2024 TAHOE DOWNWIND CHAMPIONSHIPS

DISTANCES

• 1-Mile Watergtom Challenge
• 3-Miles (5km) short-course –
• 9-Miles (15km) downwind course

The Kaspian Downwinder is a classic 9-mile (15km) downwind run for the Team Tahoe Waterman crew whenever the wind allows. The event also caters to beginner and intermediate paddlers with a 3-mile (5km) race course and the Watergrom Challenge. The lake has a big fetch with afternoon high winds, an excellent combination for riding bumps and gliding across the pristine crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe.

The prevailing winds at Lake Tahoe are out of the southwest, although you do see some variation throughout the day. In the summer, morning winds tend to “clock around” from light and easterly to southeasterly to southerly and finally over to southwesterly not long after 1:00 in the afternoon.

The winds at Lake Tahoe are also a little flukey because of the tall mountains that ring the lake, the elevation (which, at 6,229 ft. above sea level, means the air is about 17% less dense than at sea level), and the narrow canyons along the west shore that tend to funnel the wind in a noticeable way in the afternoons. Cold fronts coming in from the Pacific also tend to bring powerful, gusty conditions, and it’s not unusual to see 25+ miles per hour winds gust on the lake when one of these storms hits the Sierra Nevada.

The afternoon canyon winds, especially Blackwood Canyon on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, are relatively predictable and enjoyable, especially when you’re up for a little adventure. The numerous canyons on the west shore focus and accelerate the wind, providing great downwind conditions for miles of exhilarating rides.

We will check the wind forecast during the race week and give updates as the week progresses. If the wind does not come, we will still be racing and having a beautiful point-to-point paddle on the 9-mile course in the late afternoon.

The grom event and the short course paddle will occur in the morning for optimal padding conditions with a start-and-finish at Tahoe Waterman’s Landing.

START TRAINING NOW – JOIN TEAM TAHOE WATERMAN

Because there are a few little tricks that you will want to know, we want to help you reach your goals with effective and affordable options. Contact us to discuss getting a custom plan or booking a clinic with Jay Wild – Team Tahoe Waterman’s Head Coach, Quikblade, Puakea, and 404 paddle athlete.

LOCATION

Day-of registration and event venue is at Watermans Landing, in Carnelian Bay

The Downwind race starts at Kaspian Point/Blackwood Canyon on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe and finishes at Watermans Landing in Carnelian Bay.

RENTALS / STORAGE

Rent your race craft, SUP, surfski, outrigger canoe, or prone paddleboard. Reserve your racecraft HERE

Paddle craft storage is available for the weekend; spaces are limited; reserve your spot upon registration.

visit www.watermanslanding.com

FORMAT

WATERGROM CHALLENGE  (approx. 1 mile – 1.6 km)
The under-12 race is an approximately 1-mile (1.5km) effort combining swimming, prone paddleboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding. Equipment will be available for the groms, and we will send the groups in waves.

SHORT COURSE (3 miles – 5 km)
The race format includes one 3-mile (5km) out-and-back, buoy-marked lap to Rocky Point and back. Racers start in the water on their craft and finish on the water between the finish buoys.

DOWNWIND COURSE (9 miles – 15 km)
The race format includes a downwind paddle from Kaspian Point/Blackwood Canyon on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe to Watermans Landing in Carnelian Bay. Racers start in the water on their craft and finish on the water between finish buoys. The downwind course is highly recommended to experienced paddlers only. This race will take place in the afternoon for optimal downwind conditions.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL AND CRAFT TYPES

The Downwind and the short course invite all crafts outriggers (OC1, OC2), surfskis (SS1, SS2), stand-up (SUP), and prone paddleboards. Because it’s not unusual to see winds gusting at 25+ miles per hour on the lake when one of these storms hits the Sierra Nevada, the Downwind course is recommended for experienced paddlers.

The Short Course invites all paddlers, and we welcome your four-legged friend to paddle with you in a SUP and Pup category.

SPECIAL SAFETY NOTE

Additional safety measures will be emailed to you upon registration if necessary.

Lake Tahoe is an alpine mountain lake at 6000 feet of elevation, and we suggest practicing smart mountain safety. Plan to check weather conditions for race day temperature and winds. Plan to dress appropriately.

Athletes rescued from the water will be dropped off at the closest convenient lake public access (unless immediate medical assistance is required), and the athletes will be responsible for their transport from that moment on.

In an emergency rescue, paddle craft could be left afloat in the Lake and recuperated later.

REGISTRATION

Register online or on-site on race day.
www.paddleguru.com

PARKING

There is free parking at the event site. Navigate to Watermans Landing, in Carnelian Bay, and along the streets in the neighborhood.  Parking is available at Kaspian Point/Blackwood Canyon on the West Shore and at the entrance of Blackwood Canyon. All athletes are responsible for their shuttling to the start. There are no shuttles available for this event.

RACE FEE – RACE ALL DAY – BOTH DISTANCES FOR THE SAME FEE $65

Individual Participant | Downwind Course: $55
Individual Participant | Short Course: $55
Individual kid Participant | Grom Course: $10
2-Person Teams (OC2 or Double Surf Ski) | Downwind Course: $55 per person
2-Person Teams (OC2 or Double Surf Ski) | Short Course: $55 per person
The event fee includes a celebration meal from Waterman’s Cafe
* Pre-registration is required to include a meal after your race.

CATEGORIES

GROM U12 – Watergrom Challenge
JUNIOR  18 and under
OPEN  19-49
MASTER 50-59
SENIOR MASTER 60-69
LEGEND 70+

AWARDS

All categories will be awarded: For each category, if five or more participants are in the respective category, the top 3 will be awarded a prize.  Only the winner will be awarded a prize if four or fewer participants are in the respective category.

LIMITS OF RACE ENTRY

For safety reasons, we limit this race to 120 paddle craft on the water; Register early, as there is a good chance this race will sell out.

ABOUT US

The Downwind Championship is presented by Tahoe Waterman – a paddling community that celebrates a true love for paddle sports, health, and adventure. They inspire one another, cheer each other on, and, at the end of the day, they embrace storytelling and shared experiences.

BOARD / BOAT RENTALS

Rent your race craft, SUP, surfski, outrigger canoe, or prone paddleboard. Reserve your racecraft HERE; visit www.tahoewaterman.com

BOAT INSPECTION – Watch the video HERE

Because we don’t want to introduce destructive snails or mussels to Tahoe, and we don’t want to transport aquatic weeds that have invaded Lake Tahoe and several of its tributaries, simply Clean, Drain, and Dry our watercraft and gear every time we haul out after use, and properly Dispose of any plants or debris we find. It’s easy to add to our regular habits, and it matters. For more information.

COFFEE, BREAKFAST, AND LUNCH

Tahoe Watermans Cafe is located on-site and offers a healthy organic menu with breakfast and lunch served all day, a coffee bar, beer, and wine, and exclusive access to a public beach, free parking, a public beach club facility, and the beach is dog-friendly (one of the only summertime “dog beaches” in the Lake Tahoe area).

REFUND

Except for wait-list transfers, entries are non-refundable and non-transferable. If we do not have paddlers on the waiting list willing to accept a race entry, then, unfortunately, we cannot offer a refund. If the race is canceled due to extreme weather, fire, or some other unforeseeable event outside of our control, WE CANNOT OFFER REFUNDS, and a credit for a future event will be issued.