Photo Gallery: L.A. River sees first-ever boat race

Shawnee Badger, 21 of Valencia, heads down river in the L.A. River Expeditions first annual L.A. River boat race at Rattlesnake Park just south of Fletcher Drive in L.A. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

Aug. 30, 2014 3:47 PM PT

Water enthusiasts flocked to the Los Angeles River on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014 for the first-ever L.A. Boat Race that tested the skills and speed of paddlers, but drew some criticism from those against the river’s use.

Photo Gallery: L.A. River 1st annual boat races

With a member of the Mud People standing in the foreground, a participant heads down river in the L.A. River Expeditions first annual L.A. River boat race at Rattlesnake Park just south of Fletcher Drive in L.A. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

A participant heads down river in the L.A. River Expeditions first annual L.A. River boat race at Rattlesnake Park just south of Fletcher Drive in L.A. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

Actor, director and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr., center, talks to the crowds gathered before he participated in the L.A. River Expeditions first annual L.A. River boat race at Rattlesnake Park just south of Fletcher Drive in L.A. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

With members of the Mud People looking on, a participant heads down river in the L.A. River Expeditions first annual L.A. River boat race at Rattlesnake Park just south of Fletcher Drive in L.A. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge speaks before participants headed down river in the L.A. River Expeditions first annual L.A. River boat race at Rattlesnake Park just south of Fletcher Drive in L.A. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

With a member of the Mud People looking on, a participant heads down river in the L.A. River Expeditions first annual L.A. River boat race at Rattlesnake Park just south of Fletcher Drive in L.A. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)