Jump On In

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Break out the 30-SPF and floaties. The pool at Rocketts Landing is finally open and not a moment too soon. The temperature in Richmond is rising!

In order to scope out the scene, I stopped by the other day to snap a few photos. These young residents were enjoying the cool water.

Photos / Captain's Blog

Athletes Make the Most of Triathlon Despite Bad Weather

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The river showed no mercy at Richmond’s first Olympic distance triathlon hosted by Rocketts Landing. The race was a USAT sanctioned event coordinated by Richmond Multisports, a triathlon production company that hosts a total of seven races each year in Central Virginia.

Because the weather did not cooperate, the swimming portion of the triathlon set to take place in the James River was cancelled.  Nevertheless, spirits were still high among the 192 competing athletes, 70 volunteers and several hundred spectators, according to Race Director Laurie Mehler.

"Luckily we had ‘Plan B’ as a back-up just in case something like this happened,” Mehler said. “Despite all our preparation, we had to run an abridged version of the triathlon.”

The swimming section of the race was supposed to be a rectangular course on the James River scheduled to start and finish at the Rocketts Landing marina. When the first few swimmers entered the water, however, they were quickly swept away by the current and forced to cling on to the kayaks and jetskies of the volunteers monitoring the race.

“It just wasn’t safe to go in the water,” Mehler said. “I really wish I could have pushed the edit button on Mother Nature. It was very disheartening see, but everybody said they still enjoyed the other two legs of the race and had a good time overall.”

The bike portion of the abridged triathlon weaved through eastern Henrico County toward Battlefield Park, down Osborne Turnpike and back to Rocketts Landing via Varina Road. The running portion went west from Rocketts through Richmond over the 14th Street Bridge and onto the James River Park flood wall cinder path.

Richmond Multisports raised money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and at the post race awards ceremony a free scooter from Partnership for Smarter Growth was raffled away. Many Rocketts residents also joined in on the catered, post-race party with music provided by DJ Williams Project.

“We have never staged a triathlon in a residential community, and it really made a huge difference,” Mehler said. “The residents at Rocketts you can tell are real tight-knit group and were very supportive. Moreover, the Rocketts staff is the total package and works like a well-oiled machine. They provided everything we need in the face of the bad weather.”

Instead of a marked course, next year Mehler would like the swim portion of the race to be a straight-shot that starts at an alternate point down river and finishes at Rocketts marina.
 “Now that we have this first race under our belts and experienced the bad weather, it should get easier in years to come,” she added.  “I anticipate by word-of-mouth the Rocketts triathlon will be our biggest event in two years.”

Photo / JFordPhotography.com

Cap2Cap ride: the sequel

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Followers of this blog may recall that last year we produced a multimedia slideshow for the Cap2Cap bike ride, which is a popular road ride to raise money for a bike path linking downtown Richmond with Williamsburg. The trail will traverse Rocketts Landing adjacent to the marina.

This year I left the camera at home and jumped on my mountain bike for 50 miles. That’s the farthest I’ve ever pedaled. But fifty miles goes faster than you’d think -- or at least the almost four hours it took me to complete the 50 went faster than, say, four hours at work. And the weather held up wonderfully, which is a risk in Richmond in May.
 
Joining me were around 1,400 riders. Last year participants met at Dorey Park, but this year we started and ended at Rocketts Landing, and riders could choose to pedal 25, 50 or 100 miles.

The shade of the rural roads was especially pleasant, and the air had that just-rained smell you only get in the countryside. I don’t drive that way too often, and it surprised me and several other riders in my pack how quickly the land turns rural in Eastern Henrico.

In only its second year, the Cap2Cap ride has a cult following. Beth Weisbrod, the executive director of the Capital Trail Foundation, said attendance increased 40% compared to last year. The foundation is still determining how much the event raised, but the money is used for trail enhancements, such as signs and benches.

While I generally call it a bike path, it’s technically a multi-use trail and will likely see heavy action from pedestrians and joggers, especially close to downtown Richmond.

Last year the routes took riders from Eastern Henrico to various points on the way to Williamsburg. This year the routes were loops through verdant farmland. That change eliminated the need for shuttles.

And this year there was a more festive spirit.

“The layout of Rocketts is perfect for the race because it is so close to the trail and on the east side of Richmond, the side closest in proximity to Williamsburg," said Tim Miller, the event director.

 "Now that Rocketts Landing is the host of the Cap2Cap race we've been able to add a bunch of bells and whistles to the event like the VIP breakfast, beer truck, lights and live music. We're really trying to make this race more exciting and attract more bikers, kind of like the Tour de France."

Photo / Captain's Blog

A Day at the Derby with a View of the James River

Thursday, May 07, 2009

The rain hardly let up.  But the dance floor was packed, and the juleps were to-die-for at the Richmond Ballet’s 16th Annual Kentucky Derby Day Party.

Rocketts Landing presented the event, and Aaron Sutton, director of marketing and communications for the Richmond Ballet, called it “another huge success.”

Nearly three hundred people attended the outdoor party located underneath a massive tent on the Rocketts Landing central quad. And everyone came dressed to impress. Powell Harrison, owner of the clothing store Harrison’s of Leesburg, gave his approval.

“There are a lot of good looking outfits and cool people here,” he said.

As the early arrivers filtered in, I indulged in the crab cakes and oysters Weyanoke dished up by David Napier’s Whitehouse catering. The band 3rd Wave also took the stage at this time, providing the smooth rhythmic melodies that set the uplifting mood leading up to the Derby.

The Derby was broadcast on a big screen projector to the right of the stage, and not a person in attendance was seated as Mind That Bird pulled away from the pack for the long-shot victory. I even saw a little money change hands as a few friendly bets were paid and dinner was served.

The buffet included BBQ beef brisket with horse radish sauce, seared Rockfish with a classic beurre blanc, Chicken Saté, and a Mediterranean pasta salad.

After the dinner, the Richmond Ballet held a raffle which featured such prizes as a seven night stay at the Outer Banks, a sterling silver necklace from Peter Alexander, two round trip tickets on JetBlue Airways, and four tickets to see the Richmond Ballet’s 2009 performance of The Nut Cracker.

The sun began to set over the Richmond skyline, as the second band of the evening BUTTER took the stage. By this time it didn’t take much – a cover of the Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive” – to get everybody back on their feet and doing the Hustle.

All the proceeds of the event went to the Richmond Ballet, and a lot of people had their chance to experience Rocketts for the first time.

“I haven’t been back here since the development project first began, and I can definitely see a big difference,” said event planner, Wendy Ewees. “The place is really coming along.”

Photo / JFordPhotography.com

That's a Big Cat!

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Last week, this photo was taken at the newly opened Rocketts Landing marina. I don’t know much about the angler featured in the photo. But I do know he landed this enormous catfish in a kayak on the James River in front of Rocketts early one morning. It’s a Blue Catfish for sure, judging by the shape of the head and fins.  The largest Blue Cat caught in the State of Virginia weighted 92 pounds 4 ounces. If I had to guess, I’d say this fish weighs at least 25 pounds - not bad for a spot located just outside of Richmond.

Photo / Used With Permission