The winner of Monday’s Alabama River Raft Race found out about the race at the last second.

Patrick Leach, who lives nearby on Highway 80, knew he wanted to go kayaking on Labor Day, but it wasn’t until Monday morning that he knew he’d be participating in the race.

”We need to get more people doing stuff like this,” Leach said.

Leach outraced a small field of about 20 racers to win this year’s race, which was a Selma tradition in the 1970s.

The race returned last year and was a big hit, but lost some of its momentum this year when homemade rafts were not allowed due to safety concerns by the Alabama Marine Police.

With homemade rafts out, only manufactured boats, such as canoes and kayaks could take part. The rule changes left the field somewhat limited and seemed to have many on the fence about whether to compete. Clay Carmichael, one of the event’s organizers, said a large portion of the field registered Monday.

“We had about 12 sign up before today so we had almost that many sign up today,” Carmichael said.

While Leach raced for exercise and to be outdoors, others came to support a cause.

Shelia Wood raced to support Defend Rivers, an organization that wants to keep water free flowing through Alabama. She also represented the Autauga Creek Canoe Trail, which she is on the board of in Prattville.

Wood, who might be better known to those in Selma under her maiden name Shelia DeRamus, used to participate in the Raft Race in Selma during the 1970s, so she was happy to be back. She raced with friends Brenda Key and April McCartney on Monday.

“I always enjoy being on the water,” Wood said. “That’s what it’s all about is getting out and getting that exercise.”

Colton Baggerly and his mother, Rachel Baggerly, were in a canoe together during last year’s race, but Colton got a new kayak this year, so they raced for family bragging rights.

Colton, who finished second overall, made it clear why he enjoyed the race.

“The fact that I get to beat her,” he said with a smile.

Although those in the race enjoyed Monday’s event, it was clear something was missing without the homemade rafts. The homemade portion of the race has always made the Labor Day race different than others.

Organizers vowed to work hard to try to bring the homemade category back next year. First, Carmichael said they have to figure out what steps they have to take to get that part of the race approved.

“We’ve got to figure that out,” Carmichael said. “The state told us we couldn’t have them for safety issues. I don’t know if they were doing it as a probationary year because last year a couple of them sank. We’ve got to talk to them and figure it out.”