eddy out events, safety awareness, and conservation

Feb/March 2011 Chili Cookoff Kicks Off The Chota Year Officially

Chota Club’s tradition is to concocted contender to share and  MEET MARCH 1 warm things up and break the ice on compare with the rest. AT CALHOUNS the new year with a Chili Cook-off. BEARDEN HILL If you’re not up for the competition,  ON THE WATER - A On February 26, at just bring an appetizer, MESSAGE FROM 6:30 p.m., Tisha and side dish or dessert. THE PRESIDENT David Benton will host Drinks will be provided the competition and by the Club. ROLL SESSIONS -  meal at their West CALL TO THE POOL Knoxville home. The Chili Cookoff is  CALENDAR - great time to join the PLAN TO MEET ON Last year there were conversation about THE WATER at least a dozen planning for simmering pots of 2011. We’re getting goodness to be taste organized to take Inside this issue: tested. Delicious tasty whitewater and touring chili entries ranged trips, participate in the from vegetarian black Chota paddle school, Trip Chairpersons 4 bean to chicken with the Polar Bear week- Introduction & white beans to chunky end, and other fun Need to Know Info beef with no beans. Chota gatherings. Talking smack about Conservation Gifts 4 your favorite bowl is As a member of the In Recognition Of almost as fun as club, we need your Chota Members spooning up a portion ideas and participation Trip Spotlights and 5 of all them and trying to make them happen. Upcoming Events them out. The address for the party at Tisha Urban Challenge 5 Bring your own delicious chili and David Benton home is 12755 Support Volunteers Needed Eric Jackson And The Jackson Crew At Chota Roll Sessions Nantahala River 8 On Friday, February 4, from 7pm – early at 6pm to help unload and stay Fight for Control 9pm, join Eric Jackson of Jackson after to load boats, the $5 fee is Kayak and River Sports Outfitters waived. Water Quality - A 11 with a night of fun at the University of Tennessee Aquatic Center. This will Membership Form 12 be a Special Roll/Play/Stroke Session with Eric Jackson and his crew. Membership 13 Benefits It will be a great chance to see the latest creations from along with mingling with one of the world's greatest whitewater paddlers.

NOTE: Cost is $5 per person. However, if Chota members come It won’t be this chilly in the pool with EJ

Feb/March 2011 Page 2

On The Water: A Note From Chota’s President 2011 Officers

President I am thrilled to be your President for or hanging out on the Ocoee in their Doug Johnstone 2011. Many of you know me, but in playboats working on rodeo moves at 865-804-5240 case you don’t, you’ll learn that I ab- their favorite rapid. While other pad- [email protected] solutely LOVE our paddlesport and dlers over the past 15 years or so, our Chota Canoe Club! Getting out- have adventured into kayak touring, Vice President Ed McAlister doors in the wilderness is just a won- sea and wilderness camping 865-250-2188 derful pastime for me and being ―On paddling expeditions. [email protected] the Water‖ is the best. Yes, our sport has changed with School Director As a paddler, my journey began in many variations of whitewater and Gary Kilpatrick 423-914-4070 1976 in the early days of whitewater touring and that are [email protected] with key instruction from a now available. No matter your prefer- little club from Nashville known as the ence, whitewater or touring, kayak or Newsletter Editor Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association. canoe, or even inflatable kayaks, the Scott Carpenter 865-556-5252 I was blessed to be assigned a fabu- paddler loves the outdoors and being [email protected] lous instructor, Juanita Guinn. Juanita ―On the Water‖. A common thread we is one of our legends in paddlesport in all share. Treasurer Tennessee. Renee Harwell While I am president, my primary 865-765-2169 [email protected] The teachings and early love of this goals are to represent our Club to sport were ingrained in me at this outside organizations, build and pro- Conservation time from those early canoe school mote our paddlesport, and to attempt Tom McDonough days. Conservation of the outdoors, to carry out the wishes of the mem- 865-406-6416 safety, and development of skill is a bership. The love of this sport is my [email protected] never ending journey. internal never tiring engine to do the

