NATCHEZ — Next month’s annual Phatwater Kayak Challenge has been canceled, allegedly because of state bureaucratic interference.

Nearly three weeks away from race time, event founder and Natchez resident Keith Benoist announced the cancellation of the race Wednesday.

Benoist would not specify why the event was canceled, but did say it was because of “bureaucratic arrogance.”

Benoist said he would be willing to discuss more details of the cancellation next week.

In an email obtained by The Natchez Democrat, Benoist states that treatment from members of Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks played a role in the cancellation.

In the email, Benoist states that the agency interrupted portions of last year’s race even though no one involved in the race solicited MWFP’s participation.

“At long last, I have surrendered to that higher power, finding it my industry to seek cancellation, once and for all,” Benoist stated in the email. “Nowhere else in this nation could there be today a passing action so worthy of the gallows as the Phatwater. I resist no longer.”

Members of MWFP’s public affairs staff did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Benoist created the Phatwater Kayak Challenge 13 years ago and said he has provided most of the funds for the event, himself, through the years.

Since its inception, the Phatwater Kayak Challenge has grown to feature canoeists, kayakers and ski surfers.

Natchez resident and outdoor enthusiast Lena McKnight said she will not let the cancellation stop her and a group of kayakers from taking to the Mississippi River Oct. 11.

McKnight said she already had friends from Baton Rouge and New Orleans coming to Natchez for the race and decided they would paddle the same route that day.

“The Phatwater is about all of us getting together and paddling together, so we wanted to keep doing that because a lot of people already had plans to come for the race,” McKnight said. “We won’t be racing so to speak, but we’ll all still get together to paddle the river.”

McKnight said the cancellation of the event was “devastating” for the community.

“We did a race last weekend in Jackson, and the excitement and buzz going around the air about Phatwater was exciting,” McKnight said. “A lot of paddlers from all over look forward to this race every year.”

This year, Benoist was going to allow Quapaw Canoe Company to feature five canoes that can hold up to 15 people, giving locals who don’t have canoes or kayaks the opportunity to get involved with the race.

The race course is 42 miles long, starting in Claiborne County and finishing at Natchez.

Benoist and the city would normally provide a free shuttle and build a beach for the scoring table at the bottom of the boat ramp. The U.S. Coast Guard closed down the section of the river to barge traffic in the past, clearing the path for all racers.

McKnight said she hoped the cancellation of this year’s race didn’t mean the end of the event forever.

“It’s disappointing to see, but I know putting on a race of that size has to be difficult and Keith has always done a great job,” McKnight said. “But we still have the big river here, so we need to try to keep the interest up and keep something going.”