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Kayak race event proposed in Glenwood Canyon

John Gardner
Glenwood Springs correspondent
Aspen, CO Colorado

GLENWOOD SPRINGS ” Organizers have proposed the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon as the host site of the Western U.S. Junior Team Trials in April.

The Glenwood Wildwater Jubilee, sponsored by USA Wildwater and the Great Blue Heron Canoe and Kayak Club, would take place between the Grizzly Creek launch site and the Rock Gardens Campground on April 25-26.

The White River National Forest’s Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District is reviewing the proposal and seeking public comments in support or opposition of the event until March 15.



Since the event is proposed to take place before the high runoff period and the heavy summer rafting season, Forest Service official Janie Pardo doesn’t expect much opposition to the proposal from rafting companies or the public. She is the resource assistant for the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District.

Race participants will be competing for spots on the U.S. Junior Wildwater Team. One race per day is proposed for the two-day event; the races will be trials for the Western U.S. Junior Team, according to USAWildwater.com.




Last year, the Glenwood Canyon Longboat Jubilee Wildwater Clinic and Race also took place in April and consisted of two races: a three-mile classic race which ran from No Name to Glenwood Springs, and a sprint race down Man-Eater Rapid ” is the last class III drop of the Shoshone run. Kayaking clinics were also part of the event.

The 2008 event attracted 17 racers and seven coaches, several of whom were local paddlers, including some from Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale.

The Forest Service will review comments on the proposal and the event’s environmental effects before deciding whether or not to issue a permit for the races.

If approved, the event would occur about a month before the 2009 U.S. Freestyle Kayaking Team Trials, slated for May 30-31 on the Colorado River at the the Glenwood Whitewater Park.

jgardner@postindependent.com

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