recreation – All Things Lake Chelan

Paragliding, bicycling and surfing on the June calendar

By Richard Uhlhorn

**The view from Chelan Butte is awesome**

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.

**A competition pilot launches from Between the Rocks last year.**

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.

**There will be hundreds of bicyclists on the Lake Chelan roads on June 20 during the Rotary Club’s annual scholarship fund raiser.**

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

PARKS BOARD LOOKS AT IDEAS FOR GOLF COURSE SUSTAINABILITY

by Richard Uhlhorn

The Chelan Park’s Advisory Board called a special meeting on Monday, June 1 to discuss the National Golf Foundation’s final report on the Lake Chelan Golf Course.

**Parks Board Chair Linda Reister tells a large group of residents attending the special meeting to discuss the new golf course report that the Park Board’s function is only advisory.**

Chairman Linda Reister reminded those attending the meeting that, “We are just an advisory board.” She stated that the meeting was to go back through what the board’s thoughts are.

Parks Director Audrey Cooper said, “I wanted to have a conversation with you all.” She said she wanted to look at the big picture of structure and oversight and to break down a variety of options on operating expenses.

Board member Brad Nelson said the final report was an excellent review of the golf course. “I want to talk a little bit more about structure,” he said. “We have the opportunity to work with the team we have. It might be a good path to hire out.” Cooper replied that there were three options; 1.- stay autonomous as a city owned golf course. 2. – bring in a management team, and 3. – lease the property. “We are looking for operational savings and revenue,” said Cooper.

Nelson said the city would have to understand what a third party would bring and how much revenue the city would require. Nelson added that the city would need to retain in-house oversight of any plan they recommended. Cooper added that the city would need to build in incentives.

Reister stated that the question was how to fund the course if the city maintained it as a self-owned operation. Matt Engstrom added that the course needs to cut its operational expense.

Todd Higley stated that he couldn’t think of anyone who would want to take on $5 to $6 million in infrastructure costs. “Its hard to discuss how to fix operational costs,” said Higley. In addition the amount of funds the city takes for its interfund use. “Parks should be reimbursed for some of that,” he said.

Nelson added that the course’s economic impact from all of the parks amenities comes from outside sources. Janet Heg added that if the interfund process was removed, the course would be economically positive.

Cooper requested that the board come up with some proposals. “We are going to start working on next year’s budget.”

Heg suggested looking into a community bond (recreational tax district) or maybe a commercial loan (which probably wouldn’t work) or money transferred in from the city. Higley also mentioned a tax, but said it would probably be voted down.

Audrey brought up golf cart storage funding. Engstrom suggested new membership opitons. “An annual payment opens a lot of opportunities,” Engstrom said. “Annual membership has grown over the last five years.”

Nelson suggested raising rates and to open up the Golf Shop for LOGO wear. He also suggested that the required capital improvements (irrigation) be done in segments. “Due a few this year and few next year. Break it up in smaller sections,”

The Chelan Golf Course had 29,000 rounds played last year. An economic analysis conducted in 2021 by Earth Economics reported that the golf course brings an estimated $16.9 million to the Lake Chelan Valley. Since that report, the course has exceeded those numbers.

Cooper suggested lodging tax dollars.

Other ideas included commercial sponsorships or private investments.

Operationally, Cooper would like to see more use out of the driving range.

Reister brought up the Food & Beverage that is still under contract and the city receives no funds from that operation. The contract will be up in 2027 at which point a new contract can be negotiated.

Engstrom liked the idea of a capital investment fund.

NGF Lake Chelan GC Report

LAKESIDE SURF TO HOST FIRST EVER OPEN COMPETITION IN JUNE

Battle of the Butte

by Richard Uhlhorn

Lakeside Surf is hoping to become a Global River Surfing headquarters by adding a major new surfing event to augment its Fall Continental Surf Cup that pits the best European river surfers against the best river surfers the United States can challenge them with.

The Battle of the Butte will take place on June 28 and 29 and has been designed to challenge any surfer with the competitive spirit.

**Competition between Europe and the U.S. was fierce at last year’s Continental Surf Cup.**

There will be four different divisions with categories for both male and female surfers. Surfers in the Open Division can compete against their peers for that special place on the podium with the biggest prize being awarded an invitation to Team USA for the 2024 Continental Surf Cup.

“Our main goal is to promote the sport of river surfing while offering an exciting competition for both surfers and spectators alike,” said Manager Jared Eygabroad. “This event was created to generate some fun competition between surfers of all ages and skill levels.”

The two-day event will begin on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for the Best Trick Trophy and the Super Groms (10 to 13 year olds) battle for a podium finish.

**Performing tricks on the way can be tricky.**

Saturday’s competition will feature the Groms (14 to 17), Prime (18 to 44), Masters (45+), followed by the Open division who will try to advance to the evening finals and potentially a spot on the podium.

The event will challenge the surfers skill levels and give them a chance to experience the thrill of competition. This event is less a winner take all and more of everyone wins while having fun on the water.

Spots for each division is limited, so surfers interested in competing should jump onto the $50 registration which will guarantee each participant a shared 90-minute warm-up session and at least one competitive heat and an event T-shirt.

Surfers can only only sign up for one age division, but can add to the fun by also registering for the $30 Best Trick competition. They will be guaranteed a shared 60 minute warm-up and at least one competitive heat.

For more details and information (including judging & scoring criteria) please visit: lakesidesurf.com/battle-of-the-butte lakesidesurf.com/battle-of-the-butte

**Last year’s Continental Surf Competition drew may hundreds of spectators to watch river surfers compete for the glory of winning. Lakeside Surf is always free to spectators.**

Spectators are always free at Lakeside Surf from the upper Slidewater parking lot where they can enjoy the competition, breathtaking views, some of the best fish tacos in Chelan and Two Can Jenny’s Surf Bar.

**Lakeside Surf offers spectators spectacular view of Lake Chelan especially when the sun dips below the horizon.**

**The sunsets from Lakeside Surf are stunning.**

Media and sponsorship opportunities for the Battle of the Butte are still being secured. Interested parties should reach out to tournament host Lakeside Surf at sierra@lakesidesurf.com.

For more information about the Battle of the Butte, Lakeside Surf, the Continental Surf Cup or sponsorship opportunities, please email jared@lakesidesurf.com