DATE: August 3, 2000

For Release: August 9, 2000

LAKE ISABELLA, CA … Plans are full swing for theupcoming 2000 Texaco Whitewater Slalom National Championships and the ACA Wildwater National Races, August 18-20, on the Lower Kern River near Miracle Hot Springs.

All events are held under a special use permit from the Sequoia National Forest. We encourage everyone to come see the best kayakers in the country and cheer on our Olympians as they get ready to go for the gold. Viewing is free to the public.

Kicking off the weekend, starting at 9:30 am on Friday, August 18 will be the ACA National Classic Wildwater race from Kern River Tour’s overnight camp roughly one mile downstream from Miracle Hot Springs, to Outdoor Adventure’s overnight camp (just below Deadman’s Curve/Powerful Possum rapid). This is a straight, downstream run of approximately 4 miles. If you are on the river, please give the line up to these racers during the race. This event should be over by 11:00 am.

In order to facilitate the Whitewater Slalom National Championships on Saturday, August 19^th, the one-mile race course between Sandy Flat Campground and the Miracle Hot Springs River Access will be closed to private and commercial kayakers and rafters from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Boaters will need to take out at Sandy Flat Campground and portage to the put-in at Miracle Hot Springs. It will be the boater’s responsibility to portage this section. Pre-arranged river flows will be 1100-1300 cfs on Friday-Sunday.

Please note, Sandy Flat and Hobo Campgrounds are already fully reserved for this event. However, there are lots of camping spots around Isabella Lake and the Upper Kern River north of Kernville. Hotel accommodations are available in the Kern River Valley or the Bakersfield area, approximately one hour away. For further updates regarding the U.S. Nationals visit their website at www.kernriver.org for up to date information about the competition and the Kern River Valley.

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