Event Summary: Riff Raft Racing is excited to be hosting the Slaughterhouse Race for 2024! This race’s history dates back to the mid 70s when local paddlers organized the ‘toothacheslalom’ just downstream. In the mid 80’s they moved up to the more challenging Slaughterhouse section of the Roaring Fork River where races have been held ever since. Rafts and kayaks are all welcome on the class 4 race, launching from Henry Stein Park off of Cemetery Lane in Aspen and finishing at Wilton Jaffe Park just upstream of Woody Creek. Come experience a mecca of grassroots racing in Colorado. This may just be the most fun mass-start and race in whitewater! We’re only slightly biased ;).

Registration will open at 4:00pm. Mandatory Racer’s Meeting at 5:45pm. Race Start at 6:00pm

Kayaks Long Boats will launch first at one minute intervals from the get ready eddy. Followed by Men’s and Women’s Short Boat classes, plastic boats only, all 10ft and under.

Historically the raft start has been a Le Mans style with teams lining up in the parking lot. Rafts are staged in the grassy park near the river. After the countdown, paddlers run a loop around the tree island on the bike path and down to their boats, then picking them up and running them to the water. Rubbin is racing after that as teams battle it out for position before Entrance Exam, your first rapid. It’s pretty constant class four action from then on with some fun boogie water in between. It only lets up just a little before the finish. Your time stops when you hit the concrete boat ramp at Jaffee Park.

We have some fun ‘Slaughterhouse’ themed swag and prizes that pay homage to this race’s storied history.

River: Roaring Fork River

Location: Aspen, CO

Social Media: Facebook & Instagram

Website: N/A