Published on June 2nd, 2016 | by Kayak Session
2016 Guru Extrem Race, Spain – (Report + Video)
The annual River Guru Extreme Race took place last weekend on the crystal clear waters of the Spanish Pyrenees. The event features two races; long race and sprint race both held on the Ara River.
Mikel Sarasolsa ©kayaksession.com
The sprint race takes place on the most difficult section of the river, between Chicane and Pasarela rapids. Organizers switch the format for the long race – to a mass start similar to those of marathon races and it was a great success.
The race weekend began on Saturday morning with sprint qualifications. The competitors had to complete a 2 km section of rapids considered class V. The ten fasted boats raced in the finals later in the day in slightly higher water levels as the river was rising. The spectators were wowed by the lines racers were making on the sickest whitewater.
©kayaksession.com
Eric Deguil was crowned champion of the sprint race, closely followed by Mikel Sarasota and Paulo Garikano from San Sebastian completing the podium.
Post-race cocktails were sponsored by Anecoop – light wines with low alcohol and sparking presentation. A traditional Spanish dinner of wild pig was served followed by a Spanish kayaking film Reel.
©kayaksession.com
The mass start of the long race on Sunday was exciting and entertaining because of the unusual weather condition. Two minutes into the race a massive hail storm arrived, forcing competitors to paddling with good visibility causing many to get tangled up in trees and branches. Nothing dangerous but very humorous. Deguil arrived at the finish line first again, followed by Eneko Yarza and Ramón Etxaniz.
©kayaksession.com
The Guru Extreme Race was a great success this year, with the debut of the mass start and a variety of challenging whitewater from class III-IV. For next year race organizers hope to continue developing the race, promoting the event to the kayaking world and gathering paddlers from all over the globe.
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