Kayakers find a paddling mecca in Colorado town
| Buena Vista, Colo.
鈥� A local, slice-of-life story from a Monitor correspondent.
A grueling session of cartwheels, orbits, and loops in a white-water park can tire even a seasoned kayaker. Fortunately for paddlers playing in the Buena Vista, Colo., standing waves (created by strategically placed boulders in the Arkansas River), they鈥檙e a short stroll from a town鈥檚 amenities.
Wave-shaped porch railings, river-stone masonry, and a white-water kayak park a pebble鈥檚 toss from the walkable streets are a few examples of how waterways inspire every detail of South Main, a new neighborhood developed by champion kayakers here.
Siblings and professional kayakers-turned-developers Jed Selby and Katie Selby Urban began the project so they could live and play in their community without having to drive to a kayak park. Selby found a 42-acre parcel alongside the Arkansas River in 2002 and persuaded his sister to collaborate on building the perfect kayakers鈥� community.
US Freestyle Kayak team member Dustin Urban (Katie鈥檚 husband) notes what makes South Main unique: 鈥淚鈥檝e traveled the world and been to a lot of white-water parks... They are often built in the middle of nowhere.鈥�
Colorado Kayak Supply relocated its headquarters and storefront here in 2004 after two decades of operating 10 miles south. Says owner Earl Richmond, 鈥淵ou can tell it鈥檚 completely designed by river people.鈥�
