News

2012 NW Slalom and Downriver Schedule Posted

See 2012 under the NW Cup menu

Nooksack Race - Final NW Cup Race in 2011

The final NW Cup Race will be held this weekend, Oct. 8-9. The DR race will be on Saturday at 3 pm. The slalom race will be on Sunday. Jon Allen, (jonallen@telus.net) will be providing coaching on Saturday from 11:00am-2:00pm for anyone interested for a fee. Please contact him for details. It looks like we are going to have good water levels and this should be a fun race! See the flyer for details.

Roaring River Slalom Aug. 27 & 28

The eighth NW Cup slalom race will be held Aug. 27 & 28. A free clinic will be held on Saturday for race participants. See flyer for details.

Chilliwack Slalom and Canadian Nationals

The seventh race in the Northwest Slalom Cup Series and a prelim for Canadian Nationals will be at Tamahi rapid on July 30, 31st.
Downriver and boatercross races will be during the week (Aug. 1-5th) and the Canadian National Slalom Championship will be on Aug. 6th and 7th. The Sat race will be designed for juniors and masters and the Sunday race will be significantly more challenging and designed for seniors. There will also be a banquet on Sunday night.
The river is very high for this time of the year, 1.8 on the Sleese Creek/Chilliwack River guage (http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/index_e.html). This is not a very forgiving level, so keep that in mind. The level should drop steeply in the next days.
Contact Jon Allen (jonallen@telus.net>) or me for further information. Registration for Canadian Nationals must be completed by July 30. They will not be taking late registrations. You can register and pay through Paypal at http://chilliwackcentreofexcellence.sportical.com/

DON"T MISS IT!

SLS
50th Annual WKC Salmon la Sac Race
June 4-5, 2011

Celebrate the 50th Annual Washington Kayak Club Salmon la Sac event! 50th!!!!  How cool is that? Come dressed like it's 1961 - we'll reminisce about the good ole days Saturday night and look at old photos. The oldest paddling equipment on Sunday wins the race!
Friday - Course Setup - Volunteers Needed!
Saturday - Downriver race, slalom practice, kid's scavenger hunt and campfire party
Sunday - Slalom Race - all boats, abilities and ages welcome!
Click here for event details.
Enjoy the awesome Flyer -- spread the word!

PGE Bull Run Whitewater Slalom / Sandy River Showdown

April 30, May 1, 2011
Northwest Cup Series #5 and OKCC event

The 11th annual PGE Bull Run slalom will be held at the PGE Bull Run River power plant near Sandy. OR. The river is class III, flowing through an incredibly beautiful, steep walled gorge. We encourage all to come out, you need a roll, but no previous slalom skills are required. It's great practice for hitting eddies and moving your boat around on the river. Race boats are not necessary, plastic boats work well, and you can also borrow an older race boat from the organizers who have some for loan! Practice all day Saturday and we can arrange coaching or pointers for anyone interested.
There will also be downriver races on Saturday and Sunday as part of the Sandy River Showdown..
Note: If the river is below 450 cfs or above 1600 cfs on the Bull Run @ Bull Run gauge, the race will be postponed one weekend.
Directions: Take Hwy I-84 east from Portland through Troutdale over the Sandy River and exit #18. Turn left and go up the Sandy River, through Springdale (3-4 miles). As you are leaving Springdale keep to the right onto Hurlburt Rd (there is a sign there for the Bull Run). Stay on Hurlburt Rd for about 4 miles. At a flashing light, make a right onto Gorden Creek Rd. Take Gordon Creek Rd 5 or 6 miles down a steep hill to the Sandy River, then uphill before crossing the Bull Run river on a metal bridge, then turn immediately right into the Bull Run power plant parking lot.
Course construction: Friday, April 29th (10:00 am), (we could use help!!). We would very much appreciate some volunteers for timing and judging on Sunday.

Schedule:
Saturday 4/30:
Sunday:

Sponsored by: Portland General Electric, your best source of electricity in Portland, and organized by the Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club.
Contact: David Johnson 503-977-3998 (H) 503-720-4854 (Cell) johnsoda@ohsu.edu or Rufus Knapp at: 503-726-7529 or rufusk@comcast.net

Cowichan Update

Just a quick reminder that the 4th race of the NW Slalom Cup season is going to be held this coming weekend. The race is on the Cowichan River on Vancouver Island, near Duncan, BC, about 30 km north of Victoria, BC.
The course is expected to be erected by Friday night and there will be practice all day on Saturday and the race on Sunday. Jon Allen will be coaching on Saturday for those interested.
Contact: dan.norman@brentwood.bc.ca for directions or other information.
If you are planing to travel to this race, contact Danny, there is a high possibility that the race will be cancelled due to high water. Dan will send an update out on Friday as to whether the race is on or not.

