2014 FutaFest (Futaleufu River Festival, Patagonia, Chile)

Get ready for the 6th Version of FutaFest held from the 20-22 of February just a few weeks away! The sustainable tourism and river conservation festival on the world famous Futaleufu River in Southern Chile is growing enormously within the international kayaking community.

Event coordinator Mitch Sasser, a long-time professional guide on the Fu and swiftwater rescue specialist says this year´s event promises to be huge after the 2013 event success involving local talent and renowned professional kayakers Gerd Sarrasolses, Marcos Gallegos, Juan DeUgarte and Diego Valsecci just to name a few.

First day of competition unites kayakers from more than 16 different countries in a challenging Class IV Boater Cross Slalom through Toro and Mundaca rapids. The best here will qualify for the final Class V event.

The second day athletes will run the Classic Downriver Race 8km, Bridge to Bridge Class IV+, now a AWP Supported Tier 2 event within the Whitewater World Series Just shortly after concluding the day with the kayak freestyle event on the mighty Fu. Although the freestyle event site is still to be announced due to water levels many are anticipating an unexpected turnout for this competition.

Day three FutaFest safety commission team organized through Tandem Rescate the event coordinator´s swiftwater rescue training organization in Chile will select the best of this year´s competitors for a new Class V competition to be held on one of the river´s most challenging rapids, Casa de Piedra a long and technical rapid sure to tire out even the best of paddlers.

All the good fun on the river does not stop there as competition events blend with the local community and visitors to the international destination in representing local arts and crafts, regional and gourmet cuisine along with live music and free flowing river celebration party held in town the final day of the event.

Stay tuned for more updates on river conditions for the Futaleufu River at www.futafest.cl – Pre-Registration for paddlers traveling to the Fu at futafest2014@gmail.com.