There has been change to the race schedule.

The BV Sprint has been moved from Sunday to Friday,  the beer garden will be full on along with music and other activities.  The race will be held during the BV Pro Kayak rodeo pre-lims on Friday night.  We pushed to start up from 6pm to 5pm, hoping we can finish before dark and still have a few cold ones.

2012 Vertical Challenge Donors by State – can we make it 50 for 50?

March 7, 2012 by goals4youth

While the primary reason for hosting the ”Get Up & Get Down to Get Kids Out” Vertical Challenge event is to raise the money needed to support GOALS river programs for kids, it’s also important to understand just how much awareness is brought to GOALS each time a Vertical Challenge skier asks people in their network for a donation.
With only a few days left before the event, I’m setting out to recruit a donation from someone in each of the 50 United States. Below is a current illustration of the number of online donations that GOALS has received from each state (note: donations have also come in from British Columbia, Alberta, and Auckland). To date, we’ve been supported by residents of 35 states – are YOU reading this from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, West Virginia, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Delaware, Rhode Island, or New Hampshire? If not, do you know someone there who will represent their state by making a contribution to the Vertical Challenge in order to accomplish the 50 state initiative?
Let’s make this happen – it’ll be quite rewarding to know that someone from every state in our country has made a financial contribution to the 2012 GOALS Vertical Challenge!!
Donation link: GOALS 2012 Vertical Challenge Secure Tax-Deductible Donations

GOALS-"Get Out And Learn Something"

GOALS expands to Idaho!

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We're very excited to start offering GOALS river programs on the Main Salmon River in Idaho.
GOALS will launch our first youth program on the Main Salmon at the end of June with a school group from Washington. It's exciting to expand to a river with very different history and geology than the rivers we run in the desert southwest, and how can't you look forward to working with a new outfitter whose recent catalog features a thoughtful insight to why many of us love "life on the river."

GOALS to host US Nationals Raft Race! . Following the success of last year's Creek at the Peak downriver race on Clear Creek, GOALS has been selected to host this year's US Nationals Raft Race. . Since this will race will crown a National title holder, the event will feature three separate races on different sections of Clear Creek: . - A downriver race held near Lawson, CO on Saturday, June 23rd. - A head-to head sprint and a slalom competition in Golden, CO on Sunday, June 24th. . Amateur raft and kayak race classes will also be included in this year's race, and we'll put on another great party for competitors and fans on the night of June 23rd in Idaho Springs - more details coming soon. If you'd like to volunteer and help make this race a safe and successful event for all competitors and spectators, please email GOALS executive director Brett Hochmuth at brett@goals4youth.org. Vertical Challenge Update The Vertical Challenge is our largest fund raiser during the year, and impacts the number of programs we can offer for kids. With just 19 days until the event, we need your help to make this year's "Get Up & Get Down to Get Kids Out" vertical challenge ski/snowboard event as successful as it can possibly be. To learn more about why you should join the team or make a donation in support of a 2012 team member, please read this recent GOALS blog post...

Clear Creek National Race

Plans are coming together for a national event on Clear Creek.  The event is open to Pro and Am  divisions. Preliminary dates are for Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th. The exact locations/ sections for each event are still being determined. The downriver race will most likely be on any section from Dumont to Idaho Springs. The slalom and head to head races will most likely be in Golden at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park. At this point the event will be an R-4 event (4 person teams). Due to the lack of a world championship, the event will not decide a national champion but would rank teams nationally. This would help to lead teams into world cup events in Canada and the Czech Republic.  This is a great opportunity for paddlers to come together and support the growing sport of whitewater raft racing. There is great potential to attract quality competitors and a huge amount of spectators. The race location is in close proximity to Denver and the international airport, so bring your team from where ever you are. Rally your teams !!! Cali, W.V., Washington, Idaho, Maryland....


IRF and World Cup race schedule 2012

This years World Cup and US Nationals

This years world cup events are at the end of summer. Most are being held in August 2012 or September 2012. 

August 28th- September 2nd, 2012   Euro Rafting Champs will be held in the  
                                                   Czech Republic on the Vltava River. Check 
                                                   with your national rafting federation 

                                                   for your own selection race dates where 
                                                   teams qualify through fair and credible 
                                                   selections to represent their country.

            

                                                  

September 7th- 9th 2012                The Czech Boaters Union (SVoCR) cordially  
                                                   invites all teams to take part in the 2012 
                                                   World Cup Series on river Trnavka 

                                                   in Zeliv. Come to race on a world class  
                                                   artificial slalom course which is considered 
                                                   to be the most demanding one in  

                                                   Central Europe.  

September 20th- 24th 2012             The Canadian rafting committee in 
                                                   association with the Québec white water 
                                                   canoe/kayak federation is pleased to 

                                                   invite all teams at the 2012 Québec World 
                                                   Cup in the beautiful province of Québec.  
                                                   Canada is well known for its  

                                                   world class rivers and the province of 
                                                   Québec is one of the best places to paddle. 
                                                   This event will be held on 2 different 

                                                   rivers near Québec city. The Sprint, H2H 
                                                   and slalom will be held in Jonquière at the  

                                                   Cepal nature center. The down river will be 
                                                   held on the Jacques-Cartier river. 

