The 2009 Reno River Festival whitewater kayak competition and all around party kicks off May 8. However the pros are already rolling into town to work on their moves. Every year, some of the top freestyle kayakers in the nation kick off the competition season in the biggest little city, Reno, Nevada. Since Reno constructed their whitewater park in a stretch of the Truckee River in the heart of downtown, this event has been a showcase for the river and water sports in general. Eric Jackson and family, Nick Troutman, Stephen Wright, Tanya Faux, just to drop a few high profile names in the kayak world, will be in town showing off the latest tricks, running the local rivers and enjoying the 3 day party that is the River Festival. The fun starts Friday, May 8 with the wacky charity raft race, and the open freestyle kayak competition. Saturday is the big day with the top pros from around the country competing in an invitational event and the new, yet wildly popular run-amok footrace and obstacle course. Sunday gets down and dirty with a no-holds barred boatercross competition. Each night features movie premiers in local bars and free music and yoga in the park by day. Follow this link to get more details on the Reno River Festival 2009 event schedule.
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Pro kayaker Tanya Faux prepares to drop in for her freestyle ride in the women's finals at the Reno River festival in Reno, NV
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Jonathan Shales competes in the junior freestyle kayak division at the Reno River Festival.
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Reno local and top ranked junior kayaker and Jackson team member Jason Craig practices his moves in the Truckee River in downtown Reno, NV at night during the river festival.
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Team Jackson kayaker Stephen Wright kicking butt in front of the crowd during the invitational division for the freestyle kayaking competition at the Reno River Festival.
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Costumed cereal heroes during the charity raft race at the Reno River Festival on the Truckee River in Reno, NV
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Free outdoor yoga every morning during the 2008 Reno River Festival
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The mud pit is one of the many obstacles on the popular Run Amok foot race at the Reno River Festival.
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The boatercross competition can get physical as groups race each other for the right to move on.
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Hole #3, the site of the Reno River Festival freestyle kayak competition is easy to reach and see for the thousands of spectators that come to the event.
.jpg "Photos of Jackson Kayak team member stephen wright at reno riverfestival")
The thrill of a ride will done as Stephen Wright took second in the 2008 Reno River Festival freestyle kayak competition.