BY BOATERS FOR BOATERS July/August 2009

Teachings from the River Profi le: Mary DeRiemer Girls’ Trip on the Illinois (WA) Dam Building in Uganda: It’s Nile or Never! Whitewater of the Sea Women’s Headed for International Competition ..

A VOLUNTEER PUBLICATION PROMOTING RIVER CONSERVATION, ACCESS AND SAFETY American Whitewater Journal July/August 2009 - Volume #49 - Issue #4

COLUMNS

3 The Journey Ahead by Mark Singleton 4 President’s Message by Don Kinser 5 Letters to the Editor 6 News & Notes: Grand Canyon Lawsuit Appearl Hearing by Richard Martin 8 2009 North American Junior Olympic Festival Report by David Kurtz 12 River Art by Betsy Hobkirk 44 2008 Annual Report 69 A Tribute to Lars Holbeck by Richard Montgomery

STEWARDSHIP UPDATES

14 Water Politics in Southern California by Dave Steindorf 16 Flows Return to the North Fork Feather River by Dave Steindorf 16 New Cresta Flow Schedule 17 West River Spring Surprise by Kevin Colburn 17 Southeastern Dam Relicensings Moving Ahead by Kevin Colburn 18 Dam Removal on the Snake River (WA) by Jerry White 19 Funding for River Restoration by Thomas O’Keefe 19 Another Dam Will Be Removed on a Tributary in the Columbia Gorge by Thomas O’Keefe 20 Pacific Northwest Rivers to Flow for the First Time in Decades by Thomas O’Keefe 22 More Wild and Scenic Rivers by Thomas O’Keefe 23 Wolf Bauer - Green River is Named in his Honor by Thomas O’Keefe 24 Clean Water Restoration Act by Thomas O’Keefe

WOMEN IN WHITEWATER

27 Teachings from the River by Anna Levesque 32 Profile: Mary DeRiemer by Lila Marie Thomas 36 It’s Nile or Never by Jessie Stone 38 Girls’ Trip on the Illinois by Gillian Salton 42 W.O.W. by Linda McLuckie 66 Whitewater by the Sea by Cate Hawthorne 68 The Value of Whitewater by Kristen Bierle 70 Women’s Canoe Will Shine in 2009 by Pamela Boteler

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Anna and Anne Sontheimer enjoying a summer day on the Nantahala Publication Title: American Whitewater Issue Date: July/August 2009 photo by Paul Villecourt Statement of Frequency: Published bimonthly Authorized Organization’s Name and Address: American Whitewater P.O. Box 1540 Cullowhee, NC 28723 River Stewardship: EDUCATION: AW shares information with the processes, grassroots advocacy, coalition building, An Integrated Approach general public and the community empowerment of volunteers, public outreach and regarding whitewater rivers, as well as river education, and, when necessary, legal action. Our mission: “To conserve and restore America’s recreation, conservation, access, and safety. This is whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities RIVER ACCESS: To assure public access to whitewater accomplished through our bi-monthly AW Journal, to enjoy them safely,” is actively pursued through our rivers pursuant to the guidelines published in its a monthly e-news, americanwhitewater.org, paddling conservation, access, safety and education efforts under official Access Policy, AW arranges for river access events, educational events, and through direct the umbrella of River Stewardship. The only national through private lands by negotiation or purchase, communication with the press. organization representing the interest of all whitewater seeks to protect the right of public passage on all paddlers, American Whitewater is the national voice rivers and streams navigable by or canoe, Together, AW staff, members, volunteers, and affiliate for thousands of individual whitewater enthusiasts, as encourages equitable and responsible management clubs can achieve our goals of conserving, protecting well as over 100 local paddling club affiliates. of whitewater rivers on public lands, and works with and restoring America’s whitewater resources and government agencies and other river users to achieve enhancing opportunities to safely enjoy these AW’s River Stewardship program adheres to the four these goals. tenets of our mission statement: wonderful rivers. SAFETY: AW promotes paddling safely, publishes CONSERVATION: AW’s professional staff works reports on whitewater accidents, maintains a uniform AW was incorporated under Missouri nonprofit closely with volunteers and partner organizations national ranking system for whitewater rivers (the corporation laws in 1961 and maintains its principal to protect the ecological and scenic values of all International Scale of Whitewater Difficulty) and mailing address at PO Box 1540, Cullowhee, NC whitewater rivers. These goals are accomplished publishes and disseminates the internationally- 28723; phone 1-866-BOAT-4-AW (1-866-262-8429). through direct participation in public decision-making recognized American Whitewater Safety Code. AW is tax exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service.

American Whitewater Board of Directors & Staff Journal Staff TOLL FREE NUMBER Chris Bell Editor Ambrose Tuscano 866-BOAT4AW P.O. Box 913, Soda Springs, California 95728 [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Asheville, NC

