This just in from the organizers of the Phatwater Kayak Challenge 2008:

NOAA and National Weather Service long range forecast for the Phatwater is 27.4′ on October 11.  This will be a record high water mark for the Phatwater.  Reasonable to assume the record will be shattered, and the 4 hour mark will be severely compromised.

About the Race:

The 7th Annual Phatwater Kayak Challenge is set to take place October 11 on the Mississippi River between Grand Gulf and Natchez.

The Phatwater Kayak Challenge is the premier paddling event on the Mighty Mississippi. It’s a grueling, 42.5 mile, paddle endurance race from the port at Grand Gulf, near Port Gibson, Mississippi, to the Natchez Landing, at Natchez Under-The-Hill.

Depending on the paddler, and the craft, the Phatwater will take anywhere from 4 and a half to six and a half hours to complete.

Volunteers Needed!

Can you volunteer on Race Day? If so, please contact Keith by email: Keith@kayakmississippi.com or by phone: (601) 431-1731 Cell

Check out this great article by Keith Benoist from KayakMississippi.com, home of the upcoming Phatwater Challenge:

Kayaking isn’t for everybody. There just isn’t enough room. Imagine, six billion people all trying to launch at the same time.

Sure, there’s plenty of shoreline in the world, plenty of open water, plenty of Rocky Mountain springs trickling to the sea. But you line six billion people up with a paddle at the same time and fire the gun, and, next thing you know, WHAM. Head injury. A pair of broken sunglasses at the very least. “Your Honor, my client has been grievously injured by the defendant. We are seeking damages and punitive awards in the amount of —”

I don’t know if lawyers kayak…(click here to read the rest of this great article)