Gordon River Race

By Heather Buckingham

After two years of not knowing whether it was okay to shake someone’s hand or not, we seem to be finally returning to a time where it doesn’t feel so taboo to give a hug to a friend you haven’t seen in years. Garrett and I rocked up to the Gordon on the Wednesday before the race so we could shake off the winter cobwebs and get in some training before the main event. Over the coming days, more and more people joined us and we were reconnected with friends in a way that hasn’t been possible since the start of the pandemic. 

The last time the Gordon Creek race was held was back in 2019 with all-time low water levels at a whopping “8 inches below bottom bolt” on the visual gauge at the put in to the upper section. Flows for this year looked significantly more promising, with a predicted 50 mm of rain in the forecast the last time we checked before disconnecting from service. Between Thursday morning and race day, flows seemed destined to be perfect as they fluctuated between the bolts. By Friday, with flows between the bolts, there were over a dozen people out getting their practice laps in, while others were exploring the magic of the Upper Gordon for the first time. She did not disappoint. 

The Upper Gordon is the South Island classic grade IV whitewater run. It begins with some warm-up boogie rapids before dropping into the harder whitewater. The race starts above Monique’s Hole, followed by Pinball and Intimidation, which ramp up the action as paddlers approach the first crux of the run, Triple Drop. On race day, spectators hike down a tall and steep hill to gather on the rocks above Triple Drop and watch the good lines and the not-so-good ones. The first drop requires a decent boof stroke no matter how you approach it. The second drop might look like the smallest, but that hole was responsible for more than one swim over the past week! The third drop is the tallest, and earns its own name, Nemesis. Things calm down after Horseshoe drop as racers paddle across the flat-water “Lake” and on through the Boulder Gardens. Three more rapids remain – Airplane, with a sticky hole at the bottom left of a fun and swooping ramp, followed by Fake Terminator, and the final crux, Terminator. Naturally, the racecourse ends immediately after a sticky hole that is easiest to avoid by hugging the rocks on the left hand side of the river. Race to the rock, and the clock stops when the second partner in the team of two touches it. 

Perhaps she was disgruntled that no one came to race for the past two years, but the mighty Gordon decided to dish out some rather spectacular beat-downs throughout the week. There were over half a dozen swims, a couple of concussions, and one broken boat all before the race even started. 

Races were run in teams of two, with the idea that each partner is looking out for the other and can respond in the event that anything were to happen. There are also safety boaters scattered throughout the course at key locations. Teams start every two minutes, and it is emphasized that helping someone in need is more important than winning. 

This year, there were 18 teams entered in the race, with the youngest competitor being 16 years old, and the oldest being 49. There were three female competitors, and a team of long boat racers to mix things up a bit! 36 people came out to race, but even more came out for the party. 

After the race lap, a few keeners put on for more white-water fun, while others put on dry clothes and cracked a beer. Steve’s chainsaw skills in the preceding days resulted in a pile of firewood that was guaranteed to burn all night long, even in the rainiest of weather. Burgers and beers were dished out, as the fire was lit and sound systems checked. As the daylight began to fade, the fairy lights came on, the fire raged, and the music began. 

Awards were announced in typical Gordan fest fashion, where ties get broken by sumo suit wrestling. It was a competitive stand-off for 12^th and 11^th place! Top competitors finished the ~3 km race in less than 9 minutes. Swimmers and other mis-demeanors (such as throwing a throw bag to a swimmer, but letting go of the rope) were awarded with 40’s of Olde English ducked taped to hands, not to be removed until the bottle was empty! 

Wet Cigarette, the Victoria Punk-Rock Band put on an excellent show before our local kayaking DJ’s (Harry and Sylvain) took over for the night. Upside-down kayak keg stands, stage dives, and barefoot dancing in the mud, the party rocked on until the early hours of the morning. 

Good show UVic Whitewater Club! We’ll see you again next year!