FIBArk Donates $20K to Paddlesport Education

FIBArk is America's longest-standing whitewater festival, and a crown jewel in a tiny town tucked high in the Rockies. FIBArk stands for "First In Boating the Arkansas" and takes place in Salida, CO, a community that lives and breathes the river that flows through its downtown. In recent years, the festival has drawn as many as 30,000 people to this tiny town of 6,000 during the all-important runoff and high water in mid-June. It is a celebration of the Arkansas River and what it has done for the City of Salida and the community over the past 75 years.

FIBArk is a festival with a strange name, but it is also an organization dedicated to paddle sports education. The FIBArk festival has become an icon for Salida. While most know FIBArk for its annual whitewater festival that includes kayak races, raft races, a hooligan race, foot races, mountain bike races, water dog competitions, and lots of music and food, many don't know the community benefit that the FIBArk board brings to the town. The FIBArk Community Boathouse board continues to work with the City when the festival is over to facilitate programs like "Kids in Kayaks," American Canoe Association Level 1 & 2, learn to kayak classes, and Kayak Roll sessions to help nurture a love of paddlesports and the river from the youngest in the community. The City of Salida, both its administration and community members, understand the value that FIBArk has for its livelihood and identity. 

The FIBArk organization became a 501(c)3 eight years ago with the mission to educate people about paddlesports, and the City of Salida has joined forces to support, organize, and create such opportunities. Because of the importance of paddlesports in Salida, the City's Parks and Recreation department partners with FIBArk to ensure that the joy of paddling and the boating lifestyle is available for all Salidans. On Wednesday, January 25, FIBArk donated $20,000 to the City to support that mission.

The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center currently offers a Level 1 Whitewater Kayak Class for youth ages seven through high school. FIBArk and Salida Parks and Recreation have teamed up to bring the community this beginner kayaking course as part of FIBArk's Community Paddling Program. This course covers the kayaking basics according to the American Canoe Association's level system. The basics include learning about kayaks, how to fit in them, how to use a paddle, and participant safety. Most importantly, kayaking is all about having fun, and our experienced instructors will ensure participants are supported to their ability and comfort level! FIBArk provides all kayaking gear for this course and offers scholarships to help those who might not be able to afford it otherwise. 

The partnership also offers a Kayak Roll Session. Roll Session is an opportunity for community members who know how to roll access to the pool for practice. An instructor is present to help refresh participants and teach them new skills. Equipment is available for community members that have participated in Level 1 classes. Learn more and sign-up online. 

In 2022, the Department of Parks and Recreation and FIBArk's Community Paddling Program had 938 participants among the programs mentioned above. Total participation reached 1,450 hours, and FIBArk ensured that every 4th-grader in the Salida School District had the opportunity to get in a kayak and learn the basics! 

As the City grows and new people find their way to Salida to raise a family, start a business, retire, or live out their lives, FIBArk and Salida are continuing to educate the community about the river and its impact on our past, present and future. We can rest assured that the Salida community - with its boards, volunteers, competitors, participants, staff, and spectators - will always work to honor the true meaning of FIBArk and the community that the river creates, all while "going with the flow" as the river has taught Salida to do so well.