River festival season rolls in large this Memorial Day weekend with the third annual Paddling Life Pro Invitational in Steamboat Springs.
Showcasing the top men and women kayakers in the world, this one-day, two-event competition tests paddling skills on steep Fish Creek and freestyle abilities on Charlie’s revered rodeo hole of the Yampa River in downtown Steamboat. Combined overall scores determine the champion.
Spectators can catch the seat-of- the-pants Class V action on Middle Fish Creek (just north of the Steamboat ski area) beginning Monday at 10 a.m., then move downtown to Charlie’s Hole on the Yampa for the throwdown showdown at 1 p.m.
While invites are reserved for the likes of world kayak freestyle champion Ruth Gordon, silver medalist Andrew Holcombe and reigning Invitational champs Stephen Wright and Tanya Faux, amateur boaters looking to make a weekend of it can come early to test their big-water skills on raging local rivers still on the rise. Just be sure to save a little something for the awards party beginning at 6 p.m.
Do it: Call 970-870-0880 or visit www.steamboat for vacation packages and info.
