Ruth Gordon reflects on her first Teva Mountain Games (she is being modest)

June 7, 2006

By Ruth Gordon. Learn more about Ruth.

I got this email on my laptop after dinner here in Lyon, France, where I just got off the water for my first ever paddling session on the “Hawaii sur Rhone” otherwise, the big wave in downtown Lyon. Ruth failed to mention that she won the Big Trick Contest and also won the Prelims of the women’s freestyle event only to “almost” make the finals where she would have been a very tough competitor. Her boyfriend, Klass from Germany was there too and is a really friendly funny guy to have around also. Anyhow, this is from Ruth…

Hi EJ,

The next few emails have shots from the 5 days of the Teva Mtn Games, below is my event report J

Hope you’re having fun in Lyon.

Smiles,

Ruth

This past week has been one of the most exhausting weeks of competition I’ve ever experienced.

From the creek race and freestyle competition (in one day) at the Paddler Invitational to the 5 days of endless events of the Teva Mountain Games, I’m happy to be relaxing in the beautiful town of Salida. The Teva Mountain Games is not only a kayaking event but a combination of mountain sports, including: biking (trails riding, downhill, big air), climbing (dyno style), adventure racing, fly fishing, dog frisbee and on and on.

It is hard to imagine that in 5 days kayakers can compete in a Boatercross, Creek Race, Big Air Competition, full round of Freestyle and a ‘Gladiator like’ head to head race.

I’ll spare you the dirty details (stinky gear and a stolen boat) but wanted to share some of the event highlights:

On Water Highlights:
– The boatercross had stop signs that were mandatory to hit on the way down..one spot in particular was an easy hit but left leading competitors vulnerable to being wedged out
– Homestake was intense to watch and impressive to see tight lines and quick recoveries
– Dane making top ten in the men’s (enough said!)
– Jason Craig’s West Coast team taking the East vs. West competition
– I think I can speak on behalf of all the women competitors when I say that Emily was the only competitor worthy of making in the finals
– Where did the swimmer in the 8-ball come from?
– Skull cap and mitts, cause if you didn’t have them you’d wished you did
– Small hole, BIG air
– Fun competitions with serious prizes

Other Highlights
– Chris Emerick and Polly Green’s winning film: an absolutely hilarious spoof on some of our favourite paddling characters
– EJ dancing J
– Steve, Dan and Ben in their matching suits
– Biking Freeride big air competition: from our deck you could see the entire show and these guys were going HUGE!!
– Dyno climbing head to head: an amazing display of power. Two competitors followed set routes on an overhanging climbing structure
– Four campers sitting at a picnic table staring at four laptops
– Hiking up the mountain for a bird’s eye view
– Roxy, Roxy, Roxy (the dog not the clothes)

Enjoy the photos compliments of Klaas van Lil