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Monday, July 8, 2019

Callaghan Creek Race 2019 Results

Callaghan Creek Race - July 6, 2019

The 10th Annual Callaghan Creek happened on July 6, marking a decade of racing this classic stretch of whitewater. 46 competitors rounded out the field this year, braving cool rainy weather to run laps, race and party into the early hours of the morning. A weak snowpack led to low levels in the week leading up to the race, but a few days of rain rescued the level to a mellow but acceptable 0.18.

The shortened course was used this year.

A massive thanks goes out to everyone who helped make the race happen - the racers, party organizers and timing volunteers - it wouldn't be the same without your help. Thanks everyone for coming out!

  1. Blake Miller - Tad Dennis - 15:34
  2. Louis Geltman - Geoff Calhoun - 15:47
  3. Jure Stan - Kiah Schaepe - 16:08
  4. Rhys Elliott - Sam Ricketts - 16:12
  5. Raphael Boudreault-Simard - Rich Kemble - 16:15
  6. Max Nielsen - Richard Maggs - 16:38
  7. Corey Boux - Ash Bullivant - 16:49
  8. Tyler Russell - Mariano Ferrer - 16:50
  9. Philip Gibbins - Kynan Maley - 17:17
  10. David Graham - Taylor ?? - 17:25
  11. Rowan Kaar - Jake Perram - 17:28
  12. Scott McBride - Graham Litman - 17:30
    Steve Arns - Sam Murray - Matt Kompass - 17:30
  13. Andy Osadetz - Ryan Boudens - 17:33
  14. Russell Henry - Paul Dempsey - 17:41
  15. Darby McAdams - Blake Hornblow - 17:46
  16. Will Riorden - Maxi Kniewasser - 18:13
  17. Josh Plankeel - Thierry Green - 18:36
  18. Jen Chrimes - Crista Wiles - 19:16
  19. Daphnee Tuzlak - Tess Fields - Monique Boag - 19:29
  20. Earl Ree-Goodings - Jon Lane - 1:22:43
  21. Davy ? - Angus ? - DNF

Upper Cheakamus Race - July 5, 2019

The Upper Cheak Race was also a huge success this year. The normal course was used, from the eddy above the falls all the way down to the take out by the gauge. The level was 2.45. Congrats to Blake to being the dual champion this year!

  1. Blake Miller - 10:41
  2. Kiah Schaepe - 10:50
  3. Geoff Calhoun - 10:53
  4. Tad Dennis - 10:58
  5. Rhys Elliott - 11:01
  6. Rich Kemble - 11:02
    Fidel Moreno - 11:02
  7. Philip Gibbins - 11:03
  8. Jure Stan - 11:10
  9. Sam Ricketts - 11:16
  10. Tyler Russell - 11:18
    Francisco Jirmenez - 11:18
  11. Richard Maggs - 11:27
  12. Ricky Miller - 11:30
    Jake Perram - 11:30
  13. Edward Muggridge - 11:33
    Mirko Moreno - 11:33
  14. Mike Gottlieb - 11:37
  15. Scott McBride - 11:43
  16. Corey Boux - 11:44
  17. Kynan Maley - 11:45
  18. Max Nielsen - 11:46
    Blake Hornblow - 11:46
  19. Jen Chrimes - 11:48
  20. Garreth Thomas - 11:49
  21. Josh Plankeel - 11:50
  22. Russell Henry - 11:53
  23. Rowan Kaar - 11:55
  24. David Graham - 11:57
  25. Paul Dempsey - 11:58
  26. Earl Ree-Goodings - 12:02
  27. Zach Morgan - 12:04
  28. Andy Osadetz - 12:05
    Ryan Boudens - 12:05
  29. Luke Longridge - 12:09
  30. Steve Arns - 12:10
  31. Theirry Green - 12:17
  32. Tess Fields - 12:24
  33. Will Riorden - 12:28
  34. Daphnee Tuzlak - 12:35
  35. Jon Lane - 12:38
  36. Darby McAdams - 12:50
  37. Brydhi Stark - 13:05
  38. Connor ?? - 13:10
  39. Crista Wiles - 13:15

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

2018 Callaghan Creek Race Recap

Callaghan Creek Race - July 14, 2018

The 9th Annual Callaghan Creek race went down last weekend. It was the most successful race to date, with 60 competitors racing the course. After a winter with lots of snow, the race was held in the normal window of mid July, but global warming like hot weather in the early months of the summer melted much of the snow off leaving us with a nice medium flow of 2.75.

The shortened course was used again this year, partially out of concern for the large tree wedged in the middle of the rapid that some people got tangled up in during training laps.

