Great Falls Race

Sponsors: Hudson Trail Outfitters & Confluence

Organizer: Liquid Adventures

Event Locations

(dependant upon level at the Little Falls Gauge*)

Maryland Lines (<2.8 ft. and 3.1 - 3.2 ft.)

Course starts on river left shore just left of the large rock in the middle of the channel above Pummel. Racers will navigate Pummel and then choose to either go through Pencil Sharpener or Z-turn. Racers will then navigate Horseshoe and finish as the bow of their boat touches the foam-pile of Horseshoe wave.

Virginia Lines (2.8 ft.- 3.0 ft.)
Course starts on the river right shore at the large vertical slab rock. Racers then choose from the three lines on the entrance rapid of the VA lines and then navigate S-bend. Racers complete the course after they have navigated the Spout and reached the furthest downstream point of the flake.

Center Lines (3.3 ft.- 3.8 ft.)
Course starts on the river right shore above the VA line entrance rapid at the large vertical slab rock. Racers will ferry across the inflow to the VA lines and navigate Grace Under Pressure. Racers then navigate the rapid leading to the middle finger and the middle finger. The finish line is the rocky outcropping on the flake about 100 ft. downstream of the streamers.

Fish Ladder (3.9 ft. - 5.5 ft.)
Course starts in an eddy/cove upstream of the first slide on river left. Racers navigate the first slide and then either choose to run the second slide or the tight quarters channel. Racers then navigate slides three and four and finish as their boat clears the hole at the bottom of fifth slide.

Note: Course start and finish dependant on water levels and volunteer logistics. Descriptions of the particular start and finish line are intended as a guideline. The final details of the race will be presented at the competitors meeting. The race will be cancelled when Little Falls Gauge is above 5.5 ft.

Classes

Competitors may compete in two classes, classes will run in the following order.

• Men's Long Boat Class 8.7 ft and above
• Women's Class
• C-1 Class
• Mens Short Boat Class 8.6 ft and below

Racers should sign up for the Great Falls Race via the P-Fest website no later than Midnight, Wednesday, July 11. All racers must be able to attest to their experience paddling class V white water and be familiar with the lines on Great Falls.

Check-in shall open at 7:00 AM near the Great Falls Tavern, MD side. You will sign a waiver, get a numbered bib.

A competitors meeting will be held by the Race Director in the Great Falls Maryland parking lot at 7:15 AM. Course, levels, safety, event layout, schedule, and media needs will all be covered at the meeting.

All racers will complete a timed run with race order determined by class and then bib number within that class. The top 10 in each boat class will get a second run, which will be counted as their final time. Final runs will go in the same order. A minimum of three boats is needed to make up a class.

Racers will start as soon as the course is clear of racers and the next racer is ready to go. The next 3 racers in order should be on deck and ready to paddle. Racers will be held in place by the stern of their boats by the Starter's Assistant at the starting location. The Finish Line Coordinator at the bottom of the course will countdown from 5 over the radio which will be held next to the racer by the Starter. On Go!, the Starter will let go of the racers stern and the time will start. Time ends when you hit the finish line target.

Any grievances regarding results (timing, judging, etc.) must be brought to the attention of the Race Director, who can be found near the start, immediately following announcement of top 10. Anyone with a grievance must be able to substantiate their claim, or original results will stand. The Race Director will make a final decision based on the facts at hand and commence the final runs.

Final results will be published on this website the day after the race with the winners announced at the P-Fest Party.