By JASON SHREDER
The month of June flew by faster than I could have ever imagined.
It was full of events, epic surf sessions, and lots of work. Organizing events is a rewarding but challenging task. You don’t really make any money and they are a lot of work. I guess the right term would be “it’s a labor of love”.
I do love my job but would like to make a buck or two one of these days. The bottom line is that all of the events we put on take a lot of work require funding, are fun, and great for the community.
First off, I would like to take my hat off to the Missoula Downtown Association for their hard work making Caras Park and Brennan’s Wave what they are today: A place where the community can gather, enjoy, and share with others.
It’s also a great place to show off how much Missoula cares about its downtown area and the Clark Fork River that cuts through the heart of Missoula.
Crowds gather at Brennan’s Wave in Caras Park for the 2012 Montana Whitewater Championships. Click to see larger.
Kayaking events at Brennan’s Wave serve as a platform for the sport of whitewater kayaking. Years ago, these events were held in remote places where the only people you would see were friends of kayakers.
With features like Brennan’s Wave, whitewater kayaking is now in the spotlight for all to see and enjoy. This, in turn, allows people to how safe and fun freestyle kayaking is. We need more people in the sport and these events spark the interest for folks of all ages who are interested in learning.
Lastly, events at Brennan’s Wave like the Montana Whitewater Championships show how important river enhancement projects are for communities like Missoula. There use to be a slab of concrete, with rebar and sharp metal objects hanging out in the river. Old irrigational structures can be turned into recreational amenities, making them more functional and safe for river users.
I can only dream of hanging out at Brennan’s Wave and floating down to the proposed site for The Max Wave, just downstream by the Osprey Stadium.
Whether you like it or not, I think we can agree events at Brennan’s Wave and Caras Park are moving Missoula in the right direction. These events give our local economy a boost and promote health and wellness.
Whatever the cause is, people that live in Missoula are proud and love living here. It’s apparent and easily visible from the folks who visit.
But I know Missoula, not everyone will agree…and that’s what will keep the fire burning!
***************
River season is here! Jason’s got tons of awesome kayaking posts to get you stoked for summer surfing in his blog archive.
***************
Jason Shreder is the owner of local whitewater company Zoo Town Surfers. He loves Missoula, the great community, and all the awesome water that surrounds it. He’s constantly moving and 90% of that movement involves kayaking, rafting, working, and hanging out with his awesomely supportive girlfriend and dogs.