Paddling Life Invitational Set For Mon., May 25!

Steamboat Springs, Colo. (May 5, 2009): Paddling Life, ranked by Outside magazine as one of the nation’s Top 100 Adventure Web sites by Outside magazine, is hosting its 4th annual Paddling Life Pro Invitational, offering more than $3,000 in cash and prizes, in its hometown of Steamboat Springs, Colo., Memorial Day (Monday), May 25.

Sponsored by Steamboat in the Summertime, NRS, Kokatat, Dagger Kayaks, New Belgium Brewing, Canoe & Kayak magazine and more, the event caps off the weekend-long Yampa River Festival, which features three days of slalom, freestyle, downriver races, parties, and more.

But the marquee event takes place Monday, when some of the best men and women kayakers in the world compete in a two-event competition for more than $3,000 in cash and prizes.
The unique event tests both downriver creek racing and freestyle, with the best overall score determining the champion. Past competitors include curent world freestyle kayak champion Ruth Gordon, Emily Jackson, world kayak freestyle silver medalist Andrew Holcombe, 2008 Invitational winners Stephen Wright and Tanya Faux, Bryan Kirk and world freestyle kayak bronze medalist Nick Troutman. “It’s an awesome event,” says inaugural winner Jay Kincaid. “Not many events test both creek boating and freestyle.”

The event also draws attention to Charlie’s Hole downtown, which the City based its successful recreational in-channel diversion water right (RICD) filing on in 2004.

“It’s a tough year sponsorship-wise to put on such an event, but I’d like to thank the Chamber and endemic sponsors Kokatat and NRS for their continued support,” says Paddling Life founder Eugene Buchanan. “It’s truly a great event, and this is just one way to help showcase what a world-class feature the town has, and a great way to showcase and reward today’s best all-around paddlers.”

The event starts with a registration barbecue Sunday, May 24, at 6:30, followed by the creek race at 10 a.m. May 25 and the freestyle event at 1 p.m. The festivities are followed by a party at Sunpies Bistro featuring local bands, beer and other surprises. As an added bonus, look for coverage of this year’s event on Resort Sports Network thanks to Steamboat’s TV 18.

Visit steamboatsummer.com for complete vacation packages and information or call 877-286-2628.
Additional sponsors: New Belgium, Steamboat TV 18, Rabbit Ears Motel, Bomber Gear, and more.
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