Many local families and families caring for children with Rett syndrome greeted the early morning teams and wished them well as they began their long jouneys, in part, because of families and those with Rett syndrome around the world.

Steve Landick, Race Director, "started" the race with an environmental friendly "bang" from blown up paper bag :-). Teams had drawn straws to determine order of start. Tony Swenson held the straws (from Team Double Helix). Team Rebels drew first position, Team Alaska second, Team Kruger third, Team Double Helix fourth and Team Amazon by default (they did not draw) was in the fifth position.

After the official starting "bang" , teams walked in straw order about 30 or 40 feet passed the first portage and then entered the water. Team Double Helix entered the water first, but did not take off. Team Kruger and Team Rebels put their boats in the water at similar times. Team Kruger portaged ahead of the Rebels, were able to very quickly get into their canoe and were the first team to begin paddling south. Team Rebels, after taking a minute or so to get into their tighter fitting kayak, began paddling next. Team Alaska indicated to Team Double Helix to go ahead and Team Double Helix began paddling within a minute of that time. Team Alaska then began paddling within a minute or two, followed by the Amazon's of the Mississippi shortly after.

Team Rebels (red Kayak) followed by Team Kruger walking their boats and gear to the next portage after the start.

Team Double Helix putting in, Clark Eid in front and Kurt Zimmermann paddling in back

Team Rebels with a Cause start paddling, Team Double Helix is in the background
L to R: Eric Kocher, Carl Johnson.

And Team Rebels is off....

Off goes Team Double Helix, L to R: Kurt Zimmermann, Clark Eid

Team Rebels ahead of Team Double Helix - ahead of both teams now (not seen) is Team Kruger.

Team Alaska getting in..... you can see Double Helix slightly ahead, and Team Rebels further downstream

Team Alaska off and paddlin'

Team Amazons putting in at the start after Team Alaska

And they are all Off!