Graphic Design/Production/Photo Editor Christie Dobson Rich Bowers Norwood Scott Jeff Paine [email protected] [email protected] Outreach Director Contributing Writers Bellingham, WA San Francisco, CA Simsbury, CT Don Kinser, Jean Buckley, Ambrose Tuscano, Cari Mackey, Richard Martin, David Kurtz, Betsy Kobkirk, Dave Steindorf, [email protected] Kevin Colburn, Thomas O’Keefe, Jerry White, Anna Levesque, Dave Cernicek Charlie Walbridge Lila Marie Thomas, Jessie Stone, Gillian Salton, Linda McLuckie, [email protected] [email protected] Cate Hawthorne, Kristen Bierle, Richard Montgomery, Jackson, WY Bruceton Mills, WV Thomas O’Keefe Pam Boteler Pacific NW Stewardship Director Adam Cramer BOARD OFFICERS Seattle, WA Photo Contributors Mari Carlos, Thomas O’Keefe, Jim Webster, Mark Van Horn, [email protected] President: Don Kinser [email protected] Cody Goddard, Betsy Kobkirk, Logan Ross, Kyle Laughlin, Washington, DC Vice President: Norwood Scott Paul Villecourt, Espirit Rafting, Phil DeReimer, Morgan Koons, Secretary: Jennie Goldberg Mark Singleton Gillian Salton, Leah Wilson, Nan Mason, Jeff Laxier, Sam Bierle, Leland Davis Michael Thompson Treasurer: Chris Bell Executive Director leland@brushmountainpubli At Large: Dave Cernicek shing.com Cullowhee, NC Events / Advertising Coordinator Jeff Paine Swannanoa, NC [email protected] P.O. Box 1540, Cullowhee, NC 28723 AW STAFF phone 828-713-5825 e-mail: [email protected] Jennie Goldberg Laura Blalock Dave Steindorf [email protected] Finance Manager California Stewardship Director Safety Editor Charlie Walbridge Seattle, WA Route 1, Box 329F, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525 Cullowhee, NC Chico, CA e-mail: [email protected] Kristine Jackson [email protected] [email protected] Stewarship Reports Editor [email protected] Kevin Colburn, [email protected] Rock Island, TN Kevin Colburn National Stewardship Director American Whitewater Magazine Task Force Don Kinser Jeff Espy, Dunbar Hardy, Dale-Marie Herring, John Mason, Missoula, MT Tanya Shuman, Ambrose Tuscano [email protected] Marietta, GA [email protected] Missing Copies and Address Changes [email protected] Evie Locke Nathan Fey [email protected] Colorado Stewardship Director American Whitewater is printed by Charlemont, MA The Printing House in Quincy Florida Longmont, CO All rights reserved. [email protected] Eric Nies EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER [email protected] The opinions expressed in the features and New Paltz, NY Carla Miner editorials of American Whitewater are those of Membership Manager the individual authors. They do not necessarily Aaron Pruzan West Valley City, UT represent those of the Directors of American [email protected] [email protected] Whitewater or the editors of this publication. Jackson Hole, WY On occasion, American Whitewater publishes official organizational policy statements drafted and approved by the Board of Directors. These policy statements will be clearly identified.

2 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 3 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 With the mid summer boating season such fierce defenders of rivers. It is this upon us, it’s a good time to think about intimate connection to flowing water that where the water that fuels your local has made American Whitewater a force in river comes from. If you on a the river community for over 50 years. dam-released , chances are good that American Whitewater had a role in shaping American Whitewater understands that the flow schedule or securing downstream with access comes a responsibility to water for recreation. Mid summer is also ensure that our use does not take anything when we release our Annual Report for away or leave anything behind. Paddlers the prior year. The work chronicled in our have been leaders in developing “Leave Annual Report could not be done without no Trace” guidelines for backcountry use. the support of our membership. Paddlers developed zero impact principals (pack out your poop) over 30 years ago on As you flip through the following pages river corridors like the Colorado through please keep in mind that American the Grand Canyon. We are leading the Whitewater is much more than the way today as advocates for nationally organization responsible for the consistent river management on Wild and publication you hold in front of you. We Scenic Rivers. are primarily responsible for restoring flows to many of our most highly American Whitewater has a great story to treasured whitewater rivers! Our regional tell right now. Our stewardship projects river stewardship program, an integrated are making a real difference to rivers and approach to the American Whitewater local communities while providing flows mission of conservation, access and for recreation and habitat. If you are safety, is racking up on-the-ground reading this publication and you are not achievements. a member, please consider supporting this work. If you are a member, thanks for your In the past year, American Whitewater support, pass this issue on to a friend and volunteers and staff have participated let them know what we are doing. There in numerous hydropower-relicensing has never been a better time to support meetings, filed comments, provided American Whitewater! congressional testimony, advocated for minimum flows, and worked to improve public access to rivers. American Whitewater is the only national organization representing paddlers as these decisions are being made. It may seem obvious that people should have Mark Singleton access to rivers; however, dam operators, Executive Director private landowners, government agencies, and even some conservation groups do not always share this belief. At the core of this philosophical difference is the feeling by others that paddling or other forms of human-powered recreation somehow take something away from the river.

At American Whitewater, we see it differently. Providing opportunities for people to interact with rivers and develop a stewardship ethic through a direct connection to the resource is at the core of our mission. Paddlers know that you can’t love what you don’t know. And it is this love of whitewater that makes paddlers

2 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 3 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 It is early May and I have just returned ground can not be overstated. However, as you read this it is mid summer from a wonderful 10-day paddling and water isn’t quite so plentiful in many vacation in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia The Cheat River Festival has become one parts of the country. The chances are good and West Virginia, culminating at the of my favorite river gatherings over the that you are paddling a dam fed river and Cheat River Festival. This was one of the years for a number of reasons. First it is the chances are even better that AW played best paddling adventures I have been on a lot of fun with a great mix of the local a vital role in putting that water back in in many years. There was good fellowship, community and the paddling community, that river for you to enjoy. spectacular wilderness rivers, good public coming together to protect and celebrate a access, plenty of rain and warm weather great river. More importantly, the festival I encourage you to read AW’s Annual (did I mention we were traveling first highlights the Friends of the Cheat’s Report in this issue because I think class in Milt’s RV—so much for reducing fantastic work to save the Cheat River that you too will be impressed by what our carbon footprint). What is most watershed from acid mine drainage and is your support of AW has accomplished. noteworthy however are the impressive another great example of what passionate Remember that AW and many committed influences American Whitewater and local volunteers can accomplish. We volunteers are working hard to make your other passionate volunteers working over support FOC’s efforts and wish them next paddling adventure possible. the years had on our experience. continued success. See You on the River, For example, two of the rivers we paddled Another river we paddled during our trip included the Russell Fork Gorge and the was the Big Sandy, one more wonderful Upper Gauley. AW has played key roles on example of what volunteerism can both these dam controlled rivers making accomplish. Many volunteers including sure that whitewater enthusiasts’ interests great folks like Charlie Walbridge (AW are represented and we have that “seat Director and current President of FOC) at the table.” Both of these rivers have have worked tirelessly to gain better access another thing in —without the at both the Rockville and Jenkinsberg passionate efforts of local “grass roots” (put-in and take-out respectively) making volunteers, far less would have been the continued enjoyment of these rivers by accomplished. Leveraging AW’s expertise, all paddlers possible. experience and resources through local volunteers greatly multiplies what we can Springtime is beautiful in West Virginia do. The importance of your efforts on the and water is plentiful from seasonal rains.

