American Whitewater Festival Season is Here!
Posted: 08/08/2016
By: Evan Stafford
As summer winds down and as botable flows fade along with it, you may find yourself looking for one last hurrah. One more chance to gather with the tribe, paddle an exciting stretch of whitewater and dance into the wee hours of the night with the reckless abandon only a gypsy boater can. Look no further! American Whitewater provides the flows and the party, with the three best paddling festivals of the summer right around the corner.
Gore Festival (CO) August
26-28: In addition to the famous downriver race through Gore Canyon, the festival
also includes a family fun float through Little Gore Canyon, a freestyle rodeo at the Gore Canyon
Whitewater Park, and SUP downriver and cross races. This year's Gore
Festival includes camping, food, and entertainment, and will be held at Rancho del Rio,
10 miles downstream of the BLM's Pumphouse Recreation Site.
Gauley River Festival (WV)
September 15-18: Thirty years ago, the Gauley River was threatened by a
proposed hydropower project that would have dewatered the upper three miles of river and
placed a generating facility below Pillow Rock Rapid. The whitewater boating community rallied in
a big way and killed the proposal. Gauley Festival is a
celebration of this early success. If you are interested in being part of this legacy and
connecting your business to the whitewater community, vendor spaces are still available here. For a great
article by AW Board Member Susan Hollingsworth Elliott click
here.
Feather River Festival (CA) September 23-25: For over a decade, Feather Fest has been the
way to come together each year and celebrate the recreational releases that the staff and
volunteers of American Whitewater, Chico Paddleheads and Shasta Paddlers negotiated for the
North Fork Feather River. The beauty of the river is that it includes multiple sections to
match what best suits your skills and interests. Come join us for a fun weekend with a film
festival, races and a party!
Don't miss out! Put these dates on the calendar, call your friends and get ready to paddle,
party and provide the fuel that powers American Whitewater's work protecting the places you
love. For more details please check out the event Facebook pages:
Feather River Festival (CA) September 23-25
Photo courtesy Ken Hoeve.