American Whitewater partners with Riverlink and the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a river cleanup on the French Broad River as part of the annual French Broad River Festival.

Each May lovers of rivers and music gather on the banks of the French Broad River to celebrate the mountain lifestyle at the French Broad River Festival.  The festival gives back to the community by raising funds for the river stewardship work of American Whitewater and various local charities.  At the 2008 French Broad Festival American Whitewater is partnering with Riverlink, an organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the French Broad River, to encourage river stewardship in paddlers by organizing a river cleanup on the French Broad River.

The river cleanup will be hosted by the Nantahala Outdoor Center, national partner of American Whitewater on Friday, May 2, 2008.  Anyone interested in participating in the cleanup should email Ben VanCamp (ben@americanwhitewater.org) prior to April 29, 2008 so that lunch and shuttle arrangements can be prepared.

Participants in the cleanup will be meeting at NOC’s French Broad outpost on Friday morning at 9:00.  NOC will be providing free shuttle service and lunch for those attending the river cleanup.  Paddlers should bring their own paddling equipment including boats and should be comfortable paddling Class III – IV whitewater.  For more information on the section of the river check out the French Broad Section 9 page on the American Whitewater website. 

The world's third oldest river, the French Broad flows through scenic Pisgah National Forest in the mountains of North Carolina. This free-flowing river is ideal for families and young teens, with moderate Class II and III rapids.  Due to its close proximity to Asheville and its suburbs the French Broad River receives a lot of use and abuse.  The river cleanup will provide paddlers with an opportunity to improve the quality of the river while enjoy all it has to offer.  The river cleanup should last several hours and a small reception will be hosted at NOC for the participants in the afternoon.

To learn more about the French Broad River Festival go to:

www.frenchbroadriverfestival.com!