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 itsfirst Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction, slated for April 2, 2001 at Zambrain Asheville, NC. The event runs from 5:30-8:30pm, and will feature delicacies preparedby Hector Diaz, founder of legendary Salsas restaurant, and an auction of loadsof incredible goods and services from around the region.
Items for auction include a two-week session for a 7-10year-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 availablefrom www.active.com. All proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the athletes representingthe 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, includingEli Helbert, current World Champion in OC-1 (Open Canoe), Brian Miller, andPatrick Keller.
What is Freestyle Kayaking?
Freestyle kayaking is one of the fastest-growing sportstoday. It is currently second only to snowboarding. It involves a paddler"playing" in a river hydraulic (hole or wave), performing a routineof tricks and maneuvers in an allotted timeslot. The routine is judged and scored based on the degree ofdifficulty and the variety of moves. With the development of freestyle coursesin urban areas and manmade riverparks, the sport of
freestyle kayaking has become a popular option forhigh-energy outdoor enthusiasts and their families.
What is the US Freestyle Team?
The US Freestyle Team consists of 35 of the finest freestylekayaking athletes men, women, and juniors from across the country. The team representingthe US at the 2001 World Championships in Sort, Spain will be chosen in April2001. Donations to the team are tax-deductible, as the US Team is a registered501©3 (non-profit).
How is the US Freestyle Team Chosen?
The team trials are a series of three events for registeredprofessional athletes. The events will take place at Rock Island, TN (two hoursfrom 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 differentcountries around the world. Afterstarting 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, NewZealand (1999). In the past, the U.S. has led the way in the sport of freestylekayaking, bringing home the Œoverall¹ team gold medal from the Worlds in 1999.Other countries to compete at Worlds are France, Germany, Australia, NewZealand, Great Britain, Japan, and Canada, just to name a few. Last year, itwas broadcast via the Internet. In 2001, we anticipate that millions of peopleworldwide will view the event and its results through their computers.
Where is Sort, Spain?
Sort is located in the northern part of Spain, in thePyrenees Mountains.
US Freestyle Team Sponsors Include:
American Whitewater Affiliation, H2O Video, Layers, LiddsHelmets, Lotus Designs, Hector¹s Hot Sauce, Penstock Productions, and WatershedDrybags.
CONTACT:
Christie Dobson
Tel 828/645-7879(day)
Tel 864/915-2250 (cell)
christiechic@mindspring.com