Safety best for our club Randy Bigbee In 1978, I became a Chota Canoe 865-588-4249 Club member as a whitewater canoe- … and being on the water. [email protected] ist. In 1999, I added local kayak flat- water touring and coastal - Doug Johnstone Whitewater Trip Chair Angela Garrison ing to my paddlesport activities. 865-577-2993 [email protected] My, has our paddlersport evolved. Early days of paddling were primarily Touring Trip Chair large 16 or even 17 foot long canoes, Jim Martin 865-548-4200 with inflatable tire tubes for floata- Photogmar- tion. Oh, yeah, there were some [email protected] whitewater kayaks too at that time. As technology has changed, our sport Secretary has changed. Katie Branham 517-896-8385 [email protected] Boats and equipment have evolved with state of the art technology in Member at Large boat building, with boats getting Iris Leung smaller, and gear being high perform- 314-517-5703 ance products, providing paddlers an [email protected] easier transition from beginner to in- Webmaster creased skill paddler at a more rapid Russell deCastongrene pace. Many paddlers in our area have 865-966-5918 moved from canoes to kayaks. [email protected] A boxing duck? No, it’s a teeth tying rope trick by Some folks still enjoy the overall river Chota Canoe Club President, Doug Johnstone run, while others enjoy creek boating,

Feb/March 2011 Page 3

Winter Roll Sessions for Chota Canoe Club Members Knoxville’s Own Dooley Tombras helped out at touring kayaks, and canoes are all Chota Canoe Club’s welcome for this winter practice. January 28 Roll Session

Drop off your boat/gear at the park- ing lot between the pool and the bub- ble. 1. Please refer to the UT campus map at: www.utk.edu/maps/campus/ Load Map #6 and locate the Student Aquatic Center.

2. Show up early! We will have access With the long awaited agreement in to the Aquatic Center starting at Tombras was on hand at hand Chota began roll sessions at 6:30. the University of Tennes- UT’s Student Aquatic Center on Fri- see Student Aquatic Cen- ter on Friday, January 28 day, Jan. 21. Upcoming sessions will 3. Boat unloading. The SAC lot is to assist open boaters with be on the following additional dates typically very busy. More than likely, their roll and other C1 from 7 to 9pm: we will need to double park to unload moves. boats. Students from the UTCH will  Feb 18 assist between 6:30 and 6:55 with By all accounts it was a great privilege and we Feb 25 moving boats from the parking lot.  thank Dooley for spending  Mar 4 time with us.  Mar 11 4. Parking. There is parking on Pat  Mar 18 Head Summit Street and on Volunteer Tombras’ recent acco-  Mar 25 Boulevard. Parking at the Aquatic lades are many. He earned Center may result in a ticket. six medals - three gold, two silver, and one bronze All roll sessions will be limited to 20 - at the 2010 Open Canoe people per session. Six lanes of the 5. The SAC usually clears out by 9pm, Slalom North American pool are reserved for Chota. Cost is so loading boats after the event Championships. $5 per person. White water kayaks, should not be a problem. Later in the fall, Tombras was one of the folks nomi- nated for Canoe and Kayak’s "Paddler of the Year" in the 2010 Read- ers' Choice Awards.

The Canoe Movie was released in 2010. The film from Lunch Video Maga- zine explores the wilder side of open boating, while also tracing more than 30 years of whitewater canoe- ing and exploring such topics as boat design, canoeing vs. kayaking, the unmistakable passion and pride contained within all canoeists, pushing the limits, and much more. Tombras was featured in the film.

We appreciate the help at our rolls sessions. Thanks Ed McAlister, Chota VP, for inviting Dooley Tombras. Jim Martin brings his touring boat right side up as Randy Bigbee instructs a decked whitewater boater

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Chota Trip Chairs for 2011 are Jim Martin and Angela Garrison Chota Donates to Conservation Causes in Last year’s Chota president was Recognition of Past Angela Garrison. This year we are Members Contributions pleased she's Chota’s Whitewater This past November, Trip Chairperson. 2010, the Chota member- ship overwhelming Angela’s got trips lined up for the late approved conservation winter and early spring. They are donations to three worthy listed on the calendar and website. organizations that pro- For whitewater trips, the following mote conservation and/or guidelines should be considered. improve paddling opportu- nities. Jim Martin on Melton Hill Lake, January 2011 These trips are scheduled for Chota members, but ETWC members are $1,000 Contributions welcome too! To join the club, please were given to: Jim Martin is our Touring Trip send in the membership form in this 1) American Whitewater, Chairperson this year. newsletter or print one from the web- 2) Legacy Parks site. Send it to Chota along with your Foundation, and He’s already calendared a lot of inter- annual fee. You may also give your 3)Tennessee Citizens for esting trips that you’ll find on the membership form to the trip leader Wilderness Planning. newsletter calendar or on the website on the day of the trip. (www.paddlechota.org). Our membership made these donations in You must contact the trip coordinator recognition of three Here are a few things you might want by the Wednesday before the trip if individuals who have to know about touring trips. you want to attend. The trip coordina- contributed many hours to tor has sole discretion when evaluat- Chota Canoe Club in the To learn more about upcoming trips, ing skill levels for the intended trip. past. contact the trip coordinator listed on the calendar or the touring chairper- The skill level of the group will be Many thanks goes to: son for more details. To organize considered when choosing sections other trips not scheduled, or to find and appropriate water levels. Trips * Anne Phillips - One of out about other paddling trips being may be cancelled or changed due to Chota's early founders organized, contact the Touring Trip lack of water or too much water. during the 70's, Anne has Chairperson, email Jim Martin provided endless support at [email protected] or call These are not beginner trips unless of Chota for over 35 years 865-548-4200. marked with a (B).

