The Global SUP Community

Now in its third year, The Golden Games paddling and outdoor sports festival is hoping to double its attendance.

The Third Annual Golden Games in Golden, Colo., is scheduled to take place May 17 -19, with more water, more events and possibly twice as many competitors as last year.

There will be competitions in Downriver and Freestyle Kayaking, Flatwater and Downriver SUP (Stand Up Paddling), and Fly Fishing. Slackline clinics and demos will also be happening all weekend.

Another addition: Vendor booths will be set up in the parking lot for the whitewater park, open to the public all weekend, featuring clinics, demos and give-aways/information for all of the sports represented.

All events are open to the public and anyone can compete in any of the events. Highlighted events include a "Paddle with the Pros" clinic, Slack Line clinics/demos, and a Friday Night Pub Crawl featuring the Golden Games Happy Hour as participants roll from bar to bar.

The downriver race takes place on the "Screaming ¼ Mile" rapid in Clear Creek Canyon and the freestyle competition at the Golden Whitewater Park, downtown. A shuttle service for downriver racers will be provided.

The flatwater SUP events will take place at Soda Lakes near Morrison, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring clinics and demos all day, with racers taking off at noon. Early registration via the website is encouraged. The downriver SUP race takes place at the Whitewater Park.

The fly-fishing competition starts at Lion's Park with a "casting competition." The top 10 will advance to the fly fishing finals and the person who catches the most inches of fish wins.

Their mission: to continuously seek to bring together a wide variety of communities to celebrate outdoor adventure sports through competition, music, entertainment and lifestyle.

And, says founder/director Troy Harcourt: "We've really got some great prizes this year, well over $5,000 in prizes. The Golden Games has some of the most unique and large sponsors out there. When's the last time you've heard of a helicopter tour for two as a prize for a whitewater event? Everyone is welcome to compete and even the newbies could win superb prizes!"

The Golden Games is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports competitions and festivals in the Rocky Mountain Region and organizers expect twice as many participants as last year. To register, for more information and a detailed schedule go to: thegoldengames.com.

Harcourt and local paddlers are expecting flows to be well over 300 cfs by next weekend; depending on temps it could be over 400. Anything over 200 cfs covers the rocks and brings out the features of the Golden Whitewater Park nicely so come prepared for some boating, some fun and some competition.

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