Over the past several years, extreme creek racing has exploded in popularity. Where a decade ago a handful of small-scale races catered mostly to dedicated locals, now there are hundreds of races organized for all skill levels. Last year, the Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship on Austria’s Oetz River brought together over 100 racers from 22 different countries, proving racing has become a global craze.
“Extreme racing is the way forward,” predicts New Zealand’s Mike Dawson, who took second place at the 2009 Championship. “It’s going to get bigger every year!”
With international corporations like Teva, Red Bull and Adidas hosting televised and tweeted events drawing hundreds of competitors and tens of thousands of spectators, and commanding media coverage that reaches hundreds of thousands of people at home, racing may be the trend that finally pushes kayaking into mainstream sports. At least that’s the hope of ambitious race creators like Adidas Sickline’s globally minded Olaf Obsommer.
WHY RACING IS THRIVING – FOR PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS
So why is racing succeeding as a spectator sport when other kayaking disciplines have struggled? The answer, like racing itself, is simple. Racing is exciting and easy to follow. The first person to cross the finish line, or the competitor with the fastest time, wins. There is no confusing judging or points system as in freestyle. Throw in an element of danger and potential for some carnage and you have a surefire fan favourite, even for non-kayaking spectators.
“Extreme racing is similar to watching a movie,” explains Joel Heath, founder of the Teva Mountain Games. “Even if it is just for a moment, the audi- ence lives vicariously through the boater’s experience and that rush of adrenalin surges through both boater and spectator.”
As racing gets more exposure, sponsorship and hefty cash prizes—up to $5,000 now at some events—are following. This conspicuous end of the racing phenomenon—hard whitewater courses, elite racers, high profile sponsors and the sport and industry observers who follow them—is pushing kayaking forward, but this growth is also a catalyst driving the other, more subtle end of the trend—race-hungry, everyday Joe boaters and burgeoning local racing scenes.
Every year, more grassroots races are popping up on local runs, inviting boaters of all abilities to take up the challenge and join in the fun. The motivations are universal: competition, the promise of an exciting day on the water with friends or the sense of accomplishment in piecing together a perfect run.
If you have yet to experience the thrill of a race, don’t sweat the clock. It’s becoming increasingly easy to find one that suits your skill level. Ask your local club and check out online forums and chat boards. In the United States, the U.S. Whitewater Racing Association brings together a race database and event hosting guidelines.
This article first appeared in the Summer/Fall 2010 issue of Rapid Magazine. For more great content, subscribe to Rapid’s print and digital editions here.
