{"id":13647,"date":"2017-09-03T01:00:05","date_gmt":"2017-09-03T08:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=13647"},"modified":"2018-08-14T14:56:59","modified_gmt":"2018-08-14T21:56:59","slug":"kayak-festivals-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2017\/09\/03\/kayak-festivals-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Kayak Festivals of Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kayak festivals are simple: Paddlers coming together at the same time each year to celebrate and enjoy the act of kayaking. The focus of each festival is different; some, like Sickline or King of the Alps concentrate on competition. While others, like Gauley Fest in West Virginia<\/a>, were created to take advantage of the annual water release. And festivals like Saluda\u2019s Green Race<\/a> are a bit of both. Whether it\u2019s a race-focused event or just an annual celebration of a river during its best seasonal flow, festivals are also a great excuse to book a week off work, gather the crew and paddle a new river.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo: Christian Zicke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like many aspects of the sport, kayak festivals have evolved. Many of the popular events now have big name sponsors attached and concerts; prize money and the size of the after party have become a measure for the event, sucking some of the soul out of the week or weekend. But each high profile event had roots in the local paddling scene and came from small-scale start. In Europe, new events are popping up each year, drawing paddlers to less technically challenging and more fun-oriented rivers\u2014perfect for paddling clubs and those who want to incorporate paddling into a vacation.<\/p>\n

From a start line lined with fireworks on Slovenia\u2019s So\u010da River to a mass start boater cross on the Kool-Aid blue whitewater of the Tara River in Montenegro, these budding festivals will blow your mind with their soul, simplicity, stunning landscapes and local passion for paddling. With water levels varying by region, this quick and dirty guide of paddling festivals in Europe has got you covered, no matter when your vacation days may fall. From June to November, here are three of the best European kayak festivals you\u2019ve never heard of. Plan a Euro Festival Tour\u2014some of these grassroots festivals have \u2018big brother\u2019 events in the same month or region making it easy to pair them up. This season, try out a smaller event, a new river and an all-inclusive festival that\u2019s fun for a range of kayaking abilities, yet challenging for those looking for a solid racing fix.<\/p>\n

So\u010da Outdoor Festival<\/a>
\n<\/strong>Where: <\/strong>So\u010da River – Kobarid, Slovenia
\nWhen<\/strong>: June 30 – July 2, 2017
\nWhy: <\/strong>nighttime kayak race
\nPairs well with: <\/strong>King of the Alps<\/a> \u2013 June 8-10<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo:\u00a0Bojan Rusjan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As darkness falls over the emerald water of the So\u010da River in Slovenia, things are just starting to heat up. The river is cold but the whitewater is lit up with floodlights. Fireworks shoot into the air from both sides of the ramp as a pair of kayaks launch off the wooden ramp and crash into the river in a full sprint to the finish line.<\/p>\n

In collaboration with So\u010da Outdoor Festival, the race has been active for almost ten years, but the night race is just in its second year. Competitors can enjoy the flash and excitement of being a rock star, with the chill vibe of the tight knit community of Slovenian kayakers. Just a few steps from the picturesque campsite of Kamp Koren and within stumbling distance of the adventure town of Kobarid, the location doesn\u2019t get any better. The race, called the So\u010da River Knight, begins in the evening with a mass start kayak cross race, where 45 kayakers sprint down a one-mile section of the So\u010da\u2014from the bridge near the Kozjak-So\u010da confluence to the pool just after the notorious Napoleon Bridge outside Kobarid. This race is a qualifier for the night race where the top 20 paddlers battle head-to-head down the lit up course lined with spectators just out front of the Kamp Koren bar. Fire works mark the start of each round, and the beers flow as kayakers vie for the title of So\u010da River Knight. Racing wraps up around 11 pm, the winner is \u2018knighted,\u2019 and the night continues with music, dancing and more cold beer\u2014 a proper party of So\u010da proportions.<\/p>\n