Colorado Racing Information
Last modified on 8 Feb. 2010


News Race Schedule Race Descriptions

Racing News

http://spot.colorado.edu/~koppg/Racing/


2010 Schedule -- I'm starting on the 2010 season schedule. If I'm missing any events or have incorrect information for anything listed, please let me know (Greg-at-WhiteWaterRacing-dot-org). I'll be posting last-minute changes to schedules as I get them.

Clear Creek Gates Down -- and so is the water. But it'll get going again soon...

Lyons Has A Slalom Course -- Scott Shipley and other local boaters recently set up a new course on the St. Vrain in Lyons near the October Hole, so we've now got another great spot for practice sessions!
2010 Race Schedule
Date Race Location Event Organizer/Contact
April 3 Denver Flatwater Challenge
 Cuernavaca Park, S. Platte, Denver, CO Slalom & Wildwater Sprint Rocky Mtn Canoe/Kayak Club, Chris Wiegand 720-473-9965
April ??? Spring Icebreaker Race
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Slalom (Sat), Polo, Rodeo (Sun) Colorado School of Mines, Dave Brokering and Derk Slottow
April 16-18 Durango High School Cup Race
(Colorado High School Whitewater Race Series)
website		 Animas River, Durango, CO Slalom Durango Whitewater
April 23-25 US Western Jr. Wildwater Team Trials
 Colorado River, Glenwood Springs, CO Wildwater Blue Herons of Grand Junction, Dennis Adams
May 1-2 Dawson Clear Creek Race & JO Qualifier
(Colorado High School Whitewater Race Series)
(also open to adults)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Slalom, Freestyle Dawson School, Nate Lord 303-665-6679
May 7-9 CRMS Carbondale Race
(website)		 Roaring Fork, Carbondale, CO Slalom, Downriver Colorado Rocky Mtn Sch., Peter Benedict
May 19? Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
May 21-23? Yampa River Festival
(website)		 Yampa R., Steamboat Spgs, CO Downriver, Rodeo, Slalom Backdoor Sports, Peter Van De Carr 970-879-6249
May 26 Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
June 2 Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
June 3-6 Teva Mountain Games at Vail
(website)		 Gore Cr., Homestake Cr., Eagle R., Vail, CO Rodeo, Creekin'
June 9 Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
June 11-13 Animas River Days
(website) 		Animas River, Durango, CO Parade, Slalom, Wildwater San Juan Citizens Alliance and Durango Whitewater, Meghan 970-259-3583
June 11-13 Lyons Outdoor Games
(website) 		St. Vrain, Lyons, CO Slalom, Freestyle, Creek Race, Boater-X Amy or Adam Schwartz
June 16 Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
June 17-20 FIBArk
(website)		 Arkansas R., Salida, CO Rodeo (Fri), Slalom & Rodeo (Sat), Downriver (Sun) FIBArk Organizers, P.O. Box 762, Salida, CO 81201
June 25-27 Gunnison River Festival
(website) 		Gunnison & Taylor Rivers, Gunnison & Crested Butte, CO Boatercross, Hooligan, Freestyle, Down River Race (Upper Taylor), Slalom (tentative) Anthony Poponi 970-596-7496
July 23-27 Open Canoe Downriver Natl Championships Arkansas R., Salida, CO Downriver

Slalom Race Descriptions

Throughout the whitewater season in Colorado and neighboring states, there are several kayak and canoe races offering participants and spectators the opportunity to experience the fine art of slalom racing. Whether you are an experienced racer, a beginner at the sport, an interested spectator, or a friendly volunteer, a wide selection of races is available. Several of the races scheduled this year are described below.

Most events feature both slalom and downriver races for boaters of all skill levels. Slalom racing emphasizes boat control through about 20 gates that must be negotiated in sequence on a course nearly 300 meters long. Downriver and wildwater are more endurance sports, covering from a few to 55 miles down a Cl. I to III river. Both races are judged for minimum time, with penalty times added for touched or missed gates in slalom.

