The Bank of America Whitewater U.S. Open this weekend (March 27-28) is the first measuring stick in the paddling season that will intensify at the U.S. National Trials in Wausau, Wisc., and culminate in a trip to September’s World Championships in Tace, Slovenia.
Paddlers from across the country will be competing to qualify for the USA Canoe/Kayak team. The race is organized by the Nantahala Racing Club and hosted by the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
It features two paddling events. One is whitewater slalom, where competitors navigate a series of gates hanging above the river on a stretch of rapids. The other is wildwater racing, where competitors paddle down river as fast as possible.
Slalom racing will begin both days at 9:45 a.m. It will run until 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. To watch the slalom race, walk upriver from Nantahala Outdoor Center about 100 to 200 yards.
Wildwater racing features both a Sprint competition, where the course is 500 to 750 meters long, and a Classic competition, which could be up to nine miles long. In wildwater racing, all paddlers compete in one run, head-to-head. Wildwater racing will begin both days at 11 a.m., with a spring on Saturday and classic on Sunday.
The awards ceremony for both events will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday.
For race schedules go to www.nrcrhinos.com or for info on USA Canoe/Kayak go to www.usack.org.
Jeff
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