Got the low water blues, you whitewater paddlers? Why not attend the Salmon la Sac race this year? Join your paddling cohorts on the Cle Elum River at the Salmon la Sac campground near Roslyn, in eastern Washington. Hone your skills on the slalom gates! Participate in the Slalom Race!! Kid’s Scavenger Hunt! Downriver Race! Whitewater River Runs! Music Jammin’!! Potluck dessert around the campfire! Great Hiking! Awesome Camping! What more can you ask for?
Friday - help us hang the slalom course. Get some river practice in early. Grab a good campsite. Volunteers needed; no experience required. Seriously, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Many hands make lighter work. Email Jennie at theleague@nwwhitewater.org or call at 206-713-0520. PLEASE – volunteers seriously needed. Let me know if you can make it. I’ll bring you lunch. Bring a pocket knive and wire cutters, if you have them. Gloves may come in handy. We’ll need a ladder……Join the Gate Hanging Party!!
Saturday - Many options: Practice on the slalom course all day. Participate in a
class II+ downriver race or just join a group doing a class II+ downriver run.
Saturday night - kid's Scavenger Hunt, the Clive Lister Memorial Toast, potluck dessert chowdown and a musical jamfest (bring your musical instrument, your lawn chair and your own plate, fork, and cup).
Sunday - Slalom race. This race is part of the Northwest Cup Series; don't miss out on points for the 2015 season! This race is NOT just for race boats. Plastic boats have their own class and even their own trophies. Never tried slalom before? This is a good time and place to give it a go.
Location: The event is held at the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Salmon la Sac campground. The slalom site is right outside the campground. The campground is perfect for kids and non-paddling family members, too. Hiking, mountain biking and road biking opportunities are right there.
Camping: The Salmon la Sac campground has SOME first-come, first-served sites available, but most can be reserved and they MAY go fast. Go to reserveamerica.com and select salmon la Sac Campground. http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/salmon-la-sac/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70321
For seasoned whitewater paddlers, check-out the Cle Elum canyon and Cooper Creek runs
(http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2093/)
(http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2100/)
The whitewater slalom course is on moderate Class II rapids.
The downriver race is 4 miles long (depending on flow, this will likely be shortened) and Class II+. A downriver sprint race will also be held that is just the length of the slalom course. You may participate in either or both! http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/2094/
Cost: Race entry fees are $25.00 per racer. More than one slalom race class is an additional $5.00, but you can do both downriver and slalom for $25.00. There will be separate classes based on age, gender, and type of boat. The prizes (there are many winners at SLS!) are really cool this year; don’t miss out.
Note that those who paddle on the course on Saturday but don’t race on Sunday will be considered a sand-bagger J . Seriously, if you use the course, you are still participating in a WKC event and need to sign a waiver. The club would appreciate at least $10.00 if you can’t stay to race on Sunday…..
How to Get There: Navigate I-90 east of Seattle and exit at Roslyn. Drive
through town (the whole place is a speed trap and stays a speed trap until
you get to the campground: Beware!) to the end of the road, and there you
are at both the race site and campground.
Need more info? www.nwwhitewater.org or Contact Race Director, Jennie at: theleague@nwwhitewater.org