Paddling Playgrounds: Whitewater Parts 'round Colorado

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, ...._ R ?t ;; . ? ? « s 0: Whitewater parks `round Colorado By Barry Reese The whitewater park in Vail will be host once again to the Teva Mountain Games (?une 3-6), the largest w6itewater competition in the world. K ayakers and rafters have long acl the reputation that they would likely forego their own heart transplant for a good day on-the ravec So when city planners started researching and building whitewater parks as a way to bring new visitors to their fair towns, luring the kayaking com- munity was like shooting fish in a barrel. Because of their success, whitewater parks are popping up everywhere across the Rockies. And what does this mean in the grand scheme of life? Well, not only do we river folk win by having epic white- water options right in our own backyard, but the tiost towns are also reaping the benefits through increased visitor rev- enue with relatively little- investment. Though they were skeptical at first, it's the town planners that are now declar- ing, "We built it...and they did come." So where are these whitewater Disneylands? Here's the inside track on a few of the premier parks around the state. C3unnisan Whitewater Park, Gunn.isscn _ When the city planners of Gunnison partnered. up with whitewater park design savant, Gary Lacy, they had hopes of developing an aesthetically pleasing pedestrian park fo,r residents and visi- 58 • R o c k y M o u n t a i n S p o r t s • M a y z o 0.4 . , tors, but also to tipen some legitimate recreation opportunities along the Gunnison Rivec Mission accomplished. The Gunnison Whitewater Park, one of Colorado's newest, features two.main areas. The first is called the Kiddie Pool. The basic surf wave here is predictable enough for new paddlers to fine-tune their river skills, but it also provides enough action for more experienced pad- dlers to throw down some dizzying spins. But v,rhen you come to paddle in Gunnison, think Hawaii EivewO, the park's f}agstiip ptay spot located just down river from the Kiddie Pool. If you're into cartwheels or looking for a place to dial in those monster aerial moves, this First of atl; this park is extremely well thought.out and designed. It uses the river's natural.features to the fullest extent and makes incredible use of some man-made enhancements. What do you get here? To start with, nice drops, per- fect waves, a couple of choice holes (which can get sticky) and a premium series of slalom gates. Of course water levels will determine your ride, generally in the Class 11[ range, but. the design pretty much allows excellent play oppor- -tunities from 300 to 1,000 cfs. The park has recently been extended down river to the dam riear Coors, so if you haven't been in awhile, you need to come back. place is money. The first-rate design of this feature a(lows you to play at levels under 1,000 cfs, which some years can mean paddling into late September.. C1.ear Creek Whitewater , Park, 4olden ? Another vision of whitewater park both kayakers and the city.; ArkansaS River, 9alida sensei Gary Lacy turned Golden, a town known primarily for producing beer, into a prime destination #or kayakers. Though a.tough seli to city officials in the begin- ning, the idea of a whitewater park in the middle of town has netted benefits for The whitewater park in downtown Salida is all about innovative design and functionality. It's been tweaked many times over the years, ail with some decent results, buti it was the Arkansas River Trust teaming up with Gary Lacy that brought imagination and inventiue know-how to the project and turned tliis fabled section of river into a true paddler's park. And it has everything. Some sticky, sticky holes, ridiculously perfect waves, impeccable eddy lines, hydraulics that will make your heart beat a little faster, a 5-32 _ ??