Registration Details - Updates

Some updates have been made to the registration process.  Please refer to the post below for any changes.  Specifically registration close times.

Thank you!

4 Days Away, and a Stunning Forecast!

We are only 4 days away from the event, and the river and weather forecasts are lining up to be the best conditions that this event has ever had!  

We are also pleased to announce the addition of 2 more event sponsors:

The Kayak Shed

http://www.kayakshed.com

Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival

http://www.upperclackamasfestival.org

THE RIVER.  See you there!

Upper Wind River Festival 2014 Event Details!

Upper Wind Festival VII : Saturday, March 15th, 2014

RACE SEASON IS UPON US!

The 2014 Western Whitewater Championship Series is kicking off with a Class V bang with the 7th Annual Upper Wind River Festival Race!  This event is always a rowdy time as every race is a mass start event!  If you want to participate, or just want to come out to watch the carnage, you will find all the details needed below.  Thanks for joining us!

EVENT DATE:

March 15th, 2014 Saturday

Western Whitewater Championship Series Event #1
http://www.wwchampionship.org/

CURRENT RACE COURSE FLOW LEVELS:
Courtesy of American Whitewater

Full flow details including measurement in feet available at Dept of Ecology here:
Department of Ecology Flow Monitoring - Stabler Gauge

EVENT MAP:

Click Here for a Full Resolution, Printable Version, courtesy of PNWKayakers.com

TAKE-OUT / AWARDS CEREMONY DIRECTIONS:
From Carson, WA, head north on Wind River Road.   A few minutes north of town, take a left on High Bridge Road (If you have crossed the actual High Bridge, you have gone to far).  Take an immediate right on Old Detour Road.  Continue down this road a short distance slowly through a residential neighborhood until it turns to dirt.  Keep going until you get to the Wind River.

STABLE BRIDGE PUT-IN / STAGING AREA DIRECTIONS:
From Carson, WA, head north on Wind River Road.  Continue for approximately 7.5 miles.  Take a left turn on Hemlock Road.  You will immediately cross Stabler Bridge and most likely see a bunch of boaters.  Take your first right onto Edgewater Drive, and park where ever you can find space that does not block traffic!

REGISTRATION:
Start and registration at Stabler Bridge put in.  There will be a KEEN pop-up tent with tables.

Registration begins at 7:30am on the day of the event!

$25 per paddler and covers both races if competing in multiple classes. Includes insurance, food, t-shirt, photo/videos, and beverages.

Racers are encouraged to register in the morning for both races if they are planning on competing in multiple events to save time.

When racers sign up:

• Fill Out Registration Form
• Fill Out ACA Form

BIBS:

Bib numbers are good for both races if competing in multiple events.  The front left paddler in the rafts wears that team's bib.  This is for both the R2 and R4 classes.  No other competitor in the raft can wear a bib.

STARTING POSITIONS:
Competitors draw a card from a deck and bring the card to the racer/safety meeting.  Keep the card in your pfd if questions later arise in regard to your starting position.  This is also the ticket for food and drink later at the awards ceremony.

MORNING RACE:

Safety boaters depart at 8:40am.

Registration ends at 8:30am.

- Mass start women's and men's Play Boat 9:00am!

- Mass start R4 women's men's raft race at 9:15am!

NOON RACE:

Safety boaters depart at 11:40am.

Registration ends at 11:30am.

-Mass start long boat kayak at high noon.

Longboat class has no length restriction.

-Mass start kayak 5 minutes after that (12:05pm).

Boat length restriction is 9'0" ft. This length restriction allows all current creek boat designs.

-Mass start R2 raft 5 minutes after that (12:10pm).

Any length.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT BE LATE TO YOUR DESIGNATED STARTING TIME.  Race timing is based off of these times, so they will not be delayed unless absolutely mandatory.  If someone tries to register within 30 minutes before the start of either race, the race will still start on time with or without them!, and the fee is non-refundable.  Late registration also requires the competitor to start at the back of the pack, with no drawing for starting position.

The long and the short of it:  DON"T BE LATE!

RACE SWEEP:
2 or more Catarafts will be designated as sweep boats.

All safety boaters will sweep the course with this final group.

Same finish line as in years past, about 3 miles downstream from the start.  Annotated on the event map, and demarced by sponsor banners.

