He Said Mancake!
Were you riverside on Saturday when Reno River Festival announcers Hobie/Dan (I just lump them together because I don’t know which is which) used the minx’s nickname for Jay Kincaid–Mancake? Without giving credit where credit is due I might add. The “manscaping” comment during the awards ceremony was excellent by the way Hobie/Dan. I’ll have to borrow it.
It was a great festival this year—fantastic weather, great bands, and lots of badass men and women in the water. Although I don’t really count myself one of them (them minx is not a joiner!), something I love about the kayaking community is their “communityness.” They are their sport’s best ambassadors–more than any other sport I can think of. The professionals teach clinics between competitions, and mingle with the crowd at the events. They are particularly great when it comes to mentoring youngsters intent on taking up the sport. To see the gleam of joy in the eyes of all the boys and girls when Jason Craig, Reno’s own boy wonder (BoyBiscuit?), paddles down the Truckee—its a wonderful thing. Did you see the Down River Race this morning when pros Nick Troutman and Emily Jackson took the time out of their very busy schedules to escort a six year through the course in her first race? That was a very public example of the camaraderie and just plain kindness of kayakers, but it happened over and over throughout the three days of the festival. Any one of them certainly sets a better example for kids than our dear Governor.
I saw plenty of young folks take their lived into their own hands by swimming in the river without personal flotation devices. I even saw a woman push a toddler wearing only “floaties” across the river in a small inflatable raft. Smart, that one.
The festival has provided the city with an all around good vibe to start off the summer season (although that pointy rock I had to sit on riverside did not–good thing Bjorn the Houseboy was there to provide me with a bit of padding). Oh and middle-aged dudes hanging out in front of the Sierra Tap House please, in the future–keep your shirts on–it prevents sunburn.
By the way, the minx is in this photo (courtesy of the RGJ)
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I’ve been waiting to hear your review of the RiverFest. This event is quickly turning into one of my favorite Reno events. I made it down to the river all three days. Although, I watched maybe 15 minutes of actual kayaking, I had a great time listening to music, people watching, hanging out, and drinking cheap beer (I was shocked to see Bully’s selling 24 ounce Blue Moon for $4. I was expecting to pay at least 7 bucks a beer… Thank you Beer Gods). I can see this event growing bigger and bigger each year…