Organizers of the 2012 Chalk Banks Challenge hope to build on the success of last year’s introduction
The event is planned for May 19 at the Chalk Banks Access Area of Lumber River in Wagram. It will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“We had about 500 people come out last year to the Challenge,” said Whit Gibson, chairman of the Lumber River State Park Citizens Advisory Committee. “This year Contestants may compete in the raft, recreational canoe and kayak races and we have added a 5k run to the end of the canoe/kayak race as part of a water/land biathlon.”
Gibson added the running leg opens up the Challenge to even more competitor.
While competition will be a focus, Cory Hughes, executive director of the Scotland County Tourism Development Authority said the highlight of the day will be the homemade raft race.
“We had about a dozen rafts compete last year. Which was pretty good since we were just getting started,” said Hughes. “Now just because 12 started, doesn’t mean 12 finished. Besides a winner’s trophy, we gave out a number of honors before the race started including ‘most likely to sink’, ‘least likely to make it down the river’, ‘most creative’ and ‘most embarrassing to your 8th grade science teacher.’”
Beyond the water fun, Hughes stressed that there will be activities for the whole family through out the day.
“We will have music and other entertainment, fishing for the kids, kids games, food and a lot more.”
For information on the canoe, kayak and biathlon races, please contact Mickey Turlington of the North Carolina Canoe Racing Association at 910-904-1578 or by email at watersafari@aol.com
For raft or overall event information, contact the Lumber River State Park at 910-628-4564 or by email at lumber.river@ncmail.net and visit our web site at www.chalkbanks.com.
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