RESULTS / AWARDS CEREMONY / CELEBRATION:

The awards ceremony this year will be at the bottom of the take out road and in a nice little area out of the mud. Please keep the road clear at all times.  Prizes are only guaranteed for classes with 5 or more registered competitors, and only for the top 25% or less. (ex: 10 racers = 1st/2nd/3rd, 5 racers = 1st/2nd)

Park at the top if possible and along wide sections of the road.  Food and Ninkasi beer will be free to all participants (bring your starting card from earlier), and available for a minimum $5 donation for spectators.

RACE TIMES:
Official finishing order/winners will be announced in 2 hours or less after the race.
Times however will be unofficial.  Official times will be posted here as well as the following locations:

http://www.wwchampionship.org/race-results
http://pnwkayakers.com/western-whitewater-championship-series/

OTHER PERTINENT DETAILS:

• There are no Porta-Pottys at the put-in or take-out.  Plan accordingly.
• Please keep the turn-around area at the take out clear.

QUESTIONS / COMMENTS / FEEDBACK:
We are always looking to improve. You can reach us easily through several avenues.  If you have unique circumstances or concerns please contact us as well:

Emails: nomadyellow@yahoo.com, admin@pnwkayakers.com
WWCS Official Website: http://www.wwchampionship.org
WWCS Official Discussion Forums: http://pnwkayakers.com/western-whitewater-championship-series/

SPONSORS:

Current list of sponsors include:

- Next Adventure

http://nextadventure.net/paddling/

- Whitewater Designs

http://www.whitewaterdesigns.com/

- Kershaw Knives

http://www.kershawknives.com/

- Team Quest

http://www.tqfc.com/

- KEEN

http://www.keenfootwear.com/

- Northwest Creek Comp

http://www.northwestcreekcomp.blogspot.com/
- Ninkasi
http://www.ninkasibrewing.com/
- Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival
http://www.upperclackamasfestival.org
- Kayak Shed
http://www.kayakshed.com



2011 WIND RIVER FESTIVAL VIDEO:

Check out a prior race to see what you are in for:

PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS WIND RIVER RACES:

Photos will be available free of charge to all particpants.

FIRE IT UP, AND CHARGE HARD!

Upper Wind Festival 2012 and 2013 Race Results

2013 Wind Festival RESULTs can be found here (updating Mens):

http://www.wwchampionship.org/race-results
5 points = 1st place.
4 points = 2nd place.
3 points = 3rd place.
2 points = all finishers.

2012 Wind Festival RESULTS:

http://www.wwchampionship.org/point-standings

2012 Upper Wind Race Times

K1 Men

Louis Geltman                                         22.25

Tyler Houck (long)                                  22.32

Curt Joyce (long)                                     22.53

Dan Rubado                                              22.56

Scott Waidelich                                        22.59

Orion Meredith (long)                            23.02

Rush Sturges                                             23.12

Ben Hawthorne                                        23.39

Jeremy Bisson                                          23.46

Matt King                                                  23.51

Nate Bell (long)                                        24.02

Luke Spencer                                            24.10

Devyn Scott                                               24.12

Chris Leach                                               24.20

Greg Mallory                                            24.26

Shawn Lonon                                            24.32

Preston Brown                                         24.50

Barney Bonito                                          24.55

Ryan Young (long)                                   25.26

John Cramp                                              25.30

Ryan Scott                                                25.32

Capo Rettig                                              25.37

Logan Farrell                                          25.40

Bib #178                                                   25.45

Wes Schrecongost                                  26.02

Brandon Bloomquist                             26.04

Joe Stumpfel (long)                               26.10

Andy Carmicheal                                    26.16

Nathan Scott                                           26.59

Sam Freihofer (long)                             28.22

Luke Maddux (long)                              34.16

Drew Eastman (long)                            41.06

K1 Women

Kim Russell                                       23.34

Christie Glissmeyer (long)             23.52

Katrina Van Wijk                             23.58

Helen Wheat                                     26.18

Jo Kemper                                         26.29

Anna Herring                                    27.24

R2 Men

Tim; Matt – ORT                                  27.41

Hans; Scott                                           30.15

Fergus; Brad                                         31.41

Karl; Jamie – ORT                               32.21

CJ; Bryan – ORT                                  33.22

Evan; Daniel – ORT                            33.58

Jamie; Trey – ORT                             54.42

Derek; John                                        56.08

R2 Women

Cat Men

Zach Collier                                 27.58

Mike Babcock                              34.42

2011 Upper Wind Fest Race Results

Thanks again to Next Adventure for supplying the BBQ and 1st place prizes for all racing divisions. Appreciation also goes out to Sierra Nevada for supplying the libations and Keen and Immersion Research for the additional prizes and schwag. Thanks also to Bullet for demoing and letting us use a couple extra boats for the weekend.

