It’s that time of year already, time for Tallulah season on April 2-3 and April 9-10. However, this year, there are a few changes that the Tallulah Gorge State Park wants to pass along. First, please don’t bring your dogs. Dogs at Tallulah have become a major problem for the event and the park. We are close to banning them completely. This spring, if your dog is off a leash at any point, tied off to your car, locked in
Craig Plocica joins American Whitewater as the Director of Development. Most recently he worked with the Nantahala Outdoor Center as Director of Marketing and Sales. Craig first started with NOC 10 years ago and brings a strong belief in the importance of river conservation and access to our group from his time there. Craig also spent a year working in Asheville, NC with the Colburn Earth Science Museum as their Director of Marketing. At the museum he was an instrumental
Craig Plocica joins American Whitewater as the Director of Development. Most recently he worked with the Nantahala Outdoor Center as Director of Marketing and Sales. Craig first started with NOC 10 years ago and brings a strong belief in the importance of river conservation and access to our group from his time there. Craig also spent a year working in Asheville, NC with the Colburn Earth Science Museum as their Director of Marketing. At the museum he was an instrumental
The Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts (APEs) invite everyone to come out to the banks of the beautiful Nolichucky River on May 21st, 2005, to celebrate a festival in memory of good friend and fellow paddler John Heffernan. John, an avid and accomplished kayaker who loved to help others learn about the sport, lost his life on the Russell Fork River this past October. The festival will be held at Big Rock Campground near Erwin, TN and will run from noon until
The Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts (APEs) invite everyone to come out to the banks of the beautiful Nolichucky River on May 21st, 2005, to celebrate a festival in memory of good friend and fellow paddler John Heffernan. John, an avid and accomplished kayaker who loved to help others learn about the sport, lost his life on the Russell Fork River this past October. The festival will be held at Big Rock Campground near Erwin, TN and will run from noon until
American Whitewater is recruiting 15 volunteers to assist with the first stage of preparing the West Fork of the Tuckasegee for the recreational releases slated to begin in the spring of next year. Before recreational releases can begin, a significant hurricane induced log jam must be cleared from the creek, and a trail must be constructed from near Thorpe Dam to the base of High Falls. We will need volunteers to help out with both of these efforts, which
AW / Lotus Designs Paddle DaysSouth Fork of the American River2nd Annual Fundraiser for American WhitewaterSunday, April 24, 2004 Lotus Designs and Water Girl will be offering kayaking clinics at the American River Festival as a gift to the good folks at American Whitewater. Anyone who is comfortable paddling down the S.F. of the American River (Chili Bar section) is encouraged to sign up for tips, tricks, and take-out party at the River Store in Coloma. Registration is FREE to Members of
Karen Abbott of The Rocky Mountain News reported today in an article titled “Officials scolded on kayak decisions” that Colorado’s Supreme Court “sent the state’s first recreational water allocation, for a whitewater course on the Gunnison River, back to the drawing board, issuing a ruling that some say preserves the clout kayaking supporters have been gaining across the West.”American Whitewater has followed this case with interest and consulted in early meetings with Porzak Browning and Bushong, the firm representing recreational
Karen Abbott of The Rocky Mountain News reported today in an article titled “Officials scolded on kayak decisions” that Colorado’s Supreme Court “sent the state’s first recreational water allocation, for a whitewater course on the Gunnison River, back to the drawing board, issuing a ruling that some say preserves the clout kayaking supporters have been gaining across the West.”American Whitewater has followed this case with interest and consulted in early meetings with Porzak Browning and Bushong, the firm representing recreational
In 2003 and 2004, American Whitewater’s Jason Robertson helped advise the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program on the development of a new instructional manual called “Logical Lasting Launches”. The guide is free and is now available to the public at http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/helpfultools/ht_launch_guide.html in pdf format.As noted on the Park Service webpage, “This guide provides design guidance for developing canoe and kayak launches. Case examples, designs, and photos of launch sites are included.”General recommendations in the manual for designing an accessible launch
In 2003 and 2004, American Whitewater’s Jason Robertson helped advise the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program on the development of a new instructional manual called “Logical Lasting Launches”. The guide is free and is now available to the public at http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/helpfultools/ht_launch_guide.html in pdf format.As noted on the Park Service webpage, “This guide provides design guidance for developing canoe and kayak launches. Case examples, designs, and photos of launch sites are included.”General recommendations in the manual for designing an accessible launch
