TEVA Whitewater National Championship

By Michael Phelan

For registration, directions, volunteer information and a schedule, visit the TEVA Whitewater National Championship Website

Event Highlights

premier venue – ’96 Olympic Course on the Upper Ocoee in the beautiful Ocoee Gorge (Rt. 64 near Ducktown, TN)

first-ever national championships

the most skilled US paddlers will compete head-to-head for the national championship title

multi-event format: hole-riding, freestyle-through-a-rapid, downriver race, raft race, squirt

this event determines which boater will be entitled to travel the freestyle circuit as “pros” (compete for the top cash prizes) – like golf, there are limited ‘pro cards’ available

the basics: Oct. 11-13, 9-5 daily, vendors, food, auction and raffle, kids’ demo pool

mention the sponsors: Teva, Dagger, Orosi, Kokatat, Perception, Nantahala Outdoor Center

$10,000 + purse

sanctioned by American Whitewater, developed in cooperation with US Freestyle Kayaking Association

Ocoee River Issue Highlights

The Teva National Championships coincides with the expiration of a fiveyear agreement with the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) to provide 20 releases annually for events. This Agreement was drafted and signed in 1996 by the TVA (it was?).

The Agreement intended to enable commercial outfitters in the region to expand their operations and encouraged event organizers to promote recreational events on the Upper Ocoee. Since the paddling community can enjoy the Upper Ocoee on all release days, water availability on this section will absorb the annually increasing demand on the river, now experiencing severe crowding at popular rapids.

Immediately following the National Championship Event (i.e.,after October 13, 2002), the publicly funded $26 million Ocoee Whitewater Center may sit on a dry riverbed except when outfitters pay a premium for rafting releases – depending on whether or not the TVA decides to renew the agreement.

What can you do?

Come to the Teva National Championship Event October 11-13 and show your support of whitewater recreation and competition. By coming to the event, together we can communicate the importance of this pristine river to the sport of kayaking and whitewater recreation in the Tennessee Valley Region. We cannot save this beautiful recreation hotspot and preserve the use of the Olympic Facility for future events without you.

For more information on attending the event, go to www.americanwhitewater.org. See you there! Remember, this may be the last event held at this historical river site that has welcomed paddlers and spectators from around the world since the first Ocoee Rodeo in the early 1980’s, the World Freestyle and Slalom Championships and the Olympics!