Mitch and Emmye Cherry take kayak racing seriously, but it’s also a fun activity for them.
With a 31-mile race in Chattanooga, Tenn., looming, they decided to try a race they’d never attempted before — the Betty’s Bash Paddle Race and Music Festival June 25.
“This is basically training so that I can do enough races to stay in shape for my bigger race,” said Mitch Cherry.
And it was also a way to meet new people.
“We are in different series of races, and we’ve never done this one. So, we were like, ‘Well let’s go try Betty’s Bash,’’ said Emmye Cherry.
Mitch Cherry said, “Let’s go paddle and party with people that we usually don’t paddle with!”
The couple was among about 50 racers at the annual event, which featured the water activity as well as a music festival on land with The Mason Jars. Guests enjoy cold beer, fresh food and even a little shopping during the event.
“We got trophies for all those different sectioned-out events. So, it’s a six-mile loop around Journey Island, and the fastest time last year was one hour and six minutes. I’m hoping someone got under an hour today,” said Andy Colbert who owns Outdoor Augusta, coordinates the event and is a member of the Mason Jars.
The event is designed to bring awareness of the area and get more people on the water, according to Colbert, who added he hoped it would entice people to become more involved with clean-up activities at the site. Each February, Outdoor Augusta hosts a cleaning effort which also includes food and conversation. He openly invites all the participants back for that event.
“I don’t host this for the money; in fact, a lot of money I get from playing in the band goes back into hosting this event. It’s about bringing people together and having a good time. You can’t have a bad time out here,” says Colbert. “It’s awesome out here.”
The race has different categories between men and women for kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing as well as fastest time around the island.
While Mitch and Emmye Cherry are among the more serious competitors, many in attendance do not heavily prepare for the race, but simply get on the water for the fun of it.
“I never train. I just get out there and do it. I would just paddle every weekend,” said Alice Freeman, a nlocal attendee.
Some just enjoy the sightseeing along the way.
“We saw lots of turtles. I thought it was great to just raise awareness of the river and the resource, and what it has to offer. It was a good time,” said Kelly Klasnick, racer and river enthusiast.
