We regret to announce that the inauguration of the event on 17 January, the watershed forum on 18 January, and the program of activities in Puerto Misahuallí and Ahuano planned for 20-21 January 2024, have been canceled due to the current state of emergency in Ecuador, due to violence and insecurity, which has imposed limitations on holding public events around the country. While most areas are considered to be relatively safe, there are certain hotspot areas predominantly in and around large cities on the coast that are known to be dangerous and should be avoided. The kayak race on the Upper Jondachi River will be held on 19 January, and the group descent of the Jondachi-Hollín River will be held on 20 January, due to the nature of these activities in small, dispersed groups in areas that are not at risk for violence. If you are visiting Ecuador during the current state of emergency, we suggest avoiding urban areas and traveling during the day with local transport services and tour operators who are familiar with local conditions, and participating in focused ecotourism activities with local guides in safe areas.

THE 2024 UPPER JONDACHI RACE

OVERVIEW

The Upper Jondachi Race is a challenging Class V whitewater kayak competition that takes place in a unique and spectacular location on a committing and technical, low-volume steep creek in a remote jungle canyon in Ecuador. The event, and participants should focus on having a good time and running clean lines, making a personal best time, beating (or losing) to a friend by a few seconds, and sharing the experience of paddling the Urcusiqui and Upper Jondachi Rivers with other paddlers from around the world to celebrate the legendary FREE-FLOWING Jondachi River with our amazing river community here in Ecuador.

RACE DESCRIPTION

The Jondachi Race will consist of an individual, timed descent, leaving at 1-minute intervals, through a relatively short, approximately 1-mile (estimated 10-15 minutes) section of river, between the confluence of the Urcusiqui and Jondachi Rivers and the pool above the Triple Drop Rapid where this is a trail access from the Genoveva Overlook. The fastest time will determine the winner.

Potential changes to the race course may result due to extraordinary water levels above the established high-water cut-off limit. The final decision about the race course section will ultimately be made by race organizers at the put-in.

Those who have solid skills, appropriate equipment, and experience, but which do not wish to race are encouraged to sign up to help with safety.

CLASSES AND DIVISIONS

There will be only one boat class allowed to race using standard, commercially-produced whitewater kayaks up to 9-feet (275 cm) in length. There will be one Women’s and one Men’s division for all age groups. Final results will be based on the fastest times as determined by the race jury. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest first, second and third-places for both Women’s and Men’s divisions.

BASIC RACE RULES & REGULATIONS

1- The objective of the Upper Jondachi Race is to have a safe, fun, meaningful event to promote the importance of the Jondachi River as a paddle sports destination, the preservation of the Jondachi-Hollín-Misahuallí Ecological Corridor, and to position the Upper Jondachi Race as an annual event on the international whitewater racing circuit.

2- All participants must register and pay the minimum inscription fee by Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 7pm. Inscription fees are non-refundable.

3- All participants must complete prior reconnaissance and training runs and be thoroughly familiar with and competent to paddle the Class V Urcusiqui and Class V Upper Jondachi Rivers.

4- All participants must check-in and attend the Race Briefing on Friday, January 21, 2024 at 10am at the put-in for the Urcusiqui River.

5- All participants must read and sign a waiver and release form before the race.

6- All participants are responsible for coordinating, confirming and paying for their own transportation services for the event. All paddlers must be at the established meeting point at the Urcusiqui River put-in access by 9:30am on Friday, January 19, 2024, and ready to check-in for the race.

7- All participants must meet safety and equipment requirements.

8- Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to participate.

9- If someone swims or is in trouble, the race is over. You will be disqualified if you fail to stop and help another paddler in distress. Every racer needs to look after his/her fellow competitors.

10- If another racer catches up to you, it is necessary to yield the right-of-way and let the winning racer go by. If you are being passed, you are obviously not going to win, so be a clean racer.

11- The final results of the race will be announced during the prize ceremony at the take-out at Km18 at around 5pm. The winners of the Women’s and Men’s division will be determined by the three fastest recorded race times for each competitor between the start and finish of the race section. In the event of a tie, the competitors will share the allotted prizes for that placement.

12- All decisions of the race director and race officials are final and must be respected.

13- The ERI and the race organizers are not responsible for any lost or damaged equipment.

SAFETY

• Safety is our priority. If someone swims or is in trouble, the race is over. You will be disqualified if you fail to stop and help the rescue effort for another paddler in distress. Every racer needs to look after his/her fellow competitors.
• If you are out of your boat, it is assumed that you are in danger and need help unless you provide a clear signal that you are okay, you have all of your equipment, and do not need help.
• River-based safety kayakers will be collaborating with shore-based safety on the most significant drops.

