Carver Brewing Company employees and guide Don Ness enter the Durango White Water Park Wednesday before winning the “Battle of the Animas” at the pull-out in Santa Rita Park. About 100 members in the hospitality industry started at 32nd Street in 12 boats, racing down the Animas River. The annual event is a fun way to kick off the summer tourism season, said Alex Mickel, president of Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours, Inc. Second place winner was 360 Durango and coming in third was Durango Brewing.

Boaters in the “Battle of the Animas” enter the Durango White Water Park in the annual race. About 100 members in the hospitality industry started at 32nd Street in 12 boats racing down the Animas River.

Boaters in the “Battle of the Animas” enter the Durango White Water Park on Wednesday.

Gabby Mickel shows off her SpongeBob SquarePants shirt during the “Battle of the Animas,” on Wednesday at the pull-out in Santa Rita Park, where the annual raced ended.

Boaters in the “Battle of the Animas” enter the Durango White Water Park on Wednesday. Hospitality industry workers hold the annual race as a fun way to kick off the summer tourism season in Durango.