Oregon Rafting Team would like to thank all those who were in attendance, whether competing, running safety, or simply spectating. You all are what makes these events fun to put on and organize.

Photos from the festival can be seen here

Videos and more photos can also be seen on our Facebook page

Kayaks:

Men's Long: Drew Eastman

Women's Long: Susan Hollingsworth

Men's Short: Greg Mallory

Women's Short: Kim Russell (no pic)

Rafts:

Mens R2: Ben and Willy Dinsdale*

Womens R2: No entrants

Mens R6: Northwest Rafting Company*

Womens R6: No entrants

*ORT won in both the R2 and R6 race and since ORT is the event organizer, 1st place was given to the next best non-ort team

Times:

Long Kayak

1: Drew Eastman 22:51

2: Susan Hollingsworth 24:51

3: Christie Glissmeyer 25:02

4: Nate Bell DNF

5: Ryan Young DNF

Short Kayak (Mens)

1: Greg Mallory 22:40

2: Ryan Young 23:41

Short Kayak (Womens)

1: Kim Russell 23:41

R2 (Mens)

1: ORT - Tim Brink/ Bruce Reed 25:09

2: Ben and Willy Dinsdale 26:01

3: Zach Collier/ Aaron Howard 26:54

4: ORT - Trey Knollman/ Adam Mack 27:01

5: Tim Thornton/ Trevor Jostad 27:32

6: Bigfoot - Matt Hogge/ Orion Meredith 28:05

7: ORT - Jamie Crone/ Karl Linzmeyer 28:52

8: Stunt Man Duo - Dan McCain/ John Watkins 29:10

9: David Kinker/ Aaron Chatman DNF

R6 (Mens)

1: ORT - Red 22:37

2: Northwest Rafting Company 35:35

3: ORT - Grey 36:06

*ORT won in both the R2 and R6 race and since ORT is the event organizer, 1st place was given to the next best non-ort team

Registration Reminder

Reminder, this weekend is the Upper Wind Festival:

www.upperwindfestival.blogspot.com

Registration times are:

Saturday: 1-2 pm (Morning practice run at 10 am)

Sunday: 930 - 1030 am

BBQ and Camping

Camping and lodging for the race weekend is on your own... The cabin at the put-in and the adjacent field that is normally used is not available this year for use. The BBQ and libations will be at the top of the take-out road, shuttle will be provided back to the put-in immediately following the race.

For the BBQ provided by Next Adventure, we have talked with the local land owner (the mechanics shop at the top of the take-out road) and we will be doing the BBQ at the top of the take out road, just on the downhill side of the gate. Parking will be on one side of the take out road and continuing down towards the take-out.

The nearest campgrounds are Panther Creek, which is between the put-in and the take-out, or Beaver Campground, approximately 5 miles north of the put-in. Both these campsites are National Forest campgrounds and are free to camp at, however, there was about 6 inches of snow on the ground this past weekend. The gates are closed but I contacted the Forest Service and it is legal to camp at these sites as long as the gates aren't blocked. In Stevenson, the Roadside Inn is the cheapest as far as rates go. A shuttle after the BBQ and drinking can be provided as far as Stevenson.

Contact mcpherson.tyler@gmail.com with any questions.

This years festival poster!

Invite you friends! This weekend is going be packed with fun.

Beer, BBQ after the races, and shuttle provided!

R2 Race and long kayak race on Saturday.

R6, short kayak and cataraft races on Sunday.

Prizes to all first place finishers in all divisions!

Men's Kayak Short (less than 8'6")

Men's Kayak Short (greater than 8'6")

Women's Kayak Short (less than 8'6")

Women's Kayak Short (greater than 8'6")

Men's R2

Men's R6

Women's R2

Women's R6

Catarafts

*All co-ed teams will be placed in the Men's category

2011 Upper Wind Festival Details

The Upper Wind Festival is almost here! Open to Kayaks (short/long), catarafts, IK's, and R2/R6 rafts. Cost is $30 for the weekend (includes ACA insurance, shuttles, and Next Adventure BBQ). Come out for the 2-day festival this year on March 19-20. See who's going on via the facebook event. The gauge for the festival can be found here.

