be moved. They have a week and they have to be complete by next Saturday. Because everybody’s got plans made, that’s part of what they’re looking at and are looking at other locations as well, but if there’s any way they can have it here, they will,” he added.

Park Rangers were also expecting thousands for annual Easter egg hunt activities, which were scheduled for Saturday afternoon. That event has been rescheduled for this Saturday, April 6 at 2 p.m.