Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
8TuesdayAugust52014ByDALICARMICHAELForthosewhobravedtheforestresandroadclosuresenroutetoFortSmithoverthepastweektheseventhannualSlaveRiverPaddlefestwasawonderfulexperienceforadvancedpaddlersandnovicesalike.CanoeingandkayakingenthusiastsjourneyedfromnearandfartospendtheAugustlongweekendoutontherocksofMountainPortagerapidswheretheyplayedandcompetedinworld-classwhitewater.WedidgetnailedbyafewhighwayclosuressaidFortSmithsPaddlefestcoordinatorGenevieveCtreferencingarealongHigh-way5westofFortSmith.Wehadabout20Yellowkniferswhocouldntmakethetripandthatsoftheregisteredpar-ticipantsthatsnotcountingthefamiliesthatweregoingtocomewiththeirfriends.Ultimatelyover70regis-teredparticipantsalongwithfamilymembersandmanyspectatorscameoutforthefestivaloverthethreedays.Theweathercooperatedallweekendandthepresenceofbitinginsectswasminimalcreatingtheperfectatmosphereforendlesswatersportsandbeachfestivities.TheeventskickedoffFridaymorningwithacommunityotillaandlunchbytheFortSmithboatlaunch.Afterwardthebraversoulsenteredseveralteamcanoeraces.AttheendofthedayPaddlefestershelpedthemselvestoachilidinnerandrafecontestsfollowedbyalessoninDenegames.BySaturdaythefestivalmovedtoThePlaygroundthetraditionalhostingspotatMountainPortagerapidsforthemanywatersportcontests.ParticipantsoatedinkayaksalongthechurningwatersinagiantbeachballteamraceSportsRecreationPaddlefestPro-paddlerLeifAndersonlefttakesCaroleAugereauforanexhilaratingrideintheduokayak.NatalieAndersonofColoradoleftbattlesJustineWilmotofCanmoreAlta.inthengerpullduringFridaynightsDeneFortSmithpaddlerJohnBlythipsduringtheadvancedLukeVollmerhausofCalgaryThreeteamsofkayakersseallaunchintothebayforthefamousbeachballracemarkingthestartofSaturdaysfestivitiesdownatMountainPortagerapids.Towintheraceteamsmustcarrytheirbeachballthroughtherapidsintoasecondbaybeforethecompetition.SwimmerstakeoffinamassstartduringPaddlefestsinternationalpooltoyraceoneofthemostwell-lovedeventsofthefestival.Participantsandtheirtrustyinatablesteedskicktheirwaythroughtherapidsandbackintothebaytowin.