2015 Cheat Downriver Race!

On May 1, 2015, veteran NORSA paddlers Steven and Adam, joined by NORSA newcomer Tom A, participated in the annual Cheat Downriver Race.  Billed as the largest mass-start downriver race (thus gaining the nickname, the "Massacre-ence"), over 160 paddlers raced down the 11 mile Cheat Canyon en mass, over and through continuous class III-IV rapids, including the notorious "Big Nasty," "High Falls," "Colliseum", and "Pete Morgan."

Adam:

The NORSA team had been training all winter long for this day, braving 20 degree days on a frozen Potomac river, high spring flows, and long weekend drives out to the Cheat and N. Branch of the Potomac.  Having had only run the Cheat once before, the NORSA veterans teamed up with Liquid Adventures' "Cheat Training" - a rite of passage for many DC paddlers - for weekday evening attaining and weekend downriver racing practices.

Steve:

The spring of 2015 was fortunately beset with weekly rains that kept the rivers flowing swiftly.  Come race day, the Cheat was at its lowest level all season.  At 5 PM, the racers lined up at the old washed out bridge in Albright, WV.  The NORSA racers were startled by the horn signaling the start of the race, and had to work their way up the pack.  As soon as they entered Decision rapid, the team was well on their way - gaining ground on the pack and giving up few spots for the remainder of the race.  The lower water level led to a slower race, with some changes in the rapids - BigNasty wasn't so big and nasty; Pete Morgan featured a new, giant hole in the run-out.

Tom:

An hour and a half and 11 miles later, after a couple flips, some unintentional surfing, and one swim, Team NORSA crossed the finish line under the Jenkinsburg Bridge, all within a few minutes of each other and comfortably in the top 1/3 of the pack, with a 10th place finish for TeamNORSA.  The racers celebrated with a rousing post-race party back in Albright, and as of the next morning were already looking forward to next year's MASSACRE-ENCE!

Results!