Kayakers at the start of the 2023 FIBArk downriver race. Photo by Carly Winchell
The 75 anniversary of what is billed as one of the country’s premier whitewater competitions, FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) saw high, rapid water and equally high levels of competition.
Photo by Carly Winchell
The Downriver Races, from the long-standing traditional Marathon 26-mile race, to the Brown’s Canyon Heavy Half of about 14 miles to an Intermediate Race, saw paddlers pulling hard trying to edge out the competition and win, sometimes by margins not much more than a minute.
In the Marathon Race, Timothy Kunin, in a long wave hopper came in with a finish of two hours, 14 minutes, 47 seconds.
Paul Byars, also in a long wave hopper, finished just over a minute later 2:15:57. Townsend Bessent took a close third with a time of 2:16.
The Brown’s Canyon Heavy Half was won by Greg Taft in one hour, 29 minutes and 12 seconds, followed by Michael Smith at 1:33:01 and Ray Van der Poll at 1:17:31; all three paddled long boats.
The Intermediate Race was won by JD Anderson finishing under an hour at 56 minutes, 23 seconds; Natalia Gray was second at 58 minutes, 29 seconds. Third was John Pineyard at 1:01:36. All paddled longboats.
This gent proudly showed off what powered his paddle thrusts during FIBArk 2023. Dan Smith photo
The novice downriver race was canceled this year. The rest of the results are as follows:
Marathon Race
Kevin Fitch 2:18:44
Tim Kennedy, 2:20:03
Jeremiah Williams 2:20:13
Luke Urbine 2:20:46
Beau Ploetz 2:22:42
Swam Jordan 2:23:29
Nik Nijhawan 2:26:26
Mark Staszko 2:28:37
Kartik Raghavan 2:30:05
Aimee St. Andre 2:31:34
Erin Williams 3:15:46
Janice Newberry 3:15:54
Another competitor past the finish line, proud of his effort during FIBArk 2023. Dan Smith photo
Raft finishers
Nick Jorenby 2:40:11
Erico Montenegro 2:40:21
Mike Wagner 2:47:52
Jason Brier 2:20:43
Ark Aces 2:51:21
Brown’s Canyon Heavy Half
Ray Van der Poll 1:17:31
Gavin Richardson 1:17:51
Greg Taft 1:29:12
Michael Smith 1:33:01
Kayaks launch for the downriver race starting at RMOC, Photo by Carly Winchell
Raft finishers
Keegan Lape (raft) 2:20:00
Connor MacLeod (raft) 2:20:00
Intermediate Race
Olivia Spencer 1:02:34
Dan Raymond 1:03:24
Begley 1:06:59
Luca Adams 1:07:45
Frederick/Niels Rikhof 1:08:22
Taylor McGuire 1:08:23
Trevor Pitcher 1:11:45
Rebecca Capozza (raft) 1:14:54
Alec Atnip 1:17:23
Tim Koch 1:22:51
Matthew Koch 1:22:51
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