4 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 5 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Dear American Whitewater: mid-wifery, so that women can get adequate Dear American Whitewater, In your up coming Women in Whitewater care before, during and after childbirth. I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you edition, I hope that you have a chance Equality in sports for women may someday for what you did to get releases on the to take a look at the U.S.A. Canoe/Kayak give the women of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Bear River (ID). I was just up there on (USACK) website (www.usack.org). The Pakistan hope that they too can participate Saturday to run it and it is an amazing Federation (ICF) just fully in society and sports. run. We went up to the power company last month made huge strides in efforts and also said thank you to them. I drove towards gender equity by recognizing Sincerely, a total of 23 hours for that run—and it Women’s Canoe at the World Cup and all Jean Buckley was totally worth it! ICF races. However, USACK’s Whitewater Slalom committee just announced there will River season is upon us and so is fund be no funding for women’s canoeists, even Jean, raising season. Our club will do the best those who make the National team, because we can for you in all our events. is an Olympic sport only for men Thank you for your pertinent and timely (see: http://usack.org/news/article/12468). comments. While our nation is experiencing Cari Mackey an age of unprecedented social equality, it is Jagged Edge Store Manager I think American Whitewater has an important to recognize that there is still work Telluride, CO opportunity to make a statement on behalf to be done. American Whitewater supports of all women who paddle canoe: Canoeing the equal opportunity of men and women to should and will be an Olympic Sport for compete in whitewater paddlesports at the women. Please understand, the movement highest level, and we applaud your efforts to toward gender equality is important for so bring this issue to light. many reasons, not just canoeing … right now, my dear friend is in Pakistan teaching Respectfully, Ambrose Tuscano

4 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 5 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Grand Canyon Lawsuit Appeal Hearing Scheduled For June 10, 2009

By Richard Martin

A little background

Private boaters have struggled for years to gain parity with the Grand Canyon commercial outfitters in regard to the number of on river opportunities each year.

Commercial rafting companies held the lion’s share of trip opportunities up to and even after the great growth of demand for Grand Canyon river trips sprouted in the early 1970s, when the “baby boomers” their outdoors stride. As recently as 2005 led by GCPBA, in suing the Park Service Lee’s Ferry Launch - River runners, both commercial Canyon outfitters held 68% of the user day to reopen the planning process. We hoped and private prepare for launch at Lee’s Ferry, allocation for recreational boating. to remedy the imbalance, protect the Colorado River boat ramp. The 2006 Grand Canyon Canyon, and maintain good relations. Colorado River Management Plan provides an equal Demand for the remaining 32% of sharing of user day opportunities between private and commercial river runners. recreational use was brisk to say the least. In an historic settlement, the Court ruled

A waiting list for trip leaders stretched as in favor of private boaters, ordering the photo by Mari Carlos far as 25 years into the future. GCNP to re-open the planning process.

Repeated efforts for reform of the system That order resulted in an enormous Two series of public meetings were had been futile. Arguments continued over planning project, bringing stakeholders held from coast to coast inviting the the depth of the problem – was private interested in river running together, face participation of all interested parties, boater demand really that high, should to face, to develop a plan that addressed including commercial customers, private everybody wait the same amount of time, the inequities in user allocation and that river runners, Native American Nations, were private boaters less careful with the protected and improved the outstanding Wilderness advocates, hikers, and more. resource than commercial, should motor environmental qualities that make the boats be allowed, were trips too long, too Grand Canyon river trip such a sought Meanwhile, aside from the public meeting short, was a waiting list the best way of after experience. process, the private and commercial issuing permits? On and on it went.

Boaters were stuck in a big, re-circulating eddy of divisiveness.

In 1996 Grand Canyon National Park began the process of revising the Colorado River Management Plan. But in 2000 they canceled the effort, ironically citing contention as reason to toss the oars and abandon ship. That year Superintendent Arnberger declared the conflict between boaters irresolvable.

Shortly thereafter the Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association (GCPBA) and American Whitewater (AW) joined forces, 6 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 7 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 boating stakeholders got together in the hope of overcoming decades of antipathy that had kept them at odds over issues like motors and allocation.

Both sides worked diligently and reached a mutually acceptable compromise that might save the NPS from writing less favorable rules into the new plan. In a four way agreement signed by Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association (GCROA), GCPBA, AW and Grand Canyon River Runners Association (GCRRA), a set of A small trip camp in the Grand Canyon. The 2006 CRMP provided opportunity for low impact small joint recommendations for modifying trips of a maximum of eight people per trip. Fifty of the GCNP proposed preferred plan was these private/non-comercial small trips were added submitted to the NPS. The Park was under during the summer season. This trip consisted of no obligation to use our joint proposal but three participants and two boats. many of our comments were turned to action in the 2006 CRMP. Our agreement photo by Mari Carlos is testament to the power of collaboration vs. a unilateral inability to compromise. Who is suing the NPS and why? The new plan gives private boaters and commercial river runners an equal Inevitably, in such comprehensive researched as well as unfair to private number of user days, and parity in the processes someone or some group is going boaters. In 2006 they filed suit against number of launches. to feel they didn’t get things the way they the NPS seeking to have the plan thrown wanted them. out and to begin anew with the planning Although there are 599 (previously 649) process. commercial launches, and there are Probably not every group got everything 503 (was 249) private launches parity is it wanted. Here at GCPBA a number of On Nov. 27, 2007 Judge David G. achieved because the average length of a our proposals were rejected, but overall Campbell of the 9th United States District private trip is longer than a commercial, we were very happy with the method and Court denied the RRFW motion for a therefore using more user days. Trip outcome of the planning effort and we summary Judgment against the NPS and variety rather than uniformity was the support the plan while working with the GCNP, ordering the case ”terminated” strong preference shown in over 40,000 Park to make incremental improvements. and stating that RRFW “failed to establish public comments to the CRMP. that the Park Service acted arbitrarily and The group River Runners For Wilderness capriciously when it adopted the 2006 (RRFW) has rejected the Park effort as CRMP.” poorly conducted, documented, and RRFW disagreed with Judge Campbell’s ruling and has appealed the decision to the 9th District Court of Appeals in San Francisco, CA.

A hearing on the case is scheduled for June 10th, 2009 at the District Court, 9 AM.

The outcome of the case will mostly likely be announced this fall or winter.

6 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 7 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 2009 North American especially junior and cadet paddlers. “Barb, tell us what routine you are working Junior Olympic on,” I asked.

Festival Report “I am working on the front loop,” she said. Cameron Webster a junior paddler “It’s worth 10 points.” Photo by Jim Webster By David Kurtz, Chairman Junior Olympic “I see a lot of the kids doing surfing Committee of USA Canoe/Kayak Slalom Committee and flat spins,” I rejoined. “What are wanting to watch the races and cheer time they worth?” splits from the shore. Young Willi Wang looked up the river to see what he had just run and exclaimed, “Oh, they’re worth only 2 or 4 points,” she The Classic Wildwater race will be held “Wow, I made it through all three drops. said. “Strictly beginner’s stuff. My goal is on July 8 on a four-mile Class II-III This is cool!” to pull off a Space Godzilla that is worth course on the Madawaska River. Within 15 points! EJ has been working on that a day or so the Wildwater Sprint events “Well done, Willi,” said Barb as she ran up with me the last two weeks.” will also be held at Madawaska. Sprint to him. “You did exactly what I told you events are about as long as a slalom course to do in running that hole at the end … Also, here kids had assembled for their and are frequently held on an existing you put y our head down and punched practice in both slalom and wildwater slalom course. it. You’ll do just fine next week at the JO events. We pigeonholed Sidney Squire Slalom Championships.” for his comments. Sid is 16 years old and Back at the Minden Park, Emma Engstrom comes from Zoar, Massachusetts. wipes the water from her face after a dash Willi is an eleven-year-old newby down the slalom course in her slalom from Wilmette, IL. Just last month he “Sid, tell us what you’re best at?” race boat. “Emma, what do you think of completed both runs at a JO qualifier on the water?” the Wisconsin River north of his home. An “Well, I am not sure if it is slalom or American Canoe Association Chicagoland Wildwater. We are doing both at Zoar on “Gosh, its fast! In all my 15 years I haven’t group had organized the qualifier and he the Deerfield River. The Deerfield is best seen such fast currents. I guess it is the came in second in his age group, the cub for Wildwater cruising and racing and that artificial nature, but I think its super!” cadets (through age 12). is what we do the most of. I heard that we Emma hails from Atlanta where natural had a Junior Team Trials in slalom at the rivers are her training ground. “Even the Willi had just finished an hour long Zoar Gap rapid a few years ago. The Zoar Water Works drop isn’t quite as fast…” practice session on the Minden Ontario outdoor group organized a JO qualifier in Course which will be the site of some of Wildwater racing this spring and that is Emma asks, “I am a little confused about the events in the 2009 North American why I am here today!” this Super Sprint Slalom coming up. What Junior Olympic Festival races this makes a slalom a sprint?” coming July. “Well, done, Sid, let’s see some action!” “A Super Sprint Slalom was first introduced Barb Budaj, a 16-year-old girl from Idaho About 20 kids were squeezing into their at the 2006 JO events in Alberta, Canada at Springs, CO was primarily interested in sleek . We saw a few settling into Kananaskis,” I say. “It is a simpler slalom freestyle and was scheduled the next hour a kneeling position, as evidence of their course in that there are only about 11-12 for her practice at the hole on the Minden competing in the Wildwater C-1 class. gates in a normal length slalom course. course. Let’s go over to see how it goes. In this early practice day the kids were There is more space between the gates so spending most of their time getting to that the slalom is not so technical. This is There were about a dozen youth gathered know each of the rapids. Later they will where it has elements of downriver racing. at the stream bank, standing by their define their line more carefully to pick the It turned out to be a lot of fun and yet a glistening play boats. Most appeared to be fastest. challenge last year at Wausau.” the older juniors, but there were a couple of younger kids. Most were boys so Barb The Wildwater events were placed early in One of the features of Junior Olympics stood out as an exception. A lot of the the program this year since wildwater now is the mentoring. While each of the kids boats were from Jackson Boats, which features both the classic wildwater events represents a home-team club, there is a were loaned to the JO Festival by Rashid and the wildwater sprint events. Some of strong effort to have the older, experienced Boats, a local boating business interested these kids will be representing the USA as kids take on a younger one and help him in promoting freestyle and promoting part of the Junior Team and others will be or her along. Let’s see what Sidney and

