River festivals have a long tradition of generating awareness of impending threats to whitewater resources. Squamish Whitewater Paddlers hosted the first Ashlu Whitewater Festival later in 2004 to raise awareness and generate funds to assist their efforts in protecting one of British Columbia's signature runs. The festival has been a great success and and grows each year. This year's event is planned for August 24th-27th, 2006. You can find all the information you need at the Ashlu Whitewater Festival website.

Here are a few highlights of what to expect:

The festival is a celebration of the Ashlu River, and our goal is to provide an awesome experience for both paddlers of all skill levels, and to their non-paddling friends and family.

The festival is the major fundraiser for the WKABC's River Impacts and Access efforts, and all proceeds go toward representing paddlers on river conservation and access issues.

We have events for paddlers:

• Guided trips (Grade II-V) in canoes, kayaks, and rafts, playboating clinics, creeking clinics, introductory kayak lessons, a throw bag competition, and a sit-on-top kayak trip

We have events for non-paddlers:

• a guided canyon walk along the Ashlu Canyon, a guided "herb walk" led by a local naturalist that focuses on all the medicinal plants in the area, a Sunday float trip down the scenic Lower Ashlu and Squamish Rivers

Like last year, the festival pass includes:

• draw prizes (last year we gave away $10,000 in prizes)
• this year we have a Grand Prize draw for a 9 day Ecuadorian paddling trip (a $1500 USD prize value)
• camping at the festival site, all your shuttles for the weekend, morning coffee and muffins, Sat BBQ & party, a great looking T- shirt, and access to our supervised Gear Swap

New at this years festival:

• a salmon barbeque on Saturday, with pasta, salad, corn on the cob, and a drink
• a pancake breakfast Sunday morning, with hotcakes, coffee, muffins, and juice
• river canoe trips, specifically for river canoeists, led by canoeists
• more shuttle vans to carry you to/from the river
• more presentations on river impact and access issues

We invite you to attend and to celebrate with us !