He has paddled all over the world, from South Korea to France to Belgium. He's even tested the waters off Alcatraz Island in northern California. But Greg Barton, the first American ever to win an Olympic gold metal in kayaking, has never paddled the big waters of the Mississippi River.
     That'll change on May 8 when Barton competes in the 18th Outdoors, Inc., Canoe & Kayak Race on the Mississippi River at Memphis. When he learned that Barton will compete at Memphis, two-time defending champion and course record holder Chris Hipgrave said: "I guess I'll be racing for second."
     Even though he gave up Olympic competition after winning a bronze medal at Barcelona, Spain, in 1992, Barton remains the biggest name in U.S. paddling. "He's a highlight film all by himself," said Joe Royer, race director. "I don't know if he's been beaten in 15 years."
     Barton, 39, said he has considered the Memphis event for several years, but until this year couldn't work it into his busy schedule. He's the president of a Seattle-based company that manufactures high performance kayak paddles. The paddles feature a cross section shaped like an airplane wing and are similar to the ones Barton used to win his two Olympic gold medals.
     "I've heard so much about the Memphis race over the years," Barton said in a telephone interview. "Everyone has told me what a great event it is. I can't wait to get there and give it a try."
     Royer and Hipgrave believe Barton's appearance will help draw other world-class paddlers to the event, which is the largest canoe and kayak race in the southeastern U.S. and the longest-running Memphis In May sporting event. "He's like a gunslinger coming to town," Royer said. "Everyone wants to beat someone like Greg. He is as famous as you can get in this sport." So famous that Royer, 51, might even race in the event himself. He has not raced since the first OICKR in 1982.
     For the first time in race history, the downriver kayaks class--and not the canoes--will be at the front of the starting line, Royer said. "That," Royer said, "should make for the event's fastest-ever race." Hipgrave, 29, originally from Purley, England, said, "If conditions are right, the water level, the wind and all other things, there's a good chance" that Barton could run the 3-mile course in 16 minutes. If so, that would be more than two minutes faster than Hipgrave's record time in 1998.
     Barton, who grew up in Michigan and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan in 1983, hasn't lost his competitive edge. "I'd definitely like to win the race," he said. "I've never gone into a race not wanting to win. This one's going to be a challenge, but it should be fun, too."
     It will be the first time Hipgrave, who works for the Dagger Canoe & Kayak Co., and Barton have competed against each other. They have been friends for years through their business connections. In fact, Hipgrave often uses one of Barton's paddles. He isn't sure, but he thinks he might have used one in last year's race.
     Royer said Barton has agreed to conduct a paddling clinic after the race. As usual, the race will start at the mouth of the Wolf River and end in the Memphis Harbor.