Articles

The National Safe Boating Council honored American Whitewater Board Member, Charlie Walbridge, for his exemplary leadership and outstanding service on behalf of safety. Charlie Walbridge started canoeing at summer camp in the early 60’s and started paddling whitewater seriously in college. He was an active C-1 slalom and wildwater racer and worked as part-time as a river guide in the 70’s. He has paddled rivers throughout the US and Canada, including several first descents, but he now spends most of

BUENA VISTA, CO – Whitewater enthusiasts will descend on this small historic town on the Upper Arkansas River May 18 – 20 for a huge kickoff party to celebrate the start of the summer whitewater boating season. Buena Vista-based Colorado Kayak Supply is coordinating an action-packed weekend of fun and educational activities for paddlers of all ages and abilities. Kayakers from beginners to aspiring competitors can rub elbows with paddling manufacturers, top pro kayakers, and other industry pros during a

Idaho Governor Butch Otter recently announced plans to reinitiate a state effort to register non-motorized boats such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts.  Previous efforts in 2004 and 2006 were found to be irresponsible and were defeated by the legislature after receiving many letters, emails, and phone calls from paddlers.  It appears that yet another such effort may be necessary this year.    Learn More: http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-mar3007-boat_owners.160f2d8b.html  

On April 15th, AW volunteer Charlie Vincent filed comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission formally objecting to a proposed dam on southern Idaho’s Bear River.  The Onieda Narrows would be flooded if the new dam were constructed, devastating the ecological and recreational values of this last flowing reach of the Bear River in Idaho.  The dam would also interfere with a settlment agreement that AW is part of on an upstream dam owned by a different utility.   Recreational releases on

On March 22nd, the New Hampshire Senate voted unanimously against a proposal to require a $10 per boat per year fee on all boats used in the state.  It is likely the vote came as a direct result of calls, emails, and letters from paddlers and business owners.  After careful consideration, the paddling community generally opposed the legislation.  The New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game remains in financial distress and paddlers should seek other ways of supporting the agency through

2007 was the first year for the American Whitewater wall calendar and it was a huge success, so much so that the 2007 edition sold out in record time. The 2008 print run will be substantially increased to meet demand. American Whitewater is soliciting contributions of dynamic whitewater photography for the 2008 edition of the calendar. We benefit tremendously from photographs donated by professional shooters who generously support our mission. American Whitewater is looking for photographs that capture the entire

Last year out of about 100 Pikes Peak Whitewater Club members, 43 were members of AW thanks to the efforts of Mike Brown. Mike was also instrumental in identifying a need for an AW river stewardship staff position in Colorado. Fast forward about 8 months and now the Colorado Stewardship initiative heads up the list of AW’s top 10 River Stewardship issues for 2007  and the river stewardship position was filled in March with Nathan Fey. Mike and his family will soon

American Whitewater is making membership growth and retention one of our primary focuses in 2007. Our goal is to reach a membership level of 7000 by the end of 2007. In 2006 American Whitewater increased our support from foundations, grants, and corporate partners, now we need to focus on the last piece of our funding plan, you our membership! By growing our membership base, American Whitewater can increase our representation of whitewater paddlers’ interests in river preservation and restoration. As

AW will be hosting a small celebration of whitewater boating and river conservation in downtown Missoula, MT on Wednesday, April 4th, 2007. Paddlers are first invited to the Kettlehouse Brewery for a round of incredible local brews from 5-8pm. The Kettlehouse will generously donate 50 cents to American Whitewater from each pint sold. At 8:30 pm, a block away at the Roxy Theatre (on Higgins Street), we’ll be hosting the premiere of the most recent Lunch Video Magazine. The LVM video

American Whitewater is hosting a celebration of our southeastern rivers on May 19th at Tapoco Lodge on the banks of the Cheoah River.  Join event hosts Sutton Bacon, Chris Bell, and Brian Jacobson for an enjoyable evening with guest speaker Doug Woodward author of Wherever the Water Flows.  Woodward will talk about his exploration of southeastern rivers in the 60’s and 70’s along with his role in the filming of Deliverance. The dinner at the Cheoah River will raise money

            Leaders representing over 1 million people who participate in human-powered outdoor recreational activities traveled to Washington DC late last month to roll out their policy platform for 2007. The leaders are policy staff for the Access Fund, American Canoe Association, American Hiking Society, American Whitewater, International Mountain Biking Association, and the Winter Wildlands Alliance. These non-profit groups have formed a coalition, the Outdoor Alliance, aimed at representing human powered recreationists on a national level. The Platform outlines the group’s positions on pending

On March 12th,  AW alerted paddlers to the threat of a new $10 per boat per year fee for all boats used on New Hampshire’s rivers and streams.  The bill that could create the new fee system has now passed committee and will be put to a full NH Senate vote on Thursday, March 22nd.  Paddlers are encouraged to call or write their NH senators and let them know how they feel about the new fees.  Opposition to the fees has

Last week, American Whitewater formally requested that FERC push through the delays in issuing new dam licenses for several Duke Power dams on North Carolina’s Nantahala and Tuckasegee rivers.  FERC action is needed before trail construction, recreational releases, dam removal, base flows, and other mitigation can be initiated.  Based on previous delays from multiple agencies, there will almost certainly be no new releases this year on either the West Fork of the Tuckasegee, or the Upper Nantahala.  We are hopeful however that licenses will be

Whitewater Courses and Parks 2007 is the second gathering of professionals involved in the development and management of whitewater courses and parks in the US and abroad. The first conference held in October 2005 received rave reviews for the quality of the program and the breadth of experience represented by the presenters. This year, we will both address the same popular topics and respond to the participants’ requests for additional panels. Whitewater courses and parks are being designed and built