CARBONDALE, Colorado — Last year, the Crystal River Kayak Races ended on a cold and rainy note. Not that the weather hindered the 43rd annual Colorado Rocky Mountain School Race, as 65 boaters still braved the rapids under and around the Crystal Bridge.

This year, CRMS will hope for sunny skies and are even expecting upwards of 70 boaters to hit the water in one of Colorado’s oldest kayaking competitions on April 20 in Carbondale.

The races include two disciplines — slalom and boatercross — and high schoolers from around the state will be attending the event, which is part of the High School Whitewater Cup race series. The race is not only for prep boaters, however, as community members of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to register and race.

Races begin at noon with the slalom race. Boatercross races will follow directly after and the races should conclude by mid-afternoon. In slalom, racers navigate between widely spread gates. In boatercross, multiple boaters race simultaneously and maneuver for position. Last year, the event included a downriver race as a third discipline, but that will not be included this year.

CRMS — the first prep school in America with a kayaking team — has a venerated history in the sport and produced nationally renowned kayakers, such as Hanna Farrar — a 2005 graduate who is currently a member of the U.S. Freestyle Kayak team.

CRMS’ 2008 team boasts extremely strong boaters who have prospects to become nationally competitive kayakers, including juniors Fred Norquist and Jake Sakson.

Thirty of CRMS’s 150 students participate in kayaking at least recreationally.

Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. All racers should be present for an 11:30 a.m. racer’s meeting. The entry fee is $15 for individual races or $20 for both. The race is free for spectators.