RUSSELLVILLE — The Sayger family escaped the early-August Arkansas heat when all nine children and their parents made the 15-hour trek from Russellville to Peshtigo, Wis., to paddle in the U.S. Canoe Association’s 2010 national competition.
All of the Sayger kids have paddled canoes in national competitions, and this year it was finally their mother’s turn.
Lori Sayger said that after years of watching her older children paddle with the Venture Scout canoe crew, it was time for her to get moving.
“Our youngest is 8, so I’ve been busy just taking care of all of them,” she said. “This year I had a little more freedom.”
Lori said she had a blast and came in third — out of three.
“I was glad I at least got good enough so that they weren’t eating lunch by the time I crossed the finish line,” Lori said.
She said this is the perfect activity for her family.
“Because we have such a large family, it is hard for us to do baseball and soccer,” she said. “When we heard about the paddling crew at church, we started going to practices and found a sport that our family can do together in the same place.”
The group from Russellville finished well at nationals, Lori said. Several other families from the area competed in various events, including the touring men’s and women’s class, the men’s and women’s open and several junior events for high school students.
The group’s success in Wisconsin was no surprise after the group placed well in the White River Canoe Race.
Mark Sayger, Lori’s 15-year-old son, participated in the White River race, as well as the U.S. Canoe Association nationals.
“My favorite thing about canoeing is that you can think about things you’ve done this week and people you’ve met,” he said. “There’s a rush when you get in the boat when it’s time to race.”
And oftentimes, the experience is more about the atmosphere, the lessons and the journey than race results.
Steve Lynn of Russellville volunteers with the Venture Scouts canoe crew in Russellville and helps organize the White River Canoe Race each year.
He was disappointed not to make it to Wisconsin this year with the Russellville group, but he is proud of their success.
“What I appreciate most is the effort,” Lynn said. “You get so many kids out here that have never done anything in the outdoors, and we get them out here and teach them how to canoe, and some of them really take to it.”
For more information about the U.S. Canoe and Kayak National Championships, visit www.uscanoe.com.