25th Annual
Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival
May 17 & 18th, 2008
The 25th Annual! ONE FOR THE BOOKS!
WOW! 85 degrees and 10,000 cfs!
This year we raised the bar on the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival. The moon, the stars and particularly the sun aligned to produce stellar weather and never before seen water levels for the entire weekend. Everyone had a great time!
In a weekend filled with cool and notable events one really stands out and that is Team River Runners coup d’état in the Shilo Inns Armed Forces race. This event was a down river race between Fish Creek and Carter Bridge. We had 6 teams compete. Of these teams five were comprised of crews of young, healthy, members of the US Navy and National Guard. The Team River Runner paddle team consisted of Troy Crawford and Kevin Pannell, both seriously wounded in Iraq and recovering in part through whitewater sports. The men and their wives were brought to town by the whitewater community to participate in the festival. Filling out the Team River Runner crew were festival veterans John Rush, Charlie Mitchell and paddle captain Val Shaull.
Spray flew and "Who Ha's" echoed across the canyon as the teams charged out of Fish Creek at 2 minute intervals. With quiet determination Team River River paddled hard and under the guiding hand of Val Shaull ran a clean line through Carter Falls to beat the field by 8 seconds! Troy and Kevin were presented with the 1st place trophy for the Armed Forces Race and have returned it to the Team River Runner headquarters in Washington, DC.
For several years we've watched the whitewater community come together as elements are added to the festival. 25 years since it's inception the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival includes virtually every aspect of the sport from river boarders to class VI rafters. The festival has grown to be the largest and most sucessful whitewater event this side of the Mississippi, perhaps beyond.
We want to thank all of the sponsors and vendors who donated time, products and sponsorship dollars to help in making this event what it is. These fine companies are all listed on the vendor and sponsor links above. Please take time to visit them and show your appreciation by supporting them with your business.
Down Load Saturday Registration»
Down Load Sunday Registration»
Down Load ACA Adult Form»
Minor Liabilty Waiver»»
Our
thanks to all the folks who support this great event!
Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival Operates Under Special Use Permit with the US Forest Service. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs Persons with disabilities who require.) alternative means for communication of program information - (Braille large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326 W. Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964(voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The North West Rafters Association is a public benefit, non-profit corporation registered with the State of Oregon. The NWRA possesses a non-profit 501(C)3 status granted by the United States Bureau of Internal Revenue. Based upon the association's corporate registration with both of these entities, the NWRA is required to abide by the rules and regulations established by both the State of Oregon and the United States Bureau of Internal Revenue. Copyright © North West Rafters Association, 2001-2007.
