Rusell Fork Rapid Descriptions

The upper and lower sections of the Russell Fork offer fantastic views and great Class II-III action. The upper is fantastic for intermediate paddlers who want to work on surfing and boofs, the lower is a great beginner/intermediate training ground. If we could only figure out how to jam them together!

Visit the great Russell Fork Info website for a run down on all of these rapids.

Upper Section
Splashdam
Railroad
Twenty Stitches
Johnny Rock

Lower Section
MeatGrinder
Pinball

Site Update

The Bardstown Boaters website has undergone some changes today. You might not notice much difference but behind the scenes things have changed. Now anyone can be a contributer to the main page blog that you see here. If you would like to contribute please let me know. I am looking for some new writers to the blog. Contact me at spalding@bardstownboaters.com

Race Challenges Didn't Stop It

This year's "Bourbon City Challenge," which was last Sunday in the area around Samuels Field, Sympson Lake and west Bardstown, had a pair of major challenges. First, the organizers, led by former Standard Reporter Bob White, lacked a major sponsor and had to scramble to figure out how to pay the bills without serious underwriting. The participants in the run, paddle and peddle competition faced wind gusts of more than 50 mph during the early afternoon dodging falling limbs and being pushed backward and sideways.

As it turned out the second annual event turned out to be a great success with more people taking part as individuals or as part of a team. We hope that the perseverance shown by White, Bardstown Boaters, Horizon Hoppers and the other sponsors will pay off next year in landing a "naming sponsor" for the event.

In the meantime, the community should be thankful that we have volunteers who have the fortitude to stay with a project even in the face of adversity and give it a chance to succeed. If we are going to live up to the outdoor adventure potential that National Geographic Magazine sees here it will take some more of the vision shown by the "Challenge" organizers.

Their efforts should be applauded and others should follow their example to make Nelson County the place it can be.

Bourbon City Challenge Results

Here are the results from the Bourbon City Challenge

Male Solo
1st - Matt Hoyes (Bardstown) 2 hours, 15 minutes
2nd - Jeremiah Ellis (Fort Knox)
3rd - Thad Hardin, two hours, 26 minutes

Team Relay
1st - Brian Beauman and Bradley Medley (Bardstown) two hours 16 minutes
2nd - Djzvad Kreso, Mike Zoeller, and Chris Walsh (Bardstown)
3rd - Kenny & John Thomas, Lindsay & Robin Cline

Female Solo
1st - Amanda Tucker - 2:38
2nd - Sue Mulet - 2:42
3rd - Leslie Seymour

Hollis Hurst

Hollis Clark Hurst was born today in Bardstown, Kentucky. Weighing in at seven pounds 12 ounces and twenty-one and a half inches long, Hollis looks to be a promising young boater. She is the daughter of Spalding and Jennifer Hurst, members of the Bardstown Boaters.

More Pictures: Picasa

Bardstown Recycling Program

In 2008 the City of Bardstown and the government of Nelson County worked together to apply for a grant to start a recycling program for all city and county residents. In May of 2008 they were given notification that they had received the grant from the State of Kentucky. This grant made it possible to purchase the forklift, two balers and five recycling bin trailers that would be necessary for the start of the program in the Bardstown community. The trailers will be parked strategically around the city and throughout the county where you can drop off your recyclable materials that you have collected.

To learn more about which materials you can recycle and where the bins are located check out the City of Bardtown’s website.

Adventure Race This Sunday

Adventure Race
This Sunday!
Register Now

This year's Bourbon City Challenge Adventure Race in Bardstown, Ky., Sept. 14, 2008 begins Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Bardstown-Nelson County Airport on U.S. 62 just a mile west of Bardstown.

Notes about the race

1. Anyone Training on the lake prior to race day needs a $10 boat permit. This does not include trail running or biking on the road. There is no permit needed on race day.

2. Anyone planning to rent a canoe or kayak, needs to contact Central Ky. Canoe and Kayak's Mike Hammons at (502) 345-9220 or (502) 507-9364 to reserve a boat. We're trying to have numbers coincide with racers to ensure all people get a canoe or kayak as they intend. The rental boats are $20.

3. The event goes rain or shine. No exceptions. This is an adventure race, so we'll not quit for weather. (as those who entered last year's race know, a little rain can actually improve conditions and the mud makes for a great photo op!)

4. Please arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to station your bikes, boats and teammates at transition areas. Both Bike and Boat Transition areas are on Ben Irvin Road on the back side of Sympson Lake. Attached is a map of the bike and boat course (The trail has changed since this map was made) The map details the bike transition area. The boat transition area is the boat ramp at Sympson lake. Please position your boat on the shore on the left side of the concrete boat ramp. The concrete ramp needs to be clear as much as possible.

5. We have a lot of return racers from last year's event and that says to me we did a pretty good job last year! Hopefully this year, racers will be even more impressed.

Bardstown Whitewater Park

Find out more about the Bardstown Whitewater Park