American Whitewater Supports the Efforts of US Freestyle Team

posted March 22, 2001
by Jayne Abbot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Christie Dobson

Tel 828/645-7879(day)

Tel 864/915-2250(cell)

christiechic@mindspring.com

U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team announces Fundraiser Dinner/Auction

Asheville, NC, 2/1/01

The U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team is pleased to announce its first Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction, slated for April 2, 2001 at Zambra in Asheville, NC. The event runs from 5:30-8:30pm, and will feature delicacies prepared by Hector Diaz, founder of legendary Salsas restaurant, and an auction of loads of incredible goods and services from around the region.

Items for auction include a two-week session for a 7-10 year-old at Camp Carolina (valued at $1,650), an Impex composite sea kayak (valued from $1,600-2,000), and a week at a beachhouse on Pawleys Island, SC (valued at $1,200). Tickets are $40/single and $75/couple and are available from www.active.com. All proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the athletes representing the United States at the 2001 World Freestyle Championships in Sort, Spain, June 6-25, 2000. In attendance will be several world-class

freestyle athletes who are Asheville residents, including Eli Helbert, current World Champion in OC-1 (Open Canoe), Brian Miller, and Patrick Keller.

What is Freestyle Kayaking?

Freestyle kayaking is one of the fastest-growing sports today. It is currently second only to snowboarding. It involves a paddler "playing" in a river hydraulic (hole or wave), performing a routine of tricks and maneuvers in an allotted timeslot. The routine is judged and scored based on the degree of difficulty and the variety of moves. With the development of freestyle courses in urban areas and manmade riverparks, the sport of

freestyle kayaking has become a popular option for high-energy outdoor enthusiasts and their families.

What is the US Freestyle Team?

The US Freestyle Team consists of 35 of the finest freestyle kayaking athletes ­men, women, and juniors ­ from across the country. The team representing the US at the 2001 World Championships in Sort, Spain will be chosen in April 2001. Donations to the team are tax-deductible, as the US Team is a registered 501©3 (non-profit).

How is the US Freestyle Team Chosen?

The team trials are a series of three events for registered professional athletes. The events will take place at Rock Island, TN (two hours from Asheville) and on the Nolichucky River near Erwin, TN (one hour north of Asheville).

What is World Championships all about?

The Worlds are held every 2 years and rotate to different countries around the world. After starting in Wales in 1991, they have been held in the US (Ocoee River, 1993), Augsburg, Germany (1995), on the Ottawa River, Canada (1997) and in Taupo, New Zealand (1999). In the past, the U.S. has led the way in the sport of freestyle kayaking, bringing home the Œoverall№ team gold medal from the Worlds in 1999. Other countries to compete at Worlds are France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Japan, and Canada, just to name a few. Last year, it was broadcast via the Internet. In 2001, we anticipate that millions of people worldwide will view the event and its results through their computers.

Where is Sort, Spain?

Sort is located in the northern part of Spain, in the Pyrenees Mountains.

US Freestyle Team Sponsors Include:

American Whitewater Affiliation, H2O Video, Layers, Lidds Helmets, Lotus Designs, Hector№s Hot Sauce, Penstock Productions, and Watershed Drybags.

CONTACT:

Christie Dobson

Tel 828/645-7879(day)

Tel 864/915-2250 (cell)

christiechic@mindspring.com