* Hugh Worthy - One of Also, if you want to be on the email The early 2011 trips are winter pad- Chota's early school lead- touring distribution list, just send ers during the early 80's, dling trips. Appropriate clothing and Hugh provided our Club Jim an email request to be added. gear is required. If you are not sure if great support for over 30 your gear is adequate, ask the trip years Paddler’s Choice Events - If you’ve coordinator. Contact Angela at 865- always been interested to paddle a 577-2993 or [email protected] * Ralph Brooks - One of particular river or lake, just give the Chota's sustained support- Touring Chairperson a call for spur of ers during the 90's and a the moment ―Pick Up‖ trips, contact major influence towards Jim and he will assist in coordinating keeping the Little River the event! Gauge at Townsend functional As with all trips, please contact the trip coordinator prior to the trip, as meeting plans may change.

Angela on the Ocoee

Feb/March 2011 Page 5

Trip and Event Spotlights for this Winter and Spring Ring Ring Goes The Bell

Touring Potluck Social, Feb 12 of boats (recreational kayaks, touring CHOTA CANOE AND kayaks, canoes). This event will be in KAYAK SCHOOL There will be a touring paddler pot- cooperation with River Sports activi- luck dinner social on Feb 12 at Doug ties that are open to the public. Each June 17, 18, 19, 2011 Johnstone's home at 6pm. Bring sto- paddler is responsible for bringing a Get ready for another year ries and pictures to share of past boat and gear to the launch site. The of excitement. We are trips, and ideas of interesting trips are Thursday nights starting beginning the preparation that could be done in 2011. Of in April from 6-7:30pm at Neyland for our paddling school course, bring your favorite main, Drive put in. Place of put-in is subject which will be held on the side, or dessert dish to share with to change. By April, our Chota touring Hiwassee River near Reli- ance, Tennessee your fellow paddlers. Also, this will be trip site should have a link to the a BYOB and/or beverage of choice. launch site information. We will be camping at the Please send an email to Doug at Hiwassee Outfitters [email protected] to gather listing of Paddles to the Grill – Beginning in Campground. food that you will bring (variety is June, Evenings on 2nd and 4th As in past years the good). Google address 12933 Tuesday of Month classes will consist of: Butterfield Lane, Knoxville for direc- tions or give Doug a call at 865-804- Chota will continue the Paddle to the  White Water Kayaking 5240. See you there! Grill week night paddle, moving to with Beginner and Tuesday nights, on alternating weeks Intermediate Classes Polar Bear Weekend, March 18-20 (2nd and 4th Tuesdays). These pad-  White Water Canoe- dles launch at 6pm, are typically 4 ing Both Solo and Contact Tisha Benton or Leslie Stew- miles in length, include dinner at a Tandem Classes with Beginner and Inter- art if you are interested in attending. marina, with a return trip in the dark mediate Classes Arrangements will be made for cabins (lights are required). Usually we are  Touring and based on how many people are plan- back loading boats at 10pm. Occa- ning to attend. There will be group sionally, our paddle to the grill will be Classes whitewater trips on the Tellico less than 4 mils in length, of which Ledges, the Middle Tellico and if there recreational kayaks (15 or less) and  And NEW this year, is no water, the Ocoee will be run- canoes would be able to accommo- Canoe Tripping Classes ning. Email Tisha Benton at tben- date a shorter length evening paddle. [email protected], or Leslie Stewart at Jack Graham will be organizing these This is our largest fund [email protected] events, with pre-announcements via raising project for the year. email relative to the location and ma- The school helps us sup- Knoxville Urban Wilderness rina. Please contact Jack Graham, port the club and provides us with money for dona- Adventure Race, April 16 865-675-6545,[email protected] tions which help protect the rivers we all love and Chota volunteers are needed to assist Isle Royale National Park on Lake paddle. as safety boaters and help racers in Superior, August 25 to September paddling portion of the event. Two 5 We will be soliciting for instructors and loaner groups of 10 Volunteers each are gear so start thinking needed. One group in the AM and the Trip is Full - Interested in a Waiting about how you can pitch in other group in PM. Contact Doug List or Second Group? In 2011, we to help. Give Gary a call. Johnstone at [email protected] or will venture back for our 5th trip to 865-804-5240 for information and to Isle Royale for a 6 night, 7 day totally ASK NOT WHAT CHOTA volunteer! self contained touring/camping in this CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO majestic water wonderland. This trip FOR CHOTA Social Paddles start in April on is currently full, if you want to be Thursday Nights placed on the waiting list (in case Where did I hear that? someone has to cancel), or possibly a Beginning in April there will be weekly second set of adventurers (dependent Thanks, Gary Kilpatrick 2 to 3 mile social paddles on the on second leader) , please contact 2011 School Chairman downtown river front. The social pad- Doug Johnstone at [email protected] dles will be geared towards all types or call 865-804-5240.

