Paddlers to Travel from East to West, Racking up Points to be Champs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Year II Brings Two Times Last Year’s Event Lineup 

Takoma Park, MD (February 17, 2011) USA Freestyle Kayaking has announced its lineup of whitewater freestyle competitions events comprising the 2011 USAFK Freestyle Point Series.  Competitors will warm up at the Alabama Mountain Games in March and accumulate points to win bragging rights and to pocket a portion of the $7,500 purse at the USA National Whitewater Freestyle Point Series Championships in Cascade, Idaho in July. 

These kayaking and canoeing competitions will take place at eleven standalone freestyle and multiple-sport festivals, an outgrowth of the successful series of five events in 2010.  “While competitors may compete in many events to practice their competitive skills, they are required to compete in five of the eleven events,” notes Risa Shimoda, USAFK Chair.  “Points achieved through their top five finishes will count toward their 2011 total.”   Importantly, the Point Series Final and National Championships counts as a “double event.”
“As an athlete nothing is more exciting than showcasing your talent all over the country. The Point Series allows me to go state to state, river to river, have fun, paddle hard and hopefully earn the National Champion Title.” – Emily Jackson, reigning World Freestyle Champion and member of the US Freestyle Kayaking Committee.

New for 2011: there will be two classes for men and women kayakers, Pro and Expert. Adding the ‘expert’ classes will allow skilled amateurs to shine without having to compete head to head against World Champions. As in 2010, Point Series events will utilize official US Freestyle Kayaking rules and certified judges. Paddlers under 15 years of age will be invited to participate in the Cadet class, and competitors will be asked to participate in a project that introduces them to the host community.

Jeremy Laucks, USAFK Point Series founder notes, ‘With more events on this year’s schedule, the possibility of still being competitive without attending all of the events, and the addition of an expert class alongside the pro class, I’m anticipating a big increase in participation.”

2011 USAFK Freestyle Point Series Events

March  17-20      Alabama Mountain Games
April       9, 10       T’ville (Tariffville, CT) Triple Crown
                16, 17    NOC Shoot Out
May       21, 22    Green River, WY
                27, 28    BV Pro Rodeo
June      10-12     Lyons Outdoor Games
                17-19     FiBARk
                24-26     Gunnison River Festival
                29, 30    Missoula
July        9, 10      National Point Series Championships – Kelly’s Whitewater Park

“KB” Kevin Brown, a freestyle competitor and organizer of the Point Series competition in Missoula, MT comments, “The USFKA Points Tour is an awesome experience.  As an athlete, it is a great way to progress as a competitive kayaker and you get to train and compete with some of the best paddlers in the world.  As an event organizer, I can say the USFKA Points Tour can make your local community a whitewater destination, and can bring new exposure to the sport of Freestyle Kayaking in a community.  A community that paddles is a better community!”

USA Freestyle Kayaking is one of the paddlesports disciplines governed by USA Canoe Kayak. The mission of USAFK is to develop and promote the sport of whitewater freestyle to support excellence in the sport in the US and around the world.

For more information visit www.usfreestylekayaking.com.

Contact:
Risa Shimoda, USAFK Chair
risa@theshimodagroup.com
+1-301-502-6548