Eric Petlock – June Volunteer of the Month

Eric Petlock is a classic story of raft guide/kayaker who has decided to give back to the rivers that he cares about.  Eric has been a key volunteer for American Whitewater in Northern California and has helped organize the logistics for the Feather releases over the past five years.  Eric’s duties have ranged from organizing the shuttle service to parking cars at the takeout and trying to solicit other volunteers to help out at the releases.  Eric has learned first hand all that is involved with making these events happen, and yet, he comes back for more.

After attending the AW negotiation training last fall he agreed to lead the charge on the South Fork Feather Relicensing (see Another Jewel on the Feather River, May/June 2006 AW Journal).  Helping to organize three flow studies on the South Fork Feather and one on Lost Creek, a tributary to the South Feather, Eric has experienced all facets of FERC relicensing.  Growing up as an Oroville native, Eric’s passion for these rivers goes far beyond whitewater boating.  He often talks of fishing and tubing on many of these rivers in his youth.  Knowing the resource and the community has made Eric effective both on the water and in the meeting room. It is the passion and commitment of volunteers such as Eric that allow us to accomplish all that we do at AW.

Thank You!