On May 31, 2008, I participated in the Neuse River Foundation’s Neuse River Day – 10 Mile Bridges Kayak/Canoe Race. Though I don’t consider myself a kayak racer, I take up the challenge from time to time. The last race I paddled was a 5-mile challenge in 2005 at Wrightsville Beach, NC and the Neuse River Day Race in 2004, which was an 8-mile stretch. This was going to be a challenge.

Created to raise environmental and ecological awareness of the needs the Neuse River and Neuse River Watershed, Neuse River Day is one of many events and programs supported by the Neuse River Foundation, based in New Bern, NC. The headwaters of the Neuse River are located thought the triangle area of North Carolina and collects in Falls Lake before it’s released into the Neuse River for its journey towards the Pamlico Sound and ultimately to the Atlantic Ocean. Since there’s only a 3-minute walk from my backyard to the Neuse, this waterway has become very important. The river has provided me many memories of kayaking, canoeing and fishing.

Neuse River booths

I arrived at Union Point Park in New Bern, NC at 7:00 am to prepare for the 9:00 am start of the race. The weather forecast called for wind speeds up to 15 miles per hour in the morning with the potential to increase up to 25 miles per hour in the afternoon and air temps in the mid 80’s. Because of my early arrival I was able to enjoy the beautiful early morning views of the river.

At Neuse River Day

At the start of the race I did my best to get up to a steady pace and develop a rhythm. The first leg of the course took the racers into the wind paddling up the Neuse River to the channel marker designated as the turn around point. After the first 5 minutes of paddling, I developed a rhythm and made all effort to keep a competitive pace. However, the other racers proved to be stronger and faster.
The second leg of the race required the racers to reverse course and follow the flow of the Neuse River into the Trent River. Having, developed a rhythm and making adjustments for the conditions, I was able to keep a proper pace. However, I was unable to catch the racers ahead of me.

As the race course transitioned into the Trent River from the Neuse River we paddled into to the wind and paddled with these conditions until reaching another channel marker that served as the turn around mark. An osprey nesting on top of the channel watched me as I rounded the mark returning to the finish line. During the final leg of the race the boat traffic had increased requiring the paddlers to negotiate the wakes of passing boats along with the wind-pushed river. I discovered that paddling in following seas was more challenging because of the difficulty with keeping the boat straight as it wallowed with the waves.

At some point in the final leg I looked at my watch and saw that it was 10:30 and realized that I could possibly finish this race in less than 2 hours. I resolved to make this goal and paddled with all that I had left. I passed the finish line and heard the announcer call out my name as the first place finisher in the 18-39 age group with a time of 1 hour and 49 minutes. Having previously completed the 8- mile race in 2 hours 16 minutes, this was a personal accomplishment. The Neuse River Day paddling events were numerous. At 12:00 pm, paddlers from 3 different events arrived at Union Point Park; this group consisted of paddlers from the 4, 8 and 100 mile paddles. The 100 mile paddle began on May 27th in Goldsboro, NC; I congratulate the paddlers that were able to finish that trip. As part of the registration, participants received T-shirts, environmental awareness information, paddle trail maps and a race schedule of events in North Carolina.

Neuse River race

The location of the Neuse is beautiful. Union Point Park is positioned at the joining of Neuse River and Trent River. Coupled with marinas, motorboats, yachts and sailboats, this makes the perfect local spot for outdoor adventure. Union Point Park is also located within New Bern’s historic district, which contains many quaint restaurants and shops. Along the race course I was able to see undeveloped property, waterfront homes with docks and boat slips. After spending the day here, I want to return to explore the waters of this area again.

For more information about outdoor recreation on the Neuse River, visit the following links:

http://www.neuseriver.org/home.html, http://www.visitnewbern.com/,
http://www.ci.new-bern.nc.us/, http://www.cravencounty.com/

Twin Rivers Paddling Club, New Bern, NC
http://www.twinriverspaddleclub.org/index.html

About Bernard Miles:
Bernard Miles is a frequent contributor for BOM and an avid kayaker, sailor, boater and outdoor adventurer. use River Foundation