Cleanup Group Photo Courtesy of Kelly Hammer

09/09/23

Inaugural salty saguaro classic River Race & Trash Cleanup

Salty Saguaro Classic Design by Fink Ink Inc.

On Saturday, September 9th, 2023, we kicked off the inaugural Salty Saguaro Classic with a River Race at 8am at Pebble Beach Recreation Area followed by a Land & Water River Cleanup at 9am at Phon D Sutton Recreation Area.

206 volunteers, including 35 youth volunteers, helped us remove 1,360 pounds of trash from the Lower Salt River! We had 23 race participants along with a few volunteers who joined them to take photos and pick up trash. Race participants were required to pick up at least one bag of trash before crossing the finish line.

Thank you to everyone who helped us to make a positive impact on the river! Thank you to all the Event Sponsors for donating funding, prizes, staff, and transportation. This event would not have been possible without their support!

Scroll down for event photos from several photographers.

Courtesy of Korpong Studio

Courtesy of Korpong Studio

Courtesy of By Rae Photography

Courtesy of By Rae Photography

Courtesy of Korpong Studio

Courtesy of Korpong Studio

Courtesy of By Rae Photography

Courtesy of By Rae Photography

Salty Saguaro Classic EVENT SPONSORS

We are grateful to Event Sponsors for donating funding, prizes, services, & event staff. We would also like to thank everyone at the U.S. Forest Service Tonto National Forest for their support of our restoration work at the Lower Salt River.

Click on an event sponsor logo below to visit their website.

 

River Race Group Photo Courtesy of Korpong Studio

Courtesy of Kelly Hammer

SALTY SAGUARo Classic RIVER RACE

Race participants competed in 3 race categories; kayak, paddleboard and inflatable. Participants competed for $1,800 in cash prizes donated by Event Sponsors and custom 40oz Tru Flask bottles printed with our Salty Saguaro Classic logo donated by Tru Flask for the top 3 in each category. Race participants were required to pick up 1 bag of trash before crossing the finish line.

Thank you to the following Event Sponsors that donated funding for the river race cash prizes, raffle prizes, and event t-shirts to ensure 100% of t-shirt donations go towards our restoration projects on the river. Thank you Arizona Adventure Group, Dark Sky Brewing Co., EPL Financial Services Inc., No Snow Standup Paddleboards, Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch, Stellar Adventures, & Visit Mesa. Thank you Tru Flask for donating 9 custom printed 40oz bottles for race winners! Race winner photos courtesy of Kelly Hammer. Thank you to Chrissy Cobban for operating a First Aid & Hydration Station at the Finish Line!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first river race! Thank you to all of our River Race Checkpoint Helpers, Riverbound Sports for paddling behind all the racers so we could ensure everyone finished safely. Thank you Salt River Tubing for providing shuttles for race participants & picking up trash bags from volunteers & bringing bags back to our dedicated dumpster donated by Dumpster Brigade (Patriot Disposal).⁠ Keep scrolling for raffle winners.

Courtesy of Kelly Hammer

Courtesy of Kelly Hammer

Thank you Tru Flask for donating 9 custom printed 40oz bottles for race winners!

Salty Saguaro Classic Land & Water River Cleanup

Thank you to everyone who participated in the land & water trash cleanup! 206 volunteers removed 1,360 pounds of trash from the Lower Salt River! Scroll down to see photos from several photographers.

Photos courtesy of Korpong Studio

Photos Courtesy of Krystal Meehan

Photos Courtesy of By Rae Photography

Photos courtesy of Kelly Hammer

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Root

Raffle Winners

Volunteers earned a free raffle ticket for each bag of trash they collected & brought up to the dumpster and they could donate to our fundraiser for tickets. Thank you to all of our Event Sponsors for donating raffle items! Raffle prizes listed below winner photos. Photos courtesy of Kelly Hammer.

Raffle Prizes - Thank you event sponsors!

Thank you, Chrissy Cobban, for operating a First Aid & Hydration Station at the Race Finish Line!

Thank you to everyone at Dumpster Brigade (Patriot Disposal) for donating a dumpster and the disposal fees to the event!

Join us at an upcoming volunteer event: Events Calendar

Natural Restorations is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal EIN 81-4745055.