In response to a proposal to modify the Route 3 Wave on the Black River (NY) that surfaced several years ago, American Whitewater advocated (through meetings, letters, and emails) that the City of Watertown hire an independent consultant to take a broader look at the potential whitewater park locations in their city, and to gather public input on any proposed actions. The City has done just that. They hired Recreational Engineering and Planning (REP) to study the entire length of the
In response to a proposal to modify the Route 3 Wave on the Black River (NY) that surfaced several years ago, American Whitewater advocated (through meetings, letters, and emails) that the City of Watertown hire an independent consultant to take a broader look at the potential whitewater park locations in their city, and to gather public input on any proposed actions. The City has done just that. They hired Recreational Engineering and Planning (REP) to study the entire length of the
Colorado’s Senate Bill SB 62 passed another hurdle this week and moves to the Senate Floor with all Republicans and 2 Democrats (Isgar and Takis) supporting the bill. Now SB 62 heads to the House where it will be heard in Committee.SB62 allows only the minimum flow for kayaking, canoeing, inner tubing, boating and rafting, all other water can be diverted and even the minimum flow standard is weak as it requires, in all cases, that water flows exceeding 350
Colorado’s Senate Bill SB 62 passed another hurdle this week and moves to the Senate Floor with all Republicans and 2 Democrats (Isgar and Takis) supporting the bill. Now SB 62 heads to the House where it will be heard in Committee.SB62 allows only the minimum flow for kayaking, canoeing, inner tubing, boating and rafting, all other water can be diverted and even the minimum flow standard is weak as it requires, in all cases, that water flows exceeding 350
Jon Dragan, the first outfitter to offer trips on West Virginia’s New and Gauley Rivers, died suddenly on February 12th, 2005. He was 62. Jon began his commercial rafting career in 1964 on the Youghiogheny River, and in 1966 John Sweet took him down the New River Gorge. Dragan looked past the areas strip mines, junked cars, and ramshackle houses and saw the marvelous beauty of it’s mountains and rivers. Jon and his brothers founded Wildwater Unlimited in 1968 and
Jon Dragan, the first outfitter to offer trips on West Virginia’s New and Gauley Rivers, died suddenly on February 12th, 2005. He was 62. Jon began his commercial rafting career in 1964 on the Youghiogheny River, and in 1966 John Sweet took him down the New River Gorge. Dragan looked past the areas strip mines, junked cars, and ramshackle houses and saw the marvelous beauty of it’s mountains and rivers. Jon and his brothers founded Wildwater Unlimited in 1968 and
The Styrofoam Cup is back! Warren Wilson College (WWC) is again hosting the Southeastern Intercollegiate slalom and rodeo championships. This year WWC is holding the 7th Styrofoam Cup in conjunction with the 37th Southeastern Wildwater Championships. The 2005 Styrofoam Cup will be held April 23 and 24, 2005 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) near Bryson City, NC. This venue includes ample parking, excellent spectating venues, reliable water, and facilities in which to conduct the raffle and award ceremonies. The
The Twitch V West Coast Video Premiere will be hosted by Seattle Raft and Kayak in support of American Whitewater. Join producer Eric Link and athlete Tao Berman, who has starred in all 5 Twitch films, as they bring their film to the Seattle boating community. Your $5 donation will be collected by the Washington Kayak Club, local AW affiliate club and a long-time supporter of the Twitch Video premieres. 100% goes to AW, to support access, conservation, and safety
The Styrofoam Cup is back! Warren Wilson College (WWC) is again hosting the Southeastern Intercollegiate slalom and rodeo championships. This year WWC is holding the 7th Styrofoam Cup in conjunction with the 37th Southeastern Wildwater Championships. The 2005 Styrofoam Cup will be held April 23 and 24, 2005 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) near Bryson City, NC. This venue includes ample parking, excellent spectating venues, reliable water, and facilities in which to conduct the raffle and award ceremonies. The
The Twitch V West Coast Video Premiere will be hosted by Seattle Raft and Kayak in support of American Whitewater. Join producer Eric Link and athlete Tao Berman, who has starred in all 5 Twitch films, as they bring their film to the Seattle boating community. Your $5 donation will be collected by the Washington Kayak Club, local AW affiliate club and a long-time supporter of the Twitch Video premieres. 100% goes to AW, to support access, conservation, and safety
American Whitewater recognizes Richard “Ricardo” Martin as our March 2005 Volunteer of the Month for his leadership on Colorado River Management in the Grand Canyon. Richard was one of the first Grand Canyon boaters to recognize the need for healing the boating community and compromising on certain key issues now for the long term health of the river and improvement of long-standing access issues. Richard was key to securing the joint compromise letter between the private boating community and outfitters
The Lehigh River below the Francis E. Walter dam runs through a scenic gorge containing 26 miles of Class II-III whitewater. For the last five years Pennsylvania Senator Stuart Greenleaf has worked closely with American Whitewater, local outfitters and paddling clubs to relocate a low-lying road on the upstream face of the dam. This will increase the project’s managed storage capacity and give the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers additional flexibility to store and release water. At a public meeting