Date Event Contact Info Feb Eric Jackson roll demonstration and clinic River Sports Outfitters 865-523-0066 4 in conjunction with Chota Roll Sessions University of Tennessee Aquatic Center Read the spotlight on p. 1 Feb Trip Leaders Choice Kemper Begley [email protected] 5 whitewater on the Plateau somewhere

Feb Touring Potluck & Planning Dinner Doug Johnstone 865-804-5240 12 [email protected]

Feb Middle Tellico - Class II-III Doug Johnstone 865-804-5240 13 [email protected]

Feb Reelfoot Lake Ed McAlister [email protected] 18–20 Touring trip rating: Moderate Eagle watching on a self-contained camping and paddle trip. Limited to the first 12 people to sign up. Leaving from Knoxville to West Tenn., Friday Feb. 18 at 2pm. Contact the trip leader for more information on itinerary and accommodations. Feb French Broad - Class III-IV Kim Abney [email protected] 19

Feb Chili Cookoff David and Tisha Benton [email protected] 26 Start practicing those recipes - the cook-off will be here before you know it. Prizes will be awarded. 12755 Heathland Drive, Chota will provide beer and soft drinks, and chips! Knoxville, TN 37922

Mar Middle Tellico - Class II-III Damon Wooten 865-207-1724 5 [email protected]

Mar Chota Meeting - Conservation Night See You There! Calhoun’s Bearden Hill 1 Special presentation on area conservation Tuesday, March 1 - 6pm after dinner Mar Clear Creek (Jett to Lilly) (B) Class II+(III) Angela Garrison 865-577-2993 12 [email protected] Mar Polar Bear Weekend Tisha Benton [email protected] 18-20 Contact Tisha or Leslie soon. Arrangements for cabins will be based on how many people are plan Leslie Stewart [email protected] to attend. Trips on the Tellico Ledges, the Middle Tellico and if there is no water, the Ocoee.

Mar Little River - Class II-IV+ (To be determined) Randy Bigbee 865-567-7294 26 [email protected] Mar Outdoor Gear Swap Ian Powell www.ehcc.org 26 TN Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club [email protected] 8AM to noon, Kingsport, TN. Mar Tellico Blueway touring day trip Doug Johnstone 865-804-5240 27 [email protected] April Paint Rock Wildlife Refuge on Watts Bar Lake Tom & Tere McDonough 865-922-8075 or 2 Trip rating: Easy 865 406-4617 Meet at the Flying J Truck Stop, Watt Road Exit off [email protected] of I 40/75 at 9:00. The refuge is a great place for viewing wildlife. This trip will be suitable for recrea- tional kayaks, but you will need to be able to pad- dle 8 miles at a pace of about 3 miles per hour. All paddlers must have appropriate cold weather gear and assisted rescue training.

Date Event Contact Info April Customer Swap Day River Sports Outfitters 865-523-0066 9 River Sports

April Knoxville Urban Wilderness Adventure Race Doug Johnstone 865-804-5240 16 Chota volunteers will assist as safety boaters and [email protected] help racers in the paddling event. Two groups of 10 Volunteers each for AM and PM shifts.

