Ohiopyle Falls (PA) - Waterfall Clinics to be offered
American Whitewater is pleased to announce that Ohiopyle Falls State Park will allow experienced paddlers to run Ohiopyle Falls on three separate days this year. In recent years the falls have been open to paddlers for only one weekend annually. This decision comes as the result of several meetings and proposals set up by American Whitewater with Park and agency officials.
On the days when paddling the falls is allowed, all paddlers must participate in a waterfall running clinic, which will be led by renowned and experienced paddlers. Paddlers who participate in the clinics will get peer advice on technique, have a rare opportunity to run the falls, and may be eligible for future opportunities to run the falls. American Whitewater has proposed that all clinic participants be allowed to run the falls in the near future when conditions are appropriate. This proposal is under favorable consideration, and is the most likely means of providing reasonable paddling access to Ohiopyle Falls in the near future.
American Whitewater and Wilderness Voyageurs along with Wavesport, Jackson, and Riot Kayaks are offering the “How to Run a Waterfall” Clinics July 8, August 5 and August 26 at Ohiopyle Falls for intermediate to advanced paddlers. In addition, Immersion Research (IR) and the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers will also be sponsors. The initial two clinics are scheduled from 2 to 7 pm. The third clinic will be held during the Ohiopyle Over the Falls Festival on August 26, 2006, which will be an all-day event.
Wilderness Voyageurs School of Paddling will be the
main sponsor of the first two clinics. Instructors for these clinics will be some of the best
paddlers in the country. Jimmy Blakeney and Bryan Kirk from Wavesport will lead the first clinic on
July 8th. We have tentatively scheduled Eric Jackson from Jackson Kayak
the lead the August 5th, 2006 clinic. Jeff and Jim Snyder will also be on hand to impart their
wisdom during these clinics. In addition, Spencer Cooke from Riot Kayak and Roger Loughney from IR
will also be instructors at one or more of these clinics.
Check www.FallsRace.com for updates and further details on the above events as they become available. There will be a registration fee of $15 for the first two clinics. You will be able to register in advance via the above web site or the day of the clinics. We think these clinics will be a fun and educational way for experienced paddlers to support river access in Ohiopyle State Park. We would like to thank the Park for allowing the clinics to occur, and for considering future access improvements.
In addition, do not forget about the Ohiopyle Over the Falls Festival on August 26, 2006, (one day only) where paddlers from all over the nation are invited to participate in the annual race and freestyle event over the falls. Along with the competition we will have a clinic and numerous practice runs. Other features include the Falls Under the Lights, Laurel Highland’s Town Party with Live Music and Film, Silent Auction and food booths. For added challenge and entertainment, we will also be holding the Wilderness Voyageurs Upstream World Championships on Entrance Rapid of the Lower Yough. High water cancellation dates for the Festival are August 27, September 16 or 17, 2006.
There are no make-up dates at this point for the clinics in case of high water.
Thank you,
The Ohiopyle Falls Access Committee
Barry Tuscano - Charlie Walbridge - Barry Adams - John Lichter - Kevin Colburn