“Let’s get ready to paddle!” (photos)

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Birmingham Alabama

Here is a piece of Alabama trivia.  Where does the longest running whitewater slalom race in the nation take place?

Answer: On the Mulberry Fork River in Alabama at the Mulberry Fork Canoe and Kayak Races (first race was in 1981).

The rivers north of Birmingham have been a mecca for fans of whitewater kayaking and canoe racing. In addition to the Mulberry Fork  race, since 1992, whitewater enthusiasts have converged on the Mulberry Folk and Locust Fork Rivers to participate in the “three stage” Alabama Cup Racing Series.

The first leg of the series, the Locust Fork Invitational, was held on February 4-5.

Special to Bham Now –  local photographer Matthew J Grcic has provided “scenes” from the Locust Fork Invitational race earlier this month.

Two additional whitewater races remain on the Alabama Cup series schedule.  They are:

  • Mulberry Fork Canoe & Kayak Races – March 4th & 5th, 2017 (the oldest whitewater slalom race in the nation!)
  • Paddlefest – April 1st, 2017

Don’t miss these action packed events located north of Birmingham.

Birmingham Alabama
Alabama Cup Racing Series- Photo by Matthew J Grcic
Birmingham Alabama
The Alabama Cup Races held at the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior RIver on Feb 4-5 2017
Birmingham Alabama
The Alabama Cup Races held at the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior RIver on Feb 4-5 2017
Alabama Cup Races 8 "Let's get ready to paddle!" (photos)
The Alabama Cup Races held at the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior RIver on Feb 4-5 2017
Alabama Cup Racing Series- Photo by Matthew J Grcic
Alabama Cup Racing Series- Photo by Matthew J Grcic

 

 

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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