for the scheduled competition, he immediately thought of Lyons. Hyde and his son have been enjoying the Lyons Outdoor Games for years, and knew first hand how great the kayaking opportunities were along the St. Vrain River. He called local kayak enthusiast Russ Huff about holding the event here. Huff talked to Sgt. Kevin Parker, another avid local kayaker, and Parks & Rec. Supervisor Dave Cosgrove. Cosgrove spoke with Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen and she said, “Make it happen!” And that’s how in a little less than 36 hours scores of young kayakers and their families, from literally all over the world, came to Lyons over the weekend.
Hyde said he had approximately 58 participants from Colorado, Nevada, California, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Maryland, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskashawan, New Zealand, and Australia. They participated in six different events: a sladeo (slalom/rodeo), a sprint slalom (short course), a free-style, champion slalom (long course), and a boater-cross (total mayhem) held in Meadow Park and the Black Bear Hole, and a down river race, which went from the upper Apple Valley Bridge to the Second Avenue Bridge near Bohn Park. The kids and their parents, and sometimes grandparents camped in Bohn Park, ate at local restaurants and coffee shops and had a great time. Everyone agreed that the hospitality they were shown while dropping in on Lyons “unannounced” was second to none. To a kayaker (and their parents) they all said they hope the race can become a regular Lyons’ event!
The young Lyons Kayak Team, some of whom got their start in the Lyons Parks & Rec. Kids Kayak Club, fared pretty well in the competition. Spencer Huff, aged 16, his brother Oran – 8, Henry Hyde – 9, Garrett Parker – 16, Max Carlson – 15, Samantha Johnson – 17, and Henry Heyman – 16, each took home multiple medals: gold, silver, and bronze, in their various age and gender categories for the various races.
Congratulations to all the competitors, and kudos to the Town Staff and local parents who made this wonderful event happen on such short notice!
