Paddlers begin the Giant Slalom Race (a.k.a. Smokin' Salmon Slalom Race) at the top of the Slide. Those who prefer not to run the Slide start at the jetty at the bottom of the Slide with an additional seven seconds assessed to their time. Racers then proceed downriver right of island #1, catch the eddy behind island #1, ferry across current above island #2, go down on the river left side of islands #2 and #3 (in front of the cheering festival crowds), cut through the slot between islands #3 and #4). Upon exiting the slot racers cross the current into the eddy behind the penisula on river right (#5), turn in the eddy around the buoy and cut back across the current (through the big tail waves at the bottom of the rapid) and head for the finish behind the river left peninsula.