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April 28, 2008 -- Salida, CO
FIBArk (First In Boating on the Arkansas) will host the 2008 USA Wildwater Western Juning Team Trials, in conjunction
with the 60th annual Blue Paddle FIBArk Whitewater Festival, June 12th through the 15th, in Salida, Colorado.
The Wildwater Series will be held on the 12th and 13th, with both the Sprint and Classic races running through
Class II-III Bear Creek Rapid just east of Salida.
The Blue Paddle Whitewater Festival is based in Salida, also known as “the Heart of the Rockies” and “The Whitewater
Capital of the World” is in central Colorado approximately 100 from Colorado Springs Muningpal Airport and 170 miles
from Denver International Airport.
Winter storms in the Upper Arkansas Basin have provided a generous snow pack this spring averaging more than one and
a half times normal. The Arkansas has average flows of approximately 2000 cfs in mid June. With a cool spring and
delayed run off we are expecting BIG water when the temperatures warm up for our festival.
In recent years US Wildwater racers have become familiar with FIBArk and the Upper Arkansas Valley, with FIBArk
hosting the 2005 & 2006 USA Wildwater Nationals and selected as the venue for the Wildwater Nationals in 2009.
The 60th edition of the FIBArk festival will also include the US Freestyle National Championships, the extreme
Boater X (Boater Cross) run through Class V Pine Creek Rapid north of Buena Vista, the longest running annual
Whitewater Slalom race in the nation, as well as the 60th running of the internationally recognized 26 Mile Downriver
whitewater Marathon. There are numerous other river based and off-river events that attract thousands of regional
spectators and participants. For more information visit our web site www.fibark.net.
Click here for regsitration information.
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