This is a response to Chris Murphree's thoughts on the day of the purloined donuts, and his own strafing strife. Chris, a second-year veteran Sub-V paddler, finished behind a ghost boater who tied with another Sub-V paddler, following the debacle of the runaway barge. Counting the ghost boater, who remains at large, we had 20 Sub-V paddlers. Not counting I, that makes 18 Sub-V paddlers in the corporeal world, and a broad representation of, at final tally, paddlers from 13 states. We are climbing the ladder of success. This next year we will hope to develop a separate trophy to recognize Sub-V paddlers. Ultimately, we are hopeful we will even have a few Sub-IV paddlers.

To put this into perspective, the winning time, of 4:23:21, by Shawn Wilber, is still a minute and 19 seconds off the record, of 4:22:02. Taking into account the speed of travel, over the distance, of roughly 1-1.5 miles per six minutes, this would demonstrate that a 4:42 paddler, such as the McHenry duo, were trailing the lead element by some three miles. Three miles above Natchez is approximately halfway through the Giles' cut, or, roughly, halfway between the two legs of the Old River, to the west (river right) as you approach the Natchez Landing. For those who were astute observers, there are two houses on the Bluff, river left, which overlook this point. One of those houses belongs to Braxton Hobdy, one of our original Phatwater paddlers. We will continue to award Phatwater Sub-V Swiss Army Knives to new members whose efforts allow them to count themselves among the ranks of this esteemed fraternity. However, next year's repeat Sub-V paddlers will be presented a separate trophy which at present is under development-top secret. Your input is welcomed. As to this year's Sub-V paddlers, the additional knives are on order, and we'll get them to you as fast as they arrive. For others, we had hoped to have a Phatwater Swiss Army Knife made for this year, which we could sell through the web site. Various vendors were aproached, but the minimum numbers we were required to order would have put us in financial straights. Hopefully, through the year we will come up with something suitable, and make it available to you all, once we have it. In this way, no one will be left out of the Phatwater Swiss Chocolate, Multipurpose, Donut Slicing, Go Anywhere tool chest.

Here are Chris's observations:

I'm hoping to keep all of these and other anecdotes, and compile them into a bound and gagged volume, somewhere down the line. With that in mind, send your thoughts, whenever they occur, and you'll be credited accordingly. Think of it as a developing family album: I can't add anything else about the "alleged" tie. I am considered a key witness and can't discussed this any further until summoned by the great and powerful Phatwater Committee. Wish I could have seen that overall first place finish! Judging from the times, it must have been a thriller! How about that Shaun. I've paddled with him in several Florida races - and he's perhaps the most focused and intense paddler I know. You lost 11 minutes and still beat Phil Capel? Damn you're good!

Robert Osborne - I 've raced with him in Savannah and in South Carolina. Told him about the Phatwater back in the summer - and he showed up! He bought a new Epic V10 and sold me his CD Speedster. He's a strong and solid paddler - the Phil Capel of the East. LOLOLOL.

That barge shadowed me for more than half the race. I didn't dare get in front of it - and it was hogging all the fast water! I was hoping to at least beat it through the Washing Machine - but no such luck. It overtook me in the WM forcing me river left into the slowest and roughest water on the course. Bummer!

Lost all my energy gel (held down by bungees). I didn't see it getting washed away - but I took several rollers over the bow (in the WM) and assume the gels were the casualities. After clearing the rough stuff, I reached for the gel and it was gone!!! By the time I reached the last bend at 10 miles above Natchez, I could feel my energy ebbing...ebbing...ebbing... I was just pitiful... Pitiful, I tell you... LOLOLOL

Did Clyde (or anybody) say anything about that plane? I saw the plane (a cropduster?) flying up and down the river a time or two but didn't think too much about it. However, Clyde said that the plane "buzzed" him and 3 other kayakers - getting so close to them as to make their boats vibrate. What was that all about?

If its of any consequence, my GPS time was the same as my posted finish time (within a few seconds).

It was great FUN! You guys really know how to throw a party. And no matter how long it took to finish, I admire each and every participant for doing something so challenging.

Take Care
- Chris

Keith Benoist
200 Dunkerron Road
Natchez, Mississippi 39120
(601) 445-8843
www.kayakmississippi.com
keith@kayakmississippi.com