Sprinters go straight down over the falls. Racers pick the fastest line to get to the edge of the big drop. Recreational sprinters pick lines that look interesting. All paddlers must start a the put-in, about 200 yards above the main falls. They negotiate three drops - 2, 4 and the 18 foot Ohiopyle Falls.

There's a rapid above the big drop entered via a green tounge of water leading to a wave just before the lip. The paddler raises the bow (front) as it catches air at the lip. A final paddle stroke propels the boat clear of the backwash below.

The eighteen-foot drop is vertical. Falls runners can'tsee the bottom. There's a stop-go signal at the lip. During the recreational and practice runs paddlers wait in the big eddy above the last rapid for the -go- signal.

During the Sprint Race, only one person is on the river at a time. Time keepers are stationed at the start and finish line with clocking devices and radios. After run time is recorded, Race Control signals the upstream start team to release the next competitor.

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