Friday, December 9, 2016

All Updates for Upper Wind Festival Will Now Be On Facebook

Moving forward, this site will no longer be updated.   The Upper Wind Festival will have all info and discussion on this Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/UpperWindFestival/

This page will remain active for archival purposes.  

2017 Upper Wind Festival is a Go!!

Quick update:  There was some discussion that the 2017 Upper Wind Festival would not be happening this year with organizers not having the time to put it together.  Luckily, Scott Michael has stepped in and is going to keep the tradition alive!  Expect more updates shortly.

Friday, February 12, 2016

2016 Next Adventure Upper Wind Festival

Next Adventure Wind  Festival 2016                     http://upperwindfestival.blogspot.com/

March  12th, Saturday.

Morning Registration is from 7:30 - 9:30am.

1st race starts at 10am.
- Kayak women.
- (Possible long boat men).
- R2 raft.

Afternoon Registration is from 7:30 – 12:30pm.
Afternoon races start 1pm.
- Kayak men.
- (Possible long boat women).
- R4 raft.

3  miles; mass start by class at Stabler Bridge to approximately 1 mile below Climax. Take out will be river right above High Bridge.


Classes include;  kayak (creek boat design), and R4 and R2 paddle rafts.


  • To reach the put in, drive north past Carson about 8 miles. There will be a store and a road on your left (This is Stabler). Take a left, cross over the bridge, after about 100 meters take a right, stay right, and follow that road down until it dead ends at the river. Unload quickly, park your vehicle off to the side of this short access road or park back up on the main road. This is a residential area, please be courteous and minimize traffic. 
  • To reach the take-out, drive north past Carson, take last left onto High Bridge Rd, take first right, next right, follow all the way to river (turns into dirt road).
  • Carson has gas, a small store, café, camping in the area, and cabins. Stevenson,   Washington is about 6 miles away and has hotels, a supermarket, and many restaurants.
  • High water cutoff is 7.5 feet, low water cutoff is 4 feet.

Each  individual  craft  and  competitor  will  be  equipped  with; Type  III – V pfds,  helmet, spare  paddle  for  rafters, spare  oar  for  catarafters  or  oar  assist  paddle  rafts, first  aid  kit, 50  foot  throw  bag.  This  equipment  will  be  inspected  by  the  event  organizer  or  designated  personnel  prior  to  departure.   

Paddlers must possess a class IV+ or higher skill set in regard to whitewater navigation.   

Participants will be screened visually by race coordinators and by their completion of the registration form verifying their skill set.

20 year emergency responder specialist and river veteran Rob Cruser will again serve as the Safety Coordinator. Rob will contact all local emergency agencies prior to establish lines of communication and confirm procedures.

(3) or  more  safety  teams  (rafts  with  oars, additional  paddlers, first  aid  kits, radios, static  lines, pin  kits, 150  foot  static  3000lb  rescue  rope, 6  carabiners, 3  prussic  loops, 2  rescue  pulleys, (2)  15  foot  long  nylon  webbing  anchors  made  of  4000lb  test  material), will  be  stationed  at  the  bottom  of  the  major  rapids.  These  rapids  include; Rams Horn, Initiation, and  Balls to the Wall.

Once  all  competitors  have  passed, the  furthest  most  upstream  safety  boat  will  descend  downstream.  Experienced  Upper  Wind  boaters will  head  the  safety  teams.  Event  coordinators  will  make  every  attempt to  insure  that  the  leaders  of  the  aforementioned  safety  teams  are both  Swiftwater  Rescue  and  EMT  certified.
Additionally, class  V  kayakers  or  “safety  boaters”  will  be  dispersed  throughout  the  course  at  the  bottom  of  the  smaller  drops.

The  last  safety  team  or  “sweep  boat”, will  not  exit  the  canyon  until  it  has  been  confirmed  that  all  competitors  have  reached  the take out. 

Beach  spectators  will  only  be  able  to  view  the  event  from  the  Ram’s Horn  or  finish  line  areas.  Private  boaters  may  view  the  race  from  a  safe  distance  outside  of  the  main  navigable  channel and are encouraged to stand by with throw bags.

$25 entry fee includes:
- Registration for morning AND afternoon races.
- Wind Festival logo t-shirt (while supplies last). They do look cool.
- Food.
- Beverages.
- Photos as provided by the public of the event.
- Insurance.
- Safety.

Food and prizes at the take out after the last race.

This event is part of the 2016 Next Adventure WWCS.

    




Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Final results for the 2015 Upper Wind Festival have been compiled, and here they are:


Attendance was a little lighter than previous years due to mandatory scheduling changes due because of unseasonably low river flows, but the racing was intense.  Expect media to be posted over the next couple of weeks as it comes in. 

Thanks to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers that helped make the 2015 Upper Wind Festival a success!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

***URGENT UPDATE*** RACE DAY AND TIMES HAVE CHANGED DUE TO FLOW


Due to low water we had to make event changes which include the days of the races.
 

Now we have a weekend of fully rad racing in the Gorge!

2015 WWCS new Event # 1 Farmlands. SATURDAY https://www.facebook.com/events/1587730921458705/

2015 WWCS Event # 2 Upper Wind Festival. SUNDAY 

Pay attention to the new race details for the Wind Festival:

The 2015 Western Whitewater Championship Series is here and starting with the Upper Wind Festival VIII! Here are all the details for folks wanting to race, volunteer, or watch this now classic class V whitewater grudge match!

EVENT DATE:

March 15th, 2015 SUNDAY

Western Whitewater Championship Series Event #2
http://www.wwchampionship.org/

CURRENT FLOW LEVELS : Wind River at Stabler
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/wrx/wrx/flows/station.asp?wria=29#block3

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 10:00am on the day of the event!

