July 5th, 2011
The White Salmon Riverfest & Symposium is just around the corner. On Sunday, July 10th we will honor the White Salmon and celebrate its' future as a "Free-flowing" river. To do this, we have included in our afternoon activities some kayaking events. Details below:
Kayaking Activities
2:30 p.m. BZ "Huck your Meat" - Competitors will paddle over BZ Falls and be judged in 6 categories: Creativity (yes, costumes are encouraged), Safety (safety always comes first), Landing/Recovery, Technicality, Finesse and the Biggest Beat down. There will be two judges scoring competitors on their lines over the falls.
Competitor's meeting for BZ Huck: 2:00 p.m. at BZ Launch Point (you may paddle down from the Truss and leave your boats above the rapid. Please use the trail to hike back and forth to BZ Falls and please be on time)
3:15 p.m. FUN paddle down the Middle White Salmon River (class III) - Come and join us for a fun-filled paddle down the Middle. What could be more refreshing than that?
4:30 p.m. Rattlesnake Route Competition - Competitor's will maneuver their way in, around and through rattlesnake rapid and be judged in these 6 categories: Creativity (yes, costumes are encouraged), Safety (safety always comes first), Recovery through the rapid, Technicality of your line, Finesse and the Biggest Beat down. There will be two judges scoring your lines in Rattlesnake rapid in each of the above categories.
Competitors meeting for the Rattlesnake Route comp will be at 4:15 p.m. at the pull-out upstream of the Husum Bridge (just to stay out of the way from other traffic).
*Prizes will be awarded to the top finisher in each competition and to the top finisher overall.
Hope to see lots of people there! This is a very spectator friendly competition so come one, come all!!!
June 23rd, 2011
Event starts at 2:30 p.m. with:
Community Raft Float
Flowing through many of our backyards, the White Salmon River offers world-class whitewater opportunities. Experiencing the river on a raft trip is one of the most exciting ways to connect with the extraordinary canyon and surrounding areas. This year's Community Raft Float is an opportunity for local residents to raft down the White Salmon River, from BZ to Husum, for a significantly reduced rate. The trip is available for community residents only. Reserve your spot for this popular trip calling 1-800-306-1673.
Community Float cost: $25 per person
Eligible community members: Klickitat and Skamania Counties and Hood River dwellers. Must have a mailing address with a zip code in these areas.
Kayaking Competitions
Put your kayaking style, finesse, strength and stamina to the test during this year’s “White Salmon River Huckfest”. Here are the details:
There will be a panel of 3, judging in the following categories on a scale of 1-10. The highest score wins:
* Safety is #1 . . . so judging your line on keeping safety in check.
* Creativity . . . costumes, creative lines, we’ll leave it up to you!
* Your landing/recovery
* Finesse
* Technicality of your line over the selected drop
* Biggest Beat-down
Make sure to keep #1 in mind . . . safety, safety, safety.
You can compete in any or all three categories:
1. BZ Falls Huck
2. Husum Huck (if the wood is removed by that time)
3. Rattlesnake Rapid
Prizes will be awarded to:
1. Winner in each individual category
2. Overall winner for competitor participating in all 3 categories
Safety will be set up at each rapid and discussed at the competitor's meeting.
Price: Donation to help offset the cost of the event
Competitor meeting time:
BZ Huck: 2:00 p.m. at BZ Corners Launch
* If you are paddling down from the Truss, please leave your boats right below the “Flume rapid” and use the trail to hike back to BZ. Please stay on trail.
Husum Huck: 3:30 p.m. at Husum
Rattlesnake: 3:30 p.m. at Husum (we will combine Husum and Rattlesnake competitor meet)
BBQ and Raffle 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Feast on a tasty BBQ and good conversation. Share stories from your river trip, learn who are the winners of the WHITE SALMON HUCK, and fill your bellies with a great meal. We will also be raffling off a variety of gear, clothing and services donated from your favorite businesses around the Columbia River Gorge.
Cost of BBQ: $15
Raffle tickets - One free raffle ticket for participating in the riverfest
$2 raffle tickets for small items
$10 raffle ticket for the Jackson Kayak
Symposium 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Poised on the edge of our seats, the White Salmon River community eagerly awaits the transformation of the river with the removal of Condit Dam. Where will the new river channel be? How will the lake bed be re-vegetated? How will the facility be removed?
This year’s symposium topics will help the community better understand the entire decomission and deconstruction process, as well as what that means for the changes in the river. The entire nation is looking upon this landmark restoration event; learn more about this landmark event and how it will affect your relationship with the river.
Music 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Let the celebration continue with live music and our biggest raffle give-away of the day.
Whitewater films 10:00 - ?
As the sun sets we’ll take out the big screen for a showing of several river films:
Top 4 videos voted in the PDXkayaker Filmfest ‘11
Salmon film by Andy Maser
April, 10th 2010
Organizer Meetings
A handful of instrumental meetings have already taken place over the last couple of months by the organizers of the Symposium; Heather, Jaco and Hootie.
Things are definitely shaping up for what seems will be an excellent symposium this year!
May 2nd, 2010
Organizer Meetings
The planning committee - Hootie, Jaco and Heather - met to discuss more of the events' plans. By the end of the week, we will have the educational component of the event finalized and information out to you soon.
May 13, 2010
Kayak Races
Green Truss Extreme Race
Race finish: BZ falls
Time: 10:00-12:00 p.m.
Rules: 1. Teams of 4 navigate their way down the Green Truss section of the White Salmon.
2. Teams are responsible for providing their own safety and navigating successfully downstream to the finish line.
3. Teams launch every 3 minutes.
4. To finish the race, EVERYONE in the team must be sitting in the big eddy below the little rapid just downstream of BZ falls. You will not be disqualified if you swim below BZ Falls, as long as you are in that eddy with your boat and paddle. However, if you do not have your boat and paddle with you in that eddy and/or your team members are sprinting downstream to gather your gear, your team is dis qualified.
5. Winning team is decided by the fastest time.
White Salmon River Relay
Race finish: Northwestern Lake
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Rules: 1. Relay race with teams of 3.
Racer #1: Maytag through Big Eddy
Racer #2: Big Eddy through Husum
Racer #3: Husum through Northwestern Lake
2. Mass start above Maytag
3. Racers must “tag” their teammate before their teammate heads downstream.
4. First team to the finish wins.
8-ball
Race Finish: Below Rattlesnake
Time: 4:00– 5:00 p.m.
Rules: 1. Heats of 4 paddlers; 3 8-balls
2. First paddler through rattlesnake wins
3. Paddlers must navigate through the 8-ball obstacles
4. Swims may occur :)
5. Depending on the number of people who participate . . . The first place person in
each heat will then go on to semi-finals/finals.
To Register:
Email hherbeck@yahoo.com with:
1. Race you want to participate in
2. Names of your team members
3. Email addresses for each team member
Payment due on the day of the race . . . $5 for each race you participate in (to cover cost of insurance).
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