Thank you to all the people who participated in the 2014 California 100. From the hard-working volunteer staff and the on-water safety crew to all the racers and their support teams, well done! It was truly an inspirational weekend and a treat to watch so many paddlers from different disciplines, ages and geographical areas converge onto the Sacramento River. In the end we witnessed 130 people take to the river solo, tandem and in relays in all types of crafts. Kayaks, canoes, surfskis, outrigger canoes, standup paddleboards and prone paddleboards were all represented well. You can check out race times and results here.
The biggest growth this year came from the relay divisions and in the SUP categories. Lots of new paddlers stepped up to the challenge and most interestingly, more than half the racers were visiting the Sacramento River and the surrounding communities for the first time. Redding and Chico embraced paddlers for the weekend and we’re grateful and excited for that!
Thank you to all the sponsors who helped support the California 100 and our sport. Their dedication goes a long, long way helping Rivers for Change work towards our mission of connecting individuals, organizations and communities to rivers. The California 100 is a major fundraiser for RFC and a way to connect paddlers to the Sacramento River Watershed. We’re thankful to great companies like Werner Paddles, Clif Bar, Epic Kayaks, Oru Kayak, Headwaters Adventure Company, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Kicking Horse Coffee and Adventure Medical Kits for great assistance. Check out all the great supporters on our sponsor page.
The weekend was rounded out on Memorial day with a delicious local and organic Awards BBQ followed by a River Cleanup with the Sacramento River Preservation Trust. It was a great way to relax on the river, look for trash treasures, and give back to the wonderful resource that hosted us for the weekend.
If you haven’t seen the photos from the race yet, visit riversforchange.org/photos to check out some amazing images from talented photographers. They do a great job of telling the Cal 100 story and showcasing the wonderful people involved. While you’re there, read some of the racers blogs to get a feel for their experiences. Maybe they’ll inspire you to join in as an individual, team, or relay for next year.
Paddle Bear has already started training….have you?
Thanks again for your continued support of Rivers For Change and the California 100. Paddles up!
Matt, Danielle, and John