Summaries of some of Colorado's traditional slalom races are given below. The descriptions represent a collection of personal opinions, based on attending these events. Nevertheless, I hope they help you decide which events you'd like to attend. And thanks for your interest in Colorado's racing program!

Greg Kopp



RACE DESCRIPTION
Spring Icebreaker Race
Clear Creek
Golden, CO 		Started in 1999, this has become a popular inter-collegiate race within Colorado. Teams of 5 boaters from each participating school compete in several races, including some rather innovative, fun events like 2000's Easter Egg Hunt. A citizen's race allows us "older" students to participate. As the first slalom event of the season, the water is generally low (~100 cfs) but sufficient, and the weather can be doing anything.
Of special note: Don't use your favorite paddle or your glass boat.
Mother's Day Races
Rio Grande River
Pilar, NM 		One of my favorites, this event by the friendly Adobe Whitewater Club has died due to other club priorities.
Crystal River Races
Crystal River
Carbondale, CO 		The Crystal slalom course is relatively open with few eddies. The race is organized by the Rocky Mountain Outdoor School in Carbondale, and traditionally has attracted nationally competitive boaters as well as regional juniors. Water is usually good in the Crystal drainage this time of year. Spectator viewing is good from a bridge crossing over the course.
Of special note: Part of the Colorado High School Whitewater Series.
Teva Mountain Games
Gore Creek & Eagle River
Vail, CO 		These multi-event series over Memorial Day weekend are aimed mainly at rafts and boater-X for the boating aspects. The series includes categories for professional and private athletes in several disciplines. Boating includes a head-to-head competition called the "Dowds Shoots Shoot-Out" for kayaks. These well-sponsored races unfortunately no longer include slalom as of 1998.
Animas River Days
Animas River
Durango, CO 		ARD is a fun local Durango festival. Several prizes for everyone are given away through the weekend. Events include a slalom race in Class II-III Smelter, a downriver (Class II with one Class III rapid), and an exciting whitewater rodeo in one of Colorado's best play holes. The event is usually one of the best-run slalom races in the state and has great spectator viewing. Here is useful visitor information.
Yampa River Festival
Yampa River
Steamboat Springs, CO 		Known for its friendly small town atmosphere, Steamboat Springs boasts some of the best whitewater in the country. The Yampa River Festival includes a downriver race, a rodeo, and a beautiful Class II slalom course in Dr. Rich Weiss Park, with classes for nearly all boats. Also included are beginner events, a salmon slalom (an up-river race), and the ever-popular "Throw a stick in the water and the first dog out (with the stick) wins" contest. Organization, particularly for the slalom, was not very good the last time I was there, but I'm eager to hear that it has improved - let me know.
FIBArk
Arkansas River
Salida, CO 		FIBArk is a several day river festival hosted by the friendly citizens of Salida. This event, the oldest whitewater race in Colorado, has a colorful history; it began on 19 June 1949 when two boaters organized a 56-mile downriver race from Salida to Canon City to determine once and for all who was "First In Boating on the Arkansas." (Incidentally, neither of the two initiators finished the race.) The current 26-mile course, now ending in Cotopaxi, is mild by comparison! Slalom racing was introduced in 1953 by Eric Seidel, and the race has remained in the same place since. The festival also includes a rodeo using the newest and best play hole in Colorado for those with acrobatic dispositions. Spectator viewing for the slalom and the rodeo are excellent. In 2006 the start for the slalom was organized much much more efficiently thanks to Ali Gober.
Gore Canyon Festival
Colorado River
Kremling, CO 		If the water in Gore Canyon, Colorado's classic "Class V" run, isn't fast enough for you by itself, try paddling a downriver boat through it. If you do well, you'll find the run can be done in less than 20 minutes. This popular event is very well sponsored. Spectator access is difficult, and the best way to see the race is to be in it. Or buy the video.