The United States Rafting Association is proud to announce FIBArk will be hosting the USRA R6 National Rafting Championship! Teams of 6 paddlers will raft in four events to accumulate points to decide which team will represent the United States at the 2017 World Rafting Championship. Each team’s skills, endurance, and strength will be challenged in the following four events: (1) Time Trial, (2) Head to Head (H2H), (3) Slalom, and a (4) Downriver race.
The winning teams from the Men’s and Women’s divisions will represent the U.S. at the World Rafting Championship in the following categories: Masters, Open, Under 23, & Under 19. The 2017 World Rafting Championship will be held on the Yoshino River, Koboke section near Miyoshi City, Japan.
**Please note that teams must compete in all 4 events to qualify for the World Rafting Championship**
All rafters are encouraged to form their own team and can register either online at the FIBArk website (preferred) or at the FIBArk boat house the morning of June 16th at 10am.
Teams can register in the following Men’s or Women’s Categories:
-Masters (all team members must be over 40 years of age)
-Open
-Under 23 (all team members must be under 23 years of age at the start of the WRC event in Japan)
-Under 19 (all team members must be under 19 years of age at the start of the WRC event in Japan)
**If a team wishes to register with a mixed gender team they will be placed in the Men’s division**
Teams must follow the International Rafting Federation Race Rules. A link for the IRF Race Rules is listed below.
Registration cost is $240 per team.
Please check the following links for event schedule updates and details:
National Rafting Championship Facebook Page
**This page will have the most up to date information available**
International Rafting Federation Race Rules
***Please note this schedule could change and will be updated as needed on the National Rafting Championship Facebook page***
June 14
– Downriver Practice through Browns Canyon
6pm meeting at either Stone Bridge or Hecla Junction river access (meeting point is water level dependent). A shuttle will be provided for teams, but teams will be required to bring their own boats for practice.
June 15
– Slalom practice 12-130pm
Teams that will be wanting to practice this day will be asked to show up to the Salida Whitewater Park at 1030am to assist with getting gates set and in place. A shuttle will be provided for teams but teams will be required to bring their own boats for practice.
***Teams are not required to participate in the practice days but are strongly encouraged to do so***
June 16
– Athlete check in and meeting 10:00am at the FIBArk building next to the Salida Boat ramp
Time Trial begins at 3pm
Head to Head to follow immediately after Time Trial
June 17
– Slalom begins at 12:30pm at the Salida Whitewater Park
Gates will be hung by 10:00am. Teams are not allowed to run the gates prior to the event. They will be disqualified if they do so. Teams are asked to show up at 9am to help with setting gates and getting them positioned.
June 18
– Downriver through Browns Canyon. Teams will be leaving at 7:30am from either Stone Bridge or Hecla Junction. This will be dependent on water levels and being able to get timing staff into position at the finish. If water levels are too high, the hiking trail to Seidel’s gets washed out.
There will be a get together for athletes, volunteers, family and friends at the take out following the downriver race. Food and beverages will be provided. We will plan on being back at the FIBArk Awards Platform for the awards announcement at 2pm.