Wenatchee River Festival

By Colin Kemp

Photos

If you are looking for great play in the Pacific North West the Wenatchee is the place to be! I have been to the last two river festivals there and they do not disappoint. The festival provides something for everyone. You can enter the freestyle competition, down river race, or take a clinic that support AW. The Wenatchee river has so many exceptional waves that it will make your head spin. As the levels change so do the waves. I got to surf a different batch of waves this year than last year. If surfing great waves is not your thing icicle creek is just a very short drive away. Icicle creek provides some of the best road side boating in Washington state. This year I was asked to be head judge for the freestyle competition. It was frustrating to have to watch the competition and not get to participate in it; however, I did have a good time running the event and it was great to hear thanks from some of the competitors later on. Dave Spiegel threw down in excellent form in his 07′ All Star to take the title. His final ride was awesome, with a McNasty at the buzzer to cap it off. I also got to teach a intermediate playboating clinic on the competition wave the next day. The clinic was a great time and we got to do some video review after we got off the water. On of the coolest things about this river festival is the location. Leavenworth is a small town that was built in the image of a Bavarian town. Not only do the buildings fit, but the mountains that surround it are unreal. If you like beer and sausage you must try out the open air beer garden in down town! This is a must visit location for any road trip that travels through Washington state

Later ; Colin
Team JK