in Glenwood Springs, CO on May 30 & 31
May 11th, 2009
Glenwood Springs, Colorado (May 11, 2009) - The US Freestyle Kayaking Team Trials will take place in Glenwood Springs on May 30-31, 2009, from 9:00am-6:00pm on Saturday and 9:00am-3:00pm on Sunday. Top paddlers will compete at Glenwood Springs - highly acclaimed $1,000,000 Whitewater Park on the Colorado River.
Organizers expect about 100 kayakers to show off their skills at the event, competing for a spot on the team that will represent the United States at the World Freestyle Championship to be held in Thun, Switzerland in August 2009. Kayakers willing to show off their skills, but not competing for a spot on the US Team are also welcome. Registration is open until Friday, May 29th and can be done online at www.glenwoodwhitewaterevents.com.
Tricks will be performed on the "G-Wave", and flows the last weekend of May are anticipated to be 15,000 to 18,000 CFS (cubic feet per second) with the spring run-off. Many freestyle kayaking moves can launch athletes and their kayaks inverted and up to four feet in the air, so the US Team Trials promise to be a thrilling spectator event.
The 7th Annual Yagatta Regatta will take place concurrently with the US Freestyle Kayaking Team Trials, just 2.8 miles away at Two Rivers Park. The event will help welcome athletes and set a festive tone for the weekend. A local's favorite, it's best described as a rafting flotilla and costume contest that brings together the Glenwood Springs whitewater community. In addition to the raft race, spectators can enjoy Coors beer, pizza, barbecue, ice cream, nine live bands throughout the weekend, kids' activities and more at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs. The Regatta is the primary fundraiser for Operation Vacation, a non-profit organization, which provides all-expense paid weekend getaways for deserving soldiers and their families. To learn more go to www.ColoradoYagattaRegatta.com.
Organizers are encouraging competitors and spectators to be aware of the following:
Registration: Competitor registration deadline is Friday, May 29th at 4:00pm and must be done online. Local paddlers are welcome to compete. There will be no on-site registration.
Schedule:
Friday, May 29
4:00pm Online Competitor Registration Closes
6:00pm Competitors Meeting and Welcome Dinner at Glenwood Suites, 2625 Gilstrap Court in Glenwood
Saturday, May 30
9:00am - until finished, Preliminary and Semi-final competition at the Whitewater Park
Sunday, May 31
9:00am-11:00am Semi-finals at the Whitewater Park (will only be held if not finished previous day)
11:00am Finals at the Whitewater Park
2:30pm or 30 minutes following the finish of Finals,
Awards at a location TBD
Community Outreach: Competitors are required by the USAFK to complete some community outreach in Glenwood Springs. Options for service include assisting with the Kayak Gear Exchange at the Glenwood Springs Community Center on Thursday and Friday, May 28th and 29th from 10:00am-6:00pm. Other opportunities include an address at the Glenwood Springs High School, speaking on professional kayaking and its impact to the local students, and some bank-side improvements and help to the Glenwood Parks & Recreation Department. For details on times, days and opportunities for competitor outreach, please contact Risa Shimoda at risa@theshimodagroup.com.
Other boaters: Local whitewater enthusiasts, kayakers and rafters not associated with the event are asked to use "river right" or the right boat chute in the G-wave feature.
Camping: There is no in-town camping in Glenwood Springs outside of improved, commercial campgrounds. For information on commercial campgrounds and RV parks in town, as well as public camping in the White River National Forest, see this link http://www.glenwoodchamber.com/Earth/Camping.html.
Parking: There will be no available parking at the Whitewater Park. Spectator parking is available at Two Rivers Park and adjacent to the park, across Access Road M. A bus, that says "Whitewater Shuttle", will travel back and forth on Devereux between Two Rivers Park and the Glenwood Whitewater Park from 8:30am-6:30pm on Saturday, and from 8:30am-3:30pm on Sunday. Biking to the Whitewater Park is also encouraged. Although Devereux Road will be open in both directions, driving on Devereux is discouraged. Competitors should consider paddling down from Two Rivers to assist event volunteers with safety and congestion.
Seating at Venue: There will be limited bleacher seating available at the event on both the North and South side of the park. Spectators are encouraged to bring low-profile folding chairs and blankets for seating.
Pets: Please no pets at the Yagatta Regatta or the Team Trials.
Safety: Children should be carefully supervised due to high water.
Food, refreshments and Coors beer will be available for purchase at Two Rivers Park. No glass containers are allowed at the US Team Trials or the Yagatta Regatta, and the Colorado open container law prohibits other alcoholic beverages.
The US Team Trials are made possible by City of Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, Glenwood Suites, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Lara Bar, Operation Vacation, Red Mountain Inn, River Restoration, USAFK, World Class, and Youth Kayak League.
For more information on the event, to register for the competition, and to book lodging and activities in Glenwood Springs, go to www.glenwoodwhitewaterevents.com.
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For more information about Glenwood Springs, Colorado, call 970-945-6589 or go to www.visitglenwood.com. For lodging reservations, call 888 4 GLENWOOD (888-445-3696). A complete press kit and press releases are available at www.glenwoodchamber.com/General-VP/Media-Center.html. Access to downloadable photos are also available upon request. Glenwood Springs is located between Aspen and Vail, 165 miles west of Denver or 90 miles east of Grand Junction on Interstate 70 off exit 116.
Kate Collins, VP of Tourism Marketing
970-945-6589 ext. 105
kate@glenwoodchamber.com
or
Vicky Nash, Resort Trends - Tourism & Resort Communications
970-948-4923
vicky@resorttrends.com
