2012 Territorial Regatta set for June 30

Water lovers will be able to soak up the sun while enjoying the cool water of the Colorado River during the 2012 Territorial River Regatta June 30.

This is the second annual event since the regatta was revived in 2011. The tradition had been started in the 1960s along with the World Championship Inner Tube Race, but was discontinued in the 1980s due to escalating costs. It is now hosted by Caballeros de Yuma.

“We would love to have people come out and have a good time,” said Page Misenhimer, regatta chairman.

“It is a casual, great, fun day on the river to meet up with old friends, meet new friends, hang out, and celebrate being in Yuma on the great resource we have — the Colorado River.”

The Regatta will begin at 8 a.m. at the confluence of the Gila and Colorado rivers. Once on the river, the floatdown is expected to last about 3.5 hours.

To arrive at the launch site, event organizers recommend participants travel along Highway 95, turn north at Avenue 6E, and then travel to the levee road. Once on the levee road, travel west for about two miles to get to the confluence.

Regular passenger cars will be able to make the trip, although organizers encourage drivers to be careful on the dirt roads, and to stay on the roads. The drivers are asked to drop off the passengers and their equipment and then to exit the area to prevent a traffic jam.

There is no formal parking provided, so passengers may have to walk a short distance to the river with their equipment.

Those without an inner tube can rent one from Yuma River Tubing, which will have a station set up at West Wetlands Park the morning of the event. Those who rent an inner tube will be transported to the confluence by Yuma River Tubing to begin the floatdown. For more information about rentals, call 928-750-0247, or send an e-mail to yumarivertubing@gmail.com.

Participants are encouraged to create parade style floats for the regatta.

“They used to have dozens of floats go in the float down every year,” Misenhimer said.

There will be a float contest that will be judged by the Caballeros de Yuma who will set up a viewing area underneath the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge. The public is welcome to view the floats at that location.

“We are going to give prizes away for the best floats,” Misenhimer said.

The float categories will include military, nonprofit, business and general. Floats must be no larger than 8 feet by 8 feet, and must be completely assembled before arrival at the launch site as there is no space available for assembly.

The regatta will end at West Wetlands Park where the Caballeros will sell hotdogs, burgers, sodas and commemorative T-shirts while supplies last. Caballeros staff will be on site until 3 p.m.

Event organizers encourage participants to come equipped with plenty of fresh water, snacks and other refreshments. Alcoholic beverages are permitted for those 21 or older, but must not be in a glass container. Participants are asked to collect their garbage and take it with them to be disposed of properly when they exit the river.

Participants are also encouraged to wear plenty of waterproof sunscreen, and to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children under 15 are not allowed to participate unless accompanied by an adult or guardian.

To become a participant in the regatta, those interested must pay a $5 entry fee, sign a registration and release form, and wear a numbered wristband provided by the Caballeros.

For more information log onto caballeros.org/river_regatta.htm, or call 343-1715.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.