Saluda, NC—November 7th, 2021
The premier competition in Southeastern whitewater paddling can be summed up with one word: electricity.
The annual Green Race is famed in the world of whitewater kayaking. Many consider it to be the most prestigious race in the sport. The section of river known as The Narrows brings gradient changes and hard tight turns created by rock faces and cracks that characterize the race course. Kayakers are forced to make split-second decisions to find a successful path through the features. The search for this “A-line” can be thought of in a similar way to climbing: there is an ideal route to maximize efficiency and conserve energy. Kayaking is similar – paddlers must avoid holes and crevices in the rocks with the capability to kill while battling their way downstream.
As whitewater kayaking has grown in popularity, so has the desire to explore and paddle more aggressive and remote rivers. The Green Race is a product of pioneers who looked to push the envelope of what was possible in whitewater. Aptly described as the “Super Bowl of Kayaking,” the first successful run of The Narrows on record was in 1988. The segment is home to rapids with names like Go Left and Die, Pencil Sharpener and—perhaps the most famous— Gorilla. The section has claimed the lives of at least 3 people over the years. With that in mind, paddlers understand that they need to be at the top of their game to traverse down the rapids.
Just a week after peak fall colors, it is a cool 55 degrees. Autumn is in full stride. The air is crisp and clear – a hiker’s delight. I start my walk to watch The Green Race for myself. I reach about half a mile from the action and hear the noise before I see a single competitor. The hike is now a descent to the gallery above the river.
ROAR!
Quiet.
Silence for a couple minutes…
ROAR!
Onlookers explode in unison. Cheers, cowbells and applause. With a tethered rope to guide hikers down, we position ourselves in what is now dozens of people in a single-file line to reach The Narrows. I round the corner and glimpse the sea of people hovering, perched on the best vantage points they can find to view the action. A myriad of bright colors made up of dry suits, PFDs, kayaks, paddles and helmets contrast with the natural earth tones of fall in the mountains. The boulders, rocks, tree branches and clearings in between each feature serve as The Colosseum seating. The gladiators? The kayakers. The opponent? The raging river.
