New River Gorge Race & Rodeo – Participant Information

It’s almost time for the New River Gorge Race & Rodeo happening this weekend with ACE Adventure Gear. Below find details for participant expectations and day of logistics. Please read and review this entire email carefully to ensure a smooth event experience!

Event Details

The New River Gorge Race & Rodeo spans sections of whitewater rapids which require a level of competency in the boat and familiarity with the run. While we provide safety throughout the course for emergency situations, paddlers are expected to be able to confidently paddle the included section of whitewater. By registering for this race you have acknowledged the inherent risk that comes with our sport, and are confirming you have the ability to paddle this section of whitewater.

The New River Race & Rodeo (unless >20,000 cfs on the New River Thurmond Gauge) will span from Cunard River Access to Fayette Station River Access. Times will be recorded by a third party and judges from the boating community will score ramp & rodeo performance. The scored rodeo features follow:

• Feature 1: Kayak Freestyle ramp at Cunard Put-in. (1 trick – 10 points)
• Feature 2: Upper Railroad Hole (3 tricks – 30 points)
• Feature 3: Downriver Upper Railroad (3 tricks – 30 points)
• Feature 4*: Lower Railroad river right surf wave ( 3 tricks – 30 points)
  *water level dependent (10,000>)

Pre-Race Waiver

Before participating in the Race or Rodeo you are required to complete the ACE General Waiver found HERE. For participants under 18 their parent or legal guardian MUST complete this waiver. Once on the waiver website, select May 10th or 11th, click special events, click New River Gorge Festival Race & Rodeo, and then answer the questions when prompted. You may not participate without a completed waiver.

Check-in/ Packet Pickup

Participants will need to check-in at ACE Adventure Gear and take the appropriate shuttle from to the river and competition location. You MUST ride one of the ACE shuttles and leave your car at one of the pick-up locations.

ACE Adventure Gear Check-in

Check in for both events on both days will be at ACE Adventure Gear. You MUST check-in at ACE Adventure Gear prior to boarding the shuttle bus both days. Without your check-in packet, you will not be permitted to board the event shuttle. Participants are responsible for loading their boat and picking up their packet/bib prior to shuttle departure, so be sure to arrive with adequate time. Shuttle will leave at the scheduled time with or without you. We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to shuttle departure.

• Friday Check In – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Saturday Check In – 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Friday Rodeo Shuttle

A bus will pick up participants and boats up from the Roaring River Access off Elverton Road. To access the shuttle pickup location follow Gatewood Road to the Bridge Haven Golf Course. Just past the golf course turn left on Elverton Road and look for the Event Parking Signs. Prior to parking on Elverton Road you MUST check-in at ACE Adventure Gear to pickup race packet in order to board the shuttle bus. Without your check-in packet, you will not be permitted to board the event shuttle. Participants are responsible for loading their boat and picking up their packet/bib prior to shuttle departure, so be sure to arrive with adequate time. Shuttle will leave at the scheduled time with or without you. We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to shuttle departure.
Friday Shuttle Departure from Elverton Road – 12:30 PM

Saturday Race Shuttle

A bus will pick up participants and boats up from Fayette Station in the upper parking lot. Prior to parking at Fayette Station you MUST check-in at ACE Adventure Gear to pickup race packet in order to board the shuttle bus. Without your check-in packet, you will not be permitted to board the event shuttle at Fayette. Participants are responsible for loading their boat and picking up their packet/bib prior to shuttle departure, so be sure to arrive with adequate time. Shuttle will leave at the scheduled time with or without you. We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to shuttle departure.
Saturday Shuttle Departure from Fayette Station – 12:30 PM

Return Shuttle

After the Rodeo a shuttle from Cunard to Elverton Road will take participants back to their vehicles.

Pre-event Meeting

Participants must be geared up, with their bibs on 30 minutes prior to the start of each event. The Race Director will communicate start times for the rodeo event and ensure bib numbers are properly recorded. Rodeo briefing and race briefing is at 1:30 PM each day.

Event Schedule

Friday May 11th
11:00 AM – Check in at ACE Adventure Ger
12:30 PM – Shuttle from Elverton Road
1:30 PM – Pre Rodeo Briefing
2:00 PM – Ramp Competition Begins
4:00 PM – Downriver/Upper Railroad Features
6:00 PM – Shuttle back to Elverton Road
6:30 PM – Afterparty and Carbo Load @ ACE Adventure Gear

Saturday May 12th
10:00 AM – Check in at ACE Adventure Ger
12:30 PM – Shuttle from Fayette Station Upper Parking Lot
1:30 PM – Pre Race Briefing
2:00 PM – Race Begins
5:00 PM – Afterparty at ACE Adventure Resort
6:30 PM – Tan & Sober Gentlemen @ Lost Paddle Stage
8:00 PM – Awards Ceremony @ Lost Paddle Stage
8:30 PM – Hooten Hallers @ Lost Paddle Stage

Awards Ceremony

Don’t forget your race & rodeo registration includes access to the live music at ACE Adventure Resort Saturday after the event. You will receive a festival wristband at event check in. The awards ceremony will be held at The Lost Paddle Stage around 8:00PM. PARTICIPANTS CANNOT RECEIVE PRIZES WITHOUT ATTENDING THE AWARDS CEREMONY.

Prizes and Awards

Prizes will consist of bags containing ACE Adventure Gear products and sponsor inclusions.
The race, rodeo, and overall event will at a minimum award the following:

• Women’s 1st Overall: Highest rodeo points
• Men’s 1st Overall: Highest rodeo points
– Ramp King or Queen: Highest ramp score
• Women’s 1st Overall: Fastest Race Time
• Men’s 1st Overall: Fastest Race Time

Additional awards will be determined based on the following guidelines:
– If 3 in class, first place only* 1
– If 3-6 in class, first and second place
– If 7+ in class, first, second, and third place

Sunday River Clean Up with New River Conservancy

Stick around Sunday and join us for a river cleanup with the New River Conservancy. We will be rafting a class III section of the New River while working to clean up trash. It’s ever important that we come together to help restore our favorite playground to the pristine condition it should be in. Every piece of trash removed is one less on the river after all! Plus what’s not to like about spending a few hours on a fine spring day to root through the woods and rocks to clean them of garbage? Sign Up – Email Dave Bassage at [email protected] to secure your spot.

We appreciate your support and can’t wait to keep improving and expanding this event! If you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out to race director Liz Curry at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you this weekend and good luck.