Denali Park, Alaska – It’s now just around the corner and we’ve been hearing from boaters from all over Alaska who are planning to make it to Denali. We’ve finally set the schedule and there will be events on both Friday, August 14th and Saturday, August 15th. Boaters will be getting together to paddle sans schedule on Sunday. A weekend of boating, parties and charity with the Alaska river community, what could be better?!
Click here to view the full schedule of events.
Week of August 10:
TBA – Annual Kids Water Safety Day, paddling classes for kids and families and other community river opportunities through Denali Outdoor Center and Denali Water Safety Program.
Friday, Aug. 14: 3-8 pm:
Welcome/Festival Registration/Community Boat-N-BBQ, at Denali Outdoor Center’s Otto Lake. Bring something to throw on the grill. Jump in a kayak or canoe and learn basic strokes from the Denali Water Safety Team and other experts. Outdoor games (volleyball, horseshoes, etc) and local craft fair.
7:30 – 8:30 pm: Kayak Polo on Otto Lake.
Saturday, Aug. 15:
9 am – Registration opens upstream of Jonesville Bridge.
10 am – the Great Denali Duck Race from Terror Corner to Jonesville Bridge, to support Healy Hockey and Kids In Motion (proceeds will be evenly divided between these two local non-profit agencies)
12 pm – Start of Down River Race upstream of Jonesville Bridge, finish at Two Rocks Rapid.
1 pm – Lunch – (We’re working on a vendor who could donate lunch for the racers.)
2 pm – 1st and 2nd rounds of the Freestyle Rodeo begins upstream of Jonesville Bridge.
4 pm – Final round of the Freestyle Rodeo begins at Razorback Rapid and Rockslide Wave.
6 pm – Denali Salmon Bake BBQ starts at Chevron Campground. Announcement of the day’s event winners and awards. A silent auction to benefit non-profit Life More Natural’s Action Rewards volunteer program will be held. Games such as rope pull, horseshoes, soccer, etc. will also be set up for entertainment.
7:30 pm – Music from Chirs Juhlin and Jeff Kanzler begins.
9 pm – Close of Silent Auction and announcement of winners.
Chad Hults
2 years ago
Dear Kayakers,
I would like to setup a Kayak Polo Game on Otto Lake during the Nenana Wildwater Festival. The Festival starts off on Friday night Aug. 14 at the Denali Outdoor Center Otto Lake campground. I’m thinking a polo game running from 7:30-9:30 would be a good time for Anchorage boaters to make it up to Denali. If Anchorage folks leave work early at 3:00-4:00 they may make it in time, but, I’m guessing most Anchorage folks won’t get there until 8:30 so the game may go longer. I’ll set up the court with Denali and Fairbanks folks earlier in the day because this is my regular day off.
I would like a tally to make sure we get enough people committed. Please RSVP if you are interested and plan to show up. Any volunteers for setup? Fairbanks and Denali folks, please pass this request on to other possible polo players.
Chad
Adrian Beebee
2 years ago
I’d sure love to play, but will most likely have to be in Anchorage
until 5:00 that day, can be pretty slow going in the rush hour traffic
until the Parks Highway.
If you’re planning on the “Raft, Cinderblock and Floats” type of
course set up, I reccomend having two people to paddle the raft around
while a third sets the anchors… much faster.
Adrian
Tommy
2 years ago
Hi,
I am in for the game. I can leave anchorage about noon. so maybe i can even help doing some setup.
Tommy
Allan Warren
2 years ago
I’m in for the polo game and will get the word out to the Fairbanks crowd.
jim g
2 years ago
Brandon will be there to play and he will have the dynamic duo whitewater boat for folks to try out. Also bring a demo Fun, 4 Fun, Hero, and an ALL STAR
If no big bookings I will make it as well
jim
Debra Castro
2 years ago
Susitna Sled and Kayak will be at the Nenana Festival with their mobile shop, loaded with new kayaks for sale and everything you need on the river. Prijon and Pyranha kayaks and H2O paddles will be available for demo.
Would the organizer of the race please contact Debra or James at 907-315-2118 or 2119. We would like to donate prizes for the down river race and/or the rodeo.
Debra
Allan Warren
2 years ago
Thanks Debra! I just got off the phone with the folks doing our t-shirts and it’s not too late to get you guys listed as one of our sponsors so I’ll get Susitna Sled and Kayak added to the t-shirt backs. See you soon!
Steve Collins
2 years ago
Does anyone from Fairbanks have room for another kayak? i have a boat in fairbanks im trying to get hauled south (anchorage or better). i thought if a fairbanks paddler could get it to nenana, an anchorage paddler could get it the rest of the way. anyhow, give me shout, thanks, steve
dirtysteev@yahoo.com
makeityourring diamond engagement rings
3 months ago
wow…great river and happy weekend in this river