Webb's Slough takes aim at even bigger race day

Webb's Slough at St. John marked its biggest race day ever with its June 16 event this year, and Saturday they hope to bump that record. Saturday's race day will mark the 25th race event at St. John for the slough which will wrap up its 13th year of boat racing competition.

They started with one race date in July of 2007 and have had two race dates per year since that start.

In June the slough set a record for the number of boats in the action and the number of campers on the grounds.

"We have people who just enjoy camping here. Some of them would show up on Wednesday if we let them in," Amanda Webb noted.

For the June event the slough actually had more than 700 campers on the grounds.

Webb reported they have 41 boats on the entry list for Saturday with some of them in the "maybe" status.

"A few of these teams will arrive on a wing and a prayer," she predicted. She said she expects some of the teams are busy turning wrenches this week with the aim of being ready for the first timing run on Saturday.

Competition will again start with time runs at 10 a.m. for the three classes of boats, modified, 400 and unlimited.

They expect two teams from Australia and one from New Zealand. All the down-under teams keep their boats in the U.S. and travel here for the race day events. The New Zealanders have moved to southern Idaho and are now considered a U.S. entry.

Webb noted the final placing runs Saturday will be followed by an awards ceremony in front of the spectator terraces.

After the awards ceremony, the Tone Sober band from Colfax will perform for the crowd in front of the terraces.

She credited a corps of volunteers who donate time and energy to make the race operation happen. The Slough crew, which assists and/or rescues boats that land on islands while attempting to negotiated the tight slough course at high speed, now numbers more than 100 people and many come from all corners of the county.

The jeep crews which assist with the many launches required during race day roll in from the Tri-Cities and north Idaho.

Pre-race events will again include a trivia night competition, sponsored by the library, at Rialto Tavern on Thursday night, a golf scramble at St. John Golf Club on Friday morning and a show and shine for the boats and crews in downtown St. John Friday evening.

The Webbs have kept the terraces and race grounds watered over the summer and a park-like green will greet race fans on Saturday.