Spring Racing and World Rafting Championship Recap
Rapid Fire Racing was busy this last May and June, all of our training culminating in a month straight of paddling and racing together.
The team started Spring training on one of our local runs, Shoshone, of the Colorado River. In May we headed to the Arkansas River in Salida for a five day training camp to practice slalom on the course at their local play park.
Straight from Salida we headed to Pagosa for our first competition where we took first in all 3 events, Head-to-head, Slalom and Sprint. The Pagosa Pints, Pools, and Paddles Festival was super fun and well organized. Plus you received a free entry to the Hot Springs that are right on the river with your entry free, which provided some much needed relaxation after the race.
The next week we headed to the Clackamas River in Oregon to compete in the National Championship. We took first in 3 events, Head-to-head, Sprint, and Downriver, while taking 2nd in the Slalom. This led to taking 1st overall, a win gave us the title of Team USA and secured our place to compete in Worlds 2025.
Finally we headed to the World Championships in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here we trained on the Vrbas River for two days before the Competition began. After that there was one event per day, with an opening ceremony to start us off and an awards ceremony each evening. We placed 3rd in Sprint, 3rd in Head-to-Head, 6th in Slalom, and 2nd in Downriver. Overall we were very happy to place 3rd in the World, and to come out of the event with new friends and having learned so much.
As we settled back into our Roaring Fork Valley we Competed in our local downriver race, Slaughterfest, hosted by the Men’s USA team Riff Raft Racing. It was an amazing way to be welcomed home by the community that has supported us so much in this journey.
Below is a recap of World’s from each of the team member’s perspectives.
TESS
Every day in Bosnia, we faced new challenges and even greater adventures. The trip was more amazing than I could have ever imagined. To be able to race with my girls across the world, meet some of the most rad lady boaters, indulge in a completely new culture, and bring home an overall bronze was truly incredible. Although coming home with hardware was spectacular, my highlight was definitely meeting all the best boaters in the world. Watching them, learning from them, and becoming friends with them was the greatest gift of all. Watching my teammate Bean and Riff Raft members Taylor and Curtis open their hands and hearts to every single team there was inspiring. They created some magical friendships that were shared amongst both teams. On the night of the opening ceremony, both USA open teams started a flash mob dance circle where Japan and Romania quickly joined. The memory of all of us, from all around the world, from all walks of life, from all different rivers, dancing with the biggest smiles on our faces, is something I will never forget and will cherish forever. I’m thankful for our USA boating family and everything it has brought us. Beyond stoked to keep exploring with my people!
KENDALL
Bosnia was amazing! The food, the people, the rivers are all excellent. Getting to enjoy a new beautiful forest in Eastern Europe was a wonderful experience. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have represented our country at such a great event and I look forward to playing my part in keeping our title as competitive, top notch, world class boaters. It will take commitment and dedication, but I believe our team is up for the challenge! This is just the beginning for Rapid Fire Racing.
BEAN
The world rafting championships was such an illuminating and incredible experience! From the amazing sense of comradery amongst the countries to the stunning scenery of the river, Bosnia will forever hold a place in my heart. Being apart of something so extraordinary reminds me to stay humble, work hard and remember that there is always room for improvement. I was beyond grateful for my team of sensational women and all the skills that they bring to the team. Without all of them putting in the effort, time and energy none of this would be possible and I am forever thankful for the community of women in whitewater that surround me.
CASSIE
Worlds was such an experience, I never would have thought I would be competing across the world with 22 other countries. I loved to see all the different cultures and the differences and similarities in how they raft. They brought good competition, and character. Bosnia and Herzegovina was beautiful, had great food, and generally kind locals. The World Rafting Federation did a great job at hosting Worlds, the competitions all went smoothly and very fun. It was also great to see how we did compared to the best of the rest of the World. I am very proud of my team, we worked hard and learned a lot. I can’t wait to see what next year holds!
ADDY
Rafting changed the course of my entire life, and thinking about how amazed I would’ve been at sixteen to know I would be competing internationally with an incredible team of women brings me so much joy. Racing with my team after a chaotic spring of training and fundraising was an amazing way to celebrate all of our hard work.
There was so much about world’s I will never forget, and something that stood out to me at the World Rafting Championship was the community created by bringing together paddlers from all over the world. From bonding with the powerhouse women of the Australian Women’s Team, dancing with the Japanese Men’s team and laughing with the Romanian Men’s Team while they tried to break into our rental car (after we locked the keys inside), it was an experience I will cherish forever. It was an honor to compete with some of the best rafters in the world, and we learned so much from the New Zealand Women’s Team and the Brazilian Men’s Team especially.