The 2008 EddyFlower Vertical Challenge was a HUGE success this year! Thanks to the 200 competitors representing 12 states on 48 teams for getting out and gettin after it on the river and for First Descents.

Through your support over $28,000 was raised to send 28 young adults with cancer to kayak camp for a week. Giving them the opportunity to briefly experience what weve all enjoyed most of your life. Could not do it with out you!

Hats off and THANKS to our sponsors for providing $14,000 in prizes to 35% of the competitors: Keen, Dagger, Boquete Outdoor Adventure, Kokatat, WRSI, Level 6, Aquabound, GoPro Camera, Peak UK, NRS, Smith Optics, WRSI, Tech 40, Alpenglow, Face Level, Red Bull and Kayak Session.

·Tom Janney dropped the most vertical during the event. 40,230 ft and will be enjoying a week long trip in Panama thanks to Boquete
·John Spencer raised the most individual donations at $2195.00 and will be paddling a new Dagger nomad
·Check out what teams did in their division here: www.eddyflower.com/VerticalStandings.aspx

Here are some additional event highlights:
·1,420,033 total feet were dropped during the event. Equal to 48 sea to summit attempts on Mt. Everest
·3,528 laps
·1182 eligible runs in 31 states
·96 new American Whitewater Memberships
·$489.00 raised at the VC party for AW
·48 teams:
o19 Open Division teams
o2 Class III teams
o6 class IV teams
o2 Class V only teamm
o13 Weekend Warrior teams
o6 Womens teams

Props to our developers and designers:
·Len BIG thanks for the poster and DVD design
·Jeremy Smith MUCH appreciation for dialin in such a great video for the competitors and sponsors
·To the EddyFlower web developers (Nate, Egan and Leo) for putting together a easy to use event interface

Thanks again everyone! Til next year!