The Vail Valley Foundation is proud to announce the lineup of kayaking events at the 9th annual Teva Mountain Games, the nation’s largest outdoor adventure event, which will return to Vail, Colorado June 3 – 6, 2010.
The best will put their paddling skills on the line as competitors test the class II – V waters in and around the Vail Valley. Pro and amateur boaters alike will compete in a variety of different kayaking events that are sure to entertain everyone from the weekend warrior to the seasoned pro. Check out the event schedule below for details on all whitewater events including Freestyle, 8 Ball, Down River Sprint, the Steep Creek Championship and the Raft Cross.
Alongside the whitewater events, this year’s other sporting events include road and trail running, mountain biking, road cycling, fly-fishing, stand up paddling, World Cup Bouldering and amateur climbing. In addition to competitive adventure sports, the Teva Mountain Games also include a photography competition, interactive exhibition and demo area, DockDog canine competitions, the Serac Adventure Film School, an interactive family area, free concerts and mountain lifestyle parties.
KAYAKING EVENT SCHEDULE
·BUD LIGHT LIME STEEP CREEK CHAMPIONSHIP Presented by Thule
Dropping a whopping 480 feet per mile, Homestake Creek is a paddling gem that, once was known only to Vail Valley locals, but is now a premier American kayaking spot. Race rules are simple – the fastest time to the finish line of the ¼ mile creek wins and only the top 10 boaters in the male and female divisions will advance after the first run to take a second run in the final heat. Please note, start order is determined by date of registration; the first ones to register are the last to run Homestake. This competition is not for the faint of heart.
DATE: June 3, 2010
TIME: 8am: Registration Opens, 8:30am: Steep Creek Practice, 9:30am: Steep Creek Championship, 10am
LOCATION: Homestake Creek (Red Cliff)
COST: $40 online / $50 on-site
·BUD LIGHT LIME PRO KAYAK FREESTYLE Presented by First Ascent
This mainstay of the Teva Mountain Games features the world’s best playboaters in an old-fashioned throwdown “in the hole” at Vail’s Whitewater Park. Each kayaker has a timed round to throw his best cartwheels, loops, tricky-wus, phonics monkeys, space godzillas and more in an attempt to impress the judges and the crowd for the highest combined score. Each competitor has 1 minute to demonstrate their skills and athleticism in this spectator-friendly whitewater event.
DATE: June 4, 2010 (Qualifier); June 5, 2010 (Semi Finals + Finals)
TIME: June 4 @ 1pm (Qualifier); June 5 @ 11am (Semi Finals), @ 4:15pm (Finals)
LOCATION: Vail Whitewater Park (International Bridge)
COST: $35 online / $45 on-site
· BUD LIGHT LIME 8 BALL KAYAK Presented by Jackson Kayak
The Bud Light Lime 8 Ball Kayak is kayaking’s version of NASCAR, where rubbin’ is racin’. After a floating start at the Covered Bridge in Vail, as many as ten kayakers will push, shove, and jostle their way through a 300-meter sprint in the narrow confines of Gore Creek. Along the way, boaters must avoid being knocked off by the “8 Balls” – loathsome kayakers in full body armor whose sole purpose is to knock the sprinters off course.
DATE: June 6, 2010
TIME: 11:30am (Qualifiers), 2:30pm (Finals)
LOCATION: Vail Whitewater Park (International Bridge)
COST: $30 online / $40 on-site
· BUD LIGHT LIME DOWN RIVER SPRINT Presented by Jackson Kayak
Three miles east of Vail Village marks the put-in for the Down River Sprint. With a rally race format, boaters drop at timed intervals and race against the clock to the Covered Bridge take-out. The best part about the Down River Sprint: you can race on about anything that floats!
This race is also a leg of the GNC® Ultimate Mountain Challenge
DATE: June 5, 2010
TIME: 8:30am
LOCATION: East Vail – Vail Village
COST: $35 online / $40 on-site
TEVA RAFT CROSS
Similar to the Bud Light Lime 8 Ball Kayak, the Teva Raft Cross is a race (on catarafts) in the Class II / III whitewaters of Gore Creek. Two-person teams have a chance to showcase their speed, agility and aggression in a this head-to-head dual. Along the way, rafters must navigate no less than two upstream gates, and in the spirit of competition, ramming is allowed!
DATE: June 6, 2010
TIME: 10:30am (Qualifier), 1:30pm (Finals)
LOCATION: Gore Creek, Vail Village
COST: $50 online / $60 on-site