Riverhouse Rendezvous Slalom - NW Cup #2

March 27, 2011
Everyone, gear up and come to Bend, Oregon for the Riverhouse Rendezvous slalom. It is the second race in the Northwest Cup series. The river is class 2 to easy 3, narrow and right in town. The Riverhouse Resort is kind enough to allow us to set up the course and conduct the race in this semi-urban setting.
The Riverhouse is offering a discount to racers who want to stay at the hotel right at the course. Ask for the “Social Rate” when you call 866-453-4480.
Course set up will begin Friday, March 25. Wires going up at 10. Jim Bollerman is bringing gates at about 1:00 PM. If we have good help, we should have the course up by 5:00 PM Friday. Expect a few adjustments early Saturday and then practice. Race will be Sunday morning. Racers meeting at 10:00AM. The good folks at Tuamlo Creek Kayak Shop are instrumental in setting up this race.
Coaching available from Jon Allen, see David Johnson or Jon around 10 am Sat morning to sign up, $25 per person.
Questions? Call Bert Hinkley: home 541-633-7794; cell 541-678-3762; work: 541-318-8809. bert@proctornet.com

Updated DR Schedule Posted

Download DR Schedule in .pdf format

WKC Cedar River Races March 12-13, 2011

Kick-off the new slalom season at the Cedar Race on March 12 - 13. The race course is on Class II whitewater and a great way to polish your skills for the coming race season. All paddlers are encouraged to participate --we will have both race and plastic classes. Your first race? This is the perfect race for you!
This is the first race of the NW Whitewater Cup Series - don't miss out on collecting valuable 2011 NW Cup Points for both Slalom AND Downriver.

Volunteers Needed!!

Race course set up will be on Friday, March 11 starting at 11 am. Please come help. It's good river karma! Contact Marin Millar @ 360-271-0757 or marin_millar@hotmail.com.

Schedule:

Friday: Course Setup from 11 am

Saturday:
11 am - downriver sprint race through the slalom course
3 pm - classic downriver race from slalom course to Maple Valley
Saturday:
Slalom course open for practice all day. Registration until 4:30 pm.
Slalom clinic at 10:00 am if pre-registered - see announcement below

Sunday:
9 am: Late Registration for slalom
9:30 am: Registration Closes
10 am: Racer's Meeting and 2010 NW Whitewater Cup Award ceremony
11 am: Slalom Race Start
Afternoon: Awards for slalom and downriver 2011 Cedar River Race

Directions:
From Portland/South of Seattle coming from I-5 N:

Take ramp right for SR-18 East 11.2 mi 11 min
Take ramp right for SR-516 East toward Covington 0.4 mi
Turn right onto SR-516 / SE 272nd St
Pass BURGER KING in 0.5 mi 4.7 mi
Road name changes to SE Kent Kangley Rd 0.2 mi
Road name changes to SE Kent-Kangley Rd 2.1 mi
Turn left onto Landsburg Rd SE 1.8 mi

From Canada, North of Seattle:

Take I-90E from I-5S (or I-405S)
At exit 17, take ramp right for Front St 0.3 mi
Turn right onto Front St
Continue straight out Front St for approximately 9 mi.

Slalom Clinics at Cedar Race

There will be several slalom clinics at the Cedar on Sat. March 12th lead by Jon Allen, head coach of the Canadian National team (west coast division). If you are interested please email David Johnson johnsoda@ohsu.edu or Jon Allen jonallen@telus.net so scheduling can be arranged. The cost will be $25 per person.

2011 NW Cup Schedule

The 2011 Pacific Northwest Whitewater Slalom and Downriver Cup race season is about to begin! The first race is on the Cedar River March 12 (downriver) and the 13 (slalom), followed by a slalom race on the Deschutes River at the Riverhouse hotel in downtown Bend, OR March 26, 27. Download the schedule in .pdf format or view under NW Cup / 2011

Who Won the 2010 NW Cup Slalom Series??

There will also be a short ceremony Sunday morning March 13th at the Cedar Racer's Meeting to present the fabulous trophies for those that won in their class for last year's Cup Series.

