Whistler Longboard Festival

Posted: Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Whistler Longboard Festival is back for another year of exciting competition and extreme athletics. Join us July 12 to 15th as over 200 extreme athletes gather in whistler to participate in this year's event.

Thursday | July 12

Join us Thursday for the opening day of the festival as riders partake in the 20KM Endurance Race and Skate X Shoot competitions.

The first event of the day is the 20KM endurance race. The Endurance race is simply put a 20KM race along the valley trails and roads surrounding the Whistler Olympic Park. The event takes place at 8AM on Thursday and features a $1000 dollar podium for top finishers.

The Skate X Shoot event is basically a Winter Olympic Biathlon on a longboard instead of cross country skis. Each rider will take two laps around a 5KM paved trail. Along the way they will stop at check points and fire a regulation .22 caliber target rifle at five targets. For each missed target the rider incurs a 150 meter penalty lap. The Skate X Shoot event takes place this Thursday at 11AM.

Both events take place at Whistler's Olympic Park and are FREE for spectators to watch.

Friday | July 13

Friday is the first chance for competitors to get at look at the Whistler Sliding Centre's Downhill Course. From 9AM to 5PM riders are welcome to use the course for practice runs. Admission to the Sliding Centre Downhill Course is by donation.

Saturday | July 14

Saturday is qualifying day as racers compete for the coveted spots for Sunday's finals. Events kick off at 9AM and go to 5PM spectators are welcome to come watch as competitors push it to the limit for finals spots.

Sunday | July 15

Sunday is race day as the field is wielded down to the top dogs competing for the big prize. The days events run from 9AM to 5PM and features a $5000 cash prize for podium finishes. Five different categories will race throughout the day:

Open - Competitors of all ages, fastest racers advance and qualify
Women - open to all ages
Young Masters - 30 years and older
Junior - 13 years and younger
Grom - 14 to 17 years old

Join us Sunday as racers compete in 4 person heats with the top 2 racers advancing to the next stage. Skaters must navigate the Whistler Sliding Centre track; a scary 1.6 km road featuring a 1000ft vertical foot drop as riders grip and drift through seven 180 degree hairpins and 12 terrifying corners.

Make sure to join us Sunday as spectators line the track and take in the action. Don't forget to bring cash as admission to event all week is by donation and the Black's Pub Beer Garden will be serving up $4 beers all weekend long.