Articles

Jamie McEwan, the whitewater canoe racer whose skill inspired a generation of paddlers, lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, June 14th. He was 61. In 1972 Jamie, then 19, won a bronze medal in C-1 Slalom at the Olympic games in Munich, Germany. That medal, the first won by an American, inspired many younger paddlers (including several future medalists) to train hard and become champions. Twenty years later, he teamed up with partner Lecky Haller to finish 4th in

Nominations for next years new Directors close on July 1st. If you are interested in this opportunity please submit your Nomination Form and Questionnaire today.   A healthy, vibrant, participatory and functional Board of Directors is critical to the long term stability and effective governance of American Whitewater. This requires Directors with a passion for our mission and a mix of appropriate skills to help guide AW and meet the challenges we face, both now and in the future.   While we will consider

Join American Whitewater at the 2014 Deerfield Fest in Charlemont, MA on July 13th! Deerfield Fest is one of AW's largest fundraising events and the Northeast's biggest whitewater festival. Surrounded by a three day release schedule on the Deerfield River, it's going to be awesome. Camping We are excited to announce that this year, for the first time, we will have camping on the festival grounds in Charlemont. Reserve your spot early because they are going fast! Reserve your camping spot! Vendors This

Join American Whitewater at the 2014 Deerfield Fest in Charlemont, MA on July 12th! Deerfield Fest is one of AW's largest fundraising events and the Northeast's biggest whitewater festival. Surrounded by a three day release schedule on the Deerfield River, it's going to be awesome. Overnight Tenting We are excited to announce that this year, for the first time, we will have overnight tenting on the festival grounds in Charlemont.  Reserve your spot early because they are going fast! Vendors This year, booths are

Oregon State Marine Board to hold Listening Sessions to Engage Paddlers     **Press Release from the Oregon State Marine Board**   Boaters are invited to join the Oregon State Marine Board agency staff and non-motorized advisory committee members for an evening of dialog about your boating interests and what you need in your area to better support your activities out on the water. The Listening Sessions will focus primarily on discussions about boating access, on-the-water safety, education and information

THIS WEEK ONLY! American Whitewater is thrilled to announce that we’ve partnered with FLOAT to bring you limited edition river stewardship T shirts available this week only! For every shirt sold FLOAT will donate $8 to American Whitewater to help us crack down on deadbeat dams and restore rivers. Head on over to www.float.org and SHOP today – lots of fun colors to choose from!

Yesterday Senator John Walsh (D-MT) introduced legislation to designate a spectacular 20 mile section of Montana's East Rosebud Creek as a Wild and Scenic River.  Designation will protect the stream from future hydropower dams, water quality degradation, and other impacts, while allowing continued enjoyment and uses of the stream.  American Whitewater fully supports this move and looks forward to permanent protection for East Rosebud and other worthy streams in Montana.  Several years ago a hydropower developer proposed to dewater several

Gauley Fest is the world's biggest paddling festival and American Whitewater's biggest fundraiser – but we need your help! Please sign up to volunteer and become a part of the Gauley Fest Volunteer Team! It's a fun and easy way for you to be a critical part of an amazing festival. Volunteer Rewards Volunteers-only Gauley Fest T-shirt tickets for a “volunteer only” raffle The feeling of knowing that you help AW put on a critical fundraiser! We've even got a few

American Whitewater is seeking an energetic and dynamic individual to fill the position of Outreach and Technology Director. If you thrive in collaborative processes and have a strong communication skill set, this could be the job for you.   TITLE:                     Outreach and Technology Director  JOB CLASS:         Regular Full-Time, Salaried REPORTS TO:      Executive Director     OVERVIEW The Outreach and Technology Director is located in the

  How would it be if there was a dam (or another dam or two) on your favorite river? Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has set an ambitious goal of damming 3 million rivers and streams in order to double our hydropower production by 2030. With over 1700 whitewater runs across the country on the list, there's a good chance that yours is being eyed by hydropower developers. (You can find out whether your river is on the list in a

Zak Podmore paddles into the intertidal zone near the mouth of the Colorado River, May 9, 2014 (photo: Jeff Moag/Canoe & Kayak Magazine) Colorado River Delta –  American Whitewater is working everyday to ensure that water remains in the upper reaches of the Colorado River, keeping runs flowing like Gore Canyon, Shoshone, Westwater and Cataract Canyons. On tributaries of the Colorado River – places like the Gila River, Desolation Canyon, the Dolores, or the Yampa – we're working to improve

It’s almost summer. That means paddling season is either just beginning or it's in full swing. Spring runoff is being chased, boats are being brought out of winter storage, drysuits and tops are being packed away for the late fall, and hopefully everyone is optimistic about the rivers they have been or soon will be paddling. Here at the AW Journal, we’re excited too. Specifically, we’re eager to hear your stories and thoughts about paddling. As we do from time

With support from both KEEN’s Hybrid.Care giving program, the Conservation Alliance and other partners, American Whitewater succeeded in our campaign to have the Dillsboro Dam removed in 2010. It took three more years to implement a flow agreement for water in a class IV headwater segment of the West Fork Tuckasegee. Read about the impacts of dam removal and flow restoration in a recent Gear Junkie article here.