43rd Annual - KCCNY Esopus Whitewater Slalom and Downriver Sprint Race (NEW!)

June 6 and 7, 2009 – Phoenicia, New York

Sponsored by:	Kayak and Canoe Club of New York (KCCNY)
Sanctioned by:	The American Canoe Association (ACA)
To Enter:	Click here to download early entry forms and waivers. The entry fee for early registration received by the Wednesday before the race is $15 per class per person ($10 for KCCNY members). Late registration using a different entry form will also be available on-site at scoring from 8-10 AM on Saturday for an additional $5 late fee. Checks should be made payable to “KCCNY”.
Eligibility:	Competitors must be amateurs by American Canoe Association (ACA) definition and also must be competent swimmers. INSURANCE REGULATIONS DEMAND THAT ACA MEMBERSHIP IS MANDATORY FOR ALLPARTICIPANTS. Participation memberships may be purchased upon registration for $5.
Rules:	Open boats will use the 2007 ACA OC Slalom Racing Rules, with 10 penalty seconds per gate touched. Decked boats will use the 2009 USACK Slalom Racing Rules with 2 penalty seconds per gate touched. For both types of boats only the better of the two runs will count for final ranking.
Location:	Phoenicia, New York is located 26 miles west of Kingston New York on NY Route 28.The slalom course is located approximately one mile up High Street in Phoenicia at the Woodland Valley Bridge.
River Description:	The slalom course will be set on the Esopus Creek at Phoenicia, New York. Distance from start to finish is approximately 400 meters; vertical drop is approximately 9 meters. A water release is anticipated that will make the slalom site located at Railroad Rapids a Class II course. The race course will be designed for intermediate paddlers.
Competition Classes:	Competition is planned in K1, K1 Women, C1, C1 Women, C2, C2 Mixed, OC-1 Short (4-meters), OC-1W Short, OC-1 Medium (15 ft.), OC-2, and OC-2 Mixed. These race classes will be further subdivided to create Junior (18 or under), Master (41 or older) (*age as of 12/31 the year of competition), Adult/Child (for doubles boats only), and "REC" (Recreational WW boats) classes within each boat type. Each paddler may enter a maximum of two (2) classes.

NEW Downriver Sprint Race:	Saturday afternoon after completion of second runs of the slalom race, a downriver spring race will be held. Competitors may enter either the Slalom, the Downriver Sprint, or both. Only a single race run down the Downriver Sprint course will be permitted. The Downriver Sprint race will begin approximately one-half mile above DEC Drop and end at the Slalom course finish at the bottom of Railroad Rapid.
Check-in:	Check-in will take place 8:00 – 11:00 AM on Saturday at Scoring.
Practice:	The course will be open for practice until 11:15 AM. on Saturday and again following modification of the course Saturday afternoon until 9:30 AM. on Sunday.
Race Schedule:	There will be a competitors’ meeting at 11:30 AM Saturday at Scoring. This race is a doubleheader, with two race runs beginning at noon on Saturday and two race runs on a slightly modified course beginning at 10:00 AM on Sunday. Competitors will race in the posted order both days. Racers not at the start when called may forfeit their run. Additional information will be posted on the bulletin board at Scoring. NOTE: The Downriver Sprint race will be held immediately following the conclusion of second runs on Saturday afternoon.
Northeast Regional Junior Team Qualifier:	The Esopus Slalom is one of several qualifying races for selection to the Northeast Regional Junior Team. The Northeast region of USA Canoe Kayak, which includes New England and the state of New York, will name Junior, 16-and- under, and Cadet Teams in Mid June. Monetary awards will be given to Junior and 16-and-under team members to travel to designated races and training camps. Separate awards, not tied to travel, will be made to the Cadet team members. The teams will be chosen by the Northeast Youth Team Committee using candidates' race performance and number of races entered (the more the better!). The results from the Junior Team Trials, the Spring NESS races, KCCNY Esopus, Mascoma and Triple-Crown Slalom will be considered in the selection process. For additional information click here.
Work Assignments:	In order to run the race, it will be necessary for all competitors to perform a work assignment and assist at course take down on Sunday following the race. Failure to serve as assigned will result in disqualification. Conduct of the race depends upon work assignments – please be prompt.
Safety:	All competitors must wear helmets and approved life jackets (PFDs). Additionally, the last three boats that have finished their runs will be required to remain at the bottom of the course for safety/rescue.
Camping:	There are numerous campgrounds available in the area, ranging from the secluded Woodland Valley State Campground (845) 688-7647, located 5 miles up Woodland Valley Road, to various private campgrounds located closer to Phoenicia; click here for additional campground information.
Lodging:	There are small efficiency cabins located on the banks of the Esopus at Railroad Rapids. Call "Simpler Times" (river left land owner at the race site) at (845) 688-5410 to reserve one of their cabins. Many other cabins and motels are located nearby in the Catskill Region; click here for additional lodging information.
Course Set-up:	The slalom course will be set during the day on Friday. If you can be available to help, please contact John Coaror at JCoraor@town.huntington.ny.us. We would really appreciate any additional hands we can muster for this detail.