Slifer Smith & Frampton Down River SUP Sprint

GET UP, STAND UP, DON’T GIVE UP THE RACE!

Somewhere between surfing and rafting, this event is a thrilling SUP race down the Gore Creek in Vail. Paddle as fast as you can, but don’t lose your balance! Before you know it, you could be just another fish swimming in the bone-chilling waters of the spring-time Gore Creek. Add in a handful of low bridges, drops and wave trains, and the Slifer Smith & Frampton Down River SUP Sprint becomes a race to remember.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6
10:30 AM

IMPORTANT:

Registration for this event closes Friday, June 5 at 6:00 PM.
Athletes should arrive at the put-in no less than 45 minutes before the race start time to go through a gear check, attend a safety meeting and pick up their competition bib.

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Slifer Smith and Frampton

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Event Overview

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

The Slifer Smith & Frampton Down River SUP Sprint is a race against the clock in the heart of Vail on Gore Creek. Anyone up for the challenge will run this 4-mile stretch of Gore Creek from East Vail to Vail Village SUP style. Competitors must stand strong because snowmelt from the nearby Gore Range makes for icy waters while navigating the Class II-III course.

Times

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

10:30 AM

Rules

CATEGORIES:

Open – Men
Open – Women
Youth – Boys (12-17)
Youth – Girls (12-17)
Nonbinary

*Minimum age to compete is 12 years old based on the athlete’s age on event day, June 6, 2026.

mandatory EQUIPMENT:

Boards must be inflatable and may not exceed 11′. Boards will be measured at the start of the race.
Athletes must wear competitor bibs outside their PFD at all times.
- Bibs will be collected at the end of the race.
PFD
Helmet
Protective footwear
Full-legged wetsuit or drysuit
Paddle
No leashes around ankles or wrists. If paddlers choose to wear a leash, it must have a release system that can be hand-activated and should also have an emergency break-away system.

The following will NOT be allowed:

Double-bladed paddles
Multi-hull boards
Foot rudder steering systems

course:

The Slifer Smith & Frampton SUP Down River Sprint is for Class II-III SUP athletes.
The course is on Gore Creek and is approximately 4 miles long.
Please obey all no access and trespassing signage. This race starts/runs through private property. Please respect the Aspen Lane neighborhood and use the supplied portable restrooms at the put-in area.
All athletes should be aware that all competitions take place in mountain rivers which may have challenging conditions such as underwater obstacles, unseen hazards, rocks, debris and vegetation.

Format, Rules & Information:

Athletes must arrive at the put-in no less than 45 minutes before their race start time to go through gear check, attend mandatory safety meeting, receive their start time and pick up their competition bib.
Paddlers who lose their equipment and require a rescue of any kind and/or appear to be excessively falling and/or swimming will be pulled from the course by our safety team. Paddlers who lose their gear and exit the river will receive a DNF.
If a paddler is being overtaken by another “faster” paddler from behind, they must yield to the faster/overtaking paddler in a safe and respectful manner. This will not affect a penalty or DQ unless the paddler being overtaken uses blocking or any kind of unsporting conduct.
The race is run in time trial format.
Final race rules and format will be available during the safety meeting.
Event organizers and whitewater rescue teams are not responsible for equipment rescue and/or equipment removal from the GoPro Mountain Games whitewater courses should athletes lose their equipment during practice or competition.   
Athletes are encouraged to use reef safe sunscreen during all competitions.
CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY. Prior to participation, please ensure your river gear is CLEAN of plants, mud, and debris; DRAINED of standing water; and completely DRY before your competition. Following these CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY steps and getting all watercraft properly inspected helps to protect the waters we paddle from aquatic invasive species. Learn more at cleanboater.org.

BOARD DROP INFO:

Athletes will only need to show up to the morning meeting with their paddle, PFD and other personal gear.  Boards can be dropped at Vail Village Parking Structure the morning of the race beginning at 6:30 AM and will be shuttled to the put-in point.

race start info:

The race starts in East Vail at the end of Aspen Lane. There is no parking available, so athletes may be dropped off or take the shuttles provided by Sage Rafting and Timberline Tours starting at 6:30 AM on Saturday from the top of the Vail Village Parking Structure. Please allow plenty of time to check in and attend the mandatory safety meeting.

Please respect the Aspen Lane neighborhood and use the supplied portable restrooms at the put-in area.

DIRECTIONS TO PUT-IN:

From Vail Village: head east on South Frontage Road about three (3) miles. Turn right on Aspen Lane. This road is located right before you go under the highway. Put-in is located at the end of Aspen Lane, at the “T” intersection of Booth Creek Lane.