Hello everybody who enjoy paddling. The fall time events we organize are meant not for WW fans, but definitely for those who like the late autumn colours, flooded rivers and who are ready to undertake an outdoor activity in a pretty cool and probably windy weather, be prepared for elements and still get fun out of this venue.

This topic is related to information you might need to decide in regard to participation and, also purely technical stuff - what, where and when.

So, the event is a two day paddling event - mostly because of the distance from Riga - the Irbe is a pretty distant route even for latvians and it is expected that the first day will run into late. Therefore we've planned for a two day program.

The first day - there will be a 35km (kayaks and canoes, 25km inflatables) downriver race from the Rinda village to the Irbe campsite. The latest could be recognized by those formerly paddling this summertime commercial route by canoes - here is our (Campo) boat storage and support centre.

The second day program consist of several attractions:

1) 100m sprint competition in backward paddling,

2) eskimo roll competition,

3) SUP paddling experiments...

The sauna "Resnie putni" ("The fat birds") will be operating most of the night time and next of the day to compensate the heat loss caused by these water activities.

Organizers will provide a hot drink and "solanka" at the finish, woods for campfire, the place for your tent, generator powered electricity supply (mostly for lightning purposes, don't plan to plug in your electrical heater... :)), a shelter for evening program, dry toilet.

What you need to know and what you should be prepared?

  • Bring your own tent, mat and sleeping bag(s)...;
  • A camping chair;
  • Prepare for the cool weather conditions - on the river during the race and while on the camp, there might be some rain on Sunday;
  • For my best understanding - after the recent storms, the best footware for the time in Irbe camp is rubber boots...
  • Take the food and drinks (also water - there is no local supply) for yourself, be prepared to cook on campfire or bring your gas burner;

Logistics

  • The START time is at 12:00 in Rinda village;
  • Registration of participants begin at 10:30 in the START place;
  • If you come alone and like to use a Campo bus shuttle from the FINISH place to the START place, you should arrive in FINISH place until 11:00 latest. Shuttle cost 2 Ls per person. Give us an advance notice if you plan for this shuttle.

Participation fees

10 LVL per participant, 2 LVL per support team member - non paddling company. If you sign up by October 10th, your participation fee is reduced to 8 Ls. Payments from foreign participants could be made on site, no need to feed the banks.

How to get to the start and finish places?

1. To the START. From Riga. Drive towards Ventspils, road A10 to the place called Pope (~160km) and here turn right and after 200m at the first road turn right again. Keep going this road (gravel road as soon you left Pope) for 13.5km where at the T-cross you should turn right (paved road) and after 4km your'e in Rinda Village which is right after the Rinda river bridge. The start will be here at the bridge.
Time to be expected - 2.5h.


2. To the FINISH and camp. Form the START. Drive towards Ventspils (the road you just came) for 1.8km and turn right on the gravel road (signs point to "Ventspils radioastronomijas centrs"). Drive this road for next 6.5km until T-cross with the Ventspils - Kolka road, turn right here and keep stright for 15km, reset your car odomiter while crossing the Irbe river bridge (I guess it is impossible to miss) and keep going for another 1.80km. Turn left and follow the marking. After 1.1km you are arrived.
Time to be expected 25-30 minutes.


3. To the FINISH and camp from Riga. In the case you rent a boat from Campo and use Campo shuttle to the START or want to leave your car in FINISH place prior to leaving to the START, or plan to arrive on a previous evening, you can come to Irbe camp directly from Riga. Here is how:
Drive towards Ventspils (A10) for ~115km and take an exit to P120 road to Talsi city. Further take P125 road to Dundaga and again P125 to Mazirbe direction - to the left when leaving Dundaga village. Drive stright by Neveja village and after the village (1.5km) turn left to Sikrags direction - here you'll drive off the paved roard to gravel paved shortcut 6.5km to Kolka - Ventspils road. As soon you reach the Kolka - Ventspils road, turn left and drive 8.5km (reset your trip odomiter here for best results). After 8.5km take a right turn (it might be difficult to recognize this place, so look at the odomiter please!) and follow the marking, after 1.1km you're arrived.
Time to be expected 2.5h.


Good luck and see you!