(Photo above by Christopher Cooper)
The 7th Annual Riverhouse Rendezvous Slalom will take place on Sunday March 29 at 10am in the Deschutes River behind the Riverhouse Convention Center and Hotel in Bend. Throughout the day, paddlers divided by age group, type of boat and gender will test their skills and endurance on the quarter-mile whitewater course. Shortly after race week, the Central Oregon Irrigation District will redirect the water in the Deschutes out to farms in Central Oregon, making this section of river unrunnable for kayakers.
Whitewater kayakers from all over the world come to Central Oregon to enjoy the whitewater that gushes down the Cascade Mountains every spring. Slalom racing has been part of this tradition in Bend since the early 70s. This particular race celebrates the Class IV run that goes from the Riverhouse down to Tumalo Creek State Park, and traditionally race participants will run this section multiple times throughout the weekend.
Shortly after race week, the Central Oregon Irrigation District will redirect the water in the Deschutes out to farms in Central Oregon, making this section of river unrunnable for kayakers.
Seven years ago, kayak enthusiasts Bert Hinkley (Pacific Northwest representative of the National Whitewater Slalom Committee), and Geoff Frank (owner, Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe) worked together to revive the Riverhouse Rendezvous whitewater kayak slalom race. Drawing top paddlers from Oregon and Washington, the race is part of the Northwest Cup Slalom Paddle Series and is a Junior Olympic qualifier.
“Being fast and clean (negotiating the course without touching gates) isn’t easy,” Hinkley said. “Whitewater slalom athletes demonstrate a dance of precision and speed in fragile carbon-fiber boats on powerful whitewater. But for paddlers of any level, slalom is a fun test of skills and provides a challenge that can help improve river running.”
Whitewater slalom kayaking as been a sport since the 1940s, when Swiss alpine skiers embraced the runoff from the mountains to race the rivers on their off-season. Today, this spectator-friendly sport is known to test not only the physical skill of paddlers, but their knowledge of the river and their ability to use currents and river features to their advantage.
“Experienced paddlers will be available to provide guidance and advice on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday the race gives everyone a chance for bragging rights or great stories,” said Hinkley.
As part of this event is an Action Photography Workshop by Neil Schulman, where participants will be able to take advantage of a rare opportunity to shoot outdoor sports live in a perfect setting. Learn more about the workshop on Neil Schulman’s website. www.neilschulman.com
For more information on the race and volunteer opportunities please contact Bert Hinkley bert@webskis.com or Geoff Frank geoff@tumalocreek.com or visit the event’s webpage at tumalocreek.com/events/riverhouse-rendezvous-2015/
