Dear Northeast boarders,

Thank you for hanging in there while I've been working on getting
some competitions and activities together for your region. I really
feel like there are some nice pockets of whitewater throughout the
area and that you really just need a competition or two to showcase
the good stuff and also bring everyone together/generate some more
interest in the scene.
Now is where I need your help to make these events a success both
through your personal participation and in getting the word out to
other boarders and bringing them too.

The race at Deerfield Fest will be on July 26th at 1:00 pm. We will
meet at the top of False Tooth for a short boardercross through False
Tooth and Dragon's Tooth. We'll probably run the whole stretch
together as a group right after the race, and I'm working on something
for an after river get together.

The following Saturday, Aug 2nd will be the race on the Kennebec.
Brian has been telling everyone how great this river is for a few
years and that was a part of my desire to have some northeast
competitions, that if someone is passionate about riverboarding and
their local run, then I'd love to be a part of helping that scene to
grow. From the descriptions I've read and pictures I've seen, the run
looks like an awesome big water stretch, but not too technically
difficult. We'll meet at the takeout at 9:30 am to set shuttle and be
ready to catch the release first thing for the downriver race. I
believe our plan is to race from a few rapids above big mama down
through magic. Once the race is over, we will rush back to the start
again to get down to Big Mama for a surf competition. Brian also gave
me some recommendations for a good place to eat and socialize after
the river, so I just need to look over those again.

I also wanted to let you all know that I'll be around during the week
between those two competitions. Brent told me about a few good
rivers, but right now with the lack of rain (I feel ya, we're dry down
here in the south too), it looks like I may have to go with my back up
plan of heading across the boarder to Canada for a few days to surf
Lachine and Bus Eater rapids. Any of you that are free and would like
to come are welcome to join me on this. I'm currently working on the
logistics with driving to see if it is possible to hit both spots in
the week between and also trying to network with a riverboarding
company, local river surfers or kayakers, and possibly arrange someone
with a jet ski to do tow-ins. We'll see, but just wanted to let you
all know that the option was on the table.

I will get back with more specifics such as after river meals, etc.
I need all of you to make this a success and am counting on you all to
show up at one or both events if possible. If we can get the minimum
number of participants, then there will be prizes in the form of
Facelevel store gift certificates for the top three racers or surfers.
Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or ideas
about how to make this as huge as possible. Both of these rivers seem
accessible for beginners, but still exciting enough for intermediates
or advanced riders. I want to do everything possible to get people
out, and if you have any friends that have boarded with you before,
but might not have their own board, I'll have an extra board or two in
tow that they could use for the competition. All you have to do is
call me to reserve them. Also, although many races don't allow
bodyboards, due to the fact that a lot of people up there do use them,
bodyboards will be allowed for these two competitions. The only thing
that I'll require is that everyone have the minimum of helmet, pfd,
and fins. Also I know that a few people that are local to the
Kennebec don't like to surf with a pfd, and I'm not going to be a
stickler on that since they know what's downstream and are comfortable
with that, but I'd still ask that they wear helmets for the surfing
competition. That only applies to the surfing competition, and pfd's
are required on the downriver race.


Looking forward to meeting and riding with you all,

Kevin Yount
Facelevel Industries team rider and east coast rep,
828 514 2374