World Kayak Hometown Throwdown hits the West Kootenays!

Wednesday’ s have always been a special day for paddlers of the West Kootenays. Since the year 2000, The Slocan River has been the location for Borderline Boaters’ Wednesday Night Paddles. Every Wednesday from May to September paddlers of all skill levels and ages have joined together to meet up for some local paddling and enjoy some BBQ burgers afterwards at Whispers Takeout BBQ on location at the Endless Adventure Kayak Shop. This year marks the beginning of era for local paddlers with the introduction of World Kayak. For the past five years the World Kayak Initiative has been dedicated to the growth of Whitewater kayaking in local communities all across the globe. The Hometown Throwdown is a way new and experienced paddlers can compete in friendly grass roots style events for a chance to win great prizes donated by big name sponsors like Astral Buoyancy, Immersion Research, Shred Ready Helmets, and many more.

Competitors from the age of 12 to 60 met up just before Paddle night on Wednesday August 3^rd, for many a first chance to try their hand at a kayak competition. The location for the Throwdown was at G-Force eddy of the Slocan River on a small sized wave with eddy access and a small hole at the entrance of the feature. Competitors lined the eddy for some practice rides before the event which promised to be a entertaining one with lots of paddle tricks and cheering support from onlookers. Paddlers were given two forty-five second rides to accumulate technical points for catching the wave, spinning, going vertical, and of course in Kootenay fashion creative tricks. Style points were also given for smoothness of control and movement. From start to finish the competition was a huge success, you could hear the cheering all the way to the takeout as paddlers were getting into the competitive spirit. Over 15 different paddle tricks amazed the crowd form the good ol’ fashion twirl to new and innovative paddle tricks like the robin hood and soaring eagle. After the comp paddlers enjoyed flowing down the remainder of the river with big smiles and even more cheering. The event wrapped up with the anticipated prize giveaway of t-shirts, videos, paddle wax, and other cool treasures. Thanks to all who attended and spectated the event, next year there will be more regular events in the area so stay tuned! Cranbrook will be the host of the next Hometown Throwdown on August 27^th on the St. Mary’s River. The event will be a down river race and all skill levels are welcome!

RESULTS

1. Hector Darby 27 points

2. Nikita Chernoff 21 points

3. Sam “The Hammer” Butler 20 points

4. Sydney Gillman 19 points

5. David Roscoe 18 points

6. Nick Barisoff 17 points

7. Steve Ethier 16 points

8. Wyatt Riegel 15 points

8. Troy Bingham 15 points

9. Doug Pinkerton 14 points

10. Bob Dodge 13 points

10. Marly MacDonald 13 points

11. Eric Gemby 8 points

11.  Andy DieLemar 8 points