June 23, 2004

Foam Boating is an art, a recreational activity, and an exercise in boat design. It also requires some whitewater park building skills, and is a way better competitive event than soap box derby races. It has been several years since the “Boat Ramp Creek” has had any water in it. I don’t know where the water comes from but after three dry years, since the “World Foam Boating Championships”, we are back in business. This years event was a more local event, even if the grand champion this year came from Arizona, Alexander Lunt.

Dane Jackson was the head honcho and took his mom, Kristine, to Headwaters kayak store in Salida to get foam, glue, a sureform, and knives. Anybody who wished to compete had access to the materials. Like in freestyle, no rules for boats; simply design your best boat and pay the $5 entry fee and you are in.

We had a great turn out of kids competing for the coveted title of Colorado Foam Boating Champion in two categories, Freestyle and Boatercross.

Freestyle

In the Freestyle Competition we had veteran foamboater extraordinaire (that is no joke) Clay Wright help Dane Jackson and Jed Kaiser build the freestyle competition site. The water flow was about 5 CFS at the most so it was a small boat spot. Wyatt, the Liquid Logic Rep had some huge foam boats that were way to big for this hole, so he decided to sponsor the event instead of competing.

In the freestyle competition: Each competitor got two rides, 45 seconds each to score as many moves as possible. Clay Wright and Jed Kaiser were the judges. After two rounds the scores were finalized and the winner by a long shot was:

Alexander Lunt. This is no fluke either. Alex spent many hours, got lots of input from experienced foam boaters, and tested and redesigned his foam boat many times until he had the winner. The crazy thing is that Alexander is my partners son and this was his first foam boating experience. He took Dane out easily because Dane didn’t put paddle blades on his boat, big mistake.

Extreme Boatercross

The rules are simple- mass start, first one across the finish line wins. I put a board across the creek and the competitors put their boats where ever they wanted behind it. I gave them a 3-2-1-go, lifted the board and it was in the hands of the boats. The first drop was onto rocks and it throw many boaters into the river right eddy. Alexander and Dane landed the first drop to stay in the current, but Alexander went into a bow stall and was showing off through the easy water. Dane got passed by Riley as he hit a blade of grass and almost eddied him out. Their were only three boats that made it to the finish line. Alex, Riley, and Dane. Great race- lots of cheering and another big win for the Arizona Foam boater, Alexander Lunt.

EJ

Alexander working on his winning Foam Boat

Pro Foam boater Kids making their boats

Our youngest competitor, Shea, showing off his foamy

Alexander with his winning foamy

Alexander's Dad, Tony (my partner), showing his affection

Let the games begin

Dane in his element

Lining up for the Extreme head to head race!

Three, Two, One, GO!

Foamies going big, racing for the cash!

Jed Kaiser judging the extreme race at the finish line, with Alexander's boat coming in fast!

Jed holding up the winning boat!

Some of the top Foam boaters with their boats

Winner of both Extreme and Freestyle- Alexander- $200!

Riley- Second in Extreme Race

Fun days work, Alexander receiving his $200 in cash prizes