Whitewater
★★★★★
The Arkansas River in Salida, Colorado hosts FIBArk — America's oldest and most prestigious whitewater kayak festival. The 'First in Boating on the Arkansas' runs every June with slalom, wildwater, and rodeo events.
WhitewaterKayakFIBArkSlalomRodeoWildwaterOldest Event
Watch: Riversport Championships — Arkansas River
Know Before You Go
- Practice vs events
- Whitewater courses run open paddle sessions during the week and competition events (slalom, freestyle, raft races) on weekends. Booking and PFD rental required.
- Water release schedule
- Many courses run on scheduled water releases — flow rates change by hour and day. Confirm release windows before you drive; off-flow the channel is calm pond water.
- Skill prerequisites
- Open paddle requires demonstrated swift-water competence (roll, eddy turns, ferries). Beginners take a course before they can put in solo — book intro classes early.