Race Details

2013 GREAT RUSSIAN RIVER RACE

The Great Russian River Race will attract some of the country’s top canoeing, kayaking and SUP athletes, local adventurers and corporate teams to race in two separate events. Advanced and expert paddlers will compete in a class II, 15-mile Bridge-to-Bridge (B2B) Race from the Alexander Valley Bridge. Recreational paddlers and canoe teams will do battle over the 5-mile Rio Lindo Race, starting north of Healdsburg.

RACE DESCRIPTIONS

Bridge to Bridge Race / 15 miles: Starts at Alexander Valley Campground with the finish line at Memorial Beach in Healdsburg. Class II river skills and excellent physical condition are required to compete in this event. A remote class I-II stretch, mostly gravel bed with very few large rocks. Prepare to negotiate through swift, tight turns, strong eddy lines and possibly around boat eating log jams. The river character changes around every bend, and river depth can be anywhere from less than 1ft - 10ft. Your boat may scrape bottom in places. This run is not for beginners by any means, and not for children under 12. This run is not a float…you will be negotiating around obstacles most of the way down. Everyone must have a basic understanding of hydrology and how even mild current can be very dangerous. There is a potential to flip and wrap your boat. If you loose a paddle or your boat, there is no public access for us to assist you. No take-out access for the first 11 miles with the exception of an emergency!

Rio Race / 5 miles: Starts at Rio Lindo Beach (private road), with the finish line at Memorial Beach in Healdsburg. A Class I stretch that provides enough current to make paddling faster, yet not as technical as the longer race. Mostly gravel bed, however, prepare to negotiate through a few swift turns, overhanging trees and to paddle through short sections of quiet water. The river character changes around every bend, and river depth can be anywhere from less than 1ft – 10 ft. Your boat may scrape bottom in places depending on the flow levels.

Athletes may use their own kayaks, canoes, surfskis and SUP boards, or rent from River’s Edge Kayak and Canoe, the professional outfitter that will manage the river operations and logistics.

Age Restrictions: Ages 8-11 may ride in a double boat with an adult. Ages 12-15 may be in single boats only with parental/adult supervision during the Race. Ages 16-17 just need a waiver signed by a parent. For everyone under 18, a parent will need to sign a waiver upon check-in.

Divisions

The respective race divisions are broken down below.  Our goal is to hold a fair race and you are responsible for entering the right division for your boat – call or email us if you have questions.“Professional” refers to lightweight composite racing surfskis, kayaks and canoes (fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon or prepreg) and these craft are only allowed to compete in the Pro division or Open Canoe 15-mile B2B race. “Recreational” refers to all other craft including sea kayaks, general kayaks and canoes that are made of plastic or aluminum and are welcome in either race. Please note that those entering the 15-mile race should be intermediate-advanced paddlers with a significant level of fitness.

• Bridge-to-Bridge (15 mile)
  • Professional Single (Kayak/Surfski)
    • Men 
    • Women
  • Professional Double (Kayak/Surfski)
    • Men, Women or Mixed all compete in same division unless number of entries warrants seperate divisions
  • Recreational Single Kayak
    • Men
    • Women
  • Recreational Double Kayak
    • Men, Women or Mixed all compete in same division unless number of entries warrants seperate divisions
  • Open Canoe (any type of canoe, professional or recreational)
    • Men, Women or Mixed all compete in same division unless number of entries warrants seperate divisions
  • Pro SUP    Men, Women or Mixed all compete in same division unless number of entries warrants seperate divisions

• Rio Lindo (5 mile)
  • Recreational Single Kayak
    • Men
    • Women
  • Recreational Double Kayak
    • Men
    • Women
    • Mixed
  •  Canoe Team Race (2 paddlers,plastic or aluminum canoes only)
    • Business
    • Social
    • Family
  • Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP) Single
    • Men
    • Women

Team Competition - Business, Family, Social Divisions

• Team entries apply only to the Canoe division, held on the Rio Lindo 5 mile race
• Each team must have two people paddling in one Canoe
• Anyone may enter multiple teams e.g. Marmot #1, Marmot #2, Marmot #3
• Team categories: Business, Family, Social
• Each team must give themselves a name (humor and costumes are encouraged)
• Please indicate your team name and category on the Entry Form
• Reminder: professional/lightweight canoes must enter the 15 mile Open Canoe division

IMPORTANT: Please carefully review the race logistics before arriving as each race has a separate check-in and start.

PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES (PFD’S) ARE MANDATORY TO PADDLE ON THE RIVER. They are included with your boat rental.

RACE LOGISTICS

To secure your place and facilitate logistics, we strongly advise that all participants enter well before race day. As there are separate check-ins and starting points for the two races, the race logistics will be described separately. Please carefully read the logistics for the race that you have entered:

BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE RACE-15 miles    

• On Race Day, pre-entered participants will proceed directly to the check-in and start line at Alexander Valley Campground.
• Check-in will run from 8 - 9:30 a.m. with a pre-race briefing at 10:00 a.m.
• SUP's will start promptly at 10:15 a.m.
• Professional Singles & Doubles will start promptly at 10:20 a.m.
• Recreational & Open Canoe divisions will start promptly at 10:30 a.m.
• Participants can drop-off their take-out bags at check-in, to be securely transported to the finish line.
• After the race, shuttles will be provided to return you to your vehicles.
• If renting from River’s Edge, your boat, pfd and paddles will be at your start line.

RIO LINDO RACE-5 miles

• On Race Day, Check-in will run from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at 33 Healdsburg Ave (Max Machinery). This is a large parking lot one block from Memorial Bridge heading towards downtown. Race attendants will be waiting for you at the parking lot. Map
• As the start is on a gated and private road, River’s Edge shuttles will take competitors to the start at Rio Lindo beach from 8 - 9:45 a.m. with a pre-race briefing at 10:30 a.m.
• The race will start promptly at 11:00 a.m.
• Boat owners will load and secure their own boats on shuttle trailers, provided by GR3 (bring your own straps and padding as these are not provided by GR3).
• Be sure to provide enough time to check-in, load your boats and get to the pre-race briefing on time.
• If renting equipment from River’s Edge, your boat, pfd and paddles will be at your start line.

PARKING & SHUTTLES

• Event parking is free except at Memorial Park - $7 or free with Regional Park Pass.
• Regular shuttles will transport participants from all points in Race
• Overflow parking for the Race Party will also be located south of River's Edge at the corner of Bailhache St, a 3 minute walk from Memorial Beach.

MAPS

DOGS: Are allowed in the Park on a leash but NOT on the beach! And not in the Race either, sorry!