A splash at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday will signal the start of the 28th
Annual Outdoors, Inc. Canoe & Kayak Race — Memphis’ largest
river event. Spectators looking on from the riverfront will witness
more than 500 participants racing on the waters.
In past years, among the paddlers have been actress Cybill Shepherd
and Olympic gold medalist Greg Barton, who is expected to compete again
this year. The participants also include “a lot of good, solid, local
paddlers — an outstanding field from Memphis, and people who do
it strictly for fun,” says Joe Royer, the founder of the race and the
owner of Outdoors, Inc. Royer will be paddling in the race this year
with his grandson.
“I’ve climbed the Grand Canyon, the Rockies, and the Alps and
kayaked in San Francisco Bay. The Mississippi is one of the greatest
rivers to kayak,” says Royer, who trained for the U.S. Olympic kayak
team as a young man. “The river is powerful and challenging, but you
stick your chest out and say you’re proud of having done it.”
Proceeds from the race go to the Church Health Center.
28th Annual Outdoors, Inc. Canoe & Kayak Race, Saturday, May
2nd, 10:15 a.m. at the mouth of the Wolf River. Registration ends
Friday, May 1st, at 6 p.m.
For more information or to register, go to outdoorsinc.com.
