The arrival of spring means it’s whitewater season on Vermont’s creeks, and a series of three exciting whitewater events kick off in April in the Green Mountain state.
The iconic New Haven Race will kick off the season on Saturday, April 5. Created in 2009, the race is considered Vermont’s premier creek race.
The sprint sees paddlers charge through the heart of the classic Ledges section of the New Haven, finishing with a dramatic plunge over Toaster Falls.
This year’s race will continue the format of individual timed heats, allowing each racer two chances to lay down their best lap.
The rapids featured in the New Haven Race are:
- The Ledges: The namesake rapid of this run, the ledges are several offset slides with multiple line options depending on the level.
- Oh By The Way: This tricky rapid can make or break a run. Ending up in the Schott Slot can crush dreams of a podium finish.
- Rooster Tail: The end is near, but this long boulder rapid that ends in a slide with a big rooster tail and a potentially sticky hole at the bottom can derail a paddler’s chances if they aren’t online and carrying speed at the correct angle.
- Toaster: The grand finale. A 15-foot plunge into a nice pool. Sounds easy enough, but this can be a common spot where champions are separated from the rest. The key is to keep it upright and carrying speed, all while avoiding getting pushed left into the shelf below after landing.
Next up after the New Have Race is the Wells River Rumble on Sunday, April 27.
Created in 1999, the Rumble is a mass start kayak race through the mile-long Lower Wells section of whitewater.
Rapids included in this section are Bridge Drop (IV), Sweetness (IV), Labyrinth (IV), Waterfall (IV-IV+), and Tantric (IV-IV+).
The weekend after the intensity of the Rumble comes a more laidback whitewater event.
The Peavine Race on Saturday, May 3 is an accessible event for whitewater paddlers of all abilities. Novices will find appropriate challenge in navigating the rapids while experienced whitewater boaters may take a chance on paddling longer craft for maximum speed.
Just about anyone who has been on whitewater before can participate in this race. Organizers say it’s suitable for students in college paddling clubs, strong downriver canoe racers, youth with summer camp whitewater experience, older folks in the Master’s Class, die-hard class 5 boaters looking for some fast fun, and youngsters racing with seasoned adult teammates.
The first three miles of the race, from the start to Blackmer Boulevard bridge, is a little easier than the last two miles from Blackmer down to Gaysville Bridge. The last mile features the trickiest and most continuous rapids.
Find more information about these whitewater races on the Creek VT website.