April East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival 16 Charleston SC www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?nid=472

April Chilhowee Lake Iris Leung 314-517-5703 30 Touring Trip rating: Easy [email protected]

May Camping on Santeetlah Lake in North Carolina Jim Martin 865-548-4200 7-8 Touring Trip rating: Moderate [email protected] The group will meet at 8am at the Panera in Alcoa. Drive Hwy 129 to Santeetlah Lake, approximately 2 hours. This will be a self supported back country camping trip on National Forest land. Each paddler must bring their own camping gear, food and water for a one night trip. Paddling distance to the camp- site could be from 1 to 6 miles depending on camp- site availability. Limit to 8 paddlers due to small campsites. June Chota Canoe and Kayak School Gary Kilpatrick 423-914-4070 17-19 Hiwassee Outfitters [email protected] Reliance, TN - read more on p. 5

July Melton Hill Lake – Trip rating: Easy Tom & Tere McDonough 865-922-8075 or 16 We will put in at the Eagle Bend boat ramp (Dismal 865 406-4617 Gap on some maps) ramp at 10:00. We will paddle [email protected] about 3.5 miles to Clinton Island, where we will stop for lunch, then return to the put-in. This trip will be suitable for recreational kayaks, but you will need to be able to paddle 7 miles at a pace of about 3 miles per hour. July Upper Tellico Lake Iris Leung 314-517-5703 23 Touring Trip rating: Easy [email protected]

Aug Fontana Overnighter Gary Kilpatrick 423-914-4070 12-14 For details contact trip leader [email protected]

Aug Isle Royale National Park Lake Superior Doug Johnstone 865-804-5240 25 - waiting list trip - contact Doug for more info [email protected] Sep 5

Sept Norris Lake near Big Ridge State Park – Trip Tom & Tere McDonough 865-922-8075 or 24 rating: easy 865 406-4617 We will meet at the TWRA boat ramp on HWY 61, [email protected] just west of Big Ridge at 9:00. This trip will be suit- able for recreational kayaks, but you will need to be able to paddle 8 miles at a pace of about 3 miles per hour.

Oct Fall colors on Calderwood Lake Iris Leung 314-517-5703 23 Touring Trip rating: Easy [email protected]

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Jockeying for space on the Nantahala: Outfitters and summer camps spar over control of river traffic Written by Becky Johnson, Wednesday, 26 January 2011

“This article was originally published by The Smoky Mountain News, a weekly news magazine based in Waynesville that cov- ers Western North Carolina. www.smokymountainnews.com. Reprinted with permission.”

Rafting outfitters in the Nantahala Gorge have ar- rived at a compromise with summer camps and colleges vying for the chance to take kids down the Nantahala River without going through an existing commercial outfitter.

The U.S. Forest Service issues only a limited num- ber of permits for commercial traffic on the river. Camps and colleges that don’t have a permit but want to take their kids paddling have to sign up for a trip with one of the outfitters. Chota member Kyle Forbes enjoying Lesser Wesser Falls, Nantahala River Gorge, October 2011 A coalition of summer camps and colleges want to use their own staff, however, which often includes portance to make sure things move smoothly. It is experienced paddlers, and avoid paying a commer- a concerted effort,‖ said Kevin Gibbs, CEO of Wild- cial outfitter for the service of a down-river escort. water and president of the Nantahala Gorge Asso- They asked the forest service to up the number of ciation, an affiliation of rafters. permits issued on the river, setting off a months- long debate over how to balance demand on the The same goes for put-ins, which are equally short Nantahala. on space.

During the thick of summer tourist season, outfitter The forest service initially considered granting up traffic on the Nantahala is akin to finely tuned, well to 36 new commercial permits — compared to the -oiled clock gears. 16 they have now. Doing so would have also opened the door for new commercial outfitters — An average of 200,000 people a year ran the Nan- not just camps and colleges — to start doing busi- tahala over the last five years — most of that ness on the Nantahala. crammed into a mere three months. Between 85 and 90 percent of river traffic is with a commercial Rafting outfitters feared an influx of camps, col- outfitter, according to the forest service. leges and new commercial guides running their own trips down the river would create an untenable Moving thousands of rafters on and off the river in free-for-all. a day is no small feat given the narrow road, dearth of parking and cramped put-ins and take- Guides unaccustomed to the hustle of the river outs. would clog up the works. And guides unfamiliar with the river’s more treacherous spots could also While Nantahala Outdoor Center has its own take- pose safety risks, the existing outfitters argued, out on its property, the rest of the raft outfitters pointing to Big Wesser Falls just downstream of the share two take-outs. commercial take-out.

