Kayak Slush Race down a Mountain

gorillamel

Dirty Blonde
I was not sure if I should post this in the water sports section or winter activities, but since it is technically dependent on snow, I'm posting in here.
bogus%20kayak%20races%201_1491690017836_9192028_ve  r1.0.JPG


This past weekend I participated in the http://bogusbasin.org/event/1st-annual-kayak-slush-classic/ in Boise, ID. Basically, it was a slalom course akin to bobsledding, but you are in a kayak and bombing down the course to the finish line. Fastest two boats in a a four boat group advance to next heat. Oh boy! It was so much fun! And the course got faster and slicker with each heat.

[video]https://youtu.be/jiNjXlCOXCM[/video]

The day started with a snowstorm atop the mountain and fog rolled in. We could not see the finish line from the start as paddlers entered the "nexus" of fog to finish. I'd describe the event to be bobsledding bumper boats. Thankfully the course was banked. And even then, some boaters flew off course.

I cannot begin to describe how much fun this event was and look forward to competing again next year. I did not make the final eight. But they let us go down the course a few more times. You forget that it is harder to fit your snowpant-clad bum and snow-booted feet inside a small riverrunner boat can be quite the challenge. Most participants ran into that problem.

Many participants did 360deg, went backwards. We smashed into one another and steering was more akin to hoping and praying. All in all, a great event. Does anyone else have events like this in their area? (I'll find more pics and post them)

Some pics from our local news source:
bogus%20kayak%20races%206_1491690017763_9192026_ve  r1.0.JPG


bogus%20kayak%20races%2015_1491690018321_9192031_v  er1.0.JPG


bogus%20kayak%20races%2020_1491690016677_9192018_v  er1.0.JPG
Thats me in the yellow boat and orange tipped paddle in back ground.

bogus%20kayak%20races%20cover_1491690018938_919204  0_ver1.0.JPG


bogus%20kayak%20races%204_1491690017829_9192029_ve  r1.0.JPG
 

gorillamel

Dirty Blonde
Once I get home from work, I'll post more pics. I forgot I took them off my phone.

I enjoy snow for the fact it makes stuff pretty. And when I biff it, it hurts less when I make impact with the ground, hahaha!
 

gorillamel

Dirty Blonde
More pics

17880045_10155068803001878_6954961441534072612_o.j  pg

boats lined up before being moved by snow tack machine up the hill.

17854805_10155068802346878_2477143208669241621_o.j  pg

Us motely bunch waiting to hike up the hill

17834377_10155068802751878_7161680783539759601_o.j  pg

Getting situated in the boat at the start line

17854738_10155068802171878_1755934913302010336_o.j  pg

Off we go!

17879835_10155068801996878_1101122689850375059_o.j  pg

Slalom course a-go!

17814381_10155068801821878_1170523425606116581_o.j  pg

Trying not to clothsline the competition via paddle.

17760836_10155068802481878_6780458328070908498_o.j  pg

Getting ready to start

17834974_10155068802191878_1488136137180865148_o.j  pg

Sometimes we did not face the direction we intended

17761055_10155068802801878_3223832228284865998_o.j  pg

Some were die-hards and carried their boats up to the start

17854875_10155068802531878_3938533249481031595_o.j  pg

Near the end, we reached pretty high speeds

Snow machine bringing boats up the hill: [video]https://youtu.be/Hq-MY_s-Q7k[/video]
 

Forum statistics

Threads
185,533
Messages
2,875,610
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top