Batteau festival has smooth, fast finish

The 2009 James River Batteau Festival concluded at Maiden’s Landing near Richmond last weekend, after beginning at Percival’s Landing in Lynchburg the week before.

Twenty batteaux, including at least five from Amherst County, made the voyage, one that captains said was easier than in previous years because of the high water level of the river from heavy rains.

“It went fantastic,” said Ricky Brightwell, a member of the Maple Run batteau crew. “We had a very good time. The river was better than it’s been in a number of years, so that really made it a lot more enjoyable and a lot faster.”

Brightwell said the trip from Bent Creek in Amherst County to Wingina in Nelson County took less than six hours this year. Last year, that same trip took the batteaux 12 hours.

“The river was running good,” Brightwell said. “That was a big relief for us.”

Brian Roberts, captain of the new batteau, the Rockfish Runner, from Beech Grove in Nelson County, agreed with Brightwell.

“It was great,” Roberts said. “We got in there Monday at 3:30 p.m. and never had to put a pole in the water when normally we get in at 8 or 8:30 p.m. and are not sure we’ll have enough energy to even set up camp. The water made everything a ton easier.”

Roberts said he found only one leak in the boat throughout the trip, but it wasn’t “terrible” and is something he’ll be able to fix before the next trip.