A big thank you goes out to our title sponsors Western Canoe and Kayak and Predator Helmets. Predator provided cash prizes to the top 3 teams, and a bunch of helmets and other swag to all. Western provided an NRS PFD for the winner of the Cheak time trial on Friday night.

A massive thanks goes out to everyone who helped make the race happen - the racers, party organizers, timing volunteers, and sponsors. This is a community event that is only made better by everyone helping out. The entry fees we raised this year were put towards some costs associated with the race, with a some left over to make the 10th anniversary race next year a real blow out. Most importantly, part of the money raised has already been spent to purchase new staff gauges - one to replace the broken one on the Callaghan, and another for fresh installation on the Soo.

Thanks everyone for coming out! See you next year.

  1. Jure Stan - Kiah Schaepe - 15:21
  2. Tad Dennis - Mike Ferraro - 15:28
  3. Blake Miller - Wes Dixon - 15:30
  4. Rich Kemble - Jamie Wright - 15:38
  5. Geoff Calhoun - Martijn Van Den Broeke - 15:39
  6. Fabian Tandler - Michiel De Rutter - 15:47
  7. Sam Swanson - Steve McGrady - 16:03
  8. Corey Boux - Briener Matiz - 16:05
  9. Chris Loughran - Joel Villeneuve - 16:06
  10. Jonas Delonge - Ash Bullivant - 16:40
  11. Ryan Boudens - Andy Osadetz - 16:46
  12. Lars Skovlin - Joe Vincent - 17:07
  13. Ethan Begley - Ben Wright - 17:08
  14. Sam Murray - Mark Williams - 17:10
  15. Phil Middleton - Winston 'Wiggy' Cawkell - 17:16
  16. Matt Brook - Caleb Newsome - 17:24
    Tim Riddell - Kevin ?? - 17:24
  17. Russell Henry - Paul Dempsey - 17:26
  18. Steve Arns - Ethan Smith - 17:42
  19. Scott McBride - Graham Litman - 17:43
  20. Etienne Beland - Rowan Kaar - 17:58
  21. Corey May - Dennis Lynch - 18:03
  22. Kevin Pierce - Josh Plankeel - 18:13
  23. Brydhi Stark - Jen Chrimes - Anna Wagner - 18:15
  24. Adrian Wigston - Mike Nash - 19:42
  25. Monique Boag - Tammy Ritchie - 20:27
  26. Louis Geltman - Brian Jewett - 29:37
  27. Erin Board - Katie Jackson - Erin Savage - 43:36
  28. Ben Hawthorne (UK) - Colby Bishop - 55:34

Pre race meeting. Maxi Kniewasser photo.


Team Dad between the waterfalls. Maxi Kniewasser photo.


Main falls, unknown racers. Maxi Kniewasser photo.


Syncro boating. Maxi Kniewasser photo.


Wiggy emerging from ODB. Maxi Kniewasser photo.


New hardware for river gauge maintenance.

Upper Cheakamus Race - July 13, 2018

The Upper Cheak Race was also a huge success this year, with record participation. The normal course was used, from the eddy above the falls all the way down to the take out by the gauge. The level was 2.6. Finish times were used to seed start times in the Callaghan Race the next day. Notably, racer Cody Bartel survived an epic hole ride at the House Rock rapid while being cheered on by all the racers that were finished before him - he was awarded with a brand new kevlar Predator helmet for his survival skills. Blake won an NRS PDF courtesy of WCK for his effort too.

Stay tuned for some big plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary races in 2019. See you there!

  1. Blake Miller - 10:18
  2. Geoff Calhoun - 10:23
  3. Rich Kemble - 10:25
  4. Tad Dennis - 10:28
  5. Kiah Schaepe - 10:35
  6. Jure Stan - 10:36
  7. Corey Boux - 10:39
  8. Fabien Tandler - 10:43
  9. Briener Matiz - 10:48
    Michiel De Rutter- 10:48
  10. Chris Loughran - 10:50
  11. Martijn Van Den Broeke - 10:57
  12. Mike Ferraro - 10:58
  13. Marco Colella - 11:06
  14. Ryan Boudens - 11:09
    Etienne Beland - 11:09
  15. Ben Wright - 11:12
  16. Scott McBride - 11:13
    Andy Osadetz - 11:13
    Dennis Lynch - 11:13
  17. Phil Middleton - 11:15
  18. Russell Henry - 11:18
    Joe Vincent - 11:18
    Jeremey Hiemstra - 11:18
  19. Jen Chrimes - 11:20
  20. Josh Plankeel - 11:22
  21. Winston 'Wiggy' Cawkell - 11:25
  22. Tim Riddell - 11:34
  23. Jonas Delonge - 11:37
    Rowan Kaar - 11:37
  24. Paul Dempsey - 11:38
  25. Steve Arns - Corey May - 11:42
  26. Dave Reid - 11:46
  27. Mark Williams - 11:48
  28. Kevin Pierce - 11:50
  29. Libby Tobey - 12:00
  30. Graham Litman - 12:11
  31. Cody Bartell - 12:20
  32. Katie Jackson - 13:02
  33. Brydhi Stark - 13:05
  34. Caitlin Foran - 13:07

Surviving an Upper Cheak take out rapid beating.


