Reno is again earning accolades as a four-season adventure epicenter, this time in the pages of National Geographic Adventure magazine.

In the magazine’s September issue cover story, “The 50 Next Great Adventure Towns,” Reno is ranked tops among some great destinations. Those of us who already live here know why: 300 days of sunshine a year, a quick drive to Lake Tahoe and 18 ski/board/cross-country resorts, golf, mountain biking, the Truckee River, etc.

The magazine cited criteria including lifestyle and career opportunities in its list.

“So this year we selected 50 innovative towns that aren’t just prime relocation spots right now, but smart choices for the future,” the magazine wrote. “Not only do they have the action. They’ve got a plan. Now we’re giving you a plan too. Inside, you’ll find hometown picks that range from adventure 24/7 hubs loaded with outdoor options to urban players that offer a variety of jobs and cultural activities without sacrificing green space.”

Following on the success of the Truckee River Whitewater Park in downtown Reno, the City of Sparks has broken ground – or river – on its own kayak park, adding another attraction for whitewater athletes and recreation seekers in the Reno-Sparks area.

The site – located at Rock Park at 1515 Rock Boulevard – will be closed to the public until early 2009, with the whitewater attraction planned for a summer 2009 opening.

“The whitewater feature at Rock Park will raise the bar for recreation in the Truckee Meadows and bring visitors to Sparks from near and far,” said Sparks Mayor Geno Martini.  It will include five drops similar in appearance to the Truckee River Whitewater Park. “The project will be a wonderful use of the Truckee River, and something our citizens can enjoy for years to come.”

Along with pools for kayaking, tubing and rafting for all skill levels, the improvements include improved riverbank landscaping, shade structures, and play structures, parking and better access for people with disabilities. The river trail system will also be rerouted and improved. The nearly $900,000 contract is being fulfilled by Reno Tahoe Construction, Inc.

In addition to serving as the focal point for redevelopment in downtown Reno, the Truckee River Whitewater Park is also home to the annual Reno River Festival, one of the country’s premier kayaking competitions.

Hot August Nights is Reno and Sparks’ salute to the golden era of automobiles, where enthusiasts from around the globe come to our little corner of the Sierra Nevada to show off their hot rod handywork, check out other cars or just enjoy some good entertainment under the sun.

More than 800,000 spectators are expected for the 2008 showing. This year’s event runs from Aug. 1-10, with events, cruises, concerts and vendors every day. Some hightlights include:

• Aug. 1: $500 customer choice show n’ shine, 4-9 p.m. at the Summit Sierra Mall, 13925 S. Virginia Street
• Aug. 2: Hot August Nights River Wine Walk, 3-6 p.m. in Downtown Reno
• Aug. 3: Pre-kick-off party and show n’ shine, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Downtown Reno
• Aug. 4: Sparks pre-kick-off party and open cruise in Downtown Sparks
• Aug. 5: Guinness Book of World Records Hula Hoop contest, 6-8 p.m. at the Atlantis Casino Resort
• Aug. 6: Classic Hot Rod Showcase, 8-8:30 p.m., Peppermill Hotel Casino
• Aug. 7: Johnny Barron and the Bel Aires live, 7-9:45 p.m. , Peppermill Hotel Casino
• Aug. 8: Ftizgerald’s Show n’ Shine, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fitzgerald’s Reno
• Aug. 9: Drag racing and burnouts, 6 p.m.-1 a.m., Reno-Fernley Raceway
• Aug. 10: Car Awards Presentation and Parade of Champions, 8:30 a.m., Downtown Reno

For a complete list of the dozens of Hot August Nights events, click here (pdf).

The MasterCraft  Pro Wakeboard Tour is coming to Sparks for the final stop of the 2008 season July 11-13. The sport’s top pros have one more chance at the podium before the final awards ceremony at John Ascuaga’s Nugget on the 13th.

The action will be held at the Sparks Marina, with athletes from more than 20 states and seven nations.

