Alcohol allowed at May 7 Great Russian River Race

Despite initial concerns about public safety, members agreed Monday to grant an alcohol service permit to organizers of the inaugural Great Russian River Race on May 7.

"I had some reservations before," Healdsburg Mayor Tom Chambers said prior to the unanimous 5 to 0 vote in favor of granting the permit. "But the thing that did it for me was the scrutiny and rigor they [organizers] put into this security plan."

Between 400 and 600 people are expected to watch or participate in a series of kayak, canoe and surfskis races on the Russian River near

This is the first year for the event, which organizer said will be tightly patrolled. 

"Alcohol will be strictly prohibited on the race course,"McEnhill told council. "We have 30 course marshals, and if they see an athlete using alcohol, that person will be pulled out and not allowed to compete next year." Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies will also follow racers with a medically equipped jetboat.

 Under the permit conditions, beer and wine will be sold from noon to 4 p.m. in a grassy public park next to Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, he said. That area will be fenced-in and monitored by more than a dozen armed and unarmed security guards, Healdsburg police officers, Sonoma County sheriff's deputies, emergency medical technicians/lifeguards and volunteers.

"I'm impressed with the lengths they've gone to to put every safety precaution possible in place," said Councilmember Susan Jones, former Healdsburg Police Chief.

Both s had recommended that council deny the permit due to public safety concerns. Councilmembers on Monday said they had shared the same worries, but were reassured after hearing from McEnhill and co-organizer Liz Keeley.

"They've done a great job of putting a good plan together,"  said Vice Mayor Gary Plass, who requested the alcohol service be restricted to noon to 4 p.m. instead of 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Plass said he was confident the race would be much better controlled than past river and beach events, where there were near-drowning accidents and difficulties with rowdiness.

"I was there for the Russian River Rat Race," Plass said. "It was a booze party and there were arrests."

Councilmember Jim Wood said the early May date would be better than in the summer, when it would be hot and people would be more thirsty, especially on the beach.

"I see that the beach is not the focus of the event," Wood said. "And, knowing what a good job Don and Liz did with the [Healdsburg] I can see my way toward approval for this."

Councilman Steve Babb, a former Healdsburg Fire Captain, said he was concerned about the beach as well, having been to many emergency situations there.

"But that time of year, with the berm still up, and it's not that hot, and with all the extra security, I think I can go along with this," he said.

Registration is open for the event. Up to 350 paddlers and racers are expected. For more information, click here.

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