Stand up paddleboards at Kaw Point before MR340 race

The 18th Missouri River 340 Race, nonstop from Kansas City, KS to St Charles, MO started as planned on August 1st, 2003 at Kaw Point (confluence of Kansas and Missouri Rivers). However, the race was canceled about 4pm next day due to severe thunderstorms and flooding in the lower Missouri River. In the past years the race was postponed a month or two due to flooding or delayed at the start due to thunderstorm, but never canceled in the middle.

I entered the race with the 14.6′ Starboard Waterline SUP, solo and unsupported as usual. The weather was tough indeed, especially, for stand up paddlers – a lot of headwinds. I spent probably 80% of time paddling on my knees. No blisters on my hands, but my knees is another story. My performance was very poor. I paddled only to Glasgow. Nevertheless, I am happy that I returned back to the Missouri River. Basically, I achieved my goal for this year: returning back to the river racing. And, paddling and racing season is not over yet!

I was testing some new solutions and gadgets. What worked and what didn’t? I will have something to blog about. Let’s start with some pictures of stand up paddleboards at Kaw Point a day before the race and the last image of my board just before launching 15 minutes before the race start.

I returned back to Colorado on Sunday night as planned with a lot of pictures and video clips. I just had more time to visit different places along the Missouri River and to discover a few unknown spots. It was a good idea to pack a folding bike for this trip.

Special thanks to Dave Owens, one of many MR340 volunteers, for driving me from Glasgow to Kansas City on Wednesday night!