Pacifico Gore IV Raft Challenge

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

As its name implies, the Pacifico Gore IV Raft Challenge is a 4-mile down river time trial through the Class IV playground of lower Gore Creek west of International Bridge. This competition is geared toward Class IV rafters who love a good ol‘ sprint to the finish. Do you have the skills and speed to be crowned the Gore IV champion?

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

10:00 AM

CATEGORIES:

Open – Team of 2
Women – Team of 2*

• Due to boat restrictions, 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 14 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: 5′ 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.

attitional equipment

• 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 equipment:

• Dry-suit, wetsuit, or splash pants

COURSE:

• The Pacifico Gore IV Raft Challenge is for Class IV boaters.
• This competition is for Class IV rafters only. Athletes need to have rafted this stretch of the river at least twice at a water level similar to what the race will be. Athletes will be contacted by an Race Director and will need to pass certain qualifications in order to participate in the competition.
• The course is on Gore Creek and is approximately 4 miles long. All competitors must have successfully navigated the course, at the current water levels, prior to the competition.
• Please obey all no access and trespassing signage. This race runs through private property. Please respect the areas surrounding this race.
• 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 45 minutes before the race starts to check in, complete gear check, attend the mandatory safety meeting, receive their 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 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 a 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 SHUTTLE INFO:

• Organizers will shuttle rafts from the finish at Stephens Park to International Bridge following the race.

RACE START INFO:

• The race starts at International Bridge in BFGoodrich Gear Town.

DIRECTIONS TO TAKE OUT:

• From Vail Village: head west on South Frontage Road about three and a half 3.5 miles. Turn left into Stephens Park parking area.

2024 GORE IV RAFT CHALLENGE 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.