Friedman, Kirk return to Yukon for River Quest

BONNERS FERRY — Paddling 444 miles in less than 3.5 days is a challenge two Moyie Springs paddlers are returning to the Yukon to conquer next week. After finishing last in the Yukon River Quest last year, Josh Friedman and Julie Kirk are launching their kayak with hopes of finishing in the top half this year.

“Most first timers don’t finish the race,” said Friedman, a U.S. Navy Seal (Ret.) and friend of Julie Kirk, owner of Mountain Mikes.

Last year, 18 teams scratched before reaching the finish line. Friedman and Kirk finished in 68 hours, well ahead of the 84 hour cut-off time.

“We want to go down the river faster,” said Friedman. “Finishing is icing on the cake.”

Fifty-eight teams from 12 countries will be competing in the 17th annual race that begins June 24 on the Yukon River in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and finishes in Dawson City. Teams can be tandem canoe, tandem kayak, solo or voyageur canoe.

Friedman and Kirk are racing in a tandem kayak but not the same one as last year. Friedman said they learned a lot from their mistakes last year including paddling a heavy boat. They have a lighter, sleeker boat this year that should help them a lot.

The duo also overtrained during the month before the race last year. This year, the duo decreased their training mileage from 333 miles to 160 miles during the last month. For the race, Friedman and Kirk cross-train. Once a week they do a long paddle--30 to 50 miles in six to 10 hours--on the Kootenai River and Deep Creek. They mountain bike and run for endurance and also do weight training and strength training.

The endurance training is necessary because the Yukon River Quest is also called the “Race to the Midnight Sun” because paddlers go non-stop. Paddlers don’t sleep at all except during the two mandatory layovers.

The first layover is 180 miles downriver at Carmacks which took the duo 27 hours to reach last year. The seven-hour layover allows the teams to sleep, dry out wet clothes and eat a hot meal.

Teams have support crews to help them at the Carmacks layover. Kirk’s son, Ian, and his friend, Ivie, helped the team last year and are helping the team this year. Friedman said they take care of the gear and cooking while Kirk and Friedman sleep.

The second layover at Kirkman Creek is only three hours and the owners of a cabin there prepare a hearty meal for the teams.

The teams paddle around the clock but do stop to eat. Kirk cooks all the meals for the race so they have fresh meals every night. The duo is following an endurance diet this year so they feel more energized said Friedman. They eat organic meats, grains and vegetables--no dairy and no breads.

“I think we are very well prepared,” said Friedman. “More so this year with one year under our belt.”

This year Friedman and Kirk are sponsored by Sealskinz USA, a company that manufactures gear the team uses to stay warm and dry.

Another reason for entering the race again is to raise awareness for organizations they care about. This year Friedman and Kirk are fundraising for Heroes on the Water, a program that empowers disabled veterans by providing healing and rehabilitating fishing outings in kayaks.

“We are looking forward to it,” said Friedman. “It is fun to take what the river throws at you.”

Teams can be followed on the Yukon River Quest website, www.yukonriverquest.com, since each team carries a SPOT tracking device. Kirk and Friedman are Team 13 Spirit of America.