Guadalupe River Pecan Paddle Canoe Race

c/o Judge Dwight Peschel, Race Director

Forty-six canoeists in 23 canoes participated in the fifth annual Guadalupe River Pecan Paddle Canoe Race held May 9. This year's race saw the largest field of entrants eve, and experience levels ran from recreational to experienced paddlers.

The race, sponsored by the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority, began in Starke park East in Seguin and wound down river for 10 miles ending just past the FM 1117 bridge. The course provided the paddlers with an opportunity to experience both lake and river canoeing conditions and to fine tune their portaging techniques.

According to race coordinator, Dwight Peshcel, the race was made possible through combined community support.

"Larry Moltz of GBRA worked with us in sponsoring the event," said Peschel. "Others who helped in the effort were Brian Buesing of Beaver Construction, Gonzales, who donated mesquite for the plaques awarded to each team; Steve Koehler of the Koehler Company who allowed me to use their mill to make the plaques; Paul Cunningham, Outdoor Ed teacher at Seguin High School, and Rick Robbins, Vogel Elementary physical education teacher, who provided canoes and equipment; George Logan of the Seguin Parks and Recreation Department who enlarged the start area with additional concrete slabs; Sherry Nefford of the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce who provided pecans for the racers; and Dale and Susan Dyess who allowed us to use their property for the race finish.:

In addition to the team plaques, each paddler received a t-shirt with the race logo. Race results by class and times (hours minutes:seconds) are as follows:

USCA Cruising

First: Robert (Bob) Spain, Kyle - 1:23:40

Unlimited C-2

First: Dustin Ussery and Brian Carrol, Dallas - 1:43:19

18-Foot Standard

First: Vardy and Sherry Vincent, Seguin - 1:44:50

Women's Unlimited

First: Liz Dedlacek and Chanda Mickel, Seguin - 3:00:04

Second: Kristin Seidenschwarz and Holly Hammons, Seguin - 3:13:00

Women's Solo Unlimited

First: Judy Lutz, Austin, 2:08:55

Co-Ed Unlimited

First: Elizalbeth Jandt, Seguin and Wayne Simer, Austin - 2:25:27

Second: Kalaya and Matthew Ricco, Kingsbury - 2:27:17

Third: Kara and Allen Watts, Kingsbury - 2:27:42

Fourth: Colinda and Darin Burns, Seguin - 2:30:57

Firfth: Peggy, Jerry, and Caleb Brietzke, La Vernia - 2:32:46

Sixth: Ashley Blackburn, Houston, Eric Peschel, and Ryan Peschel, Seguin, 2:46:17

Seventh: Kerry and Noel Reese, Gonzales - 2:52:54

ABS Whitewater

First: Brrian Buesing, Gonzales and Clay Marek, Devine - 1:53:22

Second: Robin Swyer, Seguin and Dee Buck, Gruene - 1:59:26

Third: Steven Finch and Gary "Butch" Warncke, Seguin - 2:06:05

Fourth: Elgin Heinemeyer and Spencer Breitschopf of Gonzales - 2:12:24

Fifth: Ray Simacek and Fred Romero of Seguin - 2:20:28

ABS Whitewater - Junior Division (under 15)

First: Tyler Simecek and Jeff Burns of Seguin - 2:18:25

Second: William Dwyer and Travis Nefford of Seguin - 2:45:28

Unlimited Class:

First: James Noble and David Eveld of Seguin - 2:37:37

Second: Jennifer Roolf and Steve Boehm of Seguin 3:02:22