8 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 9 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 8 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 9 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Emma say about mentoring. We cornered small or as large as the kids want…from 3- them later that day while they were 8 boats. And then the type of plastic boat relaxing for an evening social gathering. is up for grabs. Also, no grabbing spray “Sid, What are you doing with the skirts, clothing, or other personal mentoring program?” gear; no hitting with the paddle or making any contact above the shoulders. On the Danny Warner (black PFD) and Graham Bell “I’ll never forget the help I got back home other hand kids may grab boats, boat grab (red PFD) discussing slalom art when the going got tough and I needed loops, and push and shove with an open some help. A couple of older paddlers gave hand below the shoulders.” Photo by Mark Van Horn me some hints and real support. It quieted my nerves and enabled me to go on and All of these activities bring together kids run the rivers better. I am now ready to who have entered the whitewater sport in Boulder, CO, the Rivermeister Award help the younger kids in our JO program a variety of ways. Youth can qualify at any in 2008. The Rivermeisterin Award in here whether it is in wildwater or slalom.” number of slalom competitions as well as 2008 went to Hailey Thompson a cadet freestyle events or wildwater races. The paddler out of Stevens Point, WI for all “Have you, Emma, any experience focus for the Festival will be, as usual, a her activity. The highest prestige award for in mentoring?” Junior Olympic Slalom Championships. the Festival week will be the presentation July 11-12 is the scheduled time. We hope of the Olympic Spirit Award to the one “When I was a 12 year old girl, fresh to have a second day for doubles canoe kid exemplifying the Olympic ideals out of the story-book wonders of early classes in order to emphasize the doubles of participation and helping others to girlhood, I was a real scare-d-cat when class, which is so hard to get organized participate. Last year Hailey Thompson it came to bigger water. The rapids here amongst the kids. The exact schedule will took that award home with her. at Minden are a blast to me, now, but I be determined closer to the event. could remember times when similar waves “Willi, how have the clinics and free seemed humongous. I have heard that the In addition to the individual awards there training opportunities working out for JOs have a tradition amongst the girls that will be team/club awards. There is a team you this week? when one of the younger girls shows fear award to the three American teams that in the river course, a group of older girls score the most points in the slalom. In “This single pole gate is strange when gets together to help her. They gather the past this was the Chuck Hines Award, you first see it, but with a little practice, I around and in their own girl-way talk this but not it has become the Hines-Dickert- worked it well. and talk that and then surround the girl as Kurtz Award. We are hoping to continue in they all make their way down the course. that fashion. In each of the classes (boat or “We had some super guys working with That is true mentoring and I am ready to age group) the winner scores 5 points and us in slalom yesterday. They were good help out.” second-fourth place 3,2 or 1 points. Then at explaining the latest gate moves,” said there is also the McLain Team Award going Willi. “I am not sure if these kids were Just then Claudia Van Wijk came running to the best Canadian or American team junior paddlers or older.” up to Emma and hurriedly asked,” Emma, scoring points in all the events. With the our opening ceremonies will be taking McLain, the points are 5,4,3,2, and 1 point “You wouldn’t know,” I rejoined. “They place tomorrow and we need a special flag for each participant. The Wildwater points could be Junior 16 kids, regular juniors, bearer for the parade of athletes. Can you are earned by summing the scores between or even those over 18 who are here to help help us out?” the classic and sprint races such that there run the clinics and program. Is your boat is roughly equal value for each type. holding up OK; I noticed some duck tape “ Wow,” exclaimed Emma, “I sure would. I on the seams?” love parades!” Ray McLain, junior coaching great from Green Bay, WI has introduced slalom “Yea, the course here is pretty easy on Sid then popped in with a question: paddling to many kids, predominantly boats,” said Willi. “Some of my friends “Sorry to interrupt the conversation, but girls. Every year we had seen him with a here appreciate that you folks have loaned I am really looking forward to the Boater different girl partner in big slaloms. Some a few boats to them. I liked that idea.” Cross event scheduled on July 7. What are of his kids later became medalists in world the rules?” competition. The McLain trophy was “Right, the Front Range Paddling created in his memory. Association of the Denver, CO area has I replied, “I am not sure of all the details made available a number of and but I do know that only plastic boats will There are also the Rivermeister awards. kayaks, particularly doubles canoes for be used (there will be a lot of bumping)! Earning the most points for his team got those in need of a boat. Also the Mach We have the option to make each group as Tyler Hinton, a Junior 16 paddler from

10 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 11 July/August 2009 July/August 2009

