The Outdoors Inc. Mississippi Canoe and Kayak Race

May is a big month for the city of Memphis, TN. This month each year we celebrate a different country to learn more about its culture as well as pack evey weekend full of activities. Along with our huge music fest that brings many big names every year and out well- known BBQ Fest is the Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Great Mississippi Race followed by the Outdoors Inc. Demo day at one of the largest city parks in the country, Shelby Farms.

Every year people from all around come to Memphis to show off their racing skills. We have people of all skill levels: Olympic athletes whose goal is to get the fastest time to frat brothers and boy scouts that fill a canoe to the rim with people and set their main goal to stay upright the whole time. Regardless of who these participants are, it is fun for everyone.

The race always takes place the first weekend of Memphis in May, also known as "Memphis in Mud" to some. The reason for this is that it always seems to rain the first weekend in May, the saying "April Showers..." doesn't apply to Memphis.

This year we had a torrential rain hit Memphis the night before the race that didn't let up for the whole weekend. The morning of the race I drove downtown to the river in this heavy rain because, of course, if I didn't go the sky would open up and the sun would shine 10 minutes before the race was to start. As I drove to the put-in through the flooded streets the rain hadn't let up. Stair wells had become cascades funneling water into the streets and towards the river. Once the rain had let up a little the race had been restricted to elite paddlers only, all we could do was wait for the race time and hope that the rain didn't start again.

The Mississippi bridge

I got in my gear drove my car to the take out, where the post-race activities were to take place, and hitched a ride back to the put in. Shortly before the race was to start I arrived at the parking lot at the put in and got out of the car only to hear tornado sirens just south of where we were. Naturally, after I had seperated myself from my vehicle, the race was cancelled and the rain began to pour again. The Coast Guard, for the safety of all of the contestants, cancelled the race and unfortunately it did not happen this year. Luckily everyone had time to get packed up and get out of there before the bulk of the bad weather hit, and luckily for me I have great friends that got me back to my car.

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The next day provided better weather for us at Shelby Farms so that the Outdoors Inc. Demo day could take place. This is the day that everyone can come to shelby farms, paddler or not, and try out different boats of all kinds and get more information about the boats and the sport. We had sunshine, great weather, and a great crowd.