Thanks, Watershed!

Watershed generously donated 4 bags to our raffle and prizes - 2 dry bags and 2 mesh gear bags. Keep it dry or get it dry - any of the 4 is totally worth a raffle ticket or 2.

To get you excited about this weekend, here's footage from the recent Wind River race. Looks like fun, eh?

Shout out to our Sponsors!

We couldn't run the NW Creek Comp without the support of some world-class organizations. They support the local community - be sure you support them!

Next Adventure, Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe, Andy and Bax, Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club,  KayakShed, Astral, Kokatat, Werner, Snap Dragon Design, Pyranha, Northwest River Supply, Sweet Helmets, Saltwood Paddles, Neo Sport, Rack Attack, Liquidlogic,  Keen, Pelican,  Seattle Sports, Watershed, Ninkasi Brewing, Shred Ready, Accent Paddles, Salamander, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, FLUX Water, and Sierra Designs.

2013 Creek Comp Schedule

If you're already sold on the idea of racing, here's just the schedule info for you. Please remember 2 things:

1) You must attend the mandatory competitor's meeting to get a bib and race.
2) There is no on-site registration on Sunday. If you're doing the Canyon Creek Race Sunday, you have to register on-site Saturday morning, or online prior to the event.

Saturday, April 20
8:30 am - Registration Opens
9 am - Shuttle from Copper Creek/EFL confluence
9:30 am - Shuttle from Copper Creek/EFL confluence
10 am - Shuttle from Copper Creek/EFL confluence
10 am - Registration Closes
10 am - Safety Team Meeting @ Registration Tent
10:30 am - ***Mandatory Time Trial Competitors' Meeting*** @ Registration Tent. Bibs will be distributed at competitors meeting. You must be present to receive a race bib and be permitted to race. Racing begins immediately following the competitor's race.
TBA - Mass Start Raft Race. Time Trial racing beings immediately after conclusion of MSRR.
11:00 am - Shuttles from Copper Creek/EFL confluence resume.
TBA - Time Trial Race Ends
TBA - (15 minutes after the end of Time Trial Race) Mass Start Safety Team Meeting @ Registration Tent
TBA - (30 minutes after end of Time Trial Race) ***Mandatory Mass Start Competitors' Meeting*** @ Registration Tent. Bibs will be distributed at competitors meeting. You must be present to receive a race bib and be permitted to race. Mass Start Race begins immediately following competitors meeting.
4:30 pm - Shuttles from Copper Creek/EFL confluence end.
5:30 pm - BBQ at Sunset Falls Park
7:30 pm - Volunteer Recognition & Raffle, Awards Ceremony, Event Raffle

Sunday, April 21
***No Registration on Sunday*** - All racers for Canyon Creek must either pre-register online or register at Sunset Falls Campground on Saturday morning.
10:30 am - ***Mandatory Canyon Creek Competitors' Meeting*** @ Forest Service Parking Lot. Bibs will be distributed at competitors meeting. You must be present to receive a race bib and be permitted to race.
10:45 am - Shuttles to Canyon Creek put-in from FS Parking Lot begin.
11:30 am - Racing Begins
1 pm - Shuttles to Canyon Creek put-in from FS Parking Lot end.
1 pm - Shuttles from Canyon Creek take-out to FS Parking Lot begin.
TBA - Racing Ends
TBA - Awards Ceremony at Forest Service Parking Lot (Approximately 90 minutes after conclusion of race.)
3:30 pm - Shuttles from Canyon Creek take-out to FS Parking Lot end.

See you there!

Details on the 2013 NWCC

April 20th, come kick off the 2013 NWCC! We are excited to be back for our eighth consecutive year!

2011 was a epic high water year and as boaters we are always happy to have ample flow. But we also know that Mother Nature calls the shots and that year she spoke clearly as unrelenting rainfall soaked the NW.

Along with epic water levels Mother Nature also miraculously unlocked the gorge in Canyon Creek freeing thousands of jammed logs which most agreed would never break free in our lifetime. When the word came down the line that high water had cleared the logs in Canyon Creek NW paddlers rejoiced and the NWCC decided to reinstate the Canyon Creek Race on Sunday. But then as race day approached water levels spiked drastically and it was clear once again that Mother Nature was not cooperating.

An alternate course would be used for Saturday's race on the East Fork Lewis and the Canyon Creek Race would be cancelled due to high water. Racers would have to wait yet another year to race on Canyon Creek.

The following year we were finally able to race on the famed Canyon Creek once again. This two day format is back again. With the community, local retailers, and manufacturers all rallying around this event it's sure to be another great year. Come join us to volunteer, race, spectate, or all of the above!

 Races

Race entry fees are $15 (online), $20 per person day-of. We will have expert and pro classes for men's and women's KI categories. Boat length restriction is 8'11" ft. This length restriction allows all current creek boat designs. Longboat class has no length restriction.

