Spring is arriving slowly but surely in the Canadian Rockies, and that means the time for one of the Rockies most popular activities, whitewater rafting. Here’s a quick guide to Rockies rafting events coming up this spring.
The 3 Rivers White Water Rendezvous from May 21-24 is one great long weekend filled with river runs, races, film nights, pancake breakfasts, camping and even kayak lessons to sharpen your skills on the water.
Local Southern Alberta paddling groups, such as the Pinch’O’Crow Creekers, pair up with the Alberta Whitewater Association (AWA) to host trips down Carbondale, The Old Man, Crowsnest, Castle and Elk rivers, to name a few. The rivers here range from class I-II to III-IV along with a huge waterfall in the area where daredevils put on quite a show for the crowd. This is a great family-friendly event, the weekend festival gives kids the opportunity to receive top quality coaching from great slalom kayakers as well as freestyle paddlers and river runners.
Novice paddlers can take a clinic through the AWA, and learn about everything from flatwater lessons to advanced river skills, slalom kayaking clinics and races from novice to advanced, freestyle clinics, festivals and rodeos for all skill levels, and even downriver and wild water races for the competitive set.
For more opportunities to get out on Alberta’s rivers, get out to the Paddlefest in Sundre (Jul 9-11), Slave River Festival through Fort Smith, NWT, into Alberta (Jul 30-Aug 2), Grande Cache River Rendezvous (Jun 11-13), Brierlies Fest at Rocky Mountain House (Jul 2-5), Kanfest in Seebe (Aug 14-15) and the Provincial White Water Championships in Seebe (Sep 3-6).
