From our archives, July 28, 2019:
The Clearwater Kayak Fest just finished its 11th year in 2019 with a record turnout of registered participants, seeing roughly 85 kayakers showing up to tackle the rapids.
The event was started in 2007 by Australian kayaker Ben Earl, who died the following year while paddling near Avola, B.C. and the fest has been kept going year after year in Earl’s memory.
The first few years after Earl’s death the event was used as a fundraiser to help support his wife Robyn and their two children who were left behind, and eventually, his family in Australia donated money to the festival to keep it going as a legacy.