Qualifying for the 2009 Junior Olympics

The Junior Olympics are events for canoe participation, we will allow make aspiring cadet and promising junior up teams to form from youth who have paddlers. Races are needed throughout qualified in a singles kayak or canoe the country to qualify young athletes class. If a doubles team has a mixed age, for the various Junior Olympic Events. the competition will be in the older age These can be in slalom, wildwater, group of the two persons involved. downriver, or freestyle. The qualifying races and events are intended to The present system used for qualifying is indicate that the youth are trained as follows: well enough for participation in the Junior Olympics, and that they have In the kayak classes, the top four not experience at least in one of these previously qualified will qualify. In types of activities. Youth who qualify singles canoe the top three will qualify in one, can participate in all at the and in doubles canoe the top two. North American Junior Olympics (JO) Festival being held in 2009 in Ontario, The following athletes are pre-qualified: Canada. For example, a kid qualifying the 2008 cadet team in Slalom, Freestyle, in slalom can compete in wildwater or or Wildwater, the 2008 Junior Team, the Coach Kurtz at Christmas Camp, 2005 freestyle. Similarly, a kid qualifying in 2008 Development Cadets and Juniors, freestyle, can compete in wildwater and and the medal winners (first through Photo by Cody Goddard slalom. The Junior Olympics Festival third places) in the respective events at will be held from July 4-12, 2009. the 2008 Junior Olympic Festival held at Wausau, Wisconsin. David A. Kurtz, PhD from Penn State Qualifying events can be organized University, started working with youth as by clubs who are affiliated with USA Canadian youth will qualify according a Scoutmaster while an undergraduate C/K, the American Canoe Association, to methods designed by the Canadian student at Knox College in 1953. The U.S. Canoe Association, or be organizations. Introduced to whitewater paddling with unaffiliated with any of these. However, an Explorer Post in Midland, MI in 1954, those youth who qualify and wish to Youth who live greater than 150 miles he continued paddling immediately upon go to Ontario for the JO Festival must from a qualifying event may qualify arrival at State College for graduate work at that point be individual members by letter indicating they have had at Penn State and has never stopped. of USACK. See the following web site experience in 4 events prior to the 2009 There he worked with Explorer Post 32, for information to list your event as a Junior Olympics. Post 101, and then the Wildwater Boating qualifying event: Club. Since 1999, he has been president http://jo.mach1team.org There is a drastic need to have more of the Mach One Slalom Team. Kurtz – indeed many more – qualifying events was a member of four USA Slalom Teams Youth qualify in one of 4 age group than what we have been having in the in the 1960s as a singles canoe paddler categories using the ICF/USACK age past. Paddlers should make strong and winner of 3 National Doubles canoe group definitions. For 2009 the age efforts to create new qualifying events. Slalom Championships, also in the 1960s. groups are, according to birth years: Enter information at the web site listed An International Canoe Federation Cub Cadet: (BD 1997-1999) (three above and promote it locally, regionally, Slalom Expert since 1965, he has been years in the grouping, the others are and nationally! an At Large member of the USA Canoe/ 2-year groupings) Kayak Whitewater Slalom Committee Cadet: (BD 1995-1996) All in all we are looking forward to the since 2003. He was appointed Chairman, Junior 15-16: (BD 1993-1994) final events in wildwater, freestyle, and Junior Olympics Slalom Committee for Junior: (BD 1991-1992) slalom at this the 2009 version of the the 2006 and later seasons. North American Junior Olympics in They also qualify in any one or more of Whitewater paddling. The North American Junior Olympics reaches out to you to feed the needs of national youth paddling for the classes, which include singles kayak the 2009 Ray McLain JO Paddlers Fund. The 2008 for men or women, singles canoe for campaign received $1320, paid out $1178 but still men or women, and doubles canoe for owes $2000 for medals and costs related to the 2008 men, women, or mixed gender. Festival in Wausau, WI. The new Festival scheduled for July 4-12 in upper Ontario, Canada will have Qualification is for a specific boat class, similar expenses. In addition we would like to help kayak or canoe, and will apply for any out the 2009 National Junior Slalom Team for or all of the events in slalom, wildwater, individual expenses to Foix, France for the Junior or freestyle. To encourage more doubles Pre-World Championships. Details can be found at http://jo.mach1team.org

10 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 11 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Whitewater Art

By Betsy Hobkirk

I’ve been paddling for about ten years. Last year I decided to create a body of artwork about women and whitewater . I used images from newspapers, magazines and my imagination to make drawings, paintings, and prints. My rule was that any photo images I used had to be of women paddlers. At first this worked, but later as I got into the project I ended up drawing from a few male images because I ran out of images of women.

My artwork is about gender and risk taking. Most women have had negative experiences connected to physical strength, size, and appearance. Taking on a sport, especially , is a powerful contradiction to the Top: Double Trouble

Bottom: Paddler

All photos and artwork by Betsy Hobkirk

Antidote to misinformation that was directed our way while growing up. I use whitewater Urban Living kayaking in my artwork as a metaphor for facing challenges. Paddling can be By Barbara Wiedemann thrilling and liberating but the sexism that women grow up with can sometimes The Middle Fork American River undermine confidence. When I was from Greenwood Bridge site learning to paddle one of my instructors to Mammoth Bar commented that it wasn’t unusual for flows deep in a ravine some men to overestimate their ability but still is an easy river to kayak. and for women to underestimate theirs. Paddlers enter into the world of the canyon Over the years I’ve thought about what she but few others breach its rock walls. said and can recognize that I struggle with Undisturbed are deer at the water’s edge underestimating my paddling ability. The and a duck family in an eddy reality is we get to be female and we also and the raptors overhead. get to be tough. I have tried to express this Swimming in unison idea in my artwork by making images on two river otters different fabrics and paper and by being look at the kayakers deliberate about color choices. Paddling then dive, resurface and making art are both ongoing projects and look again. for me. I’m looking forward to where I go Four more are stacked on a rock next with them. warming in the sun.

Isn’t this reason enough to paddle?

12 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 13 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 12 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 13 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Water Politics in on the Kern River, near Bakersfield in the license was issued, the Kern Water Southern California. The project consists Master representing the Kern Water Users Southern California of a small, 12 megawatt powerhouse, protested to FERC about the whitewater located seven miles down stream from releases. They claimed that these releases By Dave Steindorf Lake Isabella. This project is somewhat would affect their ability to divert water unique in that the water for the over fifty miles down stream. Their claim If you ever saw the movie Chinatown with powerhouse comes from a dam that is was that releasing water through dam Jack Nicholson as the LA private detective, not owned by the utility. Lake Isabella is to the river rather than the powerhouse you may have some appreciation for operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, would change the timing of the water American Whitewater’s role in the Borel and more importantly the flow through delivery downstream. No evidence was Project on the Kern River in California. the powerhouse and releases from the dam presented other than the claim of the What started as a very standard hydro are actually controlled by the Kern Water Water Master that their diversion would relicensing, where we work to get whitewater Master. The Kern Water Master represents be impacted. They also did not present releases, has turned into a complex case of five water districts in the Bakersfield that any alternative solutions. FERC responded California water law jurisdiction involving have water rights to the Kern River. They by directing SCE and the Water Master to several State and Federal agencies. Like divert water from the Kern River at several find a way to make the whitewater releases Jack, we may get our nose bloodied but locations from 40 to 60 miles down stream and “…to minimize the disruption of flow we are equally determined to get our from Lake Isabella. Past the last diversion, to downstream water users and water questions answered. the river is left completely dry. rights holders.” Normally this would have The Borel hydroelectric project is located been the end of the issue: we would have The Borel project came up for relicensing all moved forward and found a way for in 2000. American Whitewater spent over the releases to happen and minimize any six years negotiating the new license. Along flow disruptions downstream. However, with our partners, who include the Sierra because the Water Master actually controls Club, Friends of the River, the State Water the flow through the powerhouse and the Resources Control Board, and others, we dam, SCE could not comply with FERC’s fought to get whitewater releases on this directive. This situation has resulted in the reach of the Kern River. When we reached Water Master effectively telling FERC that agreement with Southern California as far as whitewater releases go, “You can’t Edison (SCE) and FERC issued the new make me.” license that included whitewater releases, we felt that our hard work had paid off Rather than resolve this jurisdictional and that the boaters of the Kernville area, question, SCE attempted to find a suitable and more broadly Southern California, substitute for the whitewater releases. would have great boating for years to come Their initial suggestion was to do some on this section of river. Unfortunately, improvement to the Democrat take-out, that is not the end of the story. After downstream of the project. For American Whitewater and the Sierra Club this trading river releases for some paving and bathrooms was totally unacceptable. At the suggestion of some folks from Kernville, SCE offered the possibility of doing improvements to the whitewater park in Kernville. While not perfect, this option was more palatable because it at least could provide some improvements to water recreation. Unfortunately, SCE’s offer did not include any money to actually construct the improvements to the whitewater park, only a limited amount of money for design and an agreement to do the environmental permitting when, and if, money was raised to pay for the improvements. From American Whitewater’s perspective, it was not acceptable to trade the recreation