BC Whitewater Slalom Championships

Slalom Race on the Chilliwack River in British Columbia -- October 24, 2010
October 24th 2010 is the BC Whitewater Slalom Championships.
Racers meeting will be at 9:00am on Sunday. Come early to practice on the river as the gates are available all year round. Please take care in moving them because they are old and fragile. Invite your friends and your friends' friends!
For more information contact Jon Allen at 604 703 6597 or by email at jonallen@telus.net
Visit chilliwackcentreofexcellence.sportical.com today to register for the BC Championships in Chilliwack BC.

WASHINGTON KAYAK CLUB NOOKSACK WHITEWATER RACES!!

OCTOBER 9-10, 2010
Once again the mighty Nooksack Slalom (and downriver sprint) race is slated for the weekend of October 9 and 10. Hosted as always by the Washington Kayak Club! This is your last chance for those valuable Northwest Cup Points for 2010!!! Be there!
The race is held on the North Fork of the Nooksack River at the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Douglas Fir Campground. The Campground is on the Mount Baker Highway about 3 miles past the town of Glacier. We rent the campground for the race (it's closed to the general public), so you can stay there Friday night and Saturday night.
The hope is to begin hanging needed wires for the Slalom course on Friday the 8th around 1pm, and WE NEED HELP! If there are not enough volunteers, then it will have to be postponed until Saturday morning and gates will go up Saturday AM as soon as the wires are hung. Saturday afternoon after race construction and slalom practice a timed Downriver sprint will be held (2 runs with time totaled) for the final NW CUP Wildwater event – so bring those Wildwater boats too! The Slalom race is Sunday and the Racer's Meeting will be at 9:30 am. We usually finish early ~4:00.
Please, if you're free Friday come and help!! Filling in as Race Director is Bellingham local Rich Roehner (Bob Duffner is recovering from hip surgery) – SO ALL YOU “SLALOMNISTAS” need to come and help with Race Course construction or you could wind up with a Wildwater/Giant Slalom course! Race fees will be $20 plus $5 for insurance if you are not a current ACA or Washington Kayak Club member that has paid their ACA dues. Camping fee is $10 per car for the weekend.
Regarding river flows. It's always something to think about for the Nooksack as the River is very flashy. If you're coming from out of the area, I would check the link below and weather forecast. If there is a big heavy rain predicted throughout the entire weekend, you might want to think twice about the drive.
We will hold the race if the predicted flows are between ~ 400 to 1,700 cfs. At low water it's a bumpy class 2. Ideal is around the 750 cfs range. High is 1,200 cfs. > and bigger than 2,000 cfs it is too big to hold the race (a big flush).
Don't be fooled by high water caused by rain just before the weekend. We have had big rains on Friday - Saturday day, with no rain on Sunday and river has dropped to high but very fun water levels by the race. However, in the past we also have needed to cancel this race due to either high or low water. Rich will make a judgment on Thursday morning regarding whether (or weather?) the race is on or not.
An e-mail (to the addresses in this email) will be sent out Thursday morning 10/7 around 9:00 am to confirm whether or not we will hold or cancel the race. In addition, an update will be posted on the NW League of Whitewater Racers web site http://www.nwwhitewater.org for any race updates by Thursday at 12:00 noon.
Below is the link for current water levels. It is low now, but should come up. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?12205000
You can call Rich Roehner (US Wildwater Team) the race director to volunteer for putting up the course or to verify whether the race is on before Friday ~9:00 am at 360 715-3121 or email him at: rroehner@anvilcorp.com

Aug 28 - 29 Roaring River - Slalom NW Cup #6 Clackamas River Class II Estacada, OR

Date: August 28-29, 2010
Type: Slalom Kayak/Canoe Races
Location: Clackamas River near Estacada, OREGON
Race Director - Carl Poston cposton1@comcast.net
FREE NORTHWEST WHITEWATER CUP CLINIC on Saturday
Come out to the race early and master the course! Professional Whitewater Coach, Paul Kuthe will be providing a FREE Slalom Clinic on Saturday as part of the Roaring River Slalom Races. Local racing experts David Johnson and Rufus Knapp will also be on hand to help out. Come check it out!
Contact for the Slalom Clinic: Paul Kuthe paul@aldercreek.com
-When: We will start walking the course for the clinic at 11am. Practice session is all evening.
-First time racers always welcome. Plastic boats are just fine. (older the better typically).
- There may be some extra slalom boats on hand to try out (If you ask their owners nicely)
Kayaks, Canoes, C-1's all welcome! Please have class III paddling experience. A roll is not required, but could come in handy ;)
Drections from north: I-5 to I-205. Take exit 12 (Hwy 212, Hwy 224) east. Follow Hwy 224 east to Estacada and continue east on Hwy 224 to mile post 41.5. Here you will find the Roaring River Campground. The slalom course is on the Clackamas River directly across the road from the Campground.

