Paddlers getting set for Whitewater this weekend

With the 33rd Annual Whitewater Festival just two days away, preparations for the annual kayaking — and unofficial start to summer in Bigfork — are well under way by paddlers and organizers alike.

Bigfork native Nate Wilcoxen has been out on the Wild Mile since the end of March.

"This year's been extremely cold," Wilcoxen said. "The river is really low. We're going to be at medium flows for Whitewater. It won't be high, but it will be very technical water, which is better for kayaking and for slalom racing."

Wilcoxen has competed at Whitewater off and on for 15 years in both the triathlon and the kayaking races. He won the triathlon four times, including the first time he entered it solo when he was 18 years old. But he liked the whitewater part best, so he went to just competing in those races, and in 2003 he won the overall Whitewater title.

"I like the camaraderie of the Whitewater Festival," Wilcoxen said. "The competition is nice and it's good to see where everyone is at. It's fun to see the younger kids who are working their way up each year."

Wilcoxen isn't the only one who is eager for race day to arrive. Sean Kelly of Whitefish has participated in the Whitewater Festival for 14 years.

"It's fun to just get together with your buddies and have a nail-biter of a day," Kelly said of the festival.

Kelly has been making the trip down to put in some practice runs about three times a week over the last month.

"I just try to paddle as much as I can beforehand," Kelly said. "I try to get down there and run the Swan as it comes up. When it gets to be about three feet deep it starts to pack a punch."

By hitting the river consistently as it steadily rises Kelly said he is able to get back into the swing of things increasingly with the river.

"Instead of showing up at Whitewater when it's pumping and jumping it's better to get out there and do it while it's rising gradually."

While the paddlers are busy getting in their practice time event organizers are making their preparations as well.

Niki and Mike Dezanni have been in charge of orchestrating the races since 2000.

"It brings everyone together," Niki said of the festival. "It becomes sort of a homecoming of all of our friends. It's a good weekend to get everyone together for a little competition."

Niki has been kayaking for 11 years and Mike started about 14 years ago. Both have competed in the Whitewater Festival in the past, and Mike, who won the overall title in 2005 and 2006, will likely compete again this year. However, their main focus is ensuring that everything goes smoothly for the races.

Volunteers started setting up the course on the river earlier this week and they have been gathering sponsors for months, including this year's biggest sponsor, Flathead Beverage. The Dezanni's also depend on other volunteers on race day to be gate keepers, record results and time the events.

While they handle the race portion of the Whitewater Festival, Mark "Mister" Langlois, who owns The Garden Bar, coordinates the rest, including getting insurance and permits, maintenance, bathrooms and providing a headquarters for the kayakers to sign up and for the awards ceremony.

"We definitely have people that we can't live without, like Mister," Dezanni said.

Those interested in competing at this year's festival can sign up for their desired race at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Garden Bar. The first race will be the beginners slalom at 11 a.m. followed by the expert slalom at 2 p.m.

Sunday's events begin with the triathlon that starts at 9:30 a.m. Registration for that event is from 8 to 9 a.m. on Sunday. The race consists of a four mile paddle on the calm waters above the dam, four miles of fairly flat bike riding and a four mile run on a course that doesn't have hills. The race can be completed individually or as a team. The cost is $18 solo, $42 for a team of three and $56 for a team of four.

Burgers and beers are served to individuals at the end of the race provided by The Garden Bar.

Whitewater races start back up at noon on Sunday with the downriver, followed by the boatercross at 1 p.m. The awards ceremony at The Garden Bar will be held at 4 p.m.