(Vail, Colo.) - Every spring, the Vail Recreation District partners with the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District, the Town of Vail, and Alpine Quest Sports to organize the popular Vail Whitewater Race Series. Make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity to participate in one of our most exciting and engaging race series of the year! The races will take place on Tuesday evenings from May 7 to June 4 in Vail Village. Spectators will have the chance to cheer on the competitors and enjoy a fantastic view. Register now to secure your spot!

In addition to the regularly scheduled series, we will have a bonus race on Friday, May 31 at 5 p.m. - presented by and taking place in the Town of Minturn. Please note that registration for this race is not included in the regular series; visit www.vailrec.com/register and scroll down to "Minturn Downriver Dash" to sign up separately for this exciting race!

The Vail races will be divided into three categories, including kayak (under 9'6'), stand-up paddleboard (under 11') and two-person raft (under 10.5') teams with different course challenges every week. The course challenge for each event will be determined day of based on river flows.

Thanks to our race sponsor Hyside Inflatables, rafts will be available for two-person raft teams to use if needed.

Preregistration at www.vailrec.com/register is highly recommended; day-of registration will only be accepted on a space-available basis. Race day bib pickup and registration begins at 4 p.m. at the Vail Whitewater Park at International Bridge, and all races begin at 5:30 p.m. All racers must be present by 5 p.m. for the mandatory safety talk and course instructions. Every race will be followed by an after-party with awards, raffle and free beer for competitors, taking place at different locations around Vail Village.

Races start at the Covered Bridge and end at the International Bridge, except for the last race on June 4, which is a longer course that starts at the Amphitheater Bridge in Ford Park. Short-term gear drop is available at Checkpoint Charlie. Participants are asked to please park in the Vail Village parking structure.

The Eagle River Water & Sanitation District Vail Whitewater Race Series is open to all 16* and up paddlers with intermediate to expert abilities. The skills to run class III whitewater in your chosen craft are required. This is a fun way to track your individual performance, progress throughout the series and compete against others! All competitors enter at their own risk.

The series will include a junior division for qualified kayakers under age 16. Pre-approval by race safety officials is required for participation.

If you're not participating in the race, come support our racers and enjoy a lively community event. Competitors love being cheered on by the crowd by the International Bridge.

For more information on the whitewater races and other events, visit www.vailrec.com, call 970-479-2280 or email sports@vailrec.com.

The Vail Whitewater Series is presented by Eagle River Water & Sanitation District, Town of Vail, Alpine Quest Sports and Town of Minturn. Additional support is provided by Bloch & Chapleau Attorneys at Law, Altitude Bar & Grill, Evergreen Lodge, Gravity Haus & Dryland Fitness & Spa, Pyranha Kayaks, Kokatat, New Belgium Brewing, Hala Gear, Jaunt Media, Badfish SUP, YETI, Werner Paddles, Astral, Alpine Wine & Spirits, Hyside Inflatables, Sweet Protection, Down River Equipment, Optic Nerve, Stohlquist, 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits, Immersion Research, NRS, El Segundo, Outdoor Technology and Lakota Guides.