cheat race training

cheat river map
AWA cheat river description
AWA river level

get ready for a new season of paddling

It doesn't matter if you race or not. It doesn't matter if you are fast or last. Come on out with us to these workouts, and you will find yourself: building endurance, improving your forward stroke, learning the rapids on the Cheat Canyon, and enjoying the company of friends - just what you need to get you started for a new paddling season and help you up to the next paddling level.

It takes getting in shape to be comfortable in white water and to feel strong in your boat. When you work-out, over time, with persistence, you will develop balance, strength, endurance, and unconscious skill. Spend quality time in your boat, and you will begin to feel that you belong on the river. These are coached workouts (as opposed to classes), so expect to be moving almost the whole time, and expect a larger class size than our usual 5:1 ratio.  You will need a long boat to keep up in these workouts.

The photo to the right is race day a half a mile below the start.

Below, the group is loaded in Glen's truck for the shuttle up to the put-in.

The program consists of:

1. attainment workouts on weekday evenings, every Wed. 6-dark, to build strength and boat control.

2. downriver workouts, Saturdays at 10 AM - 2PM , in March.

3. one-day trips to the Cheat on Saturday's in April with Beyond Liquid Adventures.

4. The race for '08 will be Friday May 2 or May 9. Stay tuned to Race info at cheat river race.

Please consult the calendar for other dates and times. Please use online registration.

Of course, all plans are subject to change according to the river levels.

The cost for the two month program is $200.

Last Year's Results:
by John Munnell

Tom was third in the men's long boat class and 20th overall.

Kristin Wood was 1st and first timer Cherie Bartozzi was 3rd in the
women's short boat class.

Helene Scalliet was 4th in the women's long boat class.

Great finishes for Hank Durand (50th overall and 2nd LAKS finisher),
Craig Campbell (53rd overall and 3rd LAKS finisher) and Eric Colbert
(61st overall).

Special recognition for Mark Schrieb, who apparently beat out other
racers still in their boats, on his way to his finish at 130th
overall. Just proves that it's really the paddler --- not the
gear! :-)

Kudos to those who interrupted their race to assist other paddlers:
Paul Harrison, Marka Petersen, Carlos Ifarraguerri, the ever present
Hector Pickart and Jen Sass...and any others I may have missed. The
river gods will smile on you!

Fast LAKS finished 5th in the team standings. We'll have to try again
next year to push higher!

I counted 22 LAKS entries, not including honorary LAKS member, Peter
Lutter --- who only finished 2nd overall!

Best of all, everyone met the challenge, performed well and ---
despite a nervous moment or two --- finished the race safely. Congrats
to all!!!

Tom McEwan, co-founder of Liquid Adventures, has spent over 30 years paddling and racing in the DC area.

Cheat River Profile cheat river map

Section 1: Start Bridge to Big Nasty
Beginning ledge rapids and second ledge
Decision
1-2. Small to medium rapids
3. Right side rapid
4. Cindy's long rapid
5-7. Small to medium rapids
Big Nasty

Section 2: Big Nasty to Surfing wave
Typewriter
Med rocky rapid
Little Nasty (long rapid, start L.)
Flat pool
3 significant rapids
Surfing wave (big rock on L)

Section 3: Surfing wave to Tear Drop
1-2. Med rapids
Doldrums
False Fist
Cue Ball
Fist
second cue ball
1-2. Left rapids

Section 4: Tear Drop to bottom of Pete Morgan Rapid
Tear Drop (stay L.)
High Falls (center and 20' L. of knob rock)
Maze
Coliseum (L. of hole but stay away from big square rock)
Lower Coliseum (stay R.)
Pete Morgan (line down center L.)

Section 5: Bottom of Pete Morgan to Jenkinsburg bridge
1-3. Med, long rapids (stay L.)
4-5. Small, long rapids