Down River Kayak Sprint

A COLD WET BURN

Paddle your heart out as you race against the clock from East Vail to the Covered Bridge. If you sprint down the chilling Gore Creek fast enough, you may even find yourself on top of the pack!

SATURDAY, JUNE 7
9:00 AM

IMPORTANT: Registration for this event closes Friday, June 6 at 6:00 PM. Athletes must arrive at the put-in no less than 45 minutes before the race start time to go through a gear check, attend a mandatory safety meeting, receive start times, and pick up their competition bib.

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Event Overview

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Make sure to cram carbs before the race – you’ll need them for the 4mile Class II-III paddle back to the Covered Bridge in Gear Town! With a rally race format, kayakers drop at timed intervals so you’ll be racing against the clock, and if you’re really rockin’ you may be able to catch someone!

Times

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

9:00 AM

Rules

CATEGORIES:

Open – Men
Open – Women
Nonbinary
Youth – Boys (12-17)
Youth – Girls (12-17)
Longboat Division – Men
Longboat Division – Women

*Athletes can only register to compete in the one category.
*Minimum age to compete is 12 years old based on the athlete’s age at the end of the calendar year on Dec 31, 2025.

mandatory EQUIPMENT:

boats/kayaks

Open – Men & Women: Boats may not exceed 9’ in length. All boats will be measured at the start of the race.
Youth – Boys & Girls: Boats may not exceed 9’ in length. All boats will be measured at the start of the race.
Longboat Division – Men & Women: Boats may not exceed 12’5” in length. All boats will be measured at the start of the race.
Whitewater-specific plastic kayaks only. Sit-on-tops are allowed, but only if they are robust whitewater models worthy of the conditions. 
No after-production modifications of the exterior length, dimensions, or hull shapes of boats allowed.
Sea Kayaks
If in doubt about your boat, ask Race Directors at least 24 hours in advance of the competition.
Unsafe or excessively used equipment (such as: excessively worn PFDs, unsuitable helmets, damaged boats, spray skirts with holes, inadequate footwear, etc.) may be deemed unsuitable.

Additional Equipment

Athletes must wear their competitor bib outside their PFD at all times.
- Bibs will be collected at the end of the race.
Food Rudders
Hand paddlers are allowed
PFD
Helmet
Protective footwear
A dry-top, paddling jacket or wetsuit
Equipment will be reviewed at check-in. The Race Director has the right to refuse any non-conforming equipment (e.g. bicycle helmets, nylon spray skirts, etc.).

The following boats will NOT be permitted:

Motors or mechanical assisted drive boats
Inflatable kayaks

COURSE:

The Kayak Down River is for Class II-III kayakers.
The course is on Gore Creek and is approximately 4 miles long.
Please obey all no access and trespassing signage. This race starts/runs through private property. Please respect the Aspen Lane neighborhood and use the supplied portable restrooms at the put-in area.
All athletes should be aware that all competitions take place in mountain rivers which may have challenging conditions such as underwater obstacles, unseen hazards, rocks, debris and vegetation.

FORMAT, RULES & INFORMATION:

Athletes must arrive at the put-in no less than 45 minutes before the race start time to go through a gear check, attend mandatory safety meeting, receive start times, and pick up their competition bib.
Paddlers who lose their equipment and require a rescue of any kind and/or appear to be excessively struggling and/or swimming will be pulled from the course by the safety team. Paddlers who lose their gear and exit the river will receive a DNF.
If a paddler is being overtaken by another “faster” paddler from behind, they must yield to the faster/overtaking paddler in a safe and respectful manner. This will not affect a penalty or DQ unless the paddler being overtaken uses blocking or any kind of unsportsing conduct.
The race is run in time trial format.
Final race rules and format will be available during the safety meeting.  
Event organizers and whitewater rescue teams are not responsible for equipment rescue and/or equipment removal from the GoPro Mountain Games whitewater courses should athletes lose their equipment during practice or competition.
Athletes are encouraged to use reef safe sunscreen during all competitions.
CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY. Prior to participation, please ensure your river gear is CLEAN of plants, mud, and debris; DRAINED of standing water; and completely DRY before your competition. Following these CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY steps and getting all watercraft properly inspected helps to protect the waters we paddle from aquatic invasive species. Learn more at cleanboater.org.

boat drop info:

Athletes will only need to show up to the morning meeting with their paddle, PFD, and other personal gear. Boats can also be dropped at Vail Village Parking Structure the morning of the race beginning at 6:30 AM and will be shuttled to the put-in point.

race start info:

The race start is in East Vail at the end of Aspen Lane. There is no parking available, so athletes may be dropped off or take the shuttles provided by Sage Rafting and Timberline Guides starting at 6:30 AM on Saturday from the top of the Vail Village Parking Structure. Please allow plenty of time to check in and attend the mandatory safety meeting.

Please respect the Aspen Lane neighborhood and use the supplied portable restrooms at the put-in area.

DIRECTIONS TO PUT-IN:

From Vail Village: head east on South Frontage Road about three (3) miles. Turn right on Aspen Lane. This road is located right before you go under the highway. Put-in is located at the end of Aspen Lane, at the “T” intersection of Booth Creek Lane.