While the crowd watches on....

Friday, July 21, 2017

2017 Callaghan Creek Race Recap

Callaghan Creek Race - July 15, 2017

The 8th Annual Callaghan Creek race went down as a huge success last weekend. After a winter with lots of snow, the race was held in the normal window of mid July, but unseasonably cool weather caused a drop in flow in the days leading to the race. Flows ended up being a relatively mellow but respectable 2.7 or so.

This year we had 36 racers. The shortened course was used again this year as it was still a bit low to safely race over the first ledge. Even though OBD changed last winter, the rapid still offered up a ton of excitement for racers.

A big thank you goes out to our title sponsors Western Canoe and Kayak and Predator Helmets. Predator provided cash prizes to the top 3 teams, and a bunch of helmets and other swag to all. Western provided gift certificates, and a paddle for the winner of the Cheak time trial on Friday night.

A big thank you also goes out to Hard Core Paddles, who provided a paddle to the fastest paddler using their product during the race - this year Jamie Wright claimed the prize. These guys make a great product! Try it out if you can.

Lastly, a thanks goes out to everyone who helped make the race happen - the racers, party organizers, timing volunteers, sponsors. This is a community event that is only made better by everyone helping out. Of note was the change in party venue to an awesome location along the Cheakamus River.

The race was very competitive this year. There was only 1 second between first and second place! The winning team, Maxi and Benny, have been paddling together since they were teenagers and they were fired up the share the title, and a giant bottle of Jack Daniels at the after party... It was great to see a long list of familiar faces and new competitors participating.

  1. Maxi Kniewasser - Benny Marr - 15:28
  2. Richard Kemble - Jamie Wright - 15:29
  3. Kiah Schaepe - Jure Stan - 15:40
  4. Ash Bullivant - Andraz Krpic - 15:45
  5. Joel Villeneuve - Chris Loughran - 15:55
  6. Corey Boux - 16:10
  7. Eric Johnson - Trent McCrerey - 16:16
  8. Taylor Weston - Fidel Moreno - 16:22
  9. Ryan Boudens - Blake Miller - 16:27
  10. Ethan Shea Begley - Dave O'Sullivan - 16:30
  11. Wes Dixon - Henry Heyman - 16:31
  12. Spencer Beck - Lars Skovlin - 16:35
  13. Dave Graham - Iztok Zuber - 16:50
  14. Steve Arns - Jonas Delogne - 16:59
  15. Michael Freeman - Mike Nash - 17:35
  16. Tom Potter - Evan Corral - Paul Stamilio - 17:45
  17. Phil Middleton - Winston 'Wiggy' Cawkell - 18:20
  18. Honza Muska Musil - Liam Cook - 19:57

First place: Maxi and Benny. Tegan Owens photo.


Second place: Jamie and Rich. Tegan Owens photo.


Third place: Kiah and Jure. Tegan Owens photo.


Whiteout in the Old Dirty Bastard. Graham Lavery photo.

Upper Cheakamus Race - July 14, 2017

After a few years hiatus, the Upper Cheak Time Trial was back this year. The course started below the waterfall this year as there was a log blocking the river just below it. A successful competition with almost no carnage. Finish times were used to seed start times in the Callaghan Race the next day. The finish times were also used to choose who won the Hard Core Paddle, and both Jamie and Rich were using them in the Callaghan Race on the same team.

Stay tuned for some new ideas for the races in 2018. See you there!

  1. Fidel Moreno - 10:06
  2. Blake Miller - 10:21
  3. Maxi Kniewasser - 10:25
    Eric Johnson - 10:25
  4. Andraz Krpic - 10:26
  5. Taylor Weston - 10:27
  6. Kiah Schaepe - 10:33
    Jure Stan - 10:33
  7. Jamie Wright - 10:34
  8. Richard Kemble - 10:37
  9. Ash Bullivant - 10:40
  10. Joel Villeneuve - 10:43
  11. Corey Boux - 10:46
    Chris Loughran - 10:46
  12. Iztok Zuber - 10:52
  13. Ryan Boudens - 10:54
  14. Ethan Shae Begley - 10:56
  15. Jonas Delogne - 10:57
    Katrina van Wijk - 10:57
    Honza Muska Musil - 10:57
  16. Steve Arns - 10:59
  17. Dave Graham - 11:00
  18. Ben Holzman - 11:10
  19. Liam Cook - 11:12
  20. Peter Harper - 11:15
  21. Winston 'Wiggy' Cawkell - 11:16
  22. Tom Potter - 11:17
  23. Casey Williams - Nicole Mansfield - 11:21
  24. Josh Plankeel - 11:39
  25. Nike Nash - 11:42
  26. Andy Nash - 11:51
  27. Phil Middleton - 17:21 (assisted swimmer)
  28. Daniel Klein - DNF

