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Pete Van De Carr pays attention to all the important factors. He checks the water content of the snow, the totals compared to last year and the snowpack still waiting to melt away from the high country surrounding Steamboat Springs.

But as the Yampa River babbled - babbled, not roared - outside the open backdoor of his Backdoor Sports shop, it was without a bit of scientific thought that he spoke.

"It's awesome," the longtime kayaking enthusiast said. "It's average this year, and average here is awesome."

Busy afternoons at Charlie's Hole in downtown Steamboat Springs back up Van De Carr's faith in this year's kayaking season.

Local kayaking outfitters are confident that another solid spring runoff can outweigh any of the other factors weighing in for would-be boaters.

Barry Smith, who runs the Mountain Sports Kayaking School in Steamboat Springs and teaches the sport at Colorado Mountain College, said although this year's runoff might not match last year's, there's plenty to be excited about.

Like Van De Carr, he finds confidence for that opinion not just in numbers and statistics, but in real-world measures, as well.

"I leave our (kayak) trailer out at the ranch," he said, considering the 2009 spring runoff's season last week. "April 14, the day after the ski area closed, I went to get it. I had to plow the road last year and this year. The year before, I was able to drive."

A down economy is one concern that Van De Carr and Smith shared. But because nothing that happens on Wall Street is cataclysmic enough to stop Rabbit Ears snow from eventually washing through downtown Steamboat, they were hopeful the dedication of kayakers wouldn't be affected by the national economic situation.

"We are all affected by it, but the thing about kayakers, they are very passionate about their sport," Van De Carr explained. "They will go no matter what. They might not buy a $400 paddle this year, but they'll still get out there.

"Snowpack is everything. That trumps the economy every time. That's the beauty of what I do."

Van De Carr said a strong test for damage the economy might bring will come with the Yampa River Festival, set for May 23 and 24.

The festival will be largely unchanged from its format a year ago, he said. The only main addition is a riverboarding segment.

The event again will be capped by the Paddling Life Pro Invitational, set for Memorial Day, May 25.

"It's going good," Van De Carr said about the event's organization. "It will definitely be fun again this year. This time we're kind of going back to our bluegrass roots. We always used to have bluegrass bands play, but got away from it. Now we're going back, and it should be a lot of fun."

- To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 871-4253 or e-mail jreichenberger@steamboatpilot.com