On Wednesday, Jan. 25th, FIBArk donated $20,000 to the City of Salida to support the mission of paddle sports education.
The FIBArk organization became a 501c3 8 years ago with the mission to educate people about paddle sports, and the City of Salida has joined forces to support, organize, and create such opportunities. 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 session to help nurture a love of paddlesports and the river from the youngest in the community.
Currently offered at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center is a Level 1 Whitewater Kayak class, for youth ages 7 through high school. FIBArk and Salida Parks and Recreation have teamed up together to bring the
community this beginner kayaking course as part of FIBArk’s Community Paddling Program. This course
covers all of the basics of kayaking according to the American Canoe Associations’ level system. The basics include learning about kayaks, how to fit in them, how to use a paddle, and participant safety. Most importantly though, kayaking is all about having fun and our experienced instructors will ensure that all of these kids are supported to their ability and comfort level! FIBArk provides all kayaking gear for this course, and also offers scholarships to help those that might not be able to otherwise afford it.
The partnership also offers Kayak Roll Session. Roll Session is an opportunity for community members that know how to roll, to come to the pool and practice. There is an instructor present to help refresh participants and teach them new skills. Equipment can be provided for community members that have participated in Level 1 classes. Learn more and sign-up at Cityofsalida.com.
In 2022, the Department of Parks and Recreation and FIBArk’s Community Paddling Program had a total of 938 participants. The total participant hours reached 1,450, and FIBArk made sure that every 4th grader in the Salida School District had the opportunity to get in a kayak and learn the basics!
About FIBArk
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, 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.
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