                                                  IRF Event Schedule 2012  




The US Nationals are in limbo this year because of an unscheduled World Championship. However there has been recent talk of holding a National Race on Clear Creek in June 2012 here in Colorado. This event would rank national competitors allowing them to participate in World Cup events like the ones held in Quebec and the Czech Republic. Refer to the International Rafting Federations event levels to find out how to qualify. Stay tuned for event updates.

                                                 

                                      

Gore Race 2011, Pine Creek Race 2011

This news comes as a little bit of a surprise but their will not be an official Gore Canyon Race this year.
Gore Race announcement    The race was scheduled for August 20th. Flows have been coming down this week and the canyon will be running. Unfortunately not low enough for the race. Today the flow is 1720 and by the end of the week it should be below cut-off for commercial rafting, which is 1300 cfs. This race is always a culmination of a summers worth of conditioning and hard work. There is always an incredible atmosphere at this event and it will be missed. This race was the last of the Rocky Mountain Whitewater Series. Thanks for everyones participation in the race events this year. Thanks to The Adventure Company,  Arkansas Valley Adventures, Timberline Tours, Royal Gorge Rafting, FIBArk, CKS Paddlefest, Creek to the Peak,  and all the volunteers for safety, shuttles and spectators. 

Here is footage from the Pine Creek Rally Race 2011
Pine Creek Rally (race) video 2011

Pine Creek Race 2011

The Pine Creek Race has an official date of August 11th 2011. Registration is at 6 pm @ AVA. The after party is prom @ AVA. So dress to impress. The race was postponed to allow a more suitable flow. Now there isn't an excuse to miss out. Class V river running is upon us, time to crush it!

Pine Creek Race 2010

Wow, Summer 2011, Holy High water

What a summer of runoff. Im sure everyone knows how good its been on the rivers in Colorado this summer. Since the beginning of June we have only dipped below 3,000cfs twice. Although it seems to be coming down the monsoon is going to play a role in our flow fluctuations. We usually see a slide in early July only to rebound a bit at the end of the month. La Nina and the Monsoon   We saw 4,800 cfs last summer and that was incredible. 6 weeks above 3,000 Holy...! Our next race is coming up at the end of the month and thats on Pine Creek through the Numbers. At this point we are unsure of what to expect, but high water Numbers race is one that wouldnt disappoint. This mid summer race is great for everyone, even the less experienced will love this race. So stay tuned for updates about the next race on July 27th.

Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival

This friday is the Royal Gorge Pro Raft Race. This cold storm passing through might allow flows to come down enough to run the gorge. When flows are above cutoff this race is moved upriver into the Parkdale section. Only time will tell. There are many other race events including a rodeo. This is the third race of the Rocky Mountain Whitewater Series. The CKS sprint turned into a great event with 5 teams showing. The Bryan Dreher sprint at FIBArk was fun, but the gorge race never disappoints. Big water, crushing hits, and 7 person teams the norm this event is not to be missed. Here is a link to footage of last years race. Royal Gorge Race Footage 

Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival

FibArk Sprint

If you didnt make it to the Creek to the Peak race on Clear Creek, you missed out. 15 rafts showed up to this timed race. Each team was released at 1 minute intervals. This allowed competitors to race the clock with out the battling in the small creek. It was nice to see. Many races start head to head which is fun but that comes with a different approach.   Creek to Peak Race Results Thanks to all who put this race on it was a great turnout with teams from as far as the Arkansas Valley showing.

This coming week is FibArk and I know all of you will be there. Bring some friends and your rafts to compete and play in the Hooligan, Rodeo, and Sprint.

Pimp in Ho Rodeo in BV

What a great start to Paddlefest weekend with the Pimp and Ho Rodeo in the BV river park. Everyone is welcome in the event. As great as it is to spectate at this event, its even better to participate. Many different water crafts, costumes, and surf styles are recommended. Event starts at 6 pm wednesday May 25th. Don't forget the BV pro sprint raft race is on sunday May 29th.

Paddlefest Raft Race 2011

Pimp and Ho Rodeo in Buena Vista 

AIRE USRA National Championships on the Clackamas

Next weekend is nationals in Oregon! The 28th annual Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival is hosting the 2011 USRA National Championships. If you forgot about this festival call of work, find a dog sitter, water the plants and head to the coast for a guaranteed good time. Don't forget your boats, paddles, pfds, dutch ovens, yoga mats, and your smoothest pick up lines. There will be many on and off water clinics to fill time in between events. And don't worry high water wont be here till June so hit the road!



Aire Boats

Clackamas Festival

Plenty of water up there 132% of average!

