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.
*RETURNING FOR 2020* – 17 & Under Men and Women AND Long Boat Division
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!
BOAT DROP INFO:
You can drop your boat/board at the top of the Vail Parking Structure, the night before the event, Friday June 5 from 4:00-7:00pm. Event staff will be onsite to help you load your boat into a covered box truck that will be locked and secured. This option is HIGHLY recommended and will make your morning of the race much easier. You will only need to show up to the morning meeting with your paddle, pfd and other personal gear. You can also drop your boat at Vail Village Parking Structure the morning of beginning at 6:30am. Jump on the shuttle, and rock out to the East Vail put-in (your boat will be waiting for you.)
CATEGORIES:
Open (Men / Women) (max boat 9′)
Youth – 17 & Under (Men / Women)
Long Boat Division (Men / Women) (max boat 12’5″)
IMPORTANT: Event staff will run a board/boat drop on the top level of the Vail Parking Structure from 4:00–7:00pm on Friday, June 5.
EQUIPMENT:
- In an effort to standardize the competition, boat length in the Open and 17 & Under 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.
- Long Boat Division – Men & Women: Boats may not exceed 12’5” in length. Inflatable kayaks will not be permitted. Cash prizes will not be awarded for this division.
- 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 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.
FORMAT & RULES:
- 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. Please allow plenty of time to check in and attend your safety meeting.
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 5 – April 4, 2020
$40
EARLY BIRD // April 5 – August 16, 2020
$45
EVENT PRICING // August 17 – August 23, 2020
$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
Custom YETI Awards for top 3 winners within each category.
First place male and female open (max boat 9′) category finishers will win an epic piece of YETI gear!
17 & Under – Overall Men & Women: TBA
Long Boat Division (max boat 12’5″) Overall Men & Women: TBA
RACE START:
Down River Sprint Put In @ Aspen Lane in East Vail
RACE FINISH:
Down River Sprint Take Out @ Covered Bridge
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