Articles

This issue features articles on Family paddling:   *     Family Equals Paddling *     One Family’s Approach *     Boating with Munchkins *     Family Paddling *     Dad’s Perspective: Hunker Down! *     Mom’s Perspective: Family and Whitewater: A Beautiful Balance *     Class II Will Do (In order to read the online version, you must be registered with the AW website and have your membership account associated with your website user account) Get your journal online and save AW money! The online journal includes

The 2009 French Broad River Cleanup was a huge success. Over 30 individuals removed a mountain of trash from the French Broad River on May 1st. Included in that mountain were over a dozen tires, 35 bags of trash, 3 buckets of glass, one highway barrel and hundreds of sporting balls (tennis balls, basketballs, baseballs, footballs).  A special thanks goes out to those who helped in the cleanup and our partners; Nantahala Outdoor Center, RiverLink and KEEN. Mark your calendars

Boater input is very important to this process.  Please help us, yourself, and your friends by filling out a survey if you paddle any of the reaches noted below.  The survey is located at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB227LJ27QED4   The following study releases are being TENTATIVELY planned for Friday, May 8th; Saturday, May 9th; and Sunday, May 10th.  This information will be updated on Monday, May 4th.     Planned Releases Reservoir                   Release          Reach(es) Affected Bowman                       250 cfs           – Canyon Creek from

In 2007, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released it’s report on the eligibility of rivers in the Upper Colorado River basin for Wild and Scenic River designation.  In response to potential federal protection for Colorado’s headwater rivers, and the impact Wild and Scenic River management might have on the ability of the State to develop new water projects, various state agencies, local governments, and water providers came together in a collaborative effort to propose a local alternative to

River Rescue is back in print! The 4th edition of Slim Ray’s authoritative reference for  whitewater paddlers is better than ever. There’s lots of new material in its 292 fact-filled pages. Here’s where you can find the tools and techniques you’ll need to deal with any emergency. The book covers self-rescue and rescue of others by hand, boat, rope, and  more It includes sections on leadership, teamwork, patient care, evacuation, and more. You’ll see new photos and first-hand accounts of

American Whitewater wants to hear your stories about–and by–Women in Whitewater. No matter how often, how difficult, or even how you enjoy whitewater, we want to hear from you. No story is too long, no topic is off limits (yet). With your contributions, we’ll make this the best Womens Issue we’ve ever had!    Please send text and photos (don’t forget captions and credits!) to editor@americanwhitewater.org before May 5th. You can e-mail us if you have any questions about how

With nearly 20 bands over 2 stages, a down river raft race, mountain bike event and even a kids village – all along the banks of the French Broad River – this is surely an event you won’t want to miss. Plus, if you get your tickets online in advance you can save yourself a few bucks off ticket prices at the gate. You can even come early on Friday and help AW out with a river cleanup on the

FERC Approves New Flows For the Cresta Reach After several years of intense debate, negotiation and collaboration, the Cresta reach will see boatable flows again this year.  The flow release will be a single pulse that will increase base flows starting on May 1st and continuing through July in a normal water year and through June in a dry year.  Flows will begin at 750 to 800 cfs and gradually ramp down to 400 cfs at the end of June

American Whitewater Board Member Rich Bowers and AW’s Jeff Paine talk with John Grace over at LVM about securing releases on the Tallulah Gorge in Georgia.   Hot on the heels of our last video podcast on the Cheoah River in NC, this podcast tells the story of one of American Whitewater’s early successes securing recreational releases on the Tallulah Gorge. Highlights include video from the past weekend’s release and Rich telling the story of a power company official’s change

Yesterday Montana Governor, Brian Schweitzer, signed into law a stream access bill that passed the Montana House and Senate with strong bipartisan support. The law recognizes that both rivers and roads are public highways and that the public can legally travel from one to the other.  At the same time the law meets landowner interests of protecting their land and livestock through attaching access-friendly fences to county roads and bridges through the public easement.   “It’s been 24 long years

American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the 7th annual Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign, pledging $2,500 to American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs for river stewardship work. Funding for this very effective program is provided by Clif Bar.   American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250 grants. Grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access, and/or safety education on our nation’s rivers. This program provides our

The recently released DVD, The Last Descent, is donating 100% of its profits to river stewardship groups – including American Whitewater!   Follow a team of more than 10 world class paddlers and producers as they travel the globe seeking to "raise public awareness of some of the world’s most beautiful, culturally rich and ecologically significant rivers that are threatened by large scale hydropower projects." This DVD features some amazing rivers being paddled for what could be, sadly, their last