Town of Minturn Downriver Dash Whitewater Race

Date, Location & Time

Saturday, May 31st, 2025 | Time TBD | Minturn, Colorado

Register

Kayak | 2-Person Raft

Race Info

Join the Vail Recreation District and the Town of Minturn for the 4th Annual Town of Minturn Downriver Dash! The races will be divided between two categories, including kayak (under 9'6") & 2-person raft* (10'6" or smaller) teams.

The race starts at the Boneyard Open Space (south of Minturn) and finishes at the Minturn Saloon (central Minturn). Racers should park at the finish in the Town of Minturn municipal lot adjacent to the Turntable. The VRD will provide shuttles to the start for racers and gear.

Preregistration is highly recommended, online registration ends at TBD. Day-of registration will only be accepted on a space-available basis. Race day bib pickup and registration begins at 3:30pm at the Minturn Saloon, there is a mandatory safety talk & course instructions at 5:15pm at the Boneyard Open Space Start Area, and all races begin at 5:30pm with 1 minute intervals.

Who can participate?

The Town of Minturn Downriver Dash is open to all paddlers ages 16 and up and intermediate to expert abilities. The skills to run class III whitewater in your chosen craft are required. This is a fun way to track your individual performance, test yourself on a new river stretch and compete against others. All competitors are entering at their own risk.

For more information, call 970-479-2280 or email sports@vailrec.com

Registration & Bib Pickup

Register for the Town of Minturn Downriver Dash

This race is seperate from the Vail Whitewater Race Series and is not included in a series purchase.

It is highly recommended to register online. R2-Raft is limited to 24 boats per race, so sign up right away if you want to secure your spot! Online registration closes at TBD and in-person registration opens on-site at TBD.

If you cannot attend a race that you are registered for: Please let us know at sports@vailrec.com. This helps us open the spot up for other boaters to have a rad time and expedites making the starting order to get you on the water quicker!

Bib Pickup

Racers can pick up their bib at the finish near the Minturn Saloon at TBD. There will be a VRD shuttle from the Minturn Saloon to the start at Boneyard Open Space.

R2-Rafters only need one paddler to wear the bib.

Rules & Results

Town of Minturn Downriver Dash Rules

To standardize the competition, kayak length may not exceed 9′6”. Whitewater-specific plastic and heavy-duty composite boats only. Rafts make not exceed 10’6”. Inflatable Kayaks & Packrafts are allowed, but only if they are robust whitewater models worthy of the conditions. If in doubt about your vessel, ask Race Directors at least 24 hours in advance of competition.

Hand Paddlers are ALLOWED | Sea kayaks & foot rudders are NOT ALLOWED.
Properly sized PFD, helmet, and protective footwear are REQUIRED.
Equipment will be reviewed at the start. The organizer has the right to refuse any nonconforming equipment (i.e., bicycle helmets, nylon spray-skirts, improper PFDs, etc.).
Athletes are REQUIRED TO ALWAYS wear competitor bibs outside their PFDs.
Athletes MUST be checked in and registered by TBD.
Athletes MUST attend the Safety/Rules/Course review meeting at 5:15pm sharp.
Athletes MUST be in control of their vessel when finishing the race.

Race Format:

Single Time Trial:

Each racer gets one run, placing them
Point to Point, no obstacles
Make it a fast and safe run since you only get one!

Time Pentalties:

If a participant false starts in the time trial, 15 SECONDS will be added to time.
Participants must be in control while completing ostacles, failure to do so will add 15 SECONDS to the participant's time.

Did Not Finish (DNF):

The participant exits their boat at any point along the race stretch. If you are swimming, please watch out for strainers and get out of the water as quickly as possible.

Disqualified (DSQ):

In the time trial, the paddler being overtaken does not yield to the faster paddler.
Any action by a competitor during or in between races is deemed “Unsportsmanlike.”
Participant races without race bib or bib is unreadable.
Raft participants do not bring raft back to shuttle for the next racers.
Failure to be in control of vessel at the finish.

If disqualification occurs after the participant’s last race, the racer may be disqualified for the following week’s race.

A protest of a judge’s call can be grounds for disqualification.

2025 Race Cost

	Preregistration	Race Day Registration	Race Times
Kayak	$18	$25	TBD
2-Person Raft* (Price is for the team)	$26	$38	TBD

Cost includes shuttle, raffle prizes and beer at post-race party.
*Please note, thanks to hyside.com we have rafts for participant use in 2025. Raft registration will be limited to 24 boats.

Parking

Please park at the finish in the Town of Minturn Municipal Lot adjacent to the Turntable. The VRD will provide shuttles to the start for racers and gear. Please do not shuttle yourself to the start as the parking lot is very small and we need as much space as possible for our shuttle.

Drop-off Zones

Racers can drop-off gear near the finish at the Minturn Saloon. This is an active road, so please be quick and cautious of vehicles. The Town of Minturn Municipal Lot is a minute walk from the Minturn Saloon, so please only drop-off if absolutely necessary.

Racers can drop-off gear near the start at the Boneyard Open Space (south of Minturn) and then park at the Town of Minturn Municipal Lot to ride VRD's shuttle to the race start.

Whitewater & River Conservation Resources

Protecting our rivers is important to us and hopefully it is for you too. We encourage all particiapants to learn more about how they can impact and support our local watersheds.

Many of these organizations are non-profits who are as passionate about boating, rivers and water conservancy. Memberships and donations are accepted if you're looking for ways to contribute and support these organizations and their missions.