2008 EVENT STATISTICS
The EddyFlower Vertical Challenge was a HUGE success in 2008. Here are some of the results from the event.
- $28,117 funds raised for First Descents
- 96 new American Whitewater Memberships
- 1,420,033 vertical feet paddled equal to 269 miles or 48 sea to summit on Mt. Everest
- 3,528 total laps paddled
- 200 competitors
- 48 teams from 12 states
- $14,000 in prizes
FUNDRAISER
EddyFlower has partnered with First Descents to raise money for a great cause. What better reason to paddle when every stroke you take raises money for young adults with cancer! First Descents offers young adults with cancer outdoor experiences that will forever change their lives. The 2007 & 2008 EddyFlower Vertical Challenge competitors raised over $34,000 and sent 35 youth to kayak camp.
The goal is for each member on each team to raise as many donations as possible during the event for First Descents. All donations raised go directly to First Descents to provide cancer survivors with a free, week long kayak camp in Colorado. The top 3 individuals who raise the most donations for First Descents win a new Dagger Nomad 8.5, Aquabond Carbon Paddle, and WRSI Helmet. For fundraising suggestions, review the Ambassador Fundraising Package and Vertical Challenge Fundraiser documents for ideas.
Please make all donation checks payable to "First Descents" and mail to 10679 West Cooper Place Littleton CO 80127 attention Brian Copanas.
AW MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
EddyFlower is proud to support American Whitewater to help protect and restore America’s rivers. The first 100 registered Vertical Challenge participants are eligible to renew or sign up for a new AW membership at discount rate of $10.
PRIZES
The EddyFlower Vertical Challenge award ceremony will be held at TBD. Prizes will be handed out or shipped to the winners. Thanks to our sponsors we have the best paddling loot on the planet to give away! Prizes include:
Most Individual Donations - top 3 paddlers who raise the most donations for First Descents win:
• 1st: Dagger Nomad Creekboat
• 2nd: Aquabound Carbon Paddle
• 3rd: WRSI Helmet
Most Individual Vertical - top 3 paddlers who paddle the most vertical feet win:
• 1st: 9 Day all Inclusive Panama Kayaking Trip (Boquete Outdoor Adventures). Does not include airfare. Choose from one of three trips. Class II/III, Class III/IV or Class IV/V.
• 2nd: GoPro Helmet Camera
• 3rd: PeakUk Safety PFD
Open Division
• 1st: 1 of each: GoPro Helmet Camera, PeakUK PFD, Kokatat Drytop, Aquabound Carbon Paddle, Level 6 Skirt and Bladder
• 2nd: 1 of each: Smith Optics Sunglasses, Keen Shoes, WRSI Helmet, NRS Throw Bag, Tech 4O TraiLeader Watch
Class V Only Division
• 1st: 1 of each: GoPro Helmet Camera, PeakUK PFD, Kokatat Drytop, Aquabound Carbon Paddle, Level 6 Skirt and Bladder
Class IV Division
• 1st: 1 of each: GoPro Helmet Camera, PeakUK PFD, Kokatat Drytop, Aquabound Carbon Paddle, Level 6 Skirt and Bladder
• 2nd: 1 of each: Smith Optics sunglasses, Keen Shoes, WRSI Helmet, NRS Throw Bag, Tech 4O TraiLeader Watch
Class III Division
• 1st: 1 of each: GoPro Helmet Camera, PeakUK PFD, Kokatat Drytop, Aquabound Carbon Paddle, Level 6 Skirt and Bladder
• 2nd: 1 of each: Smith Optics Sunglasses, Keen Shoes, WRSI Helmet, NRS Throw Bag, Tech 4O TraiLeader Watch
Womens Division
• 1st: 1 of each: Go Pro Helmet Camera, Kokatat Drytop, Aquabound paddle, WRSI helmet, Keen Shoes
• 2nd: 1 of each: Smith Optics sunglasses, Keen Shoes, WRSI Helmet, NRS Throw Bag, Tech 4O TraiLeader Watch
Weekend Warrior Division
• 1st: 1 of each: GoPro Helmet Camera, PeakUK PFD, Kokatat Drytop, Aquabound Carbon Paddle, Level 6 Skirt and Bladder
• 2nd: 1 of each: Smith Optics Sunglasses, Keen Shoes, WRSI Helmet, NRS Throw Bag, Tech 4O TraiLeader Watch
DIVISIONS
Choose from six divisions that best match your team’s skills. The team in each division with the most vertical feet is crowned champion. The individual with the most vertical feet will be crowned as the overall individual vertical champion.