EQUIPMENT

• Only mass-produced creeker/white water kayaks of serial production with a length of up to 275cm (9 feet) that meet the latest safety standards are allowed to participate in the race.
• Therace officials reserve the right to prohibit the participation of kayaks and equipment which is damaged and/or does not meet the equipment specifications, have missing handles, inadequate PFDs or helmets, etc.
• A Class V PFD with a rescue belt is required of every race competitor and safety volunteer.
• Every race competitor and safety volunteer is required to have a throw bag, river knife, and a whistle.
• In addition to the previous equipment, safety volunteers should have a first-aid kit, extra warm-layers, extra water, and a spare TAP paddle.
• Racers should wear their assigned race bib from the Urcusiqui put-in to the finish line, where the race bibs will be collected by the organizers.

RACE OFFICIALS

The Race Officials will consist of the following constituents:

• Race Director
• Timing Director
• Safety Director

The Race Officials will be responsible for the organization of the race and will have the following functions:

• Announce, explain and enforce race rules and regulations;
• Establish safety protocols;
• Establish race timing protocols;
• Determine the start and finish of the race section;
• Establish high water cut-off limits, and if necessary, cancel the race;
• Resolution of conflicts and disputes;
• Announce race results

PROTESTS AND DISPUTES

Any protests must be presented to the race director within 30 minutes of the end of the race. In case of a disputed issue, the simple majority of votes from the Race Officials will apply. The Race Officials may call upon versions from race judges and safety volunteers, as well as use photos or videos, to inform their opinions and decisions. In case of any escalated debate or failure to reach consensus, the decision of the Race Director will be final.

PREPARATORY TRAINING RUNS

All participants must complete at least two (2) reconnaissance and training runs prior to the race day in order to have an intimate knowledge of the river and rapid features, and be prepared to run from the Km 30 put-in on Urcusiqui River to the Km 18 take-out bridge on the Jondachi River (with the exception of the mandatory portages). All specifics about the race will be announced at the Race Briefing at the put-in for the Urcusiqui River on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 10am.

Participants are encouraged to paddle the Urcusiqui and Jondachi Rivers during the designated training period between Monday, January 15th, and Thursday, January 19, 2024, in order to share shuttles and benefit from local knowledge. Paddlers often meet at the Tzantza Café in Baeza Colonial and at the Café Tortuga on the waterfront in Tena.

ATHLETE ORIENTATION AND RACE BRIEFING

The mandatory athlete orientation and Race Briefing will take place immediately after the race check-in on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 9am at the access to the Urcusiqui River. The Race Briefing is required for all participants. Absence from the Race Briefing may lead to disqualification from the race. Inscription fees are non-refundable.

RACE-DAY LOGISTICS

08h00 All safety volunteers must be ready, with all food and equipment, ready to load their boats into their assigned transport vehicle at the designated meeting point in front of the Café Tortuga waterfront in Tena or at the Tzanta Café in Baeza Colonial on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 8am.

08h15 Transport will leave the Tena waterfront and head to the river. All race participants must coordinate, confirm, and pay for their own transportation services.

09h00  Participants will arrive, unload boats, and get ready to paddle at the Km 30 put-in on the Urcusiqui River.

09h30  Race organizers will complete final registration, equipment review and check-in, and distribute race bibs to racers.

10h00  Race orientation and safety briefing.

10h30 Participants begin the warm-up run down the Urcusiqui and Jondachi Rivers until reaching the start of the race section at the pool below the first rapid at the Km 28 foot bridge.

11h30 Safety volunteers, organizers and racers take positions for race.

12h00 – 13h00   Upper Jondachi Race: individual racers are timed and will start at 1-min intervals.

13h00  Rest/snack/lunch break

13h30  Participants finish paddling Upper Jondachi down to the Km 18 take-out.

16h00  Participants arrive at take-out at Km 18 bridge over the Jondachi River.

16h30  Award ceremony at Km 18 bridge over the Jondachi River.

17h00  Participants return to Tena.

MEDIA COVERAGE

The Upper Jondachi Race will be covered by local, national and international media. All participants must sign a photo and video release as part of the race inscription so the event can have full and unrestricted media exposure. Please cooperate with media and help them capture candid interviews, footage and material. Remember that this is a very high-profile event at the local level, and all of the participants will be in the spotlight. Please share any personal photos or video footage with the media and ERI. The more promotion and exposure that the Upper Jondachi River receives as an important paddle sports and ecotourism destination, the easier it will be to preserve the Jondachi River as a free-flowing, wild & scenic ecological corridor for the benefit of present and future generations.

 

PADDLING ATTIRE

Most paddlers prefer to wear shorts and a long-sleeve paddling jacket (or a short-sleeved dry top) with an insulating layer underneath. Secure footwear with sticky-rubber soles is essential for scouting and walking on rocks. The put-in elevation at the Urcusiqui River is at about 1200m; the take-out at the Km18 bridge on the Jondachi River is at about 900m. Water temperatures on the Urcusiqui and Jondachi Rivers are cool (~18 deg C / ~64 deg F). Weather and air temperatures are variable. Since it is a full day on the river, it is wise to bring an extra warm-layer and extra food and water.