Media

Press Release - July 28 2005

Whitewater Raft Race - Thrills and Spills Guaranteed

High noon, Labour Day Monday; the gun goes off and whitewater rafts depart in a head-to-head downriver race from the legendary Frog Rapid on the Thompson River.

Aggressively paddling the Thompson River's Devil's Gorge, paddlers challenge the river's biggest and best whitewater in an exciting 4 km race.

Paddling commands are shouted by an experienced team captain. Five adrenalin-charged paddlers respond to his commands and race to the finish line at the Jaws of Death.

Winners get bragging rights and cash prizes. Teams from the USA and Canada are scheduled to compete.

Running the rapids of the Thompson River started with Hudson's Bay Governor George Simpson in 1828. He was the first to descend the now famous rapids of the Thompson River. His large canoe swamped in the rapid now called "Jaws of Death", the last one in the downriver race.

The raft race is the main event of day 3 of the Lytton River Festival.

The Lytton River Festival celebrates a long relationship between the Thompson and Fraser Rivers and the people of Lytton.

Organizers include Three First Nations Groups, the Village of Lytton, Kumsheen Rafting Resort, and other groups and individuals from the small but historic town of Lytton.

Monday's raft race is the highlight of Labour Day Monday and marks the end of the three day River Festival.

A full schedule of Lytton River Festival events, photos, and raft race rules and information are available at www.riverfestival.ca or by calling Bernie Fandrich at the Kumsheen Rafting Resort 250 455 2296 or Tom Dall, Village of Lytton 250 455 2355.