Down River Kayak Sprint
A COLD WET BURN
If you’re not first, you’re last in this classic Gore Creek sprint that pits boaters against each other and the almighty clock.
*NEW CATEGORIES FOR 2019* – U18 Men & Women AND Long Boat Division
Saturday, June 8
8:30am
IMPORTANT: Registration for this event closes Friday, June 7 at 6pm
Drop your boat in Vail Village, jump on the shuttle, and rock out to the East Vail put in (your boat will be waiting for you.) Make sure to cram carbs before the race – you’ll need them for the 4 mile class II-III paddle back to the Covered Bridge in Vail Village! With a rally race format, kayakers drop at timed intervals so you’ll be racing against the clock, and if you’re really rockin’ you may be able to catch someone!
Saturday, June 8
8:30am
IMPORTANT: Registration for this event closes Friday, June 7 at 6pm
CATEGORIES:
Open – Men (max boat 9′)
Open – Women (max boat 9′)
Open – Long Boat (max boat 12’5″) Division – Men & Women
U18 – Men & Women
EQUIPMENT:
- In an effort to standardize the competition, boat length in the Open and U18 categories (competitors eligible for prize money and prizes, respectively) may not exceed 9′. Boats will be measured. Whitewater-specific plastic and heavy-duty composite boats only. Sit-on-tops are allowed, but only if they are robust whitewater models worthy of the conditions. If in doubt about your boat, ask Race Directors at least 24 hours in advance of competition.
- New Long Boat Division – Men & Women: Boats may not exceed 12’5” in length. Inflatable kayaks will not be permitted. Please contact event registration with further questions.
- Hand Paddlers are allowed; No sea kayaks or foot rudders allowed.
- PFD, helmet, protective footwear, and a dry-top, paddling jacket or wetsuit are mandatory.
- Equipment will be reviewed at check-in. The organizer has the right to refuse any non-conforming equipment (i.e. bicycle helmets, nylon sprayskirts, etc.).
- Athletes must wear competitor bibs outside their PFDs at all times. For athletes that place on the podium, we ask that you wear your competitor bib for awards.
- Event staff will run a board/boat drop on the top level of the Vail Parking Structure from 4:00 – 7:00pm on Friday.
COMPETITION:
- Athletes should arrive at the put-in no less than 45 minutes before their race start time to go through gear check, attend safety meeting and pick up their competition bib.
- The race is run in time trial format. Athletes will start in thirty (30) second intervals, and starting positions will be determined by registration date. Special requests for start times (even to allow board-sharing) will not be accepted, and no start-time swapping is allowed. Athletes must be ready at their designated starting time. Start times will be posted online Friday by 8:00 pm.
- Paddlers who lose their equipment and require a rescue of any kind and/or appear to be excessively falling and 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 used blocking or any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct.
lOCATION:
The race start is 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 Lakota Guides and Timberline Tours starting at 6:30 am on Saturday from the top of the Vail Parking Structure.
Athletes must use the supplied porta johns at the put-in and respect the Aspen Lane neighborhood.
The race finish is just East of the Covered Bridge in Vail Village (see course map).
DIRECTIONS TO PUT-IN:
The Put-in is located at end of Aspen Lane, at the “T” intersection of Booth Creek Lane. From Vail Village: head east on South Frontage Road about three (3) miles. Take right on Aspen Lane. This road is located right before you go under the highway. Put-in is located at end of Aspen Lane, at the “T” intersection of Booth Creek Lane.
PRICE
REGISTRATION LAUNCH // February 6 – April 5, 2019
$40
EARLY BIRD // April 6 – May 27, 2019
$45
EVENT PRICING // May 28 – June 9, 2019
$55
PAYOUT
Total PRIZE Purse: $3,000
MEN – Open (max boat 9′)
1st – $750
2nd – $500
3rd – $250
WOMEN – Open (max boat 9′)
1st – $750
2nd – $500
3rd – $250
PRIZES
First place male and female open (max boat 9′) category finishers will win a YETI Panga 50!
U18 – Overall Men & Women
1st – Sweet Protection Strutter helmet and $200 gift card to sweetprotection.com or Craniologie.
2nd – Sweet Protection Strutter helmet and $150 gift card to sweetprotection.com or Craniologie.
3rd – Sweet Protection Strutter helmet and $100 gift card to sweetprotection.com or Craniologie.
RACE START:
Down River Sprint Put In @ Aspen Lane in East Vail
RACE FINISH:
Down River Sprint Take Out @ Covered Bridge
