BIGFORK WHITEWATER FESTIVAL, MONTANA, USA
Picture this: a whitewater festival where you kayak to your tent, walk to the bar and have an easy one-mile shuttle to one of the most fun sections of
whitewater in the northwest. You’ve just envisioned the Bigfork Whitewater Festival. 2017 was the 42nd annual event and it was bigger and badder than
ever, with high water, sunny skies and more competitors than it’s seen in the last 20 years. Held annually over Memorial Day weekend in the northwest of
Montana, the event takes place in the town of Bigfork, on the “wild mile” section of the Swan River. The Bigfork Whitewater Festival not only offers an amazing
stretch of river, the event offers huge cash prizes for the top three finishers in men’s, women’s
and rafting divisions, totaling over $6000. For 2017, above average snowpack brought the
river up to a very fun, technical but forgiving level. Over 85 competitors competed in three
events: expert slalom, downriver and giant slalom. Most competitors agreed the best race
of the weekend was the giant slalom, with six strategically placed gates along the Wild Mile.
The expert slalom course was more technical this year due to the higher flows and over
17 gates. New for 2017, a chip timing system was introduced, making race times accurate
to the tenth of a second, a necessary addition due to the high level of competition. After
an amazing weekend, Isaac Levinson of White Salmon and northwest Montana young
gun Darby McAdams walked away with top honors. They were not the only winners, as all
competitors had a free meal, free beers and free smiles all weekend. Demshitz were quoted
as saying that the weekend was “stout and brown.” The festival is continually working hard
to provide a high level of competition while still keeping the grass roots vibe and making an
event that is fun for every boater.
Words and Photos: David Meyers+1 541 908 5937
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BZHUZHA RACE, OZURGETI, GEORGIA
From May 4th to 6th of 2017, Georgia hosted the second edition of the Bzhuzha Race, the one and only extreme kayak race in the country. The 2017 edition was co-
organized by the Georgian National Kayaking Federation and Two Blades Adventures. The three unforgettable days of amazing whitewater and fun included several
races: a qualification, a kayak cross, a long race and an extreme race. In order to get the best camping spots and begin training, people started to gather almost
one-week prior to the event at the campsite, a scenic apple and acacia blossom forest on
the Bzhuzhi riverbank surrounded by mountains with snow-covered peaks. For the race’s Grand
Opening Celebration on May 4th, the small town of Ozurgeti welcomed 69 kayakers (57 men
and 12 women) from seven different countries. The town center was closed, and only cars with
kayaks on top could enter. The evening started with a short parade introducing athletes and
their countries, followed by welcome speeches from local officials and organizers, and a lovely
dance show. As it got dark, all gathered for a Kayak Movie Night of pure magic that got everyone
fired up for the next day’s race! The morning of May 5th started with a short briefing before the
qualification course and from there, the party started! Warm sunny weather and high water
made for a great day. All competitors had two qualification runs, and after a short lunch break, it
was time to start the kayak cross – surely the toughest battle, with groups of four kayakers racing
the narrow lines of the Bzhuzhi River. May 6th was the long race, a two-kilometer course of class III
- IV boulder gardens, and the extreme race down a short but tricky class IV section. After a tiring
day on the river there was a surprise waiting for athletes: the most colorful Georgian folk show
ever seen, including dances with swords, filling everyone with extra energy and positive vibes.
Winners were announced and prizes awarded. Alona Buslaeva of the Ukraine took the overall
title for the women, and Ivan Kozlachkov of Russia was the overall winner for the men. For detailed
results, check http://www.bzhuzharace.com.
Report: Akaki Kobiashvili - Photo Anastasiya i Aleksandr Oranskie