2011 OC Slalom Nationals

cadster · Post by **cadster** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:14 pm

Most of Colorado has a good snowpack this year, see:
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/gis/images ... update.png

I live south of CB. If I go to the mid-May race, I'd prefer to combine it with runs on the Poudre. I suspect a lot of the Front Range cboaters would be going there, too. I'd be up for runs in Clear Creek Canyon which I haven't done in years, but we probably wouldn't be able to recruit many other cboaters.

Mid-May could be too early for much runoff in the Ark or releases into Taylor on you way to CB. I'm guessing it would be too early for the creeks near CB, too.

Shep · Post by **Shep** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:39 pm

Both sound interesting. Eddy Flower is down at the moment, and AW doesn't seem to have the right info. From a Google Maps search, it appears the Poudre is up near Fort Collins and Clear Creek Canyon is in Golden. Is that correct?

From talking to others, I definitely have gathered that Mid-Late May would be the beginning of the snow-melt season, and therefore hit-or-miss. I was hoping the Arkansas was big enough that there would be some good ELF runs if nothing else, but I appreciate your caution, so I can keep my expectations reasonable.

Thanks,
Shep

cadster · Post by **cadster** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:52 pm

Your geography is right.

Here's a Poudre run:
http://eddyflower.com/RunDetailsTabs.as ... =117#/home

And one for Clear Creek:
http://eddyflower.com/RunDetailsTabs.as ... =130#/home

There are easier and harder runs on both rivers.

The Ark will be boatable in mid-May. I've run the Royal Gorge at base flow. I enjoy the Numbers at 400 CFS and have paddled them at 250. Using a plastic boat and it being under 9' long is best.

Shep wrote:From a Google Maps search, it appears the Poudre is up near Fort Collins and Clear Creek Canyon is in Golden. Is that correct?

cadster · Post by **cadster** » Mon May 09, 2011 4:48 pm

Here is this Saturday's Golden slalom info:

$50 for two or more events, Saturday lunch, and T shirt with a USACK event membership.
$45 for one event, lunch, and T shirt and USACK event membership.

Saturday 5/14/2010
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Registration for Slalom and Downriver
11:45 a.m. Slalom Competitors Meeting at Put-In.
11:30 noon Slalom begins.
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Potty Break/Start of second Slalom runs

The Ark is at a nice level and the Taylor is high, now. There should be some low Front Range options by the weekend, too.

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Mon May 09, 2011 5:37 pm

Isn't the Nationals an ACA event???

http://ocs.whitewater-slalom.us/oc-2011n.htm

cadster · Post by **cadster** » Mon May 09, 2011 6:33 pm

Seems like you answered your question.

This Saturday's race is being organized by Nate Lord and on the same course, but a USACK event. He's also encouraging OC classes.

Craig Smerda wrote:Isn't the Nationals an ACA event???

http://ocs.whitewater-slalom.us/oc-2011n.htm

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Mon May 09, 2011 6:57 pm

oops... the "this Saturday" completely part whizzed right in one eye and back out the other.

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Thu May 12, 2011 3:12 am

I'll try to make it up for this, but with my wedding 2 weeks later, It may be a far stretch... Golden is fun, The Poudre is a great OC run, there is an awesome larger rapid with a couple of combined drops that make for playful challenges, and interesting ferries with a sweet rock boof on the bottom right edge. BTW, I'll be in Golden/Lyons in about 6 days, anyone wanna paddle?
-ids

cadster · Post by **cadster** » Wed May 18, 2011 3:07 pm

It was a fun race on Saturday even with the poor weather and low flow. There were nine OC1s and four OC2 teams along with lots of highschoolers in decked boats with a total of 63 racers.

Whittern won OC1 with a 7 sec lead and one touch. Click and Oxenford had the best OC2 time. They were 48 sec slower than Whittern with 5 touches.

Here's Bonnie and me:

Here's Click and Oxenford:

Smurfwarrior · Post by **Smurfwarrior** » Mon May 23, 2011 6:23 pm

Cancelled?

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Mon May 23, 2011 6:43 pm

Smurfwarrior wrote:Cancelled?

kind've looks that way???

http://ocs.whitewater-slalom.us/oc-2011c.htm

Shep · Post by **Shep** » Mon May 23, 2011 6:49 pm

Would they really completely cancel it, or just reschedule/ relocate? I mean, I know that it would be crappy no matter what for people who fly, but for people who drive, they might be able to change their plans...

philcanoe · Post by **philcanoe** » Mon May 23, 2011 8:34 pm

This post will certainly be updated, as soon as ANY different or new plans are decided upon.

cadster · Post by **cadster** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:49 pm

From Jeff Oxenford:

Due to expected high water, we have canceled the Nationals at Golden. NOAA/UDSA have estimated the probability at 50% that the flow will be greater than 1200 cfs, and 75% that the flow will be greater than 1000 cfs. on July 8,9, 10.

We are looking at moving the race to Salida, and should know more by early next week.

AJ · Post by AJ » Tue May 24, 2011 5:41 pm

Look at this snowpack!

ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/CO/Snow/s ... otsp11.gif