$25 per paddler includes insurance, food, t-shirt, photo/videos, and beverages.

When racers sign up:
•Fill Out Registration Form
•Fill Out ACA Form

BIBS:
Make sure they are secure and on the front of your pfd.
A lost or unreadable bib number may mean that you do not get recorded at the finish line! 

The front left paddler in the rafts wears that team's 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.

Rafts over 13 feet get only one draw for starting position.
Rafts at or under 13 feet get two draws for starting position.
Do your best to bring a small boat it's low!

HIGH NOON start time: 12 sharp.

Safety boaters depart at 11:30am.

Registration ends at 11:30am.

-Mass start kayak at HIGH NOON.
Boat length restriction is 9'1".
This length restriction allows all current creek boat designs.
No long boat class this year.

-Mass start R2 raft 12:10pm.
Any length.
However, boats over 13' will only get one starting position draw. Do your best to bring a small boat!


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 boats 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 Designshttp://www.whitewaterdesigns.com/

- Team Questhttp://www.tqfc.com/

- KEENhttp://www.keenfootwear.com/

- Northwest Creek Comphttp://www.northwestcreekcomp.blogspot.com/

- Ninkasihttp://www.ninkasibrewing.com/

- Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festivalhttp://www.upperclackamasfestival.org/

- PNW Kayakershttp://www.pnwkayakers.com/

Monday, March 2, 2015

New Facebook Fan Page for Upper Wind Festival!

There is now an official Facebook page for the Upper Wind Festival!  We will still be updating this page as well, but conversations and details for the festival and race will be posted here:

https://www.facebook.com/UpperWindFestival

See you at the race!

2015 Wind River Festival VIII


Wind  Festival 2015                   

March  14th, Saturday.



Morning Registration is from 7:30 - 8:30am.


1st race starts at 9am.


Afternoon Registration is from 7:30 – 11:30am.

Afternoon races start at High Noon.


3  miles; mass start by class at Stabler Bridge to approximately 1 mile below Climax. Take out will be river right above High Bridge.



Classes include;  kayak (all lengths), and R4 and R2 paddle rafts.



  • To reach the put in, drive north past Carson about 8 miles. There will be a store and a road on your left (This is Stabler). Take a left, cross over the bridge, after about 100 meters take a right, stay right, and follow that road down until it dead ends at the river. Unload quickly, park your vehicle off to the side of this short access road or park back up on the main road. This is a residential area, please be courteous and minimize traffic. 
  • To reach the take-out, drive north past Carson, take last left onto High Bridge Rd, take first right, next right, follow all the way to river (turns into dirt road).
  • Carson has gas, a small store, café, camping in the area, and cabins. Stevenson,   Washington is about 6 miles away and has hotels, a supermarket, and many restaurants.

  • High water cutoff is 7.5 feet, low water cutoff is 4 feet. Gauge of reference is Wind River at Stabler.


Each  individual  craft  and  competitor  will  be  equipped  with; Type  III – V pfds,  helmet, spare  paddle  for  rafters, spare  oar  for  catarafters  or  oar  assist  paddle  rafts, first  aid  kit, 50  foot  throw  bag.  This  equipment  will  be  inspected  by  the  event  organizer  or  designated  personnel  prior  to  departure.   


Paddlers must possess a class IV+ or higher skill set in regard to whitewater navigation.   


(3) or  more  safety  teams  (rafts  with  oars, additional  paddlers, first  aid  kits, radios, static  lines, pin  kits, 150  foot  static  3000lb  rescue  rope, 6  carabiners, 3  prussic  loops, 2  rescue  pulleys, (2)  15  foot  long  nylon  webbing  anchors  made  of  4000lb  test  material), will  be  stationed  at  the  bottom  of  the  major  rapids.  These  rapids  include; Rams Horn, Initiation, and  Balls to the Wall.


Once  all  competitors  have  passed, the  furthest  most  upstream  safety  boat  will  descend  downstream.  Experienced  Upper  Wind  boaters will  head  the  safety  teams.  Event  coordinators  will  make  every  attempt to  insure  that  the  leaders  of  the  aforementioned  safety  teams  are  both  Swiftwater  Rescue  and  EMT  certified.

Additionally, class  V  kayakers  or  “safety  boaters”  will  be  dispersed  throughout  the  course  at  the  bottom  of  the  smaller  drops.


The  last  safety  team  or  “sweep  boat”, will  not  exit  the  canyon  until  it  has  been  confirmed  that  all  competitors  have  reached  the take out. 


Beach  spectators  will  only  be  able  to  view  the  event  from  the  Ram’s Horn  or  finish  line  areas.  Private  boaters  may  view  the  race  from  a  safe  distance  outside  of  the  main  navigable  channel and are encouraged to stand by with throw bags.


This event is part of the 2015 Next Adventure WWCS

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Final Results for the 2014 Wind Festival Race

Final times / points / placements are here!  See the results below:







Congratulations to the winners of each class!  Point tallies go towards the Western Whitewater Championship Series season.  Please go to http://www.wwchampionship.org to see the next events and keep track of the entire series.

Thanks again to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers that made the 2014 event a success!  We look forward to an even bigger and better event next year.

Cheers,

The Upper Wind Festival Team

Monday, March 24, 2014

Friday, March 21, 2014

2014 Upper Wind Festival Was a Smashing Success!

Thank you to all who attended and all of the sponsors that made this event a reality.  The weather was perfect, the racing was intense, and the finish line beers were crisp!  Awards were handed out at the finish line festival to those who placed.  Final timed results will be posted shortly!

In the mean time, here is a large batch of images that Jon Currier Photography captured at Ram's Horn rapid:




SPONSORS:
Current list of sponsors include:
- Next Adventure
- Whitewater Designs