USA Wildwater National Championships

will be on the Skagit River July 31st and August 1st, 2010! See http://2010wildwaternationals.wordpress.com or download flyer for more details.
There's a sprint race on Saturday - 2 races of about 3 minutes each and a classic race on Sunday which will last about 15-20 minutes. But we need more volunteers to make it happen. We need volunteers on both Saturday and Sunday and some on Friday night.
The races are in the afternoon - no need to get up early in the morning! You'll get free lunch! free camping (group campsite across from Goodell campground is reserved and paid for)! free stickers! you'll be eligible for the raffle! (for volunteers only) and you can race in the citizen's race for free!! Saturday night entertainment and dessert are also included. Can't beat that. Come see some of the fastest paddlers in the US.....maybe even see some excitement in "S-Bend Rapids...."
The schedule and what's needed is as follows - we can use whatever time slots you have available to help us out:

Friday:
Registration - 1:00-5:00 pm
Boat Control assistant - 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Saturday:Shuttle drivers
Parking control
Safety control coordinator
kayak or raft safety boaters
Timers: 12-1:00 pm and 2-3:00 pm
Results person
Runners

Sunday:
Timers: 11:30-1:00 pm and 2-3:00 pm
Safety folks both on and off the water
Shuttle drivers
Parking control
Safety Coordinator

For Timers we need a controller (to call racers to the start), a starter ( who holds each boat until time to go), radio operators, recorders with stop watches and a clipboard (all equipment provided of course!! :-) at start and at the finish and bib collectors at the finish line.

We can also use some help Saturday night setting up for music and dessert in Newhalem, information packet stuffing Friday morning, setting-up for registration on Friday, staffing the info table on Saturday and Sunday and someone who is not racing to help be "in charge" when the entire Organizing Team (Rich, Mike, Jennie and Tom) are racing!!

Salmon La Sac - June 5 -6

The Washington Kayak Club’s 49th Annual Bottoms-Up Regatta will be June 5-6,2010. This is the longest- running- consecutively-held kayak race in the United States! This year, the event, which features slalom and downriver races and fun evening activities, is also the NORTHWEST WHITEWATER CHAMPIONSHIPS! That’s right – it’s THE event of the year.
The NW Whitewater Championships are not just for race boats, either. There are classes for plastic boats and plastic boats even have their own traveling trophies for the top man and top woman racers! It’s also the region’s largest downriver race (class II). In anticipation of a great turnout (because it’s the NW Whitewater Championships), special awards will be given away for all classes.
Directions: Navigate I-90 east of Seattle and exit at Roslyn. Drive through town (the whole place is a speed trap and stays a speed trap until you get to the campground: Beware!) to the end of the road, and there you are at both the race site and campground.

MAY 15-16, 2010 -- Northwest Whitewater Cup Race #4 for Slalom and Downriver!

The Lockaby Downriver Race is May 15, 2010 and the Slalom Race is May 16, 2010 on the Clackamas River about an hour from Portland, OR. Slalom Heat #1 is 11:00 am and heat #2 is 2:00 pm on Sunday. Downriver is Saturday May 15, 2010 at 12:30 pm. See http://www.upperclackamasfestival.org/ for all the other festivities going on! It's recommended you make a reservation for camping http://www.upperclackamasfestival.org/location.php

Bull Run Whitewater Slalom Camp

May 1, 2 Bull Run River
This is to remind you of the clinic/camp/get-together we are having at the Bull Run slalom site (near Sandy, Oregon) this coming weekend. We’ll be practicing, videoing, getting some coaching, and celebrating on Sat and Sunday beginning around 11 am Sat. There are currently about 18 gates and we intend to expand this by adding a few more going down the drop at the end of the permanent course.
The river is class III and its important to have a reliable roll, as there are sharp rocks. But the course will have lots of beginner moves and all are welcome, especially those paddling plastic boats.
Be sure to check the gauge, because there is a real possibility that we will have to cancel, snow pack is low this year. See: http://www.wkcc.org/levels/?P=Oregon.html If the Bull Run at Bull Run is at 500 cfs or above, the clinic will be on. If its lower than 500 cfs its cancelled and we won’t be there. The river goes up and down quickly so check before you come.
Your coach will be ex-US team member Stephen Cameron
Your social coordinator and video-ographer is Rufus Knapp
Your contact person is David Johnson johnsoda7@hotmail.com 503 977 3998
Directions: Take Hwy I-84 east from Portland through Troutdale over the Sandy River and exit #18 (right after crossing the Sandy River). Turn left (at the end of the ramp) go up the Sandy River, past the Tippy Canoe Bar, into Springdale (3-4 miles). As you are leaving Springdale keep to the right onto Hurlburt Rd (there is a sign there for the Bull Run). Stay on Hurlburt Rd for about 3 miles then at a flashing light make a right onto Gordon Creek Rd. Take Gordon Creek Rd 6 or 8 miles before crossing the Bull Run river on a metal bridge, then turn immediately right into the Bull Run power plant parking lot.

