Fayette County, long known as the perfect locale for a number of adventure sports, tomorrow will highlight the latest entry in the field: The Kanawha Falls Festival.
While the Kanawha River and its two local components, the Gauley and the New, have long been favored fishing spots in the Upper Kanawha Valley and lately an attraction for kayakers, stand-up paddlers and those who just enjoy floating, most water enthusiasts don't think of the Kanawha's whitewater.
The whitewater exists, though, and ACE Adventure Gear has invited some of the best whitewater kayakers in the sport to show it off Thursday.
Corey Lilly, organizer of the event, said it came about out of the love of the river and the falls.
“The idea for the event came after years of paddling with friends at the falls,” he said. “We know how special the falls really are and we want to share this experience with people who are interested in what we do.
“The park is not only beautiful in its aesthetics, it's one of the best whitewater park and play features in the region. With Fayetteville being one of the whitewater capitals of the country, it's a big deal!
“The rapids featured at Kanawha Falls are world class, but have remained in the shadows of the Gauley River and New River national parks,” he said. “We want people to realize the amazing opportunities in their backyards. In the future we hope the festival grows so we can host a fishing tournament and a stand-up paddle board race as well.”
The festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature a whitewater kayak race, freestyle kayak competition and photography competition. The event is open to the public and spectators are encouraged to participate in the photography competition, Lilly pointed out, adding the race and freestyle competition will showcase some of the best professional whitewater athletes in the United States.
“Professional athletes from Immersion Research, Pyranha Kayaks, Dagger Kayaks, and Jackson Kayaks have all confirmed they will be traveling from around the country to attend the Kanawha Falls Festival and the Gauley River Festival,” Lilly said in a recent interview. “It's really special to have this talent flooding into our small towns.”
Some of those athletes will be spending their off-hours at the Glen Ferris Inn, which is working with ACE.
“I was really happy that the Glen Ferris Inn wanted to join in on the festivities,” Lilly said. “This happened pretty naturally. Gauley Bridge and Glen Ferris are river towns so as soon as a river festival popped up, people got really excited, including the historic Inn that overlooks the falls. They have an amazing staff and a beautiful building and are more than supportive of recreating on our local rivers. Working with the Glen Ferris Inn has been very pleasant. They even offered 10 percent off on rooms for the night to people attending the festival!”
Lilly said he hopes the festival introduces others to a love of the water and boating.
“We just love to go boat and we want others to find the same love for the water as we have! It's as simple as that. We want to show people a positive outlet to spend their spare time. The rivers and resources are all here in Southern West Virginia to shape the country's best whitewater professionals,” he said.
Another aspect of the festival will be a demonstration of rescue boats, he added.
“The newest, top of the line swiftwater rescue boats called Creature Crafts will have their demo fleet at the Kanawha Falls Festival. We have been reaching out to and encouraging local fire departments and rescue teams to come watch the demonstration and ask questions about these new crafts and how they might be able to help in devastating floods like what Southern West Virginia experienced last summer.”
If you're not into adventure kayaking, but can handle a kayak or even a canoe, Lilly says you should join in the fun.
“To everyone wanting to watch the event I encourage them to do so if they are competent on water,” he said. “One must have a watercraft to get a good view of the event. The race course is in view from the flat waters below the falls so this provides an opportunity for flat water paddlers to get close enough to the action while still remaining in a safe place.
“As always be smart and cautious while on the water and next to the river. Wear your PFD (life jacket) at all times and stay away from the moving current of the rapids.
“The ACE Adventure Gear Shop in Fayetteville offers kayak and stand-up paddle board demos; these would be perfect to paddle out and view the event from. So grab your boat, get stoked, and come watch one of the most unique events in the state of West Virginia,” Lilly urged.
For more on the event, visit the Facebook event site at https://www.facebook.com/events/124422498200531/, or for volunteering opportunities or additional information, please contact Corey Lilly at Clilly@aceraft.com.
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