Seth Chapelle and I set out from Maryland on June 13 headed for Colorado. The Go Big Rig was loaded down with 20 Fluid kayaks and a ton of boating gear and display materials. This was Seth's first time boating west of Tennessee.
After a long drive we pulled into Golden just in time for the last of the Golden Community Rodeos of the year. We had a blast demoing Fluid boats and putting on a good show for the many spectators in attendance. Seth made the shallow pour-over look like a world class playspot. Gary Mullins was nice enough to put Seth and I up for the night in Denver.
FIBark was the next stop on the tour and our main objective for the trip. Fluid had a strong presence at this years festival with a booth on the boat ramp and a number of team paddlers in attendance. Seth stole the show in the freestyle competition competing in the Men's K-1 pro event, as a C-1 Junior. He managed a solid 8th place finish, beating out a number of big name pros. Leif Anderson had a strong 6th place showing at the Pine Creek race in his new Large Solo. Overall it was once again an amazing weekend.
Seth and I headed up to the Lawson hole on Clear Creek for some snow melt playboating before heading back to Denver for a Fluid demo at the Golden Whitewater Course, hosted my Mountain Miser. Lawson was fun and provided some big air, although the water was way too cold:) The Fluid demo with Mountain Miser was a huge success with lots of Fluid Flirts and Solos getting out on the water. The boats all came back with happy paddlers and good reviews. I'd like to send a big thanks out to Gary and David at Mountain Miser for a great demo night.
Next it was off to Edwards to do a paddle club demo with Mountain Quest Sports. We ran a fun section of Eagle Creek and got a few Flirts and Solos out on the water. I'd like to thank Lisa, Dave, and Ross from Mountain Quest Sports for their hospitality and a really fun night out on the water.
The Colorado Adventure Sports Festival (or Gunnison Whitewater Festival) was the next stop. Fluid put on a good show with a booth at the festival and competitors in all the big classes. The freestyle was awesome with Seth coming in 3rd against the pro K-1 men. Leif and Seth both put on an awesome show in the big air competition. I managed a 3rd place finish in the Capt. Black's Challenge boatercross event. Overall the whole weekend was a lot of fun and a big thanks goes out to Brian from CKS for organizing the freestyle and Milo for organizing the Capt. Black's Challenge.
Just after the Gunnison event Seth and I headed back to Denver for a video shoot at the Golden Whitewater Park. Seth might be the next star of a PSA about river safety in Colorado. Hopefully I'll have more info to share soon. After a few hours of shooting for the PSA Seth and I hit the road for home. After a long drive and a lot of gasoline later we made it back to Maryland. I know that I'm looking forward to another great Colorado adventure next year.
See you on the river- Bryon Dorr
