Cathy Perfect-Kern Valley Sun

Kayakers and canoeists from around the world converged in the Kern River Valley on Friday for the Kern River Whitewater Slalom "Tripletazo," a three-day competition hosted by the Kern Valley River Council at the Miracle Hot Springs slalom course on the lower Kern.

This was the first time the races have been combined in a single location and staged over a three-day period. Olympic Silver medalist Rebecca Giddens, though sidelined by a recent shoulder injury, was on her home turf as the Miracle course has been one of her primary training sites.

Amid the spray, a young kayaker battles the river at Miracle Hot Springs in one of the "Tripletazo" events held over weekend.

To the delight of spectators and athletes alike, Giddens and her husband, Eric, debuted their tag-team announcing routine. Giddens was initially unsure of her new role as commentator, but "once she got into it, you couldn't get the microphone away from her," said Lisa Ross of Sierra South Mountain and Paddle Sports in Kernville. "It was wonderful."

After Saturday's races, the competitors joined more than 200 local supporters for a fund-raising awards dinner at the Family Life Center in Wofford Heights. All proceeds went to the Kern Valley River Council.

The list of local organizations donating their time and talents to the '50s-themed dinner was impressive, according to event coordinator Jeanette Rogers.

Local singer Marty O'Harra provided the oldies but goodies music, Family Life Center donated the facilities, Vons and Sierra Gateway Markets contributed ice and drinks, the Elks prepared the food, and Dick Reid donated his culinary talents by making all the desserts.

"And we had eight young men from Camp Owen as guests," said Rogers.

The Kern River Whitewater Slalom "Tripletazo" is sanctioned by the Pan American Canoe Federation and USA Canoe and Kayak, in association with the International Canoe Federation.

These races gave developing athletes from Central and South America the opportunity to participate in high-level competition, along with the top athletes of North America. Many of the athletes will be traveling directly from the Kern to the World Slalom Championships in Penrith, Australia, according to the organization's Website.

Friday's competition opened with the Pan American Slalom Championships Qualifier, with top placing athletes moving on to Saturday's finals. The America's Slalom Open, open to all racers not on an official team, took place at the same time.

On Sunday, the top American athletes competed in the U.S.A.C.K. Whitewater Slalom Nationals. USA Canoe/Kayak gave special permission to add an international class to the U.S. Nationals. This made it possible for the visiting athletes to compete in another race. Awards were given to each group following the races.

The goal in whitewater kayak slalom racing is to complete a designated course consisting of approximately 20 gates as fast as possible, without hitting or missing any of the gates. Racers must meet a predetermined standard of weight and length, and be capable of handling the challenges of paddling whitewater rapids. Time penalties are assessed if a boat or person touches or completely misses a gate. There are two classes of K1 (Single person Kayak, one for men, one for women), one class of C1 (single person canoe) and C2 (2-persons canoe). There are winners for each of the four classes. With the Miracle Hot Springs course next to a day-use picnic area, spectators relaxed under shade trees and had an up-close and personal view of the athletes as they maneuvered through the whitewater.

The KVRC focuses on river conservation, education and activities on the Kern River and organizes the Kern River Festival each April. The non-profit group was formed to help preserve and enhance the ecological, economic, recreational and aesthetic values of the Kern River.