Words by Kyle McCutchen
Photos by Tina Swan
A scorching hot 97 degree day melted away what was left of our plastic kayaks after we banged them down the Narrows section of South Saint Vrain Creek, just outside of Lyons, Colorado for the annual Lyons Outdoor Games' Adam Barron Memorial Creek Race on Saturday, June 9th. Despite depressingly low flows, the race still happened, and the wet rocks course provided an entirely new challenge to kayakers looking to cash in on some nice prizes.
Dave Fusili exits the entrance rapids to the Narrows. Lot's of mank and low water pin potential influenced times in this upper section... not really the type of thing any of us would normally run.
Seventeen year-old Spencer Huff made a proud showing as the only Lyons local to race. Shown here entering the crux section.
And I gave it a go, executing two spectacular piton's on my first lap. Fortunately, I was pleased to pull things together my second lap and finish with a time I was pleased with, but damn those pros are fast!
Jeremy Laucks in the crux.
Dave Fusili negotiating one of the more interesting sections.
EJ in route to a win.
Craig Kleckner airs out one of the best drops of the run.
The same drop as seen from below. Paul Palmer was the only other Colorado local to race this year.
The double drop can make or break a time. Clay Wright sticks it.
Brian Kirk finding the delicate balance between hitting the fast cross-current left line for a winning time, and pitoning his brains out, as a handful of us (myself included) did.
And just when you think it's over, one must negotiate Jihad! Mike Patterson finds the low water line.
So... I know it looks like I just wrote my name in... pretty sure Kyle McKlusky from Wisconsin was actually me. And given the field of competitors that came out for the race, I'm pleased to claim a 9th place finish!
