Visit Official Event Site Here
August 06, 2010 to August 08, 2010 - McHenry, Maryland, United States
ASCI is a man-made river channel, with pumped variable water levels, run by Matt Taylor, a former C-2 Whitewater Slalom Olympian. It's located in the very Western end of the state of Maryland, just 16 miles south of I-68. A full description of the site and several photos are contained in the bid document, see link below. Although there is no camping allowed at the race site, Matt has arranged for a primitive camping area at their Climbing Facility at Forked Run, which is less than three miles from the race site, at no cost. This coupled with the fact that the race site has full locker room facilities, including hot showers, makes camping at the 2010 Nationals very attractive. There are several Motels, (see the two links below), and many luxury Bed & Breakfast establishments within five miles of the race site, listed on the ASCI web site, so finding a place to stay should be no problem.
Access for spectators at ASCI is excellent. The facility boasts of a grass covered amphitheater type bowl at the ninety degree right hand turn midway down the course and lawns to the river's edge all along river left. There is a large level outcropping of rock on river right, accessed by a bridge at the top of the course, that affords a look down into the river channel for most of the course. On river right, (aka "the island"), there are many picnic tables, a children's sand box and walks that cut through the woods to access the lower parts of the river.
Competitors must check in at Race HQ before putting on the water to practice as all competitors, in addition to wearing the required helmets and PFD's, are also required to wear "practice bibs" at all times while paddling at ASCI. The practice bibs must be turned in by competitors on Thursday in the late afternoon, at Race HQ, and exchanged for their assigned race bib or bibs.