• Open Division: all runs are eligible in this division. The team in this division with most Class I-V vertical feet wins.
• Class V Only Division: only Class V (V-, V, V+) runs are eligible in this division. The team in this division with the most Class V-, V, V+ vertical feet wins.
• Class IV Division: only Class I-IV runs are eligible in this division. The team in this division with the most Class I-IV vertical feet wins.
• Class III Division: only Class I-III runs are eligible in this division. The team in this division with the most Class I-III vertical feet wins.
• Womens Division: all runs are eligible in this division. The team in this division with most Class I-V vertical feet wins.
• Weekend Warrior Division: all runs are eligible in this division. The ten best days as a team will be totaled to determine which team has the most vertical feet. The team in this division with the most vertical feet wins.
RULES
All registered teams and individuals must abide by all event rules. Teams or individuals failing to adhere to the following rules may be disqualified at the discretion of the event staff. Prizes will not be awarded to teams or individuals that do not follow the rules or are suspected of cheating.
• Competition begins sunrise May 15 and ends sunset June 15.
• Maximum team size: 5, minimum team size: 1
• Competitors can only be registered on one team.
• No solo paddling. A minimum of two paddlers required on a descent in order to receive credit for the run. Second paddler does not have to be a team member.
• You must stop to help if you see another boater in trouble.
• Single run limitation set at 5 runs per team member i.e. each team member can only run one section of river 5 times.
• Must use put-ins and take-outs defined for the runs listed eddyflower.com for competition credit.
• Must complete entire run to earn vertical feet. Portaging unrunnable and unsafe rapids is acceptable. Running laps on one drop or few drops doesn't contribute to your teams vertical feet.
• $20 per person registration fee covers insurance fee for ACA insurance, development, advertising, printing, posting, webhosting, video dvd's, trophies, etc. All competitors must fillout, sign and fax an ACA Waiver. Fax waiver to 720.519.0708 attention Brian Copanas.
• Teams must register, pay registration fee and turn in waiver by May 14 to be eligible to compete. Any vertical racked up without payment will not count.
• Teams may recruit a new team member(s) if you have an open spot(s) during the competition, however, no trading people in and out once the comp starts.
• Each team must have a team captain. Team Captains will be the point person for all communications with EddyFlower before, during and after the event.
• Teams are responsible for entering in run and donation information directly into the event webpage within 48 hours of the descent or are subject to disqualification. The goal is to have teams enter in laps and donations as soon as possible to keep the standings as real-time as possible.
• Teams are not allowed to switch divisions once competition has started.
• Teams are not allowed to change team names once competition has started.
• Honor system applies, team member registration requires real First Name, Last Name, and Email Address. Anonominity doesn't work well with the Honor System concept.
STANDINGS
EddyFlower.com will provide real-time event Standings reports. These report web pages will include up to date standings for each division including.
• Total Feet By Division
• Total Feet By Individual
• Total Donations By Team
• Total Donations By Individual
VIDEO
EddyFlower will be creating a complimentary DVD consisting of team videos and photos submitted during the event. Last years video was sic, big thanks to Jeremy from Walkaway Creative for creating it!
POSTER
Big thanks to Len Eckstein for designing this years event poster!
CONTACTS
For additional registration, event, or sponsor information please contact:
Paul Hemming
Email: paul@eddyflower.com
Brian Copanas
Cell: 720.394.5379
Email: brian@eddyflower.com
Sammer Elias “Kanu”
Cell: 970.688.0319
Email: justsammer@hotmail.com