About 150 people celebrated part of their St. Patrick’s Day by racing down the Verde River in kayaks, canoes and on stand-up paddleboards at the Verde River Runoff on Saturday, March 17.
In a collaborative effort by Friends of the Verde River, the Salt River Project, the U.S. Forest Service, Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority, Yavapai County Adult Probation and the Camp Verde Unified School District, there were two races, of five- and 10-mile distances, both ending at Beasley Flats.
Chris Zaveruha was the first-place finisher of the five-mile race, which started at Clear Creek. Zaveruha raced on a stand-up paddleboard, or a SUP, and it was his first time at the event.
“The only reason I didn’t do the 10 [mile race] is because I’m just getting over a cold and I didn’t know how cold it was going to be,” Zaveruha said. “Having seen it and done it, I would probably do the 10 next year because it was really fast, and nice rapids, easy paddling. A little of a struggle going upwind, but in general, a really awesome paddleboarding experience.
“It was slightly challenging where I certainly had to get into an athletic stance and not fall over, but totally doable and achievable for even amateur paddlers, but fun enough for an experienced paddler.”
Laura Jones, coordinator of community engagement for Friends of the Verde River, said that at the start of the race the river was flowing at 145 cubic feet per second, a good amount for the race.
Jones also said it was the biggest turnout of SUPs the race has seen at 14. Weather forecasts were worrisome, but when it came time for the race skies were mostly clear with some wind.
Daniel DiStefano, a river guide and operations manager at Clarkdale Kayak Company, did the race in a kayak with his dog, Lynyrd.
“This is my first time doing this particular stretch,” DiStefano said. “It wasn’t too cold. I even had [Lynyrd] jump in the water and then get back in the boat and shake all over me, so I’m wetter than I should be. The water flow is good, it’s higher than usual …. It was a nice, consistent flow the whole way.”