14 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 releases that we had rights to in the new the diversion needs downstream. In fact, improvements to the Whitewater Park. license for possible improvements to the it is not only the whitewater releases whitewater-park, with no guarantee that it that are in question. Under the original • FERC should require that the Kern Water would actually happen. license, SCE argued to FERC that because Users, represented by the Water Master, be the Water Master actually controls the co-licensees on the project. This would The deal breaker happened when SCE flows through the powerhouse and dam, make the Kern Water Users subject to the informed us that in order for them to agree they should not have minimum flows as terms of the FERC license. If they can to do the permitting on the whitewater- a requirement in the FERC license. This demonstrate that it is in fact impossible park at some point in the future, we would potential precedent has the possibility to to provide the whitewater releases without need to write a letter to FERC supporting impact any FERC project that we work on impacting their diversion rights, they the elimination of the whitewater releases that has downstream water rights, which could be required by FERC to fully fund and agreeing to improve the Democrat is just about every project. It is because the improvements to the Whitewater Park. take-out instead. They were also very of the possible precedent setting nature of The goal here is not to deny them the water explicit that we could not mention the this project that Trout Unlimited and the to which they have a legal rights, but rather, improvements to the Whitewater Park California Sportfishing Protection Alliance make them recognize that they have public in our letter. This would be a 180 degree signed on to our filing. Having angling trust responsibilities, despite the fact that turn from what we had spent six years organizations supporting whitewater the public has given them the right to use advocating. FERC would wonder why we releases is unusual to say the least. this water were now changing our position on the However, their support underscores the importance of whitewater recreation on importance of what is at stake. American Whitewater is willing to have this project. Looking back at the record discussions with all of the stakeholders they would see that first, we insisted We also believe that the best solution to to reach an acceptable resolution on that a whitewater flow study be done on resolve the jurisdictional question would this project. This resolution would this project. In addition, they would see be to require the Kern Water Users to be have to include actually improving a that after completing the flow study we co-licensees on the project. We believe that water recreation, either going forward filed numerous comments insisting that since they control the flows of the river with the whitewater release schedule or whitewater releases be a part of the license. below Lake Isabella, they should be subject constructing the improvements to the FERC’s review would then reveal that they to the terms of the FERC license. More Whitewater Park in Kernville. We believe had listened to our request and included importantly this will be a shot across the that SCE and the Kern Water Users have a releases in the license and then supported bow of every water district in the country public responsibility to all of the beneficial us when the Water Master filed a protest. that attempts to impose their will on uses of the river. American Whitewater is The logical question would be after all FERC’s jurisdiction. FERC is required to committed to seeing that they live up to of this effort why would we be willing to balance all of the public values in issuing that responsibility. then say that it is ok to take the releases a new license, which is why relicensing a out of the license in order to do some project such as this one takes so much time Moving forward we will be requesting access improvements. Again, from FERC’s and effort. It is important for all water users that the State Water Resources Control perspective they would have to wonder why to recognize that no one should be able to Board review the water rights of the Kern we bothered to waste their time and SCE’s circumvent this process that is designed to Water Users and to insure that they are in money during the relicensing process. We find balance in the use of the river. compliance with the Clean Water Act and feel that this would seriously damage AW’s protecting all of the beneficial uses of the credibility with FERC. American Whitewater believes that the Kern River. We will also be waiting for following points must be addressed: FERC’s response that will hopefully resolve Protecting AW’s credibility is important, the issue of who ultimately has control but it is by no means the most important • The Kern Water Users need to provide over the flows through this project. Again, reason why we could not sign onto the documentation, in the form of test releases it is our hope that we can resolve this issue deal proposed by SCE. The primary issue or modeling, that demonstrate that it is in a way that meets everyone’s needs. involves the Water Master’s challenge to infeasible to provide whitewater releases. FERC’s authority. The Water Master’s This is one of fifteen FERC projects that refusal to comply with the FERC license • SCE should be required to get a 401 American Whitewater is actively working has created a huge jurisdictional issue. certification and approval from the on in California. If you are interested in The Water Master has claimed that the State Water Resources Control Board in learning more about this project we can whitewater releases will interfere with order to amend the license and remove use your help. If you are interested please their water rights. No documentation whitewater releases. In this certification contact Dave Steindorf at (530) 343-1871. has been presented showing that it is process the State Board could require SCE impossible to do the releases and meet to provide the releases or to fully fund the

