Kern Fest 2012!

Last weekend I finally made it down to the Kern River Festival, an awesome event that takes place in southern California in the Kern River valley. I had been wanting to make it to this festival for years and was stoked when I realized it would finally fit into my schedule.

Ready to Race

My good friend Joe Ravenna decided to make the 7+ hour drive down from Truckee with me and after a long drive through the night we finally arrived into Kernville Friday morning. After resting up and getting some breakfast, we were off to get in some practice laps on Brush Creek, the creek where the race would be held on Saturday.

Me getting set for practice runs on Brush Creek

We did three laps on the creek, including one memorial lap for Randolph Green, a Kern River/ Brush Creek veteran who passed away from cancer earlier this year. Later that evening, we headed into town to enjoy the scene, the food and the booze at the Kern River Brewery, a brewery and restaurant owned by two amazing kayakers and festival coordinators, Eric and Rebecca Giddens. It was a great day of enjoying the warm weather, cold water and good friends.

No caption necessary

Waking up in the morning after camping out at the put in to Brush Creek, we were ready to get one more practice lap in before the race. The water was a bit low this year with a minimal snowpack, so the key to the race was just trying to stay where there was water and not rocks. Getting spun out or stuck on rocks was an easy way to lose time in the race. After the lap and the racer's meeting at the takeout, it was time to head back up to the put in and get the race underway.

The scene at the Brush Creek Race

There were all kinds of racers out there in all kinds of boats. The great thing about races like this is that while everyone wants to go fast, the energy and spirit of the race is all about having fun with fellow kayakers.

Good times!

The race consists of two parts, a downriver portion and a giant slalom portion. The downriver race involves just going as fast as you can through these waterfall style rapids from start to finish.

The Green Boat Representing

Corey Volt making the Axiom go fast

The Giant Slalom race involves going as fast as you can while maneuvering through gates and obstacles set up on the course. There were gates you had to go left of, right of or all the way around. There was one gate you had to roll under and another that you had to throw your paddle through. All of which making for a very exciting and at times entertaining show for the spectators and racers alike.

Me navigating a gate on the Giant Slalom

Me heading into the roll gate section

A successful paddle toss to finish off my Giant Slalom race!

After arriving back at the takeout following a successful race, times were tallied, beers were drank and the rewards were given out. I ended up being very happy with my time, coming in 8th overall and 2nd in women's behind Olympian and Kernville local Rebecca Giddens. See a full set of results here: http://forums.boof.com/showthread.php?t=11236

Corey Volt celebrating

Maggie Giddens- the future in kayaking

That evening we all headed down to the Kernville to enjoy the festival, including some bocci ball and a sweet new kayaking movie premiere, Slippery When Went (A Shasta Boyz Production). The next morning it was time to head back north to Truckee. Joe and I decided to take the scenic drive route home along hwy 395 on the Eastern Sierras. If you haven't explored this part of our country yet you should definitely get out there, its beautiful!

Enjoying some scenery on the drive

Checking out Mt. Whitney

Gotta love lakes and mountains together

Finishing off the day with a soak in the Travertine Hot Springs

What a great weekend. Thanks to everyone who helped put it on. Already looking forward to next year!

Also, check out Shon Bollocks video from the event at http://vimeo.com/41031380