Colorado Racing Information
Last modified on 10 June 2009


News Race Schedule Race Descriptions

Racing News

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


2009 Schedule -- The 2009 season schedule is now posted. 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.

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! The inaugural race is June 13.

Clear Creek Renovated -- Thanks to funding from the City of Golden and lots of work by Chris Wiegand, the Clear Creek course has been renovated this spring with improved access, dredging, boulder relocations, and streambed reconstruction. The river right bank is now (finally!) open as well. Thank you, Golden & Chris!

Gates Up -- The Clear Creek and South Platte gates are up! Feel free to use them, but do please move them to the side of the river when done so they don't get in the way of other boaters.

2008 Race Schedule
Date Race Location Event Organizer/Contact
April 11-12 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 25-26 Jr. Wildwater Team Trials
 Colorado River, Glenwood Springs, CO Wildwater Blue Herons of Grand Junction, Dennis Adams
May 9 CRMS Carbondale Race
(website, click on "Google Calendar")		 Roaring Fork, Carbondale, CO Downriver Colorado Rocky Mtn Sch., Tom McKey
May 9-10 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 15-17 U.S. Sr. National Slalom Team Trials
 Animas River, Durango, CO Slalom Durango Whitewater, Helen Kunz
May 20 Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
May 23-24 Yampa River Festival
(website)		 Yampa R., Steamboat Spgs, CO Downriver, Rodeo (Sat), Slalom (Sun) Backdoor Sports, Peter Van De Carr 970-879-6249
May 27 Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
May 30-31 National Freestyle Team Trials
(website)		 Colorado River, Glenwood Springs, CO Rodeo Contact
June 3 Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
June 4-7 Teva Mountain Games at Vail
(website)		 Gore Cr., Homestake Cr., Eagle R., Vail, CO Rodeo, Creekin'
June 10 Golden Community Rodeo Series
(website)		 Clear Creek Whitewater Park, Golden, CO Rodeo Contact
June 12-14 Animas River Days
(website) 		Animas River, Durango, CO Parade (Fri), Slalom (Sat), Wildwater (Sun) Animas Riverkeepers and Durango Whitewater
June 12-14 Lyons Outdoor Games
(website) 		St. Vrain, Lyons, CO Slalom, Freestyle, Creek Race, Boater-X Amy or Adam Schwartz
June 18-21 FIBArk
(website)		 Arkansas R., Salida, CO Rodeo (Fri), Slalom & Rodeo (Sat), Downriver (Sun) FIBArk Organizers
June 26-28 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
Sept. 20 Chile & Frijoles Festival
website) 		Arkansas River, Pueblo, CO Rodeo
Fall (TBD) Flatwater Slalom
 20th St., S. Platte, Denver, CO Slalom Front Range Paddling Assoc., Chris Wiegand

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.