Westfield River Race Weekend!

Of all the races I do throughout the year there is one that stands above all the others.  Every race is different but no race has quite the feel of the Westfield. My father taught me how to paddle on that river, and together we learned to race.  This year will be my 22nd consecutive Westfield River Wildwater Race.  I did my first Westfield in 1990 at the age of 9.  The Westfield will always have a family feel to me.  My grandparents still live on the riverbank.  It’s because of this family feel the Westfield will always be unique and always be my favorite race.  Another thing that makes the Westfield unique is the format, which is more time trial style racing then mass start, each boat starts out a minute after the next so you have to pick your own way down the course.  Most of the racing we do is in flatwater racing canoes on relatively calm rivers and lakes, the Westfield is a whitewater race.  The Pro Race on Sunday is the only one of its type in the country to my knowledge.  Racers are required to all use a similar style boat and compete for prize money over a 12 mile course with Class II and III rapids.  The whitewater is a great equalizer.  Faster teams that are less confident in the rough water are naturally slower.  Knowing the river also gives you a huge advantage because certain areas are easier or faster than others.  Over the last few years Terese has learned the river and her and I are always surprised by the good flatwater teams that we can beat at the Westfield.  Anything can happen in a whitewater race!!!

Today we are running the course to make sure we have our plan all settled, then we will had down to watch my Dad race in the Novice race with a new paddler.  He always likes to go with new people and do what he can to help out beginners.  After that we have a big shin-dig at the Wheeler house.  It should be a great day.