RACING THE RAPIDS: CAPE GIRARDEAU COUPLE FINDS CHALLENGE AMONG WHITEWATER RAPIDS

FREDERICKTOWN -- Despite the raging ferocity of the St. Francis River's white-water rapids, Michelle Jones ran through them as if they were as clear and smooth as glass.

To the average eye, the river looked too dangerous to paddle but Jones is an expert. She and her husband, Dennis, have been racing on white-water rapids for nearly seven years.

The couple competed last weekend in the 31st annual Missouri Whitewater Championship races at Mill Stream Gardens State Park near Fredericktown.

In all, about 70 people competed in the two-day event. The race attracts paddlers of all ages from Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and even Texas. Some have been racing for nearly 20 years and others are beginners. The youngest racer was 11 years old.

Heavy rains early in the weekend raised the river level so high that many people chose not to compete on the first day of races. The water dropped by three feet on Sunday.

The rains actually made the river more challenging, said Jonathan Lehmann, a former training director for the Missouri Whitewater Association which sponsors the event. "It really doesn't get any better than this."

For the past two years, the river level has been low. When the group sponsored an Olympic qualifying trial in 1994, the water was almost too low to race, organizers said.

But plenty of rain early in the year helped create a challenging course for this year's race. The quarter-mile course, designed by a MWA member, included 25 gates or chutes that racers must pass through. However, the rising river caused several gates to come loose. The gates were installed twice in the two weeks prior to the races, organizers said.

Racers can enter several events by competing in a kayak, canoe or C1 boat. Each racer is allowed a practice run and two race runs. During the race, points are deducted and time added if a racer or his paddle touches a gate. The contestant with the lowest time and point score wins the division.

Michelle Jones placed second in the expert women's class. She placed first in a women's plastic division.

Dennis placed first in the open long boat class. He and Michelle also placed first in the tandem canoe division.

Michelle is one of few women who compete in the races. "There used to be only two or three women who raced, so when you raced, you always knew you would place," she said. But more women are getting involved now.

Kayaking and white-water racing wasn't a sport Michelle was originally interested in. Dennis found an old kayak at a garage sale in town and bought it hoping to start white-water racing. It didn't take long for Michelle to join him.

"At first, I said you'll never get me in one, but now you can't keep me out of it. We're out whenever the river is up and this spring has been really wet so it's been about every weekend."

The couple spends most of the early winter and spring running~ rapids. But they often have to travel out of state to do so. The St. Francis River is the only place in Missouri that can support white-water racing.

The amount of rain determines how often they can find rapids. With heavy rains, some creeks in Southeast Missouri can create small rapids suitable for practicing.

"We are about the only people who like to see it rain," Dennis said. "You're going to be out there and are going to get wet anyway."

Both agree they are recreational paddlers and don't care for strong competitions.

"We like to surf and play," Michelle said.

WHITEWATER BOATING CLASSES

C1 -- Decked solo canoe, single blade paddle, racer is in kneeling position. Boat made of fiberglass or kevlar.

C2 -- Decked tandem canoe, single blade paddle, both racers are in kneeling position. Boat made of fiberglass or kevlar.

OC1 -- Open solo canoe, single blade paddle, racer in kneeling position.

OC2 -- Open tandem canoe, single blade paddle, both racers in kneeling position.

K1 -- Double blade paddle, racer is in sitting position with legs directly in front of body. Boat made of fiberglass, kevlar or plastic.

-- The boats weigh between 25 and 30 pounds.

Equipment

There are five essentials needed for kayaking.

-- A boat. Typically boats can cost from $250 to $600. Most white-water racers suggest beginners start out with a used boat since they cost less.

-- Paddle

-- Life jacket

-- Helmet

-- Spray skirt. A wetsuit or drysuit is recommended also.

For more information about the Missouri Whitewater Association, contact them at Box 3000; St. Louis, Mo. 63130 or visit their Web site at www.i1.net/~tilde/akravetz/mwa.html