If you are interested in the R2/R6 raft events but don't have access to a boat, Bullet is graciously providing demo boats for the Festival.

Here are the specifics for this year's event:

Saturday March 19th

9:30am Meet at the put-in near the bridge over the Wind at Stabler, Washington to prep for the morning practice run.
10:30am Shove off for 1st practice run.
12:30pm Arrive at the High Bridge take out. Quick load and shuttle back up to the cabin for lunch and prep for the afternoon race.
1:00pm Race Registration Begins
2:30pm Raft R2 Kayak Long Boat RACE (Mass Start, 8.5 ft or more)
4:15pm Shuttle back up for to the cabin, bring a lawn chair or tarp if its raining.
5pm @ the top of the takeout road: BBQ (provided by Next Adventure), beer for registered participants, music, silent auction...

SUNDAY March 20th

9:30am Registration begins.
10:45am Registration ends.10:45am Boaters meeting.
11:15am Floaters depart to set up safety, take pictures, shoot footy. We will coordinate where these folks will be stationed at the boaters meeting.
12 (HIGH NOON) : Mass start kayak, (8.5 ft or less)

12:05pm Mass start R6 raft

12:10pm Mass start catarafts

12:15pm Mass start whatever is left.
12:45pm Cataraft Rodeo following the end of the race.
1:45pm Arrive at High Bridge take-out for quick load and shuttle back up to the campground for race results and awards.
3pm Awards and chillin at the campground

Finish Line is now set up... it is located approximately 1 mi downstream of Climax. NRS banners are hung up on each side of the river to designate where each race category will end.

All registration and Post-race activities will take place at the race start.
Put-in directions (put-in GPS:45o48.514'N, 121o54.556'W): Once in Carson, WA Turn north on Wind River Rd/ Hwy. Then take a left on Hemlock Road about 7.3 miles from downtown Carson. Either park at the bridge over the Wind River or turn right at the next road and follow to an open spot along the road. Please be mindful of others, the locals, and be mindful of parking too close to the river as people will need to back down to unload boats.

Here you will find a listing of accommodations that can be found near by the event for those competing from out of town.

Camping:

Beaver Campground - maps

Timberlake Campground and RV - maps

Little Soda Springs Campground - maps

Panther Creek Campground - maps

More campgrounds

Lodging:

Sand Hill Cottages, Carson, WA

Carson Ridge Cabins, Carson, WA -

Columbia Gorge Riverside Lodge, Stevenson, WA

Rodeway Inn, Stevenson, WA

Columbia Gorge Motel, Bridge of the Gods, OR

If you have additional questions, please email info@oregonraftingteam.com. Hope to see everyone out there, even if you plan not to race!

2011 Upper Wind Whitewater Festival

This years Upper Wind Whitewater Festival is happening on March 19th-20th

Stay tuned for more info and join our event on facebook!

In the mean time check out last years race results:

2010 Race Results

This years Rain Gods gave us less than complimentary river levels but that didn't stop competitive boaters from all around the northwest from showing up and stomping some of the areas best whitewater. Thanks to all participants who showed up and showed their loyalty to the regional boating community and a special big up to Next Adventure for their continued generous support of BBQ and t-shirts at this years event. Thanks also to Zach Collier and NWRC for helping out with evening festivities.

All race heats were close and competitive this year. Below are pics and results.

Saturday

Long Boat Kayak (over 8'6"):

1st Place - Drew Eastman

2nd Place: Ryan Young

Raft (R2):

Mens 1st Place: Oregon Rafting Team

Mens 2nd Place: Dan McCain & Jacob Cruiser

Womens 1st Place: Lehua Kay & Teresa Collins

Sunday

Short Boat Kayak (under 8'6"):

Mens 1st Place - Trevor Sheehan

Mens 2nd Place - Lance Reif

Womens 1st Place - Kim Russell

Womens 2nd Place - Christie Glissmeyer

Raft (R4):

1st Place - Tyler McPherson, Trey Knollman, Evan du Pont, Bruce Reed

2nd Place - Tim Brink, Daniel Sutherland, Jeff Locke, Karl Linzmeyer

3rd Place: Nick Pierce, Hooper Boone, Russel Neyburg, Megan French

Cataraft Race:

1. Zach Collier

2. Val Shaull

Cataraft Rodeo:

1. Val Shaull

2. Zach Collier