FIBArk is a paddling tradition since the dawn of paddling itself. A race started as a bet for a beer, the race originally traveling from Salida to Cañon City. By today’s standards it’s more than just a race it’s a whole barrage of river paddling. I was able to immerse myself into the paddling and life style of Salida for the weekend.
I drove down Thursday and arrived into town just as the racers were returning from the Pine Creek race. I checked into my inn and headed down to the hole at the end of the boat dock. Tomorrow would be the qualifier for all freestyle events and I knew I had to get a feel for the hole. As I surfed the churning hole I was having difficulty setting up and executing my moves, I got out the water a little frustrated and discouraged. The next day I questioned if I should even register, but Mark Coen, the rep for Keen footwear, gave me much encouragement and was generous enough to cover my entry fee (thanks Mark).
So for prelims I paddled my heart out and low and behold I spanked out two great rides that brought me to the top of the score board. After this astonishing show I thought WOW I have a real good chance of winning. Only the top ten from prelims progressed to finals on Sunday. Some of my friends I have paddled with for the past few years qualified, Mike Paris and Brien Horan as well as myself. After men’s expert was the qualifier for men’s pro. I was asked if I would judge and I couldn’t turn an opportunity like that down even though I had never judged an event of this magnitude before. Judging was quite the experience, and it thought me a little about competing as well.
Saturday I took the day off paddling, and went fishing with my girlfriend and her dad. Didn’t catch much but it was quite relaxing wading around in the brooks and creeks around the collegiate mountains. Then Sunday rolled around and I knew I had to do as well as I did on Friday or better. I was at the end of the roster because I finished first in the prelims.
After the dust settled I had came out on top, and I walked out with first place in men’s expert. And after men’s expert I was invited back to judge the finals for the pro division. I toughly enjoyed my weekend on the Arkansas River for FIBArk 2007.
Earlier in the season I traveled from Denver to Reno with some buddies for the collegiate nationals (you had to attend college to compete). It was a great time. I have never seen the Reno park before, it’s awesome, I especially like the way the river splits into two different channels, one for racing, where the Boater X was held, and the other channel that had a greater flow for play.
Saturday was the Boater X on the river right channel. I didn’t compete in the race, after seeing it I wish I had, it looked like a lot of fun. The racers gathered at the top of the course waiting behind the start line for the clock to reach zero, if a boater crossed the star line prior to the clock reaching zero the racer was disqualified. The many heats throughout the day were very exciting and packed with action. At the end of it all Lane Jacobs walked away with first place.
Rodeo freestyle was on Sunday, hosted in the play hole in the middle of the river left channel. About 20 college students from around the country competed. The scoring was not the traditional tricks equal points, but rather every ride was judged on skill, amplitude, and precision. Jay Kincaid was the judge for the event. I managed to place 4th in the quarter finals. After the dust settled (or water droplets collected that is) Jonny Myeres walked away with first.
The whole trip was a super fun time hanging out with some truly great competitors. I even was able to find Jason Craig running though the crowd. After it was all over we hit the road, it was a long drive back to
Denver.
Later, Eric Bissel
Every year the Front Range community gets together Wednesday evenings for the kicking Golden Community rodeo. No one goes home a loser at the GCR. There are even prizes for the spectators. 5/30-6/20. take a look at the promo video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMjR18mx1KA
In the middle of April I traveled from Denver to Reno with some buddies for the collegiate nationals (you had to attend college to compete). It was a great time. I have never seen the Reno park before, it’s awesome, I especially like the way the river splits into two different channels, one for racing, where the Boater X was held, and the other channel that had a greater flow for play.
Saturday was the Boater X on the river right channel. I didn’t compete in the race, after seeing it I wish I had, it looked like a lot of fun. The racers gathered at the top of the course waiting behind the start line for the clock to reach zero, if a boater crossed the star line prior to the clock reaching zero the racer was disqualified. The many heats throughout the day were very exciting and packed with action. At the end of it all Lane Jacobs walked away with first place.
Rodeo freestyle was on Sunday, hosted in the play hole in the middle of the river left channel. About 20 college students from around the country competed. The scoring was not the traditional tricks equal points, but rather every ride was judged on skill, amplitude, and precision. Jay Kincaid was the judge for the event. I managed to place 4th in the quarter finals. After the dust settled (or water droplets collected that is) Jonny Myeres walked away with first.
The whole trip was a super fun time hanging out with some truly great competitors. I even was able to find Jason Craig running though the crowd. After it was all over we hit the road, it was a long drive back to
Denver.
Later, Eric Bissel
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