Arkansas River Weekend - July 16 - 18, 2021!

We're excited to be boating the Arkansas River together again in 2021! We're hoping to have cruises for most skill levels, ranging from easy runs like Big Bend to Salida to the more challenging runs like the Numbers. (Let us know if you're willing to lead or sweep a cruise.) We're also excited to again be camping at South Main in downtown Buena Vista with all the restaurants and amenities that are available - and the Buena Vista Whitewater Park in walking distance. Many thanks to South Main Realty for letting us use the space. 

As a reminder, river weekends are not instructional events and are not suitable for those who have not had instruction or experience in whitewater kayaking or rafting. Although we're all there to support one another, plan on boating within your skill level. Minimum necessary equipment for all boaters includes helmet, river shoes, type 3 or type 5 personal flotation device, and appropriate dry top or other layers for the cold Arkansas water. Kayakers should also have their float bags and skirt. Inflatable kayaks and rafts must be intended for whitewater use - not the vulnerable ones from department or sporting goods stores. 

For those of you who are not as experienced, our friends at Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center (RMOC) are offering instruction on Saturday and Sunday and offering a special deal to CW members. These classes and the discount are only available to CW members. Thanks RMOC!

• Saturday (7/17): Kayak L2, Essentials of River Kayaking. Read about the class and the minimum requirements to participate here Kayak L2 Description and then sign up if you're interested and qualified here Kayak L2 Signup. Use the discount code CW21 to obtain the discounted price of $125, which includes equipment and lunch. 
• Sunday (7/18): Kayak L3, Basic River Running. Read about the class and the minimum requirements to participate here Kayak L3 Description and then sign up if you're interested and qualified here Kayak L3 Signup. Use the discount code CW21 to obtain the discounted price of $125, which includes equipment and lunch. 

ACA Membership: CW encourages our members to also be members of the American Canoe Association (ACA). Not only does your $40/year individual membership support the mission and programs of the ACA, it also saves CW $10 per participant per event that we have to otherwise pay ACA for insurance, which frees up your CW membership dues for other CW programs. You can join here if interested Join ACA.

CAMPING / REGISTRATIONS: We will be camping near South Main Street in Buena Vista.  Specifically we'll be in the large open space that is South of the Midland Stop coffee shop at 801 Front Loop, Buena Vista CO 81211. This is where we were in 2019. (It is not the lawn/beach area in the center of South Main and we need to be respectful of the weddings that will be in that area the same weekend). We're asking people to register as either planning on the group camping area or staying elsewhere as a day participant so that we can monitor how many people will be camping. Also let us know if you'll be bringing a trailer so we can evaluate when to cut off registrations or add more capacity. This will also help with how many porta pots we need as the camping area is completely undeveloped. Other than the porta pots (and restaurants and bars) you must plan on being self supported and bring whatever water you need. Please do not arrive at the camping area before 3:00 Friday afternoon. 

SOME GUIDELINES:

• Registration / Membership / COVID: All participants must be a member of Colorado Whitewater and must have registered prior to the event. This is, in part, to facilitate COVID contact tracing if necessary. We will need full contact information for all participants regardless of whether you're camping with the group or staying elsewhere. Participation in camping and all activities will be subject to compliance all local guidelines and Colorado Whitewater's current COVID Policy, which can be found at this link: CW COVID Policy.   
• Release Forms: Upon check-in you will be asked to sign two release forms (ACA and COVID) for the entire weekend. This will be required for camping as well as participating on any cruises. You will receive a wristband so that cruise leaders know you have registered and signed all paperwork. 
• Fires: No open wood fires are allowed in the camping area. Subject to any fire restrictions at the time, we are currently planning a group campfire at the South Main firepit. At your individual campsites, provided they are allowed by any fire restrictions, you can have propane fires and stoves so long as they can be switched off if needed.
• Quiet Time: A quiet time of 10:00 PM will be strictly enforced. South Main is great to let us use the space; let's not ruin it by disturbing our neighbors after 10:00.