The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 10, 1979, Page Page 3, Image 3
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When the "Ramblin' Raft Race"
was held Saturday on the Congaree
River, more than 20,000 people
discovered one of the most enjoyable,
unique experiences of i
their lives.
"It was wild, great. We just
floated down the river and drank
beer for two hours," Kerry Gomez,
a (JSC student and participant in
the race. said.
The event was "a great success"
according to Mike Dineen of
WZLD, the chief organizer and
promoter of the raft race. Dineen
said over 1,000 rafts were entered
in the race, and many more participated
that were not registered.
?NE SPECTATOR, who obcorvwl
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St. Bridge, said, "It was crazy - all
these rafts and inner tubes floating
by with every kind of person on
them you could imagine. They
were all partying down."
Many of the rafts expressed the
rider's originality in their design.
There was a raft made like an
Indian teepee, and the riders were
dressed like Indians. One person
had transported a dock to the
river, while another had a still on
his raft. Inmr tubes were the most
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common factor among the rafts
was the cooler or ice chest accompanying
each entry.
While spectators lined the entire
three mile stretch of river, the
majority of people gathered at the
starting place which was the
Senate St. Launch Ramp, and at
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YOU WILL SEE Tl
1. Atlanta Contempc
October 3,1979
2. Count Basie
November 14,15
13. Hal Holbrook in M
February 22,197!
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March 13,1980
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Eugene Fodor
April 10,1980
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the finishing noint on OIH Stntp
Road.
At the finishing point, as tired
and slightly drunk rafters climbed
up the steep bank to the clearing,
they joined thousands of people
spread out on blankets and inner
tubes, enjoying the sun and
social activity.
MARIJUANA WAS smoked
openly, with police surveillance
almost nonexistent. "1 think the
cops were scared to come over
here. They're mostly sticking to
the traffic problems," Charlie
Peeples, a local vendor at the race,
said.
Dineen was delighted with the
way the race turned out. "We had
the usual amount of chaos, but
nothing really disorderly. I didn't
really know what to expect
before," he said. "The weather
was nice, the water level was
perfect, compliments of Hurricane
David. It turned out to be a great
day."
Jeff Kurklen, a student from
Atlanta, works with the American
Rafting Association every summer.
He explained the
organization of the races.
"THE AHA sends 30 of their
people to each race, to sell Tshirts,
put up tents and help
supervise the race. There were 10
races this summer, but the raft
race is catching on like crazy,"
Kurklen said. "Next year they're
thinking about having two groups
of oeonle. one to cover the races in
the west, the other in the east.
They would meet in Atlanta for the
big one."
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9
iphony Orchestra with guest
SFMBERSHIPS?OCTOBER 3,1979
j TODAY?THE RESERVE SEATS Y<
: RUSSELL HOUSE TRAVQ. CENTEI
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Sponsored by the RHUU Cultural letfa
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Kurklen said the turnout for the
Congaree River race was excellent
for the first year. He enjoys
meeting people and said that the
weekend races are like minivacations
for him.
The raft race was well publicized
by WZLD, co-sponsor of the race. A
bluegrass tune called the
"Ramblin' Haft Race Song," by
Tom Freeman, was played consistantly.
The only problem encountered
during the event, was a 45-minute
loss of power in the sound system.
The Carolina Rebels, a local
bluegrass band, provided appropriate
music for the crowd's
rowdy mood.
FIRST AID experts present said
only a dozen people were treated
for minor problems such as cuts
and heat exhaustion. Three persons
had to be airlifted out by
Medivac helicopters, but their
injuries were not serious.
One spectator commented on the
possibility of a rafter drowning.
"Well, not in water. But a lot of
people drowned themselves in
alcohol."
Dineen said the event will
definately be a part of Columbia
life for the next few vears. Crowds
expected for next year's race
number 50,000 or more.
MIKE SHAEPE of Columbia
summerized the general attitude of
the crowd. "I'm tired and hot and
pretty drunk, and I didn't win. But
to tell you the truth, I don't give a
damn who won. I'll see you next
year; right here on this river."
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5. In the
soloist Members
6. Your su
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Committee, USC Student ABocatiom G
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Captain Sam Drummond
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1-62% over individual tickets. gj
embership Prices: USC Student $12.50 1
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Senior Citizens $12.50 R
Non-USC Students $18.00 !
Public $24.00 I
its for all shows go to Season Members.
that are Season Members this year will receive first
mating next year.
vie?no monthly trips to the box office.
event that the series sells out, on a Season
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ipport helps guarantee a more lively Arts Program
ire.
MAN THOSE YOU GET TOMORROW! i
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