37.31′ is what’s on the Phatwater

Natchez gauge, today.  Here are this year’s Phatwater Categories.  Some settling of contents may occur during shipping.

Phatwater Categories, 2010

There are 12 overall categories for this year’s Phatwater IX.  Within each of these categories, there are additional divisions to accommodate gender and/or tandem designations.  If you cannot decide the category in which you should be no ranked, please call or email us for clarification-Keith Benoist (601) 431-1731 or Adam Elliott (601) 807-5382.  Info@kayakmississippi.com.

Age based, or combined age categories for the Phatwater are not part of our criteria.  The objective of the Phatwater Committee in boat categorization is to invite each individual to enter a boat class that best reflects the overall design and performance characteristics of the boat, coupled with the skill or combined skills of the individual or tandem/unlimited paddling team.  Tandem and Quad paddlers, whether kayak, canoe, Surfski, or unlimited, will not be divided into gender/mixed gender teams.  Hatch covered boats which otherwise fit the criteria of racing configurations are NOT to be considered in the Sea Kayak Class. The Mirage 22/22S, and WSBS EFT, as examples, are classified as K-1/Surfski Racing.

Please take into account that the objective here is to pare down the number of categories in order to facilitate efficiency and timeliness in recording and posting results, and in the presentation of awards, following Phatwater IX. A Special Category* (see below) will be available for those who feel they have not been properly categorized.

#1- K-1/Surfski Racing, Men’s/Women’s

Encompasses ALL K-1 and Single Surfskis (All Texas Water Safari Single, EFT, Mirage 22,  Thunderbolts,  Ruahine Opus/Firebolt, Kayakpro Marlin-Vampire, Van Dusen Mohican, all other K-1s, or boats unnamed, of similar dimensions)

#2- K-2s/Tandem Skis , Mens,Women’s or Mixed

#3- Sea Kayaks, Men’s/Women’s/Tandem (All non-racing categories, whether composite or plastic construction, solo or tandem).

#4- Kayaks 17’ or under, to 12’, Men’s/Women’s/Tandem (All non-racing categories, whether composite or plastic construction, solo or tandem)

#5- Kayaks 12’ or under, Men’s/Women’s/Tandem (All kayaks/Sit-On-Top Kayaks/Large Cockpit touring boats not considered canoes, whether composite or plastic)

#6- Canoes, Touring, Men’s/Women’s/Tandem, (All non-racing Canoes, regardless of construction, whether paddled Solo, Tandem, with or without two bladed paddles, or any combination thereof)

#7- C-1 Racing, Men’s/Women’s (All single blade, Solo paddled C-1s)

#8- C-2 Racing,  Gender Neutral Tandem (All single blade, whether Men/Women/Mixed)

#9- OC-1, Men’s/Women’s

#10- OC-2, (tandem mixed, M or W)

#11- Unlimited ( Texas Water Safari, K-4, C-4, Surfski Quad or other uncategorized, mixed gender or otherwise)

#12- *Diaper-Disposable (Available to any paddler, of any boat, at any time.  This is a very fluid, malleable category, and can be entered, or exited, as the case dictates.  If you feel you may fit this category, but aren’t sure, either before or after the race, the Phatwater Committee will be happy to fit you into this category.  A surcharge for this additional service may be applied).

One final mention: Stand Up Paddleboards will be classified this year under Kayak-12′ and under.

Saturday we’ve been requested to shuttle for a Phull Phat, which we have plans of attending.  This is not a guided tour.  If you wish to shuttle with us, the shuttle fee is $20 per person, and we will be leaving Natchez UTH at 0530, Saturday morning.  Notify us NOW if you plan to attend.  Space is limited to 12.

All For Now-KB