Pacifico Down River R2 Raft Sprint
USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM
Looking to still raft at the GoPro Mountain Games?
Pacifico Gore IV Raft Challenge
Peel out onto Gore Creek with your best pal in this classic river rat race. Identical in format to the Down River Kayak and SUP Sprints, the Pacifico Down River R2 Raft Sprint is a 4-mile raft race (two person rafts) on the Class II/III whitewater of Gore Creek from East Vail to the Covered Bridge in Vail Village. With a rally race format, rafters drop at timed intervals and teams will be racing against the clock.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10
8:00 AM – WAVE 1
10:00 AM – WAVE 2
12:00 PM – WAVE 3
IMPORTANT: Registration for this event closes Friday, June 9 at 6:00 PM. Teams must register by June 1st at 6:00 PM (this event will sell out).
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Event Overview
SATURDAY, JUNE 10
8:00 AM – Wave 1
10:00 AM – Wave 2
12:00 PM – Wave 3
Identical in format to the Down River Kayak and SUP Sprints, the R2 Raft Sprint is a 4-mile raft race (two person rafts) on the Class II/III whitewater of Gore Creek from East Vail to the Covered Bridge in Mountain House Gear Town. With a rally race format, rafters drop at timed intervals and teams will be racing against the clock.
Times

SATURDAY, JUNE 10
8:00 AM – Wave 1
10:00 AM – Wave 2
12:00 PM – Wave 3
Rules
CATEGORIES:
Open (Team of 2)
Note: due to boat restrictions we will run 3 waves of 10 teams. This event will be capped at 30 teams total.
EQUIPMENT:
- Raft specifications for the 2023 event are as follows: 10.5 foot MAX length.
- Hyside 10.5 Mini Max rafts will be available for competitors needing a raft.
- A limited number of Hyside rafts will be available in each wave.
- Competitors needing a raft MUST make this request on the registration form.
- Competitors may bring their own Hyside 10.5 Mini Max raft.
- Athletes must wear competitor bibs outside their PFDs at all times.
- 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.
Required Gear:
- Coast Guard / ISO approved PFD
- Helmet
- Protective footwear
- Throw-bag
- Paddles
Recommended Equipment Includes:
- Dry-suit, wetsuit, or splash pants
- Organizers encourage athletes to bring their own paddles, but paddles will be available if needed.
FORMAT & RULES:
- Athletes should arrive at the put-in no less than 45 minutes before their race wave start time to go through a gear check, attend a safety meeting and pick up their competition bib. The safety meeting times are 7:15 AM (Wave 1), 9:15 AM (Wave 2), and 11:15 AM (Wave 3).
- When registering, rafters will select a wave (8:00 AM, 10:00 AM or 12:00 PM) and must adhere to that heat start time.
- Paddlers who lose their equipment and require a rescue of any kind and/or appear to be excessively falling and swimming will be pulled from the course by our 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 unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Athletes are encouraged to use reef safe sunscreen during all competitions.
RAFT DROP INFO:
Athletes will only need to show up to the morning meeting with their paddle, PFD, and other personal gear. Rafts can be dropped at Vail Village Parking Structure the morning of the race beginning at 6:30AM.
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 Lakota Guides 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 porta johns 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 end of Aspen Lane, at the “T” intersection of Booth Creek Lane.
Price & Prizes
PRICE
EARLY BIRD PRICING // February 1 – April 5, 2023
$80/boat
REGISTRATION PRICING // April 6 – May 31, 2023
$85/boat
EVENT PRICING // June 1 – June 9, 2023
$95/boat
*The first person that registers will serve as the captain and pay the full entry fee. All teams must be registered by June 1st at 6:oo pm.
PAYOUT
Total Prize Purse: $2,500
1st Place Team – $1,500 ($750 per person)
2nd Place Team – $700 ($350 per person)
3rd Place Team – $300 ($150 per person)
PRIZES
1st – YETI Rambler 36oz Bottle
2nd – YETI Yonder 1L Bottle
3rd – YETI Yonder .75ml Bottle
Prizes to be determined.
