Summer-like temperatures and perfect water levels seem to be the trademark of the North Alabama area in early March. This year’s 2nd Annual North Alabama Whitewater Festival, held March 10, 11, &12th was definitely no exception. This weekend long festival/competition was organized chiefly by Alabama Small Boats, Surface Dynamics, and Yell’s Hardwood Floors, with video provided by YOZ Productions and Mike Shale’s Videography and headquartered at King’s Bend campground in Blount County, AL Friday’s events included a freestyle Huckfest off 20 foot Short Creek and featured 48 competitors, 26 of them pro kayakers, performing daring and inventive freestyle maneuvers. A Boatercross with bracketed heats that culminated into one 10 person final heat off the falls concluded the day’s events.

That night back at camp, the video from the falls was projected with crowd response partly determining the judging. Acoustic artist BJ Parnell rounded out the evening as campers continued to arrive. Saturday’s events took place at Ender Hole on the Locust Fork of the Warrior River, approximately 4 miles downstream from the campground and featured a freestyle Throw Down Competition and a timed Big Trick Contest.

That night, as before, videos from the day’s events were projected while musical entertainment was provided by Cool Beans and Looney Mill. Awards and trophies, cash purse, funnel cakes, glass blowers, games, contests, chicken, beer, raffles, silent auctions, as well as most major kayak manufacturers were all present. This festival atmosphere swelled to around 1,100 campers still partying at around 2:30 am. Sunday concluded the competitions with a 40 foot Ramp Contest off of the launch pad titled Mt. Chaos. All manners of airscrews ensued and a handblown glass trophy was presented.

Special thanks to everyone involved and we hope to see you next year.

All results & photographs are posted at www.Nawfest.com