American Whitewater commissioned the consulting firm Crane Associates of Burlington, Vermont to conduct an Economic Impact Study on Gauley Festival. Crane Associates specializes in the economics of rivers and natural resources. They help communities find their balance between sustainable economic development and natural resource protection.

A group of ladies started a discussion about the need for an all women's paddling event. Plans progressed and the Boater Chick Festival benefiting American Whitewater was born. This first annual festival is a gathering of female boaters in the class II-V whitewater range. The location will be at Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, North Carolina on Saturday May 17th and Sunday May 18th. The hope is to encourage women in boating to get more involved, show off, improve their skills, meet other women in boating, paddle together, compete, and celebrate.

The 4th Annual Yough Festival and 28th Annual Upper Yough Race will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Race registration will take place on July 26, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM.

The 5th annual Riverfest will be held May 17, from 9:30 to 4:00 at the future site of the Willimantic Whitewater Park in Willimantic, Connecticut. This year’s event will feature a Kayak Kicker Ramp. Being an entry-level ramp, and one of the few ramps on the East Coast, this is your opportunity for an airborne experience. The ramp will be open the entire RiverFest for those wishing to get as much airtime as possible.

AW is pleased to announce the schedule for new whitewater pulse flows on the Black Canyon of the Bear River in Southeastern Idaho.  At the same time we would like to recognize the volunteer largely responsible for these releases.  Sixteen whitewater pulse flows could begin as early as the first weekend in April.