I awoke to this beautiful display of weather and thought, "could there be a more appropriate day for the Iceman?"

Arriving in Columbia 3 hours later we were greeted by the Iceman himself, Andy Grizzell, happy as he could be.

This year the Millrace Massacre was heavily contended by paddlers of all skill levels. 54 Racers signed up for a chance at the cash pursse. Some people lost. Some people won. Some people did a little swimming. Everyone seemed pretty happy.

Not everyone had a moustache quite as quick as this one. Do we have a potential mustache king participant here?

Sited spectators were sighted.

Grarghtsman showed up with his game face.

I'll stand over here with this rope thingy and you squat over there and it will look like we're doing something.

Peekaboo, you can barely see me behind this water, but I just took your picture with my secret helmetcam.

If you smile like this and have a beard similar to this I'll take some video of you.

Oh, there's no way I'll ever throw up today. I'm feeling great.

Ah-hah-ha-hah-ha-hah-hall Righty Then! Racers who advanced to the head-to-head race please report immediately.

This won't make me barf will it? Errr, I doubt it.

I'm really not sure if it will make him barf.

It seems like a good idea to do a tube race down this rapid to determine the best paddler.

This is a fair way to start the race.

I don't need this tube to get down the rapid.

Andy wins race, you second Gramamthans - Photo Courtesy Mark Alexander

Jesse will stand up in the Saluda if Jesse wants to stand up. Jesse likey. Photo Courtesy: Mark Alexander

Sometimes mustaches don't help you mesh with the in-crowd. This mustache however, is very nicely groomed and it smells great.

Oops I puked all over the place afterall.

Now that was appetizing, how about some pork butts?

Iceman make warm fire. Hot water burn baby. Great party. Fun times. Gooooood food.

CHRIS GRIMMANTS WON ALL THE MONEY!!!

Many more photos from the 11th annual Iceman just below in the gallery.  Thanks to a lot of people but most of all Andy Grizzell for another great event.

There is a circle of posts surrounding this year’s event at the links below .  Just click any one of them and find more fun stuff about the 2011 Iceman Championships and Millrace Massacre.

Thanks, Spencer Cooke – Effort Inc.

Iceman at IR
Iceman at Shred Ready
Iceman at Astral
Iceman at Rapid Transit
Iceman at Effort.tv

See more about Joey Hall and his upcoming film, INTERFERENCE “a kayak surf film” at interferencesurf.com

King Simonetti himself commented, “Though the quality of IR products always seems to be really high, I was particular impressed with the fit and construction of the suit.   I can actually get it zipped up all by myself and having the zipper across the shoulders gives you really good mobility while padding.  It is also warm and TOTALLY dry as the pics of my leisure time in 39 degree water will show.  This drysuit may be the nicest thing I own.”

Here is a photo before Simonetti was crowned as the IR Mustache King.  You can clearly see that His Highness was underdressed for Kingly activities like reclining in frigid water and laughing at the river, and that he had other “ailments” to worry about at the time.

Comparably, the Tick, not a Mustache King but certainly a Mustache wearing Superhero, also wears IR gear.  It’s obvious that he has chosen the Union Suit as his primary attire.

Happy New Year,

Spencer Cooke, Effort Inc
IR Southeast Sales Rep

If you’re gonna compete you gotta go all out!

The fight to the finish ends with one lucky, and very stylish individual laughing all the way to the river with a brand new IR Double-D Drysuit. July 1st marks the halfway point in the IR Mustache King, aka 2008 bi-annual Curt Davis Invitational Mustache Growing Contest of Paddlesports. Yes, it’s a long title, aptly matched with a long contest, no doubt deserving a long mustache.

In case you haven’t kept up with the turmoil at the Mustache King site, here’s a quick catchup for you.

30+ freshly shaved competitors signed up, ready to mustachisize this thing. Some have persevered.

Others simply could not withstand the heat and the pressure associated with such a sporting event.

Those fallen by the wayside have forfeitted the opportunity to win all kinds of fabulous prizes from our sponsors. The strong who have combed and groomed their lip plumage, cherishing every moment of mustachedom will battle it out for the prize purse.

MustacheKing.blogspot.com for the full experience.