Whitewater Forum: Cooper - Possible Race (ur thoughts)
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Cooper - Possible Race (ur thoughts)

Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14167
Printed Date: 16 Sep 2025 at 10:34pm


Topic: Cooper - Possible Race (ur thoughts)
Posted By: UpNOver
Subject: Cooper - Possible Race (ur thoughts)
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 2:50pm
I paddled the Cooper for the first time this weekend.  I think it would be a great river for a grass roots kayak race.
 
I was thinking staged racers in two minutes intervals.  You can race in groups of two for safety if you want.  If you race "group" your time is last paddler across finish and the same time is recorded for both racers. 
 
Your time starts when you cross under the log and ends right after Wall of Voodoo.  The ending would be a great place for spectateurs to watch and cheer on their family/friends/etc.  Your all gased out and have one more hard rapid to go and just hoping you don't mess up and flip and all eyes are on you.
 
Issues
Would have to work with USFS.  I am sure they would require insurance which can be done through American Whitewater.  The racer would just have to be a member or join AW.
 
Parking at the put-in could be an issue but I don't think there will be that many racers.
 
 
I am thinking race times would be around 20 minutes.
 
Is there access issues/problems that I am not considering since I am new to the area?  Thoughts?


Replies:
Posted By: JayB
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 3:58pm

1. I think it's a great idea that would open up at least one race to the many folks who aren't up to/for the Robe race.

2. Is there a legal precedent out there that would deem anyone who suggested that it would be fun to gather and run the Cooper as fast as possible in timed-pairs is an event-organizer and legally liable as such? If not, I wonder if making the thing totally informal and outside the parameters of permitted/insured racing wouldn't be a better way to go for at least the first year.

As I said I'm no lawyer, so I have no idea if simply drawing up a statement saying that "There will *not* be an informal timed-pairs race on the Cooper on July XXth at 12:00PM, we will not need volunteer timers at the start and finish and safety crews at Norms, S-Turn, and Sharks-Tooth, so interested parties should not show up at the takeout at 10:00 for a pre-run meeting and be at the put-in and ready to roll by 11:15...." would pass muster and keep whoever published it from being sued into oblivion if anyone was killed or seriously injured during the race. I hope so, but probably not - so it's probably a terrible idea....




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-Jay

Posted By: James
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 4:38pm
Originally posted by UpNOver


Would have to work with USFS.  I am sure they would require insurance which can be done through American Whitewater.  The racer would just have to be a member or join AW.
 


Regarding Grassroots. The above would not be.

My Thoughts.

Race Times will be between 15 to 25 minutes depending on the paddler.

Each person times themselves. make it an honor system. Great Idea to end at Voo Doo.

(Also) If you do choose to work with the USFS as an official race you will need insurance and you will have to pay some access fee unless it is different on the cooper. The icicle race being at Snow Creek had some Event fee we were going to encounter. Insurance through AW is something I don't know much about, I do however know that the ACA is the main affiliation that pushes this type of process and is about as pleasurable to deal with as a nice swim at norms.

Posted By: Ellingferd
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 8:42pm
Grass roots is this: meet at the take out. One take out timer and last racer does their own start time as well as start times for all others. The only people that need to know are those who may or may not show up to boat down the river when someone happens to be keeping track. This is how many grassroots races operate. I vote for the weekend of the 12th, but there may not be enough water.

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Wave Sport

Posted By: WA-Boater
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 9:32pm
Safety would be my first priority. Norm's certainly needs at least one, but probably two people for safety (multiple bags wouldn't be a bad idea either). Although the lines may be rather easy the consequences certainly are on par with a class 5 run. There isn't a hole on Robe that will do what Norm's can do.
Sounds like a great idea. I've always thought that an impromto race, with a couple stop watches, is no different then a few buddies timing themselves ski down a mountain.

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