Reno Santa Pub Crawl 2009

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:40:16 +0000

Well, we did it! We survived another year of the Santa Pub Crawl. This year the Reno Santa Pub crawl gang added a Santa Ski Day at Mt. Rose. Unfortunately, the whole weekend took place during the biggest snow storm of the year so far, and Santa turnout on the slopes was pretty low. I spoke with Mt. Rose marketing director Mike Pierce, decked out in his Santa suit and snowboard, and he said Rose will most likely do it again next year. That means CHEAP lift tickets for all you santas, so pack the skis and boards next year and make a long weekend of it.

And a long weekend it was. Snow was dumping the whole time, so between grueling (and fun) early season powder days, I managed to squeeze in a night of Santa mischief during what is my favorite bar night of the year. I was not actually shooting this event for anyone this time. I only brought my camera along because my wife wanted to take pictures, and her skimpy burlesque Santa’s helper suit, alas, had no pockets. But after a few drinks and the midnight gathering under the arch, the worlds largest Santa on Santa snowball fight happened. It was great. The street cleared, people took sides, snowballs flew forth across Virginia street, and a few crazies ran “The gauntlet of death” down the center of the road, finally providing a reachable target (besides me and my camera) for the hundreds of snowball throwers. Good times, then two feet of powder at Mt. Rose the next day to wake me from my stupor. Good weekend! If you don’t know about the Santa Pub Crawl, Reno’s event is supposedly the largest in the nation. Hotel rooms on the strip were going for $20-30 dollars that day. One of my friends got a room at the Cal Neva so he didn’t have to drive for $14.50. Might have been cancellations due to snow, but hey, Reno is not Las Vegas, it is cheap to stay here about anytime. Check out the Santa Pub Crawl at this link.

And did I mention it is all for charity!

Reno Santa Crawl at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

The night started slow at Amendment 21. The heavy snow probably held lots of people to the downtown core.

My wife uses just about any excuse to dress up. Here at Amendment 21.

Dancing it up inside the West Street Market during the Reno Santa Crawl.

I didn't shoot much inside this year, but when we got out in the snow, I couldn't resist. Here the Santas are gathered under the Reno Arch on Virginia St. in downtown Reno, NV.

A little santa love under the Reno Arch during the Santa pub crawl. Keep in mind, the snowball fight has begun and this couple is getting pelted right and left. Some people like it rough I guess.

Run for your life Santa!

Pimp Santa strolling the "Gauntlet of death," between opposing fields of snowball throwers under the Reno Arch.

A little bit angel, a little bit devil!

Mr. and Mrs. Claus finally get chased out of their cover and run for it.

Gotta love the 'stash!

Sometimes, naughty Santa just hides in a dark corner with his date.

Photos of Reno River Festival whitewater freestyle kayak competition on the Truckee River

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:44:43 +0000

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.

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

Jonathan Shales competes in the junior freestyle kayak division at the Reno River Festival.

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.

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.

Costumed cereal heroes during the charity raft race at the Reno River Festival on the Truckee River in Reno, NV

Free outdoor yoga every morning during the 2008 Reno River Festival

The mud pit is one of the many obstacles on the popular Run Amok foot race at the Reno River Festival.

The boatercross competition can get physical as groups race each other for the right to move on.

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.

The thrill of a ride will done as Stephen Wright took second in the 2008 Reno River Festival freestyle kayak competition.

Tahoe Light Photography » reno

Reno Santa Pub Crawl 2009

Photos of Reno River Festival whitewater freestyle kayak competition on the Truckee River