2008 Gorge Games in Hood River Oregon have just finished and what a sweet place it is.
The Gorge Games have been Dortmund for the past couple of years, but prior to this it was one of the biggest kayak events with prize money of $12000 USD. Unfortunately this year the prize money was down but that didn’t mean it still wasn’t tough.
With Tao Berman living 10mins from the river and with an impressive result at the Teva Mountain Games, he would be hard to beat as well as intimidating.
On Friday we had a qualifier on a easier rapid. it was a sweet course that suited me it was just like the Kaituna and only 35 seconds long.
I was one of the last paddlers to go and we had two chances at this stage Todd Anderson was winning with a 37.3 second time and Tao was 2nd with a 37.9 second time. I was able to haul my Maori ass down the river in 35 seconds.
This was good enough to secure the top spot, with Tao and Todd swapping positions.
The next day was the time trial and boater x, it was the day to make bank. First up the time trial. This would be hard Tao new the run like the back of his hand, he was fitter than us, plus there were 15 other paddlers all able to take it out.
I would try my hardest and give it all. I new Tao’s time he was in front Honza was second. Time to bust it out. I hd a good first half then my arms were dead hitting every wave and rock i was loosing time fast. I was trying but had nothing left. I still managed to come home in Second after Tao.
But Bliss-stick had done well taking 2nd and 3rd.
Boater X was in the Arvo and on the same course as the previous day.
I was able to do well here and in the final it would be Tao, Bradley, Mat and myself.
In the start Tao and I were basing blades then i managed to dig deep and pull hard, which let me drive out in front and keeping fast I managed to come back in first followed by Tao then Brad and Mat.
Wahoo yeah.
So it was a awesome race NZ and Bliss-stick did well yet again having two of three wins and filling to podium apart from Tao.
Check the photos of the Race, Yosemite, Little White, Hood River, White Salmon.
Photos are by Honza Lasko, Toby Robinson and Kirt.
