By Richard Uhlhorn
It’s summertime in the Lake Chelan Valley and a number of exciting events are on the June calendar. With the weather promising to stay in the high 80s and even up in the 90s, the following events should keep the visitor and resident busy.
Ozone Paragliding Competion
This annual event draws paragliding pilots from 22 countries to Chelan to compete in that three dimensional space above Chelan. The competition is a lower event where cross-country pilots new to competition get to race along side and learn from some of the best paragliding pilots in the world.
This year 130 pilots are confirmed to compete in the cross-country tasks that will have them challenging each other from launch to goal.
The Ozone began on Sunday, June 14 and will continue through the week, ending on Friday, June 19 after which the U.S. Open of Paragliding will begin on Saturday, June 20.
U.S. Open
The US Open of Paragliding will be a Cat 2 Race to Goal USHPA sanctioned XC Competition held in Chelan this coming June.This annual flying competition attracts a worldwide group of paraglider pilots. This year the maximum number of 130 pilots out of some 400+ who registered will begin with a Practice Day on Saturday, June 20. The competition will start on Monday, June 21 and end on Saturday, June 27.
Pilots launch from the top of Chelan Butte from four main launch locations: Ants, Between the Rocks, Green Monster and Lakeside. Daily tasks are handed out at the morning meeting and the launch window generally opens between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. depending on conditions.
If you plan on driving up to watch the activity, the Skypark is a State Discover Pass designated area. You can purchase your Discover Pass here: Home | Discover Pass
Also, anyone accessing the Butte is required to carry a shovel and fire extinguisher. The road is primitive and narrow, so watch for oncoming traffic.
Cycle Chelan – Saturday, June 20
The Chelan Rotary Club has been hosting this event for a number of years as a fundraiser to support technical school and college scholarships for Manson and Chelan students.
This year riders are being offered four distinct rides as follows:
- Cycle di Vino – A 30 mile beginner/intermediate ride along the shore of Lake Chelan with stops at a variety of wineries.
- 45 mile Lake Loop for intermediate riders on both shores of the lake with a boat ride from one side to other side.
- Metric Century is a 62 mile challenging ride with 4,000 feet of vertical climbing for brave intermediate and advanced road warriors.
- Signature Challenge 100 miler is back. This ride is not for the inexperience roadie. McNeil Canyon is one of this state’s steepest inclines and the ride back down is exhilarating depending on how brave you are.
Battle of the Butte – June 26 and 27
River surfing has become an exciting activity in the valley. Each surfing season brings some great competition from around the Northwest, and the annual Battle of the Butte is an exciting and fun event to watch from the Best Trick competition to the Men’s and Women’s Open competition.
Lakeside Surf offers a number of amenities from the best fish tacos to hot and cold drinks. For more information go to Lakeside Surf’s website at: http://lakesidesurf.com
All Things Lake Chelan 