Event schedule:
Friday, July 11

• 10 am: Jr. Men Quarterfinals
• Noon-4 pm: Pro Men Qualifying

Saturday, July 12

• 8:30 am: Pro Women QualifyingS
• 10:30 am: Jr. Men Semifinals
• 12:30 pm: Pro Women Semifinals
• 1:30pm-4:30 pm: Pro Men Round of 30

Sunday, July 13

• 10 am: Pro Men Quarterfinals
• Noon: Jr. Men Finals
• 1 pm: Pro Men Semifinals
• 2 pm: Pro Women Finals
• 3-3:30 pm: Pro Men Finals
• TBA: Awards Ceremony

* Schedule is subject to change

Among the awards being presented at the Nugget is the Indmar Performance Award, a $10,000 cash bonus to the top points earner in the Pro Men’s Division and a $5,000 prize for the Pro Women’s Division winner.

Rookie of the Year honors for the Pro Men’s Division will also be presented during the ceremony.

It was a clear blue Sunday morning and the temperature was supposed to reach the low 90s. My boyfriend and I were off to spend Father’s Day rafting down the Truckee River with our two friends and their daughter.

We packed up our cheap rafts, oars, water and sunscreen and headed to Dorostkar River Park, off of Mayberry Drive in Reno. We piled out of the truck, got creative and used an air mattress pump to pump up our rafts.

After we got the rafts pumped up and into the Truckee River, we slid (none-too-gracefully) into them and started our almost five-mile trek from Dorostkar Park to Wingfield Park in downtown Reno.

Within 10 minutes, the bottom of our raft was already flat. As we hit rapids, trees and rocks, we had to lift our entire body off of the raft and lie straight in order for our bodies to survive the abuse.

Within the first 15 minutes, our raft was filled with water. Not because it was leaking (we had a hole but it wasn’t affecting us) but because the rapids and the jarring against rocks would splash water into our boat.

As my boyfriend tried to paddle us to safety, I was cupping my hands and trying to bail water out. As you might be able to guess, it didn’t work too well.

I gave up using my hands and dumped out the water in our only water bottle and tried to use the bottle to get some of the water out. The rapids were getting too crazy and there was more water splashing into our boat than there was getting out.

Somewhere between us swimming in our raft, getting our bodies bashed against rocks and running into a cove of trees, we decided that we really did buy a cheap boat.

Rafters, beware. Somewhere near Idlewild Park, there is a drop-off. By drop-off, I mean we would have fallen out of our boats and be swimming had we attempted the drop-off with our flat rafts. However, there were some brave folks who attempted the drop-off and made it through alive and OK. Stay to the far left when you approach it. If not, you will be going over rocks and those hurt a little bit more.

About four hours later, we finally floated into Wingfield Park. As soon as we hit the last rapid, I was swept out of the raft and gasping for air as I grappled for my boyfriend’s arm. I survived but I can’t say the same for our air mattress pump, water bottle, oar, bag of Wheat Thins and my shirt.

Despite the bruises I had, the killer sunburns the men got and the $30 worth of things floating down the Truckee River, we all had a blast. I’m sure we will do it again soon, hopefully this time with a more sturdy raft.

By Heather Lara, Nevada Commission on Tourism

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The “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West,” the Reno Rodeo, kicked of its 89th showing Thursday with a cattle drive and the promise of more great events over 10 days in Reno.

No other event has a longer tenure in Reno - the rodeo dates all the way back to the days when Reno was little more than a western outpost sprung from the riches of the silver mining boom. Over the decades, it has evolved into one of the most prestigious of rodeo tour stops, with events as diverse as “Dodge Xtreme Bulls” and the “Wrangler World’s Greatest Roper.”

In addition to the normal slate of competitive events, the rodeo puts a premium on family fun with a parade, entertainment and a carnival-like atmosphere. Check out this great event, and bring the family. You won’t be disappointed.

For more information on the Reno Rodeo, and a full schedule of events, click here.

Image courtesy of Ryan Jerz

The Tour de Nez, Northern Nevada’s premier cycling event, comes to Reno-Tahoe this week with an exciting schedule of events and entertainment, as well as some new venues. This year, the tour will include action in Reno, Truckee and North Tahoe.

