The Kern Valley River Council (KVRC) will host the 2005 Pan American Whitewater Slalom Championships, the U.S. Slalom Nationals, and America's Slalom Open (a triple-slam) this weekend, Friday through Monday, at the permanent slalom course at Miracle Hot Springs on the Lower Kern River. This event marks the first time that these slalom races have been combined to a single location over a three-day period. The top American athletes will compete at 9 a.m, Sunday, Aug. 28, at the U.S. Slalom Nationals, where 2004 Olympic silver-medalist Rebecca Giddens will be on hand for photos and interviews. She won't be competing, however, due to a recent shoulder injury when she slipped and fell. Teams from more than 20 member countries, from Canada to South America, have been invited to race in the Pan American Slalom Championships, also starting at 9 a.m., Aug. 26-27. The America's Slalom Open, a race run concurrently with the Pan Ams, is open to all racers not on an official team. Sanctioned by the Pan American Canoe Federation and USA Canoe & Kayak in association with the International Canoe Federation, under a special permit granted by the U.S. Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest; these races were combined to give the athletes from developing Central and South American countries a chance to participate in multiple, high-level competitions along with North America's top athletes.

KVRC, a California nonprofit organization dedicated to river conservation on the Kern River, organizes the annual Kern River Festival each April. KVRC has also hosted other national and international racing events, including the 2000 U.S. Slalom Nationals and all six of the 2003 Wildwater World Cups. The 2000 U.S. Slalom Nationals, the first event to be held at Miracle Hot Springs, served as a sendoff for the U.S. Olympic team on their way to Sydney, Australia. It was also the catalyst that allowed KVRC to obtain a Kern County Board of Tourism grant, which built the racecourse adjacent to Miracle Hot Springs and Hobo Campground, on the old canyon road just west of Borel Powerplant.

The races are super-spectator-friendly events, according to KVRC.

In this file photo from April, a kayaker participates in the Kern River Festival in Kernville, an event organized by the Kern Valley River Council. The KVRC is sponsoring three major kayaking events this weekend on the lower Kern at Miracle Hot Springs. Spectators are invited to attend.

"I am really excited about the best racers from around the world coming here to see how good the Kern River is," said Terry Valle, KVRC president, "This event brings racers and spectators into the area; it's a great opportunity to show off what the Kern River Valley has to offer."

For further details, please contact Sierra South Paddle Sports at (760) 376-3745 or see the official website, www.kernslalom.com.