(Much) earlier today in Gopeng, Malaysia, the opening ceremonies for the 2025 International Rafting Federation (IRF) World brought together more than 75 competitors from 20 countries. Teams in four categories (Youth, Junior, Open, and Masters (40+) will compete over the next week in four different disciplines (Sprint, Head to Head, Slalom, and Downriver) to crown champions. And among the competitors are three FOG:TB from Truckee, CA.
Our guy (and my distant cousin) Christopher Old made a living as a whitewater rafting guide on the Gauley River in West Virginia, the Biobio River in Chile, and at a couple of rivers in Northern California for the first decade or more after we graduated from William & Mary. He met his wife on one of his trips in Chile, and they've raised three outdoorsy kids in the Sierras.
Turns out he didn't give up his affinity for fast water, as he was named to the U.S. Men's Master's team for the World Championships. To boot, his teenaged twins took their place on each of the Boys' and Girls' Junior boats. It's a family affair on the Kampar River this week, and a hell of a cool story for the extended Gheorghieverse.
Keep your dial right here for race results and photos over the coming week.
That's really cool. Kick ass, Chris.
ReplyDeleteToday I learned there is competitive rafting. That's a pretty cool family trip.
ReplyDeletethat's awesome. more greatness comin' out of winchester, essentially
ReplyDeleteFollow the race results here.
ReplyDeleteRacing starts 8pm ET tonight/9:00am MYT.
bob chesney went from coaching holy cross in 2023 to ucla next season with a two-year stop at jmu. the dukes keep hiring really good football coaches. maybe someone in williamsburg should ask them how they do it.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, the dukes don't have to contend with the long shadow of legendary coach 'Ye Laycock.
ReplyDeleteJimmye had to battle Rip Scherer
ReplyDeletew&m men’s hoops has its highest net rating since the ncaa started using that metric in 2018. we’re #71!
ReplyDeletelet me know when they're two spots higher
ReplyDelete