Sladeo (Slalom + Rodeo)
“Sladeo” is a San Marcos event that combines slalom racing and rodeo in paddling (kayaking and canoeing). The name “sladeo” has not yet been used outside the San Marcos event.
Red River Racing
Sladeo in San Marcos
Rodeo and Freestyle Slalom competitions
10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 4th at Rio Vista Falls on the San Marcos
Sladeo is the best way for paddlers like you to get introduced to competitive kayaking. It is a fun get-together held at the beginning of November each year to celebrate the beginning of the paddling season in Tejas. This year all of the proceeds will go to the San Marcos Youth Foundation. Thanks Eric for putting this on this year! We look forward to seeing you there.
Brief history
1998 Flood benefit event in which more people learned to cartwheel and Tom Maloney sold more whitewater boats in one night than in the whole year before in Texas, in part, because this was the first time that El Tumolo was officially approved for use by the City of San Marcos and therefore it was the first time that many paddlers had heard of it! Tom Maloney also donated more than $1000 to the Red River Racing Team which helped us to field our biggest team to date in the Jr. Olympics the next year! This evening was also noteworthy because it was the first time that we’d brought out major lights to illuminate our fun!
1999 This year was the year of the whitewater course. With so many opportunities for whitewater features being built in and around Texas Sladeo was a minor event this year.
2000 Though overshadowed by the biggest whitewater events ever held in Texas at Six Flags that year sladeo returned on a cold wintery day in November.
2001 Carrying on the tradition of Sladeo at night we held the entire event after dark complete with underwater lights and it was the first time that the event was sponsored by the City of San Marcos thanks to Scott Hickman! This was the most fiercely competitive Sladeo ever with Truman Hornsby winning the championship over Kyle Scarborough, and others including Jared Leon. More than 100 people were counted on the sidelines enjoying the festivities. Most thought that they were watching a bull fight or worse because of the color commentary. What can I say. . . I was on a roll.
2002 Brought a great head to head competition between Ben and Jared in the only Denim Tumolo design to date on a cold November day with the remains of El Foamelo stuck at the bottom of the course.
2003 Was the first Sladeo in which loops were landed. It brought together an new group of friends who had to fight off the grand total of 0 spectators that showed up because El Tumolo might be a hazard to all the people swimming on a cold, windy day in November.
2004 Was the first sladeo to see freewheels landed in competition because it was held at Michelle’s Smile on the Lower Loop of the town run on the San Marcos River. Anna Dale took home more hardware than anyone since her dad won the top volunteer’s award, and Michelle gave her, her medal.
2005 saw the beginning of the latest campaign to get Rio Vista converted into a whitewater park. The Slalom was held at Michelle’s Smile again, but the rodeo moved back to the cracked up Rio Vista Dam.
2006 Let’s make it memorable. . . come join us!
For more info, contact:
The Power Olympic Outdoor Center
Cell: (512) 203-0093 (Ben Kvanli)
Land Line: (512) 392-9910
www.kayakinstruction.org
San Marcos Daily Record
Published: February 07, 2007 12:01 pm
Rio Vista to be scene of kayak and canoe activities
By Anita Miller
News Editor
San Marcos — If the recent warm days have spurred thoughts of spring, and that in turn gets you thinking about finally buying that canoe or kayak — or upgrading the craft you have — don’t go shopping just yet.
Instead, mark your calendars for March 30-April 1, when the first expected-to-be-annual Springs Fest hits Rio Vista Park, bringing with it manufacturers and outfitters as well as instructors and veterans of all manner of canoes and kayaks.
The event will also feature demonstrations, classes and competitions including the “San Marcos Sladeo” (a combination slalom race and rodeo) and will also have booths and exhibits from conservation groups and others who shepherd the crystal clear spring-fed stream.
Home of the Texas paddlers forum
Posted - 10/27/2006 : 07:06:20
Sladeo in San Marcos
Rodeo and Freestyle Slalom competitions
10:00 a.m., November 4th at Rio Vista Dam on the San Marcos
For more info, contact:
The Power Olympic Outdoor Center
Cell: (512) 203-0093 (Ben Kvanli)
Land Line: (512) 392-9910
www.kayakinstruction.org