Penguin Race

A threatening line of thunder clouds looms closer and closer to the Meadows on the Bow River in South Calgary. Kids and adults alike are bundled against the elements and some have even chosen to done a Penguin costume.

It is the 2nd annual Penguin Race put on by the Waterwerks Kayak Club. Over 50 kids from cub-cadet to senior have shown up to race against the clock for a coveted spot on the event’s wooden penguin mascot. Alberta High Performance coach, Michael Holroyd has set a difficult 16 gate course on the slow moving currents of the Meadows. The shore is full of parents cheering on the paddlers as they fight their way down the course to the finish.

“That was a lot harder than I thought,” says top ranked Canadian Jessica Groeneveld about the offset course. AJ Cole agrees, “My arms were burning!”

Young paddlers like Molly Severtson are having a great time navigating the twisting gates and newcomer Ashley Vrielink paddles the gates with confidence while other newcomer Francis Levesque decides to take the “Penguin Race” to heart and takes a couple chilly dips in the Bow River. “It’s really not that cold,” he says.

With paddlers competing in all 3 classes of whitewater slalom (K1, C1, C2) the event is successful in promoting full participation in a wild and exciting sport.

Beginner paddlers start on the flatwater of the Meadows and eventually progress to wilder rapids such as the Kananaskis once they have perfected their technique.

The race is done by noon and the paddlers file up to the parking lot where pots full of chilli prepared by generous parents and hot drinks wait to be engulfed. Awards are soon to follow and Penguin themed prizes are picked by excited youth.

The conclusion to a perfect spring starter race is followed not 10 minutes by the clouds breaking and a sky full of snow and rain falling down on Calgary.

Thanks to all the parents and volunteers who made this race such a success!

Full results can be found here.

Paddling down the course in my penguin mask

All the athletes who participated in the 2nd annual Penguin Race