White-Knuckle Water | Photo Essay

The Bliss-Stick US New Haven Open

Photo essay by Aaron Codling

Please note, the web presence of this story is only a snippet of the two-page spread we devoted to this event in the printed publication. To see full coverage, download the May PDF here.

What: A whitewater kayak race for experienced kayakers. Drops 245 feet per mile.

When: April 9 on the New Haven River in Bristol

Details: The number of entrants doubled this year. The race was run in head-to-head format, with double elimination. The top two finishers from each heat move on, while the bottom two go to the losers bracket. Participants can lose in the first heat, but still end up in the finals, by winning the losers bracket.

How tough is it? We asked local resident Ian Forgays what he thought of the event, and the skill level required. His answer? “This event is awesome but we do this all the time in inner tubes.”