Schedule and locations

Tuesday June 17 at Grand Sierra Resort: 6-8 pm Athlete presentation, Grand Theater; 8-11 pm Athlete meet and BBQ, Nikki Beach
Wednesday, June 18 at Grand Sierra Resort: 5:20-5:30 pm 10th Annual Clunker Classic; 5:40-6 pm Kids’ Races; 6-6:30 pm Messengers; 6:50-8 pm Pro NRC Criterium; 8-8:20 pm Pro Awards & Interviews; 8-11 pm Block Party
Thursday, June 19 at Northstar at Tahoe: 10 am-11 pm Pro NRC Time Trial viewing area - top of Gondola; 9-10:30 am LUX Recreational registration & check-in, Basque Room-Village at Northstar; 11:05 am-12:30 pm LUX Recreational Time Trial viewing area-top of Gondola; 12-12:30 pm Time Trial Awards & Interviews Time Trial Finish; 12:30-6 pm LUX Golf Tournament
Thursday, June 19 at Downtown Truckee: 5:30-5:40 pm 10th Annual Clunker Classic; 5:45-6:05 pm Kids’ Races; 6:15-7:30 pm Pro NRC Criterium; 7:40-8 pm Pro Awards & Interviews; 8-10 pm Truckee Block Party
Friday June 20 at Northstar at Tahoe: 9-10 am LUX Mountain Bike Demo & Bike Park ride check-in Plaza Bikes; 10 am LUX Mountain Bike Park Ride begins Plaza Bikes; 2-5 pm Tour de Nez Expo Village Overlook; 1:30 pm Northstar Pro NRC Road Circuit Race begins Guest Drop Off; 1-4 pm Live Music on Village Stage; 4:30 pm Northstar Pro NRC Road Circuit Race finish Guest Drop Off; 4:30-5 pm Awards & Interviews Guest Drop Off; 5-8 pm Live Music & Tour de Nez party
Saturday, June 21 at Northstar at Tahoe: 7:15 am – 8:00 am Century Ride registration & check-in; 8 am Century Ride; 11 am-5 pm Tour de Nez Expo; 11 am-2 pm Tour de Nez Festival; 11:30 am-2:30 pm Live Music; 1:30-1:45 pm 10th Annual Clunker Classic; 1:50 pm-2 pm Clunker Classic Awards; 2-2:15 pm Masters’ 35+ 1, 2, 3 Circuit Race warm up; 2:15-3:15 pm Masters’ 35+ 1, 2, 3 Circuit Race; 3-6 pm Live Music; 3:20-3:30 pm Masters’ 35+ 1, 2, 3 Awards; 3:35-4 pm Kids’ Races; 4-5:15 pm Women’s Pro 1, 2, 3 Warm-up/Circuit Race; 5:20-5:45 pm Women’s Pro 1, 2, 3 Awards; 5:45-7:30 pm Mighty Tour de Nez Twilight Pro Warm-up/NRC Circuit Race; 6:30-9:30 pm Live Music; 7:30-7:45 pm Pro NRC Awards; 7:30-10 pm Live Music & Tour de Nez Party
Sunday, June 22 at Northstar at Tahoe: 8-9:30 am LUX Ride with the Pros registration, check-in & breakfast; 9:30-11 am LUX Ride with the Pros bike ride

For more event information, click here.

With its high-altitude and moderate year-round climate, Reno-Tahoe attracts fitness freaks like moths to flame. Around just about every corner here there is a runner, a cyclist or a triathlete in training. And throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons, many local events draw even more fitness freaks to the Sierra…

The Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (June 6-7) offers runners an opportunity to team up with friends to conquer a 178-mile course that begins in Reno and winds around Lake Tahoe, before returning back to Reno. Along the way runners will experience the history of the Sierra Nevada, see some of the world’s most magnificent vistas and make new friends. Check the event Web site for more information on one of the region’s premier events.

The fifth-annual Reno River Festival was the best one yet, with record attendance estimated at nearly 40,000. Spectators spent the weekend at Reno’s Truckee River Whitewater Park, watching amateur and professional kayakers compete for prize money and bragging rights. Music, food, vendors and some new land-based events, combined with great weather to make this year’s festival a great kickoff to summer in Reno-Tahoe.

The Reno River Festival starts today with registration and preparation for the main events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The festival keeps getting better every year with a visitor-expo, great concessions and a rockin’ good time in the Northern Nevada Sun. This year the festival is introducing some new events like the Run Amuck race, whitewater clinics and more. Check out the festival Web site here, and watch a video interview with organizer Jim Litchfield (produced by the Tahoe World newspaper).