GoPro Gore IV Kayak Challenge
CLASS IS IN SESSION
Sprint through 4 miles of the Class IV playground of lower Gore Creek in this returning kayak challenge!
This competition is geared toward Class IV kayakers who love a good ol’ sprint to the finish. Do you have the skills and speed to be crowned our Gore IV champion?
10:00 AM
IMPORTANT: Registration for this event closes Thursday, June 6 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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Event Overview
friday, JUNE 7
10:00 AM
As its name implies, the GoPro Gore IV Kayak Challenge is a 4 mile down river time trial through the Class IV playground of lower Gore Creek west of the International Bridge. This competition is geared toward Class IV kayakers who love a good ol’ sprint to the finish. Do you have the skills and speed to be crowned our Gore IV champion?
Times
friday, JUNE 7
10:00 AM
Rules
CATEGORIES:
Open – Men
Open – Women
EQUIPMENT:
- Whitewater specific boats only.
- Boats may not exceed 9.5’ in length. All boats will be measured at the start of the race.
- Boats must be plastic, production whitewater creek boats with bulkhead footrests and appropriate grab-handles.
- Pre-production, modified or non-creek specific boats within the standards of modern creek-specific designs may be allowed, but only with prior approval of the Race Directors.
- If in doubt about your boat, ask Race Directors at least 24 hours in advance of the competition.
- Athletes must dress for creek-boating Class IV whitewater.
- Unsafe or excessively used equipment (such as: excessively worn PFDs, unsuitable helmets, damaged boats, spray skirts with holes, inadequate footwear, etc.) may be deemed unsuitable.
- Athletes must wear competitor bibs outside their PFDs at all times.
- 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.
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT:
- Rescue-certified PFDs
- Helmet
- Protective footwear
- Dry-top
- Paddling jacket or wetsuit
- Float bag
- Throw bags
FORMAT & RULES:
- The GoPro Gore IV Kayak Down River Challenge is for Class IV kayakers.
- The course is on Gore Creek and is approximately 4 miles long. All competitors must have successfully navigated the course prior to the competition.
- Please obey all no access and trespassing signage. This race runs through private property. Please respect the areas surrounding this race.
- Athletes must arrive at the put-in 45 minutes before the race start to check in, complete gear check, attend the mandatory safety meeting, receive their start times and pick up their competition bib.
- Paddlers who lose their equipment and require a rescue of any kind and/or appear to be excessively struggling and/or swimming will be pulled from the course by the safety team. Paddlers who lose their gear and exit the river will receive a DNF.
- The race is run in time trial format.
- Final race rules and format will be available during the safety meeting.
- Athletes are encouraged to use reef safe sunscreen during all competitions.
- 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.
Location:
The course will start at the International Bridge in Mountain House Gear Town and finish at Stephens Park.
Price & Prizes
PRICE
EARLY BIRD // February 1 – April 4, 2024
$40
STANDARD // April 5 – May 28, 2024
$45
EVENT WEEK // May 29 – June 6, 2024
$65
PAYOUT
total prize purse: $5,200
OPEN MEN
1st – $1,000
2nd – $750
3rd – $500
4th – $250
5th – $100
OPEN WOMEN
1st – $1,000
2nd – $750
3rd – $500
4th – $250
5th – $100
PRIZES
Prizes to be determined.
Event Map
race start:
International Bridge in Mountain House Gear Town
RACE finish:
Stephens Park in Vail, CO