Guides must get their loads of giddy and adrenaline ―If you miss the take-out, you are going to want to -pumped rafters to the shore, out of their boat, out paddle really, really hard to get to shore because of their life jackets, then onto a bus — plus the there is a very large rapid just below it that no one rafts strapped on top — within 10 minutes to make paddles commercially,‖ Gibbs said. ―It is very diffi- room for the next bus waiting in the wings. cult, and it can be very dangerous. That is one of our initial concerns.‖ ―We all work together to make sure that we are not clogging these places up. We understand the im-

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Yes to kayaks, no to rafts isfy camps for the most part. Camps are primarily interested in taking their kids kayaking and canoe- After studying the issue for much of the last year, ing anyway — not rafting, Strayhorn said. the forest service decided against new commercial permits for raft trips, it announced last week. Strayhorn, who is the head of Camp Illahee, said paddling has been part of their summer camp pro- But the forest service did make a concession that gram for decades. ―Organized youth summer pleases camps and colleges. The forest service will camps have been using the Nantahala River for issue a dozen new permits for guided kayak and more than 60 years and represented the first rec- canoe trips on the river. The permits will only be reational use of the river, long before permits and good Monday through Thursday, however, avoiding outfitters existed,‖ Strayhorn said. the busy weekends. Group size and the number of trips a year are also limited for those seeking the They have forest service permits on every other new permits. river in the region — French Broad, Ocoee, Chat- tooga, Nolichucky and the Pigeon. The Nantahala Mike Wilkins, chief forest ranger for the Nantahala was the only they couldn’t run with their own District, said the facilities and infrastructure in the guides but instead had to go through a commercial Gorge simply can’t accommodate more traffic. outfitter, he said.

―It is really hard to move lots of people in and out Strayhorn said the forest service was right to open quickly,‖ Wilkins said. up new permits on the Nantahala.

Both the outfitters and camps say the decision River squatters strikes a balance between giving camps more flexi- bility to take their own kids down the river yet One logistical concern still troubles the outfitters, guarding against the type of mayhem outfitters however. Unlike the outfitters, camps and colleges feared. don’t have a home base in the Gorge. Where will their van drivers park for three hours while their ―I think that Mike listened to everybody’s concerns, students run the river? Where will they change into not just the folks interested in coming here but the dry clothes afterward? Where will they use the folks who are already here,‖ Gibbs said. bathroom?

Wilkins said he wasn’t exactly aiming for a compro- ―Several business owners are concerned these peo- mise, although that’s what it’s being called. ple would come and stop at their outposts,‖ Gibbs said. ―I don’t know about a compromise but I was trying to weigh all the factors,‖ Wilkins said. ―I guess in As the largest outfitter in the Gorge and with prime my mind, I wasn’t as concerned about the purely real estate on both sides of the river near the take- recreational use as the ability to give young people out, Nantahala Outdoor Center would likely be a instruction.‖ prime target. NOC CEO Sutton Bacon doesn’t want their campus to become a staging area for other Wilkins didn’t want to deny a summer camp from groups. Not when parking in the Gorge is at such a teaching its kids how to paddle on the river. premium.

After all Sutton Bacon, the CEO of NOC, first ―Of course, we want to be as welcoming as possi- learned how to kayak at summer camp. ble, but it is also unfair to expect NOC to bear the entire burden of providing public access for all of ―We can all personally attest to the value of being these groups, especially if it means there is not introduced to whitewater paddling on the Nan- enough parking for our own guests,‖ Bacon said. tahala at a young age,‖ Bacon said. ―To that end, NOC strongly supports the use of the Nantahala That remains one of the biggest outstanding is- River by a wide variety of groups and camps that sues: what facilities will these groups use if they expose young people to whitewater paddle sports.‖ don’t go through an outfitters? Bacon said NOC is already getting queries from camps wondering Gordon Strayhorn, president of the N.C. Youth whether they could use NOC as a staging area. But Camp Association, said the new permits should sat- striking deals with up to a dozen individual camps