Canadian Team Trials

Our Canadian racing friends are looking for volunteers to help with their upcoming team trial races: The Chilliwack Centre of Excellence is hosting Junior and Senior team trials. The dates and locations are:
Junior team trials are on the Mamquam in Squamish - May 15/16
Senior team trials are on the Rutherford in Whistler - May 22/23
They are looking for volunteers and will provide accommodation at each location for Friday and Saturday night. Meals will be provided and we ask you to car pool and a gas stipend will be offered. Needed are: judges, start and finish people, and headquarters help.
If you are able to help with either or both weekends please contact and let Elizabeth know what job you would like.
Elizabeth Grimaldi at 604 858-0692 or by email Silveroaks@telus.net

Cowichan Race April 17 - 18

This is a wonderful race on Vancouver Island and well worth the time it takes to get there. This year the race is part of the NW Slalom Cup and so valuable points are at stake. See the Cowichan flyer for more details.

2010 Age Group Nationals

Bethesda Center of Excellence presents the 2010 Slalom Age Group Nationals at ASCI, McHenry, MD, June 27th. For more information: http://www.bce-racing.com

2010 Regional Teams

A program of the Whitewater Slalom Foundation Athletes who race in three regional spring races before June 15th -- in the Northwest Region that would be the Cedar River Race March 13-14, the Riverhouse Rendez-vous March 27-28 and the Salmon la Sac June 5-6 --, and who are ranked in the top two in their age-group and event, are eligible to be named to their Regional team. Those athletes who go on to race in the 2010 Junior Olympics, Age-Group Nationals, or overseas, and whose region supplies matching funds, will each be awarded $200 to offset travel or other expenses; their coaches will each receive $100. See http://whitewaterslalom.us/WSF_Regional_Teams.html for rules and more information and http://www.nrcrhinos.com/events.php for event information.

Please Help!! - Cedar River Work Party

The work party date has been set! Feb. 20th - morning until whenever. If you can help, please call David Zimmerman to find out exact time and what, if anything is needed that you could bring. Or contact the League at theleague@nwwhitewater.org. This weekend he's purchasing the materials and staging a few things. We'll be adding about 4 new wires downstream and one upstream and repairing and trimming the vegetation!

2010 Beginner/Intermediate Slalom Clinics

The Washington Kayak club is offering two slalom clinics on the following dates with instructor Jennie Goldberg.  Get yourself ready for the Cedar Race March 13-14, 2010.
These clinics are designed for recreational boaters interested in learning how to improve their paddling with slalom racing skills. Graduates are expected to participate in the WKC Cedar River Race weekend March 13-14! We will offer two sessions: One for juniors fairly new to paddling and the other for beginner/intermediate paddlers. Cost is $10/person payable to the Washington Kayak Club. This covers insurance and a small amount towards gate repair. A third session for those with race boats that are dusty may also be offered. Let us know if you are interested! You must pre-register. Space is limited! Once we have an idea of the number of interested persons, then we'll let you know the time.
Clinic Dates: March 6, 2010
Location:  Cedar River Gates at Landsburg
Cost $10.00
Please rsvp to Jennie at:  theleague@nwwhitewater.org

2010 NW Cup Schedule posted

Download the schedule in .pdf format or view under NW Cup / 2010

Youth Kayaking class has started in Monroe, Washington!

Donations are needed. Click here for more details. Contact: Tom Wier Email: twier@ymca-snoco.org

SLALOM REVIVAL 2009!

It’s official! Local whitewater racing in the Pacific Northwest has been revived!!

A grand party was held at Matt and Bev's house on November 15, 2008 starting late afternoon and continuing on into the late evening. Seven paddlers ran the river in their race boats and then met others for a session on the gates. Eventually there was a total of about 30 friends laughing, eating and getting excited about the upcoming slalom and downriver racing season.

Jennie paddling slalom Slalom Revival River Run Slalom Revival Cake

US Slalom Schedule Posted

You can find the latest national slalom schedule at Whitewater Slalom US