Lazy Beaver Race - July 30, 2022 - A GREAT SUCCESS!
Photo by Jeff Seering
The weather was near perfect but the river was very low last Saturday when the Lazy Beaver Canoe and Kayak Race was held on the Baraboo River. Brian Drapes was the fastest paddler, taking two hours, 20 minutes and 30 seconds in kayaking 11.2 miles from La Valle to Reedsburg. A total of 24 boats were entered in the annual race, sponsored by the Reedsburg Kiwanis.
The river was the lowest it has ever been in the 20 year history of the Lazy Beaver. That presented some real challenges to paddlers maneuvering around logs and underwater snags. While openings were cut through all the jams prior to Saturday, the river presented major boat steering challenges.
The fastest canoe was paddled by the father-son combination of Brad and Stephen Roosma, who finished in 2:24:25. They also won the adult/child canoe division.
Competitors came from around the state and there were a pair of entrants from Iowa:Following are the 2022 Lazy Beaver Division winners:
Photo by Jeff Seering
Men’s kayak and overall champion: Brian Drapes 2:20:30;
Women’s Kayak: Sharon Page 3:09:30;
Tandem Kayak: Scott Gilbeck and Lance Tallmadge 2:41:30;
Older than Dirt Kayak: Matthew Strelow 2:30:00;
Junior Kayak: Megan Giese 3:41:55.
Overall Canoe and Adult-Child : 2:24:45;
Men’s Canoe:Victor and Joe Statz 2:47:30;
Mixed Couples Canoe: Steve Statz and Mary Langer;
Junior Canoe: Warren Statz and Sadie Strehlow;
Solo Canoe: Kevin Page 2:50:00.
The 23rd annual Lazy Beaver is scheduled for Saturday, July 29, 2023.