Feb/March 2011 Page 10 or colleges would be challenging. Supportive of the club’s mission, Nantahala Out- Bacon thinks a better solution would be giving an door Center used to let the club do its trips under umbrella permit to the Youth Camp Association. the auspice of NOC’s permit. But the forest service NOC could then negotiate usage of its facilities with put an end to that three years ago. just one entity. And with one umbrella permit for Lacking a commercial permit of its own, Carolina all the camps, they could better divvy up use on Canoe Club stopped charging its members for the the river to avoid all coming on the same day. courses so it didn’t count as a commercial trip. But the club can’t indefinitely bear the cost of hosting River economics the trips without being able to charge those who come, Muse said. Outfitters downplayed their financial motive in op- posing new commercial permits on the river. But Muse said the handful of new permits the forest they admitted that there is not an unlimited service has agreed to issue are useless for his amount of rafting business on the river. group since they aren’t valid on weekends. The club has always done its trips on weekends — since Wilkins said economic concerns among existing the people going on them as well as the instructors outfitters partly weighed into his decision not to have jobs. allow new commercial raft companies but instead limit new permits to guided canoe and kayak trips. Muse said the club only goes on two trips a year, He realizes the existing outfitters have a lot at and would be willing to do them outside the peak stake. summer season, such as early May or mid- September, when crowding isn’t an issue. Outfitters made approximately $2.8 million on guided trips on the Nanty in fiscal year 2010, based ―We are only talking about two weekends a year on forest service data. The number only includes we use the Nantahala,‖ Muse said. revenue on river trips — not T-shirts, food sales and other purchases rafters likely make. If they can’t find a solution, the club will likely move its paddling instruction weekends to the Outfitters pay 3 percent of revenue made on Gauley River. guided trips to the forest service for a commercial permit. ―It is a little odd to have West Virginia be the loca- tion for Carolina Canoe Club’s main teaching activi- Outfitters will obviously lose some revenue once ties,‖ Muse said. camps can take their own kids down river. But Strayhorn said the economic benefits outweigh it. How permits on the Nantahala work ―I don’t think camps being permitted on the river will negatively impact the economy of the region at Commercial outfitters must have a permit from the forest ser- all. I think it will improve it,‖ Strayhorn said. vice to run raft trips on the Nantahala River. The same goes for a guide leading a group of kayakers — or even escorting a Summer camps in Jackson, Buncombe, Transylva- single kayaker for a paddling lesson — if money is exchanging nia and Henderson counties alone have a combined hands. economic impact of $365 million, according to an economic impact study by N.C. State University, he But if your buddy owns a raft and offers to take you and a few said. friends on a trip down the Nanty and he doesn’t charge you for it, no commercial permit is required.

Out in the cold As outfitters have gone out of business, the forest service closed out their permit rather than opening it up to new tak- The decision will essentially put an end to teaching ers. Ten years ago, there were 21 commercial permits. Today, trips the Carolina Canoe Club historically led on the there are only 16. Nantahala, according to Spencer Muse, president of the Carolina Canoe Club. The Carolina Canoe Club Most permits are held by commercial raft companies, but a holds paddling workshops and rescue training on few do belong to institutions. Western Carolina University has the Nantahala River for its 1,000 members. Since a permit, for example, and is able to teach paddling to its stu- participants pay to go on the trips, it counts as a dents on the river without going through an outfitter. commercial operation and thus needs a permit.

