LEARN TO KAYAK OR PERFECT THE SPORT AT THE RENO RIVER FESTIVAL
Pre-register now for a vast selection of clinics available May 14-15, 2005
RENO, Nev. (April 2005) — The 2nd annual Reno River Festival, May 12-15, brings together the best paddling competitors in the world for a weekend of kayaking competitions and demos on the Truckee River in downtown Reno. But festival-goers will have more than just the chance to watch these kayakers compete â — the Reno River Festival invites first-timers and even professionals to get in the water and test out the rapids with a full menu of classes and clinics led by local and regional paddling experts.
Clinics
Registration for a variety of clinics scheduled for the Reno River Festival will be available at the festival on May 13.
Beginners can sign up for the Never Ever clinic, an introduction to whitewater kayaking that will focus on river safety, equipment requirements, paddling lingo and basic skills to maneuver down the river. The only requirement for this class is a smile and enthusiasm. The Mobility Impaired clinic, coordinated and led by local kayaker Andy Fernandez, teaches adaptive kayaking skills for those with mobility impairments.
Not a beginner but not quite an expert? Those with a basic understanding of kayaking can participate in a number of clinics to hones skills, including the Roll Session, Rolling and Bracing and Eddy Line Techniques. In the "Roll Session," kayakers will learn and perfect the Eskimo roll, considered the most important technique in whitewater kayaking. "Rolling and Bracingâ" further perfects the rolling technique while developing stabilization skills. And the "Eddy Line" class introduces basic river maneuvers, focusing on peel-outs, eddy turns, S-turns and ferrying. Each of these clinics requires a basic kayaking background and flat water experience.
For those confident with their roll technique, the Reno River Festival clinics offer Intro to Playboating, in which kayakers will learn freestyle techniques and maneuvers such as squirts, nose stands, flat spins and front surfing. Looking for a more technical challenge? Sign up for Slalom Basics and learn how to efficiently maneuver the river with forward and draw strokes, C-strokes, ferrying and eddy turns. On Sunday, practice river-running skills at the River Run class, which will help develop skills such as reading the river and scouting. Participants must first qualify in the prerequisite clinic on Saturday to participate in this exclusive clinic.
Competition:br/> The Reno River Festival is not only about learning the sport of whitewater kayaking, but also provides a chance to see the best kayakers in the world compete in a series of both amateur and professional competitions. The Open Freestyle competition on Friday, May 13, is just the place to strut your stuff and show off freestyle skills. The top three men and women will go on to compete against the pros in the Professional Freestyle Invitational Competition the following day.
The Boater Cross competition puts a new, wet spin on the 100-yard dash. This is a fast-moving, action-packed race with four kayakers pitted against each with the goal to reach the finish line first. The preliminary run is on Saturday and the finals on Sunday, with winners selected through a process of elimination. The Down River Race is a more traditional kayak race that tests both endurance and speed. Paddlers will maneuver through five miles of river to claim the prize at the finish line.
Registration for the amateur competition is $25 and includes a t-shirt, meal voucher and a Burning Time movie premier ticket that highlights kayaking and features Reno local, Jay Kincaid, 2003 World Freestyle Kayaking Champion. Registration is open only to the first 100 participants and will take place on Friday, May 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Wingfield Park. Specific rules apply to the competition check website for details.
For details about the annual Reno River Festival, or to sign up for any of the competitions, please visit www.RenoRiverFestival.com. For more information about Reno-Tahoe, Americaâ's Adventure Place, logon to www.VisitRenoTahoe.com or call 800-FOR-RENO (800-367-7366).
The Reno River Festival is held at the $1.5 million Truckee River Whitewater Park, located in the heart of Reno's booming downtown business and arts district. The park, with rapids rated class 2 and 3, is both Nevada's and the region's first whitewater park and kayak slalom racing course, totaling 2,600 feet in length and featuring north and south channels that surround an outdoor amphitheater and park. There are 11 "drop pools" and specially-placed 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.