Ohiopyle Falls Race Status as for 9/25

[PAC]

For more info on the race check out www.fallsrace.com

Falls Event Update September 25, 2003 - per Barry Adams, TRPC

The Corp of Engineers has started to restrict the flow from the Yough Dam in order to reach the required level to go over the Falls by Saturday. Lets give them an A for effort. That’s the good news. The bad news is that they may not make it. So we have all sorts of contingency plans. If we make our goal all plans are on accordingly for Saturday. Times may have to be adjusted if we cannot open the Falls at 9:00am. If we do not reach our goal on Saturday we hope to reach it by Sunday barring any real rain. If the level is reached on Sunday, the Sprint and Freestyle event will take place on Sunday. If we do not reach our level on Saturday at a reasonable time we plan on having a Rodeo and Loop race on Saturday, Sept. 27. Here is the tentative schedule if the Sprint and Freestyle is postponed until Sunday for Saturday. (All times subject to change)

Rodeo: 12:00 am (location to be determined base on water level)

Loop Race First Heat: 1:30 pm

Loop Race Second Heat: 3:00 pm

We need to have two heats so everyone who volunteered for safety will have a chance to race. If you have a bib you have the opportunity to do the Loop on Saturday. Your registration will serve as your put on fee. Anyone pre-registered for the event will be eligible for the Rodeo and Loop Race. Registration will be $25 for the Rodeo and/or Loop Race. All person entering the Rodeo and/or Loop Race will be eligible for practice runs over the Falls on Sunday. If you wish to enter the Sprint and Freestyle events on Sunday you will need to pay the difference in registration fees. If for some reason we do not have the Sprint and Freestyle events (over the falls) on Saturday or Sunday you will be refunded your pre-registration less $25. You will also get a T-shirt.

Lets review:

We hope to have everything as planned. If the water level is to high for Saturday we will postpone the event until Sunday (level permitting) but have a Rodeo and Loop Race on Saturday. If the water level is to high on Sunday we will also have to cancel the Over the Falls event and hope for better water levels next year. We still have the opportunity to have a lot of fun this weekend with all the other activities planned for this weekend. See our Web site for details: www.fallsrace.com We have a great Silent Auction lined up. (Attached) We have 4 of the hottest play boats on the market today. In addition, we have various paddling gear most of which is listed under, “Silent Auction List,” on this Web site. The Silent Auction alone is worth the trip to Ohiopyle.

Again, we hope everyone understands the situation. For once we are hoping for no rain, something us paddlers rarely hope for. I guess there is such a thing as, “ to much of a good thing”. We hope everyone understands and thank you for your patience. Keep in mind this event benefits AW and the Ohiopyle Fire Department. To pull this event off with all the contingency plans we need even more volunteers so be ready to pitch in and help out.

Note, we may not be able to post any more updates to the Web site, (computer and programs not available) but will try.

[PAC]

Falls Event Update September 26, 2003 Final Plan - per TRPC message board

Too much Rain. This was one time we were hoping it would hold off. We had some more rain on Thursday spoiling any chance for a reasonable level for running the Falls anytime this weekend. In fact the level will be over 4 feet. Even so we have a great Event planned this weekend and all other activities will go on as planned (Film festival, party, silent auction etc). Basically everything will take place on Saturday, Sept 27. Instead of a Freestlye and Sprint over the Falls we will have a Loop Race. Based on the water level it seems that the Rodeo is also out unless we can find an adequate hole. Here is the tentative schedule. (All times subject to change)

Loop Race First Heat: 12:30 pm
Loop Race Second Heat: 2:30 pm

We need to have two heats so everyone who volunteered for safety will have a chance to race. You will only race in one heat. If you have a bib you have the opportunity to do the Loop on Saturday. Your registration will serve as your put on fee. Pre-registration fees for the Sprint and Freestyle events will be refunded less $25 and you will be eligible for the Loop Race. You will also get a T-shirt. On site registration fees for the Loop Race will be $25 plus you will get a T-Shirt. All Classes will remain the same. Prize money may not be awarded and/or adjusted depending on the number of registrations. Trophy, Medallions and Certificates will still be issued.

REMEMBER: We will not be able to go Over the Falls any day this weekend. [/b]