Pacifico Down River R2 Raft Sprint

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Identical in format to the Down River Kayak and SUP Sprints, the Pacifico 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 BFGoodrich Gear Town. With a rally race format, rafters drop at timed intervals and teams will be racing against the clock.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

8:00 AM – Wave 1
10:00 AM – Wave 2
12:00 PM – Wave 3

CATEGORIES:

Open – Team of 2
Women – Team of 2*

• Due to boat restrictions, we will run 3 waves of 12 teams. This event will be capped at 36 teams.
• *A minimum of 6 women’s teams must be registered in order to have a Women’s category. If this number is not reached all teams will race in the Open division with one award ceremony.
• 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:

RAFTS

• Raft specifications for the 2025 event are as follows: 10.5 foot MAX length.
• A limited number of Hyside 10.5 Mini Max rafts will be available for competitors needing a raft. 
  • Competitors needing a raft MUST make this request on the registration form.
  • Competitors may bring their own Hyside 10.5 Mini-Max raft. No shredders allowed.

additional equiptment

• Athletes must wear competitor bibs outside their PFD at all times.
  • Bibs will be collected at the end of the race.
• Coast Guard / ISO approved PFD
• Helmet
• Protective footwear
• Throw-bag
• Paddles
  • Organizers encourage athletes to bring their own paddles, but paddles will be available if needed.

recommended EQUPMENT:

Dry-suit, wetsuit, or splash pants.

course:

• The Pacifico Down River R2 Raft Sprint is for Class II-III boaters.
• 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:

• When registering, rafters MUST select a wave and must adhere to that wave start time.
  • 8:00 AM – Wave 1
  • 10:00 AM – Wave 2
  • 12:00 PM – Wave 3
• 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
  • 11:15 AM – Wave 3
• 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 our safety team. Paddlers who lose their gear and exit the river will receive a DNF.
• If a raft is being overtaken by another “faster” raft from behind, they must yield to the faster/overtaking raft in a safe and respectful manner. This will not affect a penalty or DQ unless the raft being overtaken uses blocking or any kind of unsporting 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.

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 6:30 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 end of Aspen Lane, at the “T” intersection of Booth Creek Lane.

2024 R2 MEN’S RESULTS

2024 R2 WOMEN’S RESULTS

RESULTS ARCHIVE

PRICE

EARLY BIRD PRICING  // February 5 – April 1, 2025
$80/boat

STANDARD PRICING // April 2 – May 27, 2025
$85/boat

FOMO PRICING // May 28 – June 1, 2025
$100/boat

*The first person that registers will serve as the captain and pay the full entry fee. All teams must have both team members register by June 1 at 6:00 PM.

PAYOUT

Total Prize Purse: $3,000

OPEN
1st – $750 ($375 per person)
2nd – $500 ($250 per person)
3rd – $250 ($125 per person)

WOMEN*
1st – $750 ($375 per person)
2nd – $500 ($250 per person)
3rd – $250 ($125 per person)

* A minimum of 6 women’s teams must be registered in order to have a Women’s category. If this number is not reached all teams will race in the Open division with one award ceremony.

PRIZES

Prizes to be determined.

race start:

SUP & Down River Sprint Put In @ Aspen Lane in East Vail

FINISH:

SUP & Down River Sprint Take Out @ Covered Bridge
in Vail Village.