"The Green Race" kind of sounds like an event tailor-made for a couple kayakers from Christ School, doesn't it?
Rainy weather did not hamper Saturday's performance by Chapin Mohney '23, who paddled to a third-place finish in the Juniors division (4:24.05), or Assistant Dean of Students/Outdoor Program coach Wesley Shelmire, who was sixth in the Men's division (4:19.83).
Chapin is the son of Math instructor/Outdoor Program Director Mike Mohney and school nurse Deidra Mohney.
Mr. Shelmire built the kayak that he paddled Saturday, a process that took about three months. He got the permission of local company Liquidlogic to use its "Stinger" design for a boat constructed mostly out of Carbon Kevlar fabric and two-part epoxy. There was also some fiberglass on the outer layer and on the cockpit rim, and a little wood on the interior for more support under the seat.
Now in its 27th year, The Green Race is billed as "the largest extreme kayak race in the world" and takes place the first Saturday of every November on a 2.9-mile section of the Green River in Henderson County, N.C., and Polk County, N.C. There were 164 total paddlers in this year's race.
Congratulations from everyone at Christ School to Chapin and Mr. Shelmire!