Brennan’s Wave
Caras Park
Downtown Missoula
On any given day, anyone looking toward Brennan’s Wave in Downtown Missoula is likely to see a kayaker — or several — playing on the wave, an engineered whitewater masterpiece right next to Caras Park on the Clark Fork river.
Named for Brennan Guth, a Missoula-native and world-class kayaker who died paddling in Chile in 2001, the man-made wave gives local kayakers a spectacular whitewater feature to call their own.
The $300,000 project has been a great addition to Missoula and to the Downtown community in particular. Not only has it given local kayakers a place to play right in the heart of the city, it has also brought revenue and recognition to the city.
In June 2010, Brennan’s Wave played host to the U.S. Freestyle Kayaking Championships, an event that brought together some 5,000 spectators to watch more than 200 competitors.
From early in the spring until it’s cold enough for the river to start icing, you will find kayakers at play on the river.
For those with an adventurous spirit, several Missoula businesses offer kayak lessons for those who want to get in on the action, rather than just check it out from your place on the spectator deck.
Check out our Making Waves in Missoula post for more about Brennan’s Wave and plans for a new wave in Missoula.