Here are some great snotel sites for the upper arkansas river basin. Independence Pass Snotel , Fremont Pass Snotel,  Bromley Snotel .  You can see how the snow water equivelant is still increasing. With a forecasted subtle shift out of la nina we can expect this winters weather patterns to continue a little longer Precip Outlook for April-June  Temp Outlook April-June . Cloudy skies, cool temps, and light winds all contribute to a suspended run off. I will leave out the dreaded four letter word that starts with a "D" and changes the color of the snow.

Ullr loves us!!

and then there was a race....

Do you have racing on the brain? No. How about live music? No. Have you seen some of the worlds best boaters? No. As the nations greatest whitewater festival FIBArk never disappoints. And with the roots firmly planted by folks in the video below, their heritage becomes ours.






FIBArk Race 1949

Raft race paddle training guide

The snow doesn't want to stop up here in the Colorado headwaters. Snowpacks are increasing and spring seems far enough away. But as we all know the water will fill the rivers soon and we will be in a flowing liquidity heaven. There are many teams that are expressing interest in the 2011 Rocky Mountain Whitewater Series and we hope that everyone comes out to the races for fun, competition, and as spectators. Yes it is coming fast, our first scheduled race @ the 2011 CKS Paddlefest is less than 2 months away. So if you have been slacking here is the Un Official Race Training Video from the UK. Take these lessons practice and soon enough we will all be better paddlers than the euros.


Un Official Race Training video

Big Storms bury any worries about early snowmelt.

February and March supplied plenty of sunshine and great ski days. In the valleys, towns thawed out from sheets of ice and snow. This nice break in an above average snow year was welcome, and so was the 4 foot storm at the end of March that covered the head waters of the Arkansas River, Eagle River, Blue River, Ten Mile Creek and Clear Creek. Statewide snow pack percentages are above average. Per basin is varied with the northern part of Colorado well above average and the far southern basins slightly below average. The ski areas throughout Summit and Eagle counties show huge seasonal snowfall totals with solid base depths rarely seen. Time will tell how this snow will melt to the rivers. Will it be another record flow year? Will it sustain through the summer? Will we be rafting past water cutoffs?







Statewide snowpack as of 4/1/2011

Clear Creek on the rise river festival

Another race and river festival! Clear Creek on the rise river festival is June 9th thru 11th 2011. This is a great section of river for racing. Early June snowmelt flowing narrow fast and cold will assure a lot of fun for competitors. This festival will have many events for different types of athletes. Many clinics will be offered for kayakers along with a rodeo in the new Lawson whitewater park. Follow the links for more info.





http://www.clearcreekontherise.com/


http://www.mountainbuzz.com/forums/f38/clear-creek-on-the-rise-river-festival-34690.html

Lowland Urban Class V

Recent flood waters sent the Cuyahoga River to 4700 cfs. This spring rain, snowmelt and city runoff flow into flat areas of the river before it crashes through the gorge dropping 200 feet over 3 or so miles. There have been recent discussions and media coverage from Cuyahoga Falls and Akron Ohio on the idea of a rafting operation. This footage shows incredible potential for urban rafting in a critical natural interface. The dams have been in place since 1912 last needed for coal in 1991 and used for hydro power until 1958. A large portion of the rapids  have been submerged. There is an almost unlimited amount of info regarding the Cuyahoga River and its history. This footage show the sections of river @ 4700cfs on February 28th 2011.
Cuyahoga River
Cuyahoga River I 
Cuyahoga River II
Cuyahoga AWA

Update: Buena Vista Sprint Race

The Buena Vista Sprint Race starts the Rocky Mountain Whitewater Series with some great head to head racing.  This season 6 person teams will battle for the lead position as the boats race through the Buena Vista White Water Park.  The race will start in the flats above the first wave and end at the Lodo wave at South Main.  This is an all out sprint that will be about 3 minutes start to finish.  We will start with a time trial to seat the teams.  Then there will be heats of 2 boats and the winner will advance to the next round, those teams that advance will go head to head again until a winner is determined. A shuttle for the race will be provided by The Adventure Company.

Regisration will be 5-6pm, at South Main on the grass feild outside the Eddyline Brewery.  There is parking down stream of the Brewery.

    

The race will start at 6pm and go until 8:30pm

There will be an entry fee, TBA,  as low as possible

Volunteers are needed for safety. contact john@theadventurecompany.com

Start thinking "world championship"

As the days get longer snowmelt is slowly starting across the western US. Rafting teams should be training in anticipation of the upcoming race season. For many teams out there it is hard to fully understand what the level of competition is. The Rocky Mountain Whitewater Series is a good chance for teams to see what competition is regionally. Same goes for the Western Whitewater Championship Series, it also gives teams a chance to test themselves. There is usually a common goal among teams, besides finishing the race, and that is having fun. For a little taste of the fun at the international level check out the video link below provided by Teva and The International Rafting Federation. This footage is from the world championships in the Netherlands.





Link to World Championships 2010
http://www.wrc2010.nl/