Cheakamus HuckFest 2016, Whistler (Canada)

Good evening and welcome to the Cheakamus Huck-Fest, we are your hosts; Raphael & Chris. We are ready to take you on a whirlwind adventure through one of the most pioneering events the paddling community has ever seen.

As music starts to fill the air, funk levels are on the rise and kayakers are starting to get into their groove. Perched high on the canyons walls, spectators are treated to a glimpse of what’s about to come. The water levels took a crazy turn with glacial run-off dwindling, setting the stage for the show to begin. The scoreboard is here, the judges ready, we’re all set for the interpretive freestyle component of the kayak-ballet competition.

Huckers from all across the globe have migrated to Whistler, BC to fine-tune their newest Huck-Fest exclusive tricks. Competitors’ styles are looking tighter than Dipper Creek, smoother than Skookumchuck and more extreme than the Stikine.

There were whisperings in the stands speculating what was to come… “I heard Richard’s going to try a ’paddle-twist to woop-de-doo back freewheel’ combo, do you think that’s even possible?” … “But what about Mike’s ‘Inverted wiggle-walk to wang-dangle’ move!? Ground breaking.” And the spectators were not left disappointed.

The finest hucker of the night was honoured by the James Brown Award, a tribute to the funk master himself. And oh boy, did it get funky! In first place, Michael Reeder (CAN) wowed the crowd with an array of never-before-seen moves in a routine that had more style and less clothes than an Austin Powers’ dance off! Following closer than Ben Marr’s groupies, in second and third places, Richard Kemble(UK) and David Graham(CAN).

But wait, this is not just a podium competition, you don’t even have to kayak to win awards! We love to keep it colorful here in BC with awards such as Best Team Huck, Best Costume, Most Hucks, Most Flow, Best Salmon Jump and even Rookie of the Night!

By: Raphaël Boudreault-Simard/ Flow motion Aerials