Saturday Races, April 20, 2013

East Fork Lewis Down River Sprint: Racers will compete in timed single boat heats, according to schedule, paddlers will negotiate class 4 and 5 whitewater. The race course consists of boulder-gardens, ledges and waterfalls. Racers will compete for the fastest overall times in each class: men's & women's K1 short and long boat IK (inflatable kayak), and R2 (two per. raft teams).

East Fork Lewis Raft Mass Start:

2 person teams Any raft designed for Class IV-V whitewater may be used. 

Mass start by an official starter approximately .5 mile above Sunset Falls. 

Starting order from beach based on highest card pulled from a deck of cards. Ties = redraw. Highest cards = most downriver starting position. 

False start= that boat goes to the most upriver starting position. 

Finish= river left beach/rock just above Horseshoe Falls. International Rafting Federation (IRF) rules in effect when applicable (no intentional blocking of a faster competitor, no intentional touching of the physical person of other competitors, good sportsmanship at all times, etc.) Course officials have the right to dismiss any entrant from competition should they see fit. Points earned will be in accordance with WWCS standards. 

Kayak Mass Start East Fork Lewis: The Kayak Mass Start is exactly what it sounds like! Kayakers race head-to-head and the first racer's bow to cross the finish line wins! Hard-shell length restriction- 8'11". 

Sunday Races=, April 21, 2013

Canyon Creek Kayak Challenge: Same as the down river sprint (above). Expect steeper and more challenging rapids.

Canyon Creek Raft (R2) Challenge: 2 person teams Any raft designed for Class IV-V whitewater may be used. Course is the same as the kayak course International Rafting Federation (IRF) rules in effect when applicable (no intentional blocking of a faster competitor, no intentional touching of the physical person of other competitors, good sportsmanship at all times, etc.) Course officials have the right to dismiss any entrant from competition should they see fit. Points earned will be in accordance with WWCS standards.

RACE RULES: - Wear appropriate gear. Dry suits are not mandatory but are STRONGLY encouraged. Competitors must bring proper safety and rescue equipment (water, rescue bags, first aid kits, etc..). - Boat length restriction is 8'11" ft for the short boat class. - High water course reassessment and cut off points: East Fork Lewis @ Hiesson 2800cfs {not rising} / Canyon Creek nr Amboy 1400 cfs {not rising} *See Guages on the NWCC home page.

Schedule:

Saturday 4/20:

8:30am Registration Opens

10:00 AM Registration Closes 

10:30am 10:30am MANDATORY Racer Meeting @ registration tent (must be present to receive bib)

NO drinking before the races! Anyone found drinking prior to their race run will be automatically disqualified

11am Shuttles from Copper Creek / EFL confluence begin (Larry's House)

FIRST race is Raft Mass Start at 11AM

Time Trial (all classes) begin immediately following raft mass start and end around 3pm

3:30pm MANDATORY Kayak Mass Start RACER Meeting (must be present to receive bib)

4:30pm SHUTTLES END

5:30 BBQ at Sunset Falls Park

7:30 Volunteer Recognition, Awards Ceremony, Raffle, and more festivities!!!

Sunday 4/21:

NO Registration (all racers for Canyon Creek must pre-register online or register at Sunset Falls Campground on Saturday Morning);

10:45am Shuttles to Canyon Creek put-in from FS Parking Lot begin

11:30am Time Trial Races Begin

1:00pm Shuttle to Put-in END and Shuttles from take out back to FS Lot begin

3:30pm Shuttles END

4:00pm AWARDS at Forest Service Lot.

Things to Bring

Float Bags and all other required safety equipment, camping gear, cash for raffle, common sense.  *NO drinking before the races!  Anyone found drinking prior to their race run will be automatically disqualified. 

Inclusions

Your entry fee includes both days races, food Saturday evening, beverages, a raffle ticket, and a 2013 NWCC T-Shirt! We provide course safety, support and timing.

Exclusions

RACE RULES: -It takes 3 to make a class. Juniors, SUP, I-K will get lumped in if less than 2 show up. *NO drinking before the races! Anyone found drinking prior to their race run will be automatically disqualified. Racers will be expected to come prepared in proper gear in order to participate in the race! Don't show up to race in shorts! It will be spring in the Northwest which means dress appropriately. Dry suits are not mandatory but are STRONGLY encouraged. Competitors must bring proper safety and rescue equipment (water, rescue bags, first aid kits, etc..). Boat length restriction is 8'11" ft for the short boat class.

Cancellation Policy

NO refunds. The race can be cancelled or changed at any time due to conditions beyond our control.

A partial list of our sponsors this year:

Next Adventure
Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe
Andy and Bax

Kokatat

Werner

Snap Dragon

Pyranha

NRS

Sweet
Saltwood
Ninkasi

We appreciate all of their contributions. And remember, without your support, they can't continue to support us!

Schwag for the raffle is starting to roll in! Thanks, Andy and Bax!