The exciting annual Clearwater Kayak Festival is back on August 9 – 11 in Clearwater and paddlers will be rolling into Wells Gray Country to hit the white water on the powerful Clearwater River for the 17th year.
Kayakers are invited to check out all of the big water sections of the spectacular Clearwater River and its tributaries in Wells Gray Park during the three-day event.
“The festival is the longest-running white water event in Western Canada. The festival began with Ben Earle who started the first Clearwater Kayak Festival in 2007. Sadly, a year after starting the event Ben tragically passed away during an accident in Finn Creek near Avola. Ben’s family in Australia and his wife Robin, daughter, Rio and son, Finn continue their support and involvement in the event each year to honour this amazing legacy for Ben,” says long-time friend and fellow paddler Mat Kasunich who is the organizer of the festival. Kasunich adds, “We just keep it going, it hasn’t stopped since Ben started it. It’s not just a kayak festival to us, it’s about remembering someone and a celebration of Ben’s life.”
The festival now continues in honour of Ben Earl and Adrian Kiernan, a fellow paddler who was with Earl at the time of his death. Kiernan passed away in 2018 while on a kayak expedition in Nepal and is also remembered each year during the Clearwater Kayak Festival.
Ben’s children, Rio and Finn are now teens and stay involved in the festival each year. During the festival after party held at the Clearwater Ski Hill Lodge, the brother and sister present special awards in honour of their father.
Every year the Clearwater Kayak Festival makes a charitable donation in Earle’s name to the First Descents which is a non-profit started by kayaker Brad Ludden to provide outdoor experiences to young adults affected by cancer.
Kasunich was a close friend of Earle’s and says “it’s such a special event to be part of each year” saying, “Ben is still giving back to the outdoor community he loved so much. That is the reason I keep doing it.”
Those participating in the festival gather at the Clearwater Ski Hill during the three-day event to socialize, take part in clinics and workshops, enjoy music, food and the presentation of awards on the final evening at the after party.
Friday August 9 kicks off the festival with the early bird registration, chili (by donation) music, camping and hanging out to socialize at the ski hill lodge. Camping is available for registered paddlers.
For registered participants there will be early registration on Saturday August 10 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. with yoga to follow. Races start at approximately 10 a.m. with a free River Road shuttle all day Saturday and a free lunch provided for registered paddlers only after the races at the Kettle Portage with prizes for all the winners. Saturday evening is the special awards ceremony for race winners, the Ben Earle Award and multiple raffle winners will be announced.
On the final day of the festival there will be a freestyle (location to be announced) for the biggest trick or best ride with more prizes for the winners taking part.
“We are looking forward to an exciting, fun, and memorable weekend in beautiful Wells Gray Country, an area so many of us have come to love and appreciate over the years,” says Kasunich.
More to come…
