I snapped this photo moments after the Batesville Canoe and Kayak Race on Saturday. The man in the red shirt is Dale Burris of Russellville, Arkansas, and he's one of the true pillars of the sport of canoe and kayak racing.
The photo really says it all about the kind of guy Dale is. The two boys Dale is talking to are members of a scout group he's been coaching for many years, and they have just edged out Dale and his partner for the win in the aluminum canoe class. But that doesn't stop Dale from going over the race with them and giving them advice on how they could have done better.
Even though Dale is now 64 years old (his birthday was yesterday!), and even though he didn't get the win Saturday, he's an athlete you bet against at your peril. Few stern paddlers in North American-style marathon canoe racing are as skilled and as tough as Dale. But don't expect to hear any elaboration on that from Dale himself. I don't think I've ever heard Dale toot even the meekest of notes on his own horn.
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