PHOTOS: Paddlers tame 'Wild Mile' Bigfork Whitewater Festival
Liz Poole navigates the Wild Mile of the Swan River during the Bigfork Whitewater Festival. Seth Anderson Photo
SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Dj Stoneman drops the big rock during the Bigfork Whitewater festival on the Wild Mile. Seth Anderson Photo.
SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Liz Poole navigates the Wild Mile of the Swan River during the Bigfork Whitewater Festival. Seth Anderson Photo
SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Cory Luoma gets a face full of the Wild Mile during the Bigfork Whitewater Festival. Seth Anderson Photo
SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Fifty years ago a small group of passionate kayakers and locals held the first Whitewater Festival on the “Wild Mile” -- previously known as the “Mad Mile” -- of the Swan River in Bigfork. The festival started with just a few boaters and loads of spectators and quickly grew into a world renowned event, drawing in professional boaters from all over the world.
While the festival itself has ebbed and flowed through the past 50 years, the Swan River class IV boating section has remained one of the most sought after runs around. Originally hosted by volunteers and kayakers, the festival is now a committee of the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce with the nonprofit Montana Kayak Academy being the beneficiary of the funds raised by the festival.
Boaters and spectators gathered along the river over Memorial weekend to race and cheer on the top kayaking competitors.
Dj Stoneman drops the big rock during the Bigfork Whitewater festival on the Wild Mile. Seth Anderson Photo.SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Liz Poole navigates the Wild Mile of the Swan River during the Bigfork Whitewater Festival. Seth Anderson PhotoSETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Cory Luoma gets a face full of the Wild Mile during the Bigfork Whitewater Festival. Seth Anderson PhotoSETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY