Despite the weather's cooperation, this year's Nechako River Float did not measure up to previous participation levels.
High water levels and a swift current seemed to keep most potential river riders off the water.
"There's not a lot of people out there," said Tim Cioban, after he wrestled his air mattress out of the water at the Foothills Bridge. Cioban and his girlfriend began their float at noon at Wilkins Park, where he said there were less than two dozen other people getting started.
The swift current meant their ride was over a lot sooner.
"The water's moving quickly. It normally takes about four hours to do what we just did," Cioban said, just after 2 p.m.
But despite the temperature of the water being a little on the chilly side, first-time floaters Shawna Hendrickson and Tim Rittaker said they would both participate in the event again.
"It was awesome," Rittaker said.
For Trina Newman and her five-person, two-boat regatta, it was the "perfect way" to spend a sunny afternoon.
"It's a way of enjoying the only day of summer we get," said Curtis Saunderson.
"We had a picnic on the river," said little Kyra Snow, who showed off the new suntan she got while riding adorned in her pink bathing suit.
Winnie Cook and her family didn't brave the current, preferring to stand on the Foothills Bridge and watch the those in the water.
"I've gone down the river before, it's fun. But with the water as fast as it is, it's a little risky," Cook said, pointing out few boats had made it down the middle of the river, rather the current was pushing them to the banks.
The third annual event was delayed a month, after high water and un-summerlike conditions in July.