www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 15 July/August 2009 Flows Return to the North water year and through June in a dry year (see below for full flow schedule). New Cresta Flow Schedule Fork Feather River The new flow regime was designed largely By Dave Steindorf to be more protective of Foothill Yellow- Wet and Normal Water Years Legged Frogs, whose numbers in the After several years of intense debate, Cresta reach have grown very low over In May, flows shall increase to 800 cfs from negotiation and collaboration, the Cresta the last several years. While some parties May 1 through May 7 with an additional reach will see boatable flows again this have attributed this decline to mid and increase to 1200 cfs for 24 hours the first year. Working with the Forest Service, late summer boating releases, the largest weekend in May from noon Saturday Department of Fish and Game, California demonstrated impact to the frogs on until noon Sunday. If May 1 is a Sunday State Water Resources Control Board, the North Fork Feather came on the Poe the 1200 cfs flow shall take place starting California Sport Fishing Protection reach in 2006, when spill conditions were May 7 with flows reduced to 600 cfs after Alliance, and PG&E, we were able to followed by an abrupt drop to low base noon on May 8. Flows will remain at 600 craft this new flow schedule that is more flows. Forty frog egg masses were left high cfs until May 31st. Flows will be at 500 protective of frogs, mimics the natural and dry in this drop, and thus perished. cfs for the month of June and 400 cfs for flows of the river, and provides for Higher base flows, such as those in the the July. whitewater recreation. Flows will not be new flow schedule for Cresta, would have in the same form as releases that occurred kept the river higher coming off of spill Dry Water years in years past, but rather a single pulse that conditions, drying out fewer egg masses will increase base flows starting on May 1st and improving chances of frog survival. and continuing through July in a normal In May, flows shall increase to 750 cfs from May 1 through May 7 with an additional Debates over the science associated increase to 1200 cfs for 24 hours the first with the claim that whitewater releases weekend in May from noon Saturday impacted frogs was leading us down a until noon Sunday. If May 1 is a Sunday road of possible litigation. Then, in 2008, the 1200 cfs flow shall take place starting PG&E opened the door to the possibility May 7 with flows reduced to 500 cfs after of reworking the flow schedule to provide noon on May 8. Flows will remain at 500 boating opportunities in the spring. Dave cfs until May 31st. Flows will be at 400 cfs Steindorf, working with Bob Center, for the month of June. developed a flow schedule that restored the natural snowmelt pulse that should naturally occur in the spring. By placing Critically Dry Water Years this pulse during the frog breeding season, frog eggs will be buffered from late spill In April, a boating flow of 600 cfs shall be events. Because we also designed these provided on the third Saturday in April flows to follow a natural rate of decline, (from 8am Saturday morning until 5pm frog egg masses are also protected from Sunday evening). rapid dewatering.

While we recognize that we are giving up very high value summer whitewater recreation, we feel that it is worth it to create a far more natural flow regime that will benefit frogs, fish, bugs, and help maintain the river channel. Restoring more natural flows in rivers is one of American Whitewater’s top river priorities of 2009 (see American Whitewater January/February 2009). Getting this new flow schedule approved and in place is an important milestone in achieving this goal, not only for the Feather River but rivers across California and across the country.

16 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 17 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 West River Spring Surprise Southeastern Dam By Kevin Colburn Relicensings Moving This year the Army Corps of Engineers decided to cancel the spring release on Ahead the West River. At first they decided to reschedule the release from late April to also published their draft environmental By Kevin Colburn mid April. Paddlers protested this move impact statement regarding the proposed

and sought a mutually agreeable solution. management of the Catawba River (NC/ Granting a new 30-50 year license to Instead, without notice, the Corps released SC). FERC generally has supported the operate a dam is no simple matter and the the water on April 1, after publicly stating settlement agreement that AW signed with process takes at least five and a half years. they would release the water April 6-10. the dam owner and many other groups. In the past couple of months a handful of Calls to the Corps from AW and other AW filed comments in support of our such projects in the southeastern US saw organizations were not returned. settlement agreement. Lastly, the county significant steps forward. that is opposing the removal of Dillsboro The issue driving the changes involves poor Dam on the Tuckasegee (NC), and thus The Federal Energy Regulatory communication, and Atlantic Salmon. holding up the releases on the West Fork Commission (FERC) issued their final Several agencies and organizations of the Tuck, lost the first of three pending assessment of the issues on Alabama’s are seeking to restore salmon to the court challenges. Coosa River, and a license can be expected Connecticut River system (including the in the near future. FERC has ordered a West River), which is the southernmost flow study on the Coosa and a process historic salmon run on the Atlantic to explore the feasibility of enhancing coast. Obviously, American Whitewater releases. FERC hosted scoping meetings and other paddling organizations are and accepted scoping comments on supportive of these goals. The Vermont South Carolina’s Saluda River. At this agencies believe that the Ball Mountain stage, interest groups tell FERC what their Reservoir must be drawn down in order interests are, and what topics FERC should for out-migrating salmon smolt to pass explore in FERC’s analysis of the new through the dam. As there is no upstream proposed management of the river. AW Mike Lawrence surfing Moccasion gap on the Coosa fish passage at the dam, salmon fry are Regional Coordinator Charlene Coleman River, AL at 9,000 cfs stocked upstream. The agencies have no spoke on our behalf at the meeting. FERC data on survival of these fry, when they Photo by Logan Ross migrate, if they reach the dam, or if they have historically had problems passing the dam. If this basic information were known then dam releases could be scheduled in a way that benefits both salmon recovery and recreation. AW is pushing for a higher level of information, collaboration, and communication on the West River. The fall releases will proceed as planned.

16 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 17 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Dam Removal on the made their way along boat trails on single and your legislators and ask for their Snake River (WA) or multi-day trips. help in creating a solutions table where The Working Snake River Project features stakeholders might come together to solve this crisis. For more information By Jerry White a set of photographs of the free flowing lower Snake River that were taken between on what you can do, please visit: The Working Snake River (WSR) is 1905 and 1970. The photos document the www.wildsalmon.org and visit the “Take a project promoting a thoughtful, dramatic landscape of the lower Snake Action” page for list of helpful options. comprehensive solution to restore River canyons and provide a powerful wild Snake River salmon that benefits visual reminder of what we can have once