RENO RIVER FESTIVAL CELEBRATES WHITEWATER IN HEART OF DOWNTOWN RENO

RENO, Nev. (TBD) - The 2nd annual Reno River Festival is just around the bend and this year everyone is getting wet. From first-timer workshops to mobility-impaired clinics, the whitewater fun is for everyone May 12-15 at the Truckee River Whitewater Park in the heart of downtown Reno.

Kayak enthusiasts can beat the crowd and sign up for the weekend's competitions and clinics on Thursday, May 12, then get ready for a wild ride starting Friday, May 13, with the Open Whitewater Rodeo, a mid-rapid freestyle competition. Next be sure to check out the exclusive Whitewater Expo featuring Dagger, Jamba Juice, California Canoe & Kayak, Patagonia, Teva and several more of the industry's top names. Take in live entertainment, a food and beer garden and more, rock the night away with music in the park and a free concert at Harrah's Plaza in downtown Reno.

On Saturday, May 14, the pros take to the waves with the 2nd annual Pro Rodeo Invitational. More than 10 professional kayakers, including the top three men's finishers at the 2005 World Kayak Freestyle Competition in New Zealand, will face the Truckee River Whitewater Park, competing for bragging rights as the No. 1 kayaker outside of the world's competition. Keep an eye out for Eric Jackson, 2005 world freestyle champion, and Jay Kincaid, 2004 world freestyle record holder, both battling it out at this year's event. There's plenty of seating along the banks on smooth flat-top rocks perfectly positioned to offer prime views of the competitions. Be sure to get a good seat for the preliminary Boater Cross competition, where kayak racers make a mad dash for the finish line, and the winner is chosen by a process of elimination.

Sunday features a Down River Race, which measures both speed and endurance along the five-mile race course, and the finale of the Boater Cross competition, in addition to all-day music and food. Both Saturday and Sunday are dedicated to hands-on fun, and spectators are invited to test the water with free workshops all day long. Learn basic paddling skills in the "Never Ever" clinic, or those who already feel comfortable in a kayak can try out the freestyle skill called "play boating." World championship kayakers Emily Jackson, 14, and Dane Jackson, 11, will teach their peers the joy of kayaking in the youth clinic. Back by popular demand is the "mobility-impaired clinics," during which those with disabilities can get in the water and experience the thrill of kayaking first-hand, offered in conjunction with the City of Reno. Most of the clinics are taught by the pros who will be competing throughout the weekend. Visit www.RenoRiverFestival.com for a complete schedule of the workshops and to register for clinics.

The Reno River Festival is held at the $1.5 million Truckee River Whitewater Park, located in the heart of the booming downtown business and arts district in downtown Reno. The park is both Nevada's and the region's first whitewater park and kayak slalom racing course and totals 2,600 feet in length. The park is rated a class 2 to 3 for difficulty (on a scale of 1 to 6) and features north and south channels that surround a city park on an island in the river, 11 "drop pools" and boulders for kayaking maneuvers, a slalom racing course, and 7,000 tons of smooth flat rocks along the shores for easy river access and spectator seating.

For more details about the annual Reno River Festival, please visit www.RenoRiverFestival.com. For more information about Reno-Tahoe, Americas Adventure Place, logon to www.VisitRenoTahoe.com or call 800-FOR-RENO (800-367-7366).