How to Attend the FIBArk Whitewater Festival

Short for First in Boating the Arkansas, FIBArk is one whitewater festival worth waiting for every June in Salida, Colorado. Take part in kayak competitions, raft races, skateboard showdowns, or just hang out around the Salida Whitewater Park to watch the wet ’n wild fun that's been going down river since 1949.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Transportation to Salida, Colorado
• Lodging or camping equipment for the weekend
• Gear if competing in kayak, raft or skate comps

1. Just get there. Join the crowd of extreme sports enthusiasts in Salida, Colorado, located about 150 miles southwest of Denver, in early June for whitewater madness.

2. 
   Rafting, rodeo style.

   Check it out. Kayakers take on the waves, competing in Boater X, Slalom, Freestyle and Downriver events. Rafters revel in the Pro Raft Race, Raft Rodeo and 26-mile downriver races. Canoers get their chance to paddle with the best of the best, too.

3. 
   Skate action.

   Open your mind. Watch skateboarders pull off sick moves at the Salida Skate Park Showdown as part of FIBArk festivities.

4. Hit the ground running. The 5K and 10K Running Race takes FIBArk festifarians from water to land for a little cardio action.

5. Get your groove on. Salida’s Riverside Park hosts live music for serious boogie-down productions all weekend long.

6. Let the dogs out. Don’t miss the Crazy River Dog Contest where canines show off their cool fetching skills on the Arkansas River.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit the official Web site for the FIBArk Whitewater Festival for exact dates of the event.
• Stop by the beer tent and support FIBArk’s title sponsor, New Belgium Brewing Company, all weekend.
• Camp out in Salida during the festival for a true Colorado experience.

Resources

• FIBArk Whitewater Festival
• Salida Colorado Chamber of Commerce
• American Canoe Association
• New Belgium Brewing Company
• Colorado Travel and Tourism