Monday, July 18, 2016

2016 Callaghan Creek Race Recap

Callaghan Creek Race - July 16, 2016

After a few years of low water and early flow windows, the 7th Annual Callaghan Creek race moved back to its traditional time in mid July.

52 racers competed, which is tied with the 2013 race for the most competitors to enter! Level 2.68. The modified course was used because the water level was just below the cut off for running the first ledge, and the course finished at the normal take out where the race has always finished. Running OBD was optional.

A big thanks to Western Canoe and Kayak for providing the top prize of a new paddle for the winning female competitor and gift certificates for the overall winners!

A thank you also goes out to Predator Helmets for providing a bunch of helmets and hats that went out to the top teams and safety crew, and to WaterFlow Paddling for providing a throwbag and hat to the racers that had some carnage over the weekend.

Finally, a huge thanks to all the people who came together to make the race happen. From finish timers to safety crew, trail workers, party makers and everyone else in between - it wouldn't be possible without your hard work!

Race Times

  1. Raphael Boudreault-Simard - Ric Moxon - 15:28
  2. Louis Geltman - Benny Marr - 15:43
  3. Rhys Elliot - Carl Whitehead - 15:48
  4. Phil Mitchell- Joe Morley - 15:52
  5. Hector Darby MacLellan - Richard Kemble - 15:54
  6. Charley Nguyen - Mael Nguyen - 16:00
  7. Kiah Schaepe - Martjin Van Den Broeke - 16:18
  8. Dave Fusilli - Matt Anger - 16:28
  9. Corey Boux - Chris Loughran - 16:44
  10. Adrian Kiernan - Scotty Hall - 16:47
  11. Honza Muska Musil - Andraz Krpic - 16:50
  12. Edward Muggridge - Pedro Astorga - 16:52
  13. Ben Kinsella - Nate Klema - 16:57
  14. John Harding - Matiu Kapa - 17:01
  15. Jonas Delogne - Iztok Zuber - 17:26
  16. Bryce Shaw - Ethan Shae - 17:29
  17. Glen Carpenter - Laura Bannon - 17:30
  18. Jeremy Norbury - Trent McCrerey - 17:32
  19. Steve Arns - Ali Marshall - 17:40
  20. Dave O'Sullivan - Ash Bullivant - 18:06
  21. Will Riorden - Geoff Dunbrack - 18:32
  22. Chris Tretwold - Jonathan Ellinger - 18:36
  23. Ben Hawthorne - Harlan Johnson - 18:42
  24. Josh Plankeel - Phil Middleton - 19:17
  25. Sam Murray - Dave Graham - 20:18
  26. Tegan Owens - Hilary Neevel - 22:25

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Callaghan Creek 2015 Recap

Callaghan Creek Race - June 20, 2015

18 racers competed, 3 solo, and 8 teams, with one racer competing both solo and team. Level 2.55. The modified course was used because of very low water starting by seal launching at first ledge, finishing at the normal take out where race has always finished. Running OBD was optional.

The record extreme low snowpack of the 2014/2015 winter made planning the race particularly difficult in 2015. The race was initially cancelled early in the week before the race, but slightly warmer temperatures, some rain and enthusiasm from the community to hold a race anyways salvaged the event last minute. Lower turn out than normal, but a great time all the same.

Thanks to AT Paddles from providing a paddle each for the two kayakers from the winning team! A thank you as well to the safety crew, timing crew and Sea to Sky Whitewater.

Race Times

  1. Gerd Serrasolses - 15:57 - Gerd is now 3x reigning champion
  2. Darren Albright - 16:47
  3. Liam Cook / Kiah Schaepe - 17:14
  4. Sam Ricketts - 17:42
  5. Corey Boux / Andrew ?? - 17:48
    Beny Nowak / Andreas Wicky - 17:48
  6. Ash Bullivant / Martijn Van Den Broeke - 18:00
  7. Ben Seeberger / Geoff Dunbrack - 18:50
  8. Phil Middleton / David O'Sullivan - 19:12
  9. Steve Arns / Sam Murray - 19:29
  10. Gerd Serrasolses / Alicia Zaragoza - 20:40