The Missouri River 340

July 24 - 28, 2007

Pictures and links about Missouri River 340--2007

Starting:  Kaw Point, Kansas City, Kansas

Ending:  St. Charles, Missouri

     This was the second year for this event and hosted 70 maximum boaters from across the U.S. and some from Canada.  This race was organized by Olathe boaters, Scott Mansker and Russ Payzant as a way to encourage more recreational use on the Missouri River.  They have been paddling and motor boating this river for years and think it is greatly maligned.  They are hoping this race and the attraction it generates will create a different perspective among Missourians as well as people across the United States. 

     Ever since Lewis and Clark started their historic voyage of discovery in 1803, people have been fascinated with the use of the Missouri River as a life blood of transporation.  However, in the last half century, the river bed has been channelized by the Army Corp of Engineers trying to prevent flood damage and create a water bed suitable for barge traffic.  Basically, this river is not the same river as when Lewis and Clark explored it.  However, that has not stopped a small hard core group of paddlers still trying to explore its watery paths.

     Race participants are allowed to use any type of self-propelled water craft.  Some people used canoes last year, but most used kayaks.  The race winner from last year used a custom-made hydrid of the two designs which was a low deck open canoe and alternated between canoe and kayak paddles. 

     This year the Kansas City Whitewater Club had two members participating in this race.  What makes this home town entry so unique is that their native country is Malaysia.  Zaiham Abdullah and Saum Liwon paddled a tandem kayak in this race.  However, an old shoulder injury gave Saum problems and they pulled out of the race in Miami, Mo.   

      The KC Paddler helped sponsor this year's race.  Lynn Lyon, owner of the KC Paddler,  is excited about the interest this race has generated in the paddling world and believes Scott and Russ's vision of more recreational use of the Missouri River benefits all of us. 

     Listed below are links to this year's roster as well as the message board the entrants are chatting on. 

Also listed below is the link to the page created by Mary Ryan on this website during the race in 2006. 

Click on the roster names and you will get to read some of the biographies of the racers. 

Official website for the Missouri River 340 race

2007 Current Roster

registration and rules for the race

Missouri River 340 discussion forum

Course Map  Print pages 1-8 both sides. Courtesy Army Corp of Engineers

Paddler's Guide

Boaters from the whitewater community:

Link to Chuck and Diane McHenry's 2006 biography and river journal from the race--excellent reading! 

Link to Scott and Lisa Swafford's 2006 biography and river journal

Overall race winner West Hensen's biography and race journal

 KCWC website featuring the Missouri River 340 in 2006