Feb/March 2011 Page 11

Tennessee's Online Water Quality Assessment Data Base Would you like to know more about the water lake condition will be color coded, with red indicat- quality of the rivers, streams, or lakes where you ing that they are impaired (do not support their paddle? designated uses), blue indicating that they are not impaired (support their designated uses), and grey The Tennessee Department of Environment and indicating that they are not assessed. The last is- Conservation’s, Division of Water Pollution Control sue of Eddy Out included an article about the Toc- and Office for Information Resources, GIS Services coa/Ocoee River. Group have developed a tool that provides the public with access to permitting, stream assess- If you want to know what type of pollution is im- ment, and other water quality data. This informa- pacting a waterbody and its source, click the tion is on the web at: http://tnmap.state.tn.us/wpc ―Identify a Feature on the Map‖ (the i in a blue cir- cle) icon on the upper right, then click the stream Upon entering this web site, you will see a map of or lake that you want to know about. The stream Tennessee that shows county boundaries. In order or lake will turn yellow, and description of the to see water quality information for the area of in- stream or lake will pop up in the Search Results terest, you will need to zoom in for a more detailed box on the right. If you click the description, a ta- map. This can be done using your mouse wheel or ble describing the stream or lake will appear in the by using the zoom slider on the left side of the Details box. At the bottom right of the table, there map. You can move the map in any direction by will be a box that says ―Click for pollution source clicking the pan button on the upper right, then (s)‖. When you click this selection, a table that lists moving the map with the left mouse button. There types of pollution (causes) and their sources will is also a search tool that will enable you to zoom pop-up. into the area you are interested in by searching for the name of stream or watershed (HUC 12). One TDEC has conducted an extensive water quality you have zoomed into the area of interest, you can assessment program for many years. Until re- choose between aerial photography or topo map cently, this information was only available in tech- backgrounds by clicking selection boxes on the up- nical publications. Many of these publications are per left. hundreds of pages long and not easy for the public to understand. This online data base is a great There are 17 layers that can be added to the map tool for making this information available to pad- be clicking selection boxes on the right side of the dlers and other concerned citizens. map. Check the stream assessment box to see stream condition information or the water body Tom McDonough box to see lake condition information. Stream and

CHOTA CANOE CLUB MEMBERSHIP FORM Membership for one year from July 1 thru June 30

___ $20 Membership Fee Enclosed ___ New Member ___ Renewing Member ___Change of Address

Name(s): ______Street: ______City / State /Zip: ______Phone: (home) ______(work)______E-mail address: ______

Please indicate boats currently paddled: __ K1 __ OC1 __ OC2 __ C1 __ Touring K1 Other (please specify): ______Skill level: __ Beginner __ Novice __ Intermediate __ Advanced __ Expert

Interest Area:

__ Whitewater Class 3 and above trips __ Hairless whitewater Class 1/2/(3) trips __ Touring Adventure Trips __ Overnight trips (rivers/lakes) __ Touring kayak overnight trips __ Day trips __ Weekday evening local trips __ Youth Activities __ Weekday evening paddle trips __ Hairless trips __ Whitewater trips __ Conservation Activities __ Safety Activities __ Canoe School __ Whitewater canoe or kayak __ Touring kayak __ Western Trips __ Whitewater __ Touring kayaks __ Gulf kayak touring Trips __ Day trips __ Self contained overnight trips

Waiver: Chota Canoe Club activities may involve risk to persons or property. I agree to hold harmless from any liability the Chota Canoe Club, its officers and its members, col- lectively or as individuals, for any damage or loss of property or any personal injury or death to myself, anyone in my boat, or any member of my family covered by this membership while at any Chota Canoe Club function or on the way to or from it.

______Date / Signature(s) / (Parent or Guardian if under 18)

Send to: Chota Canoe Club PO Box 51194 Knoxville, TN 37950-1194

Chota Canoe Club ~ Promote community paddle sport activities, safety awareness and techniques, while being actively environmentally responsible.

Being a Chota Canoe Club member has many benefits

EDDY OUT Newsletter published every two months  updates and information about our current activities  contact information for local and regional paddlesport activities Trips scheduled just about every weekend  canoe and kayak whitewater trips (class III and above)  hairless trips (class I, II, III)  canoe/kayaking camping trips  touring kayak trips (day and self-contained)  youth activities  evening day trips and family outings June’s annual Chota Whitewater Canoe/Kayak School and Sea Kayaking School Club meetings and programs every month Safety Clinics Conservation Activities Social events Roll sessions

Club members are entitled to discounts (usually 10%) at local area retailers.

Chota has recently gone virtually green - meaning most communication is by email.

Club members receive notices via the Chota listserve data, Chota Facebook page, and our membership listing that includes your email address from your annual membership renewal forms.

We know that lots of folks change out email addresses and one of our challenges is keeping up with your correct email address.

Periodically, we need to review our active members listing (i.e. up-to-date paid mem- berships). Our annual membership covers 12 months, from July 1 through June 30 of each year.

If you are not current with your annual membership, we encourage you to submit a re- newal form and mail to the PO box denoted on the renewal form

The link to Chota membership form is www.discoveret.org/chota/memform.pdf or simply print out the one in this newsletter.

If you are unsure on the current status of your membership with Chota Canoe Club, please send an email to Doug Johnstone at [email protected], and I will check the membership listing for you.

Happy Paddling Adventures and Be Safe!

Doug Johnstone Chota Canoe Club - President