RIVER SUP EVENTS ARE ABOUT CURIOUS SPECTATORS, CHEERING FANS AND PADDLERS HAVING FUN!
Participating in these events will allow you to make new friends, connect with other SUP paddlers, and try some fun runs that will help you keep progressing in this amazing sport. See below for event details and rules.
THE EVENTS
Three Rivers Rendezvous May 15-18 (Pincher Creek)
CLINICS: Flat-water, Beginner / Intermediate River led by Reta Boychuk, Badfish Team Athlete.
SUP River Runs all weekend led by Kim Kenyon, Badfish Team Athlete, and Adlai Majer from Kootenay PDL
.
This is your chance to connect with other paddlers and become more involved in the SUP Community.
Toby Creek July 17-19 Panorama Mountain Resort (near Invermere)
- Intermediate SUP SLALOM
- Advanced SUP SLALOM
DOWNRIVER SUP GROUP PADDLE above Panorama.
CLINIC- SUP with Gates Group coaching on Friday to teach the fundamentals of running a course and practicing for the race!
Kan Fest August 7-9 (Kananaskis River)
- DOWNRIVER SUP: Race Below Widow Maker to Canoe Meadows
- SUP CROSS: Above the racecourse finals finish in the top portion of the race course.
-SUP SURF Comp Santas lil helper.
CLINICS: Beginner River & SURF / Intermediate River & SURF
EVENT RULES
Downriver SUP Race
Races will be various distances that will be determined before each race.
There is typically only one race, and it will either be a mass start or a staggered timed start.
Rules:
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11-foot board length is the maximum and there is the potential for board measurements to be made before the start of the race.
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If you are choosing to wear a leash, it must be a quick release from your lifejacket (PFD). Ankle and calf leashes are not permitted.
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PFDs, helmets, and bootees must be worn at all times by racers during the race.
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Safety is number one. If a fellow racer needs help, that takes priority over the race, and they are to be helped as needed by fellow racers and supported by safety Kayakers.
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Racers must wait at the finish line to help upcoming racers safely get out of the river.
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You must finish on your feet, on your board, and with your paddle, or you will be disqualified.
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Forward progression is not allowed from any position other than standing. If a racer falls or chooses to drop to one knee or both knees or their belly, they must return to their feet before paddling forward. If you are not standing, you are only allowed to use brace strokes.
SUP Cross
This race is run in heats of 3 to 5 racers and uses an elimination-style until there are only four racers left.
Rules:
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No leashes will be worn by racers.
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Helmets, PFDS, and bootees are mandatory for racers. Knee pads are recommended for the racer’s protection.
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No intentional body or paddle to body contact is allowed.
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Head and shoulders must pass through the gate or go clearly around the buoy.
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No intentional swing of the gate is allowed. If the gate is swinging, you must pass through where the gate would hang true.
-
Safety is number one. If a fellow racer needs help that takes priority over the race and they are to be helped as needed by fellow racers and supported by safety Kayakers.
-
Racers must wait at the finish line to help upcoming racers safely get out of the river.
-
You must finish on your feet, on your board, and with your paddle, or you will be disqualified.
-
Forward progression is not allowed from any position other than standing. If a racer falls or chooses to drop to one knee or both knees or to their belly, they must return to their feet before paddling forward. If you are not standing, you are only allowed to use brace strokes.
SUP Slalom
Gates and course will be set before the start of the race to allow for viewing and practicing.
Races will be various distances that will be determined before the start of each race.
Rules:
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2 laps will be taken with the best of your 2 times counting
-
Time will be added for gate misses, and forward progression from paddling on anything
BUT your feet.
-
11-foot board length is the maximum, and there is the potential for board measurements to be made before the start of the race.
-
If you are choosing to wear a leash, it must be a quick release from your PFD. Ankle and calf leashes are not permitted.
-
PFDs, helmets, and bootees must be worn at all times by racers during the race.
-
Safety is number one. If a fellow racer needs help, that takes priority over the race, and they are to be helped as needed by fellow racers and supported by safety Kayakers.
-
Racers must wait at the finish line to help upcoming racers safely get out of the river.
-
You must finish on your feet, on your board, and with your paddle, or you will be disqualified.
-
Forward progression is not allowed from any position other than standing. If a racer falls or chooses to drop to one knee or both knees or their belly, they must return to their feet before paddling forward. If you are not standing, you are only allowed to use brace strokes.
SUP SURF
SUP Surf is a different style of an event where the participants are grouped into heats. Heats are 10-15 minutes long. Riders typically get to do 4-5 rides. Each ride is 1 minute.
Each attempt at the wave is scored as shown below, and your top 2 scores will be combined to make up your final score. Riders are encouraged to focus first on having powerful carves, followed by linked turns and demonstrating control.
Going in on slippery boards (aka small fins) and just throwing tricks without doing controlled style turns is strongly discouraged.
Scoring Values:
1 Establishing a surf (mainly standing up)
2-3 Carving but not super aggressive
3-5 Aggressive carving, connecting turns
5-6 Side grinds, ollies (fins out)
6-8 This could be 180s, grabs, shove its, and airs. (How they score within this range should be based on style and control.)
8-10 Spins, pop shove its, and whatever other big technical trips are being thrown down there.
Please reach out if you have more questions.
We are looking forward to paddling with the different SUP communities this summer!
Reta Boychuk & Kim Kenyon
@retasups & @babe.borntoboard
