The Colorado Adventure Sports Festival, as the Gunnison Throwdown is now called, was tons of fun. This was my first year attending this event and had an amazing time. Fluid had a booth, demos, and a strong team influence at the event this year. Leif Anderson, Seth Chapelle, and myself represented for Fluid.
With the high water levels the normal holes at the Gunnison whitewater park were all washed out. In the middle of the river just upstream of where one of the better holes usually is a wave formed. With the help of a bunch of sandbags and a throwbag paddlers were able to pull themselves back up the drop and into an artificial eddy created by a sandbag dam.
Seth rocked out the competition paddling in the Mens Pro K-1 Class, in his C-1 at only 16 years old. Seth ended up in third overall with the two local pros beating him, Jed Selby and Dr. Dre. Leif did quite well with some big blunts and huge loops in the reactionary behind the main wave. I ended up in 6th in Mens K-1 Expert after completly flailing in the semis. I was first in prelims and first in semis, but my rides completly fell apart in quarters.
There was also a Boatercross at the Gunnison festival this year called the Captain Black's Challenge. It was a mass start boatercross style event that entailed a ton of portaging and ataining. The event was grueling and only 7 competitiors showed up at the starting line after hearing what the course was all about. Leif put on a solid performance in the Large Solo. I managed to get a third place finish with the Small Solo, a fast little boat! Only 6 people finished the race with one swimmer.
After the boatercross there was a big trick contest on the main wave. Leif and Seth decided to compete while I helped judge and announced for the event. It was a winner take all style competition with the best move during three rides counting. Clay Wright took home the money with a big impressive air loop that he managed to stick on the wave. Seth did quite well with a big loop on the wave as well.
Overall Gunnison was a really fun low key event, much different than FIBark. I hope to come back next year and hold it together throught the freestyle competition for a podium spot. I also hope to come back in better shape and rock the boatercross. Hope to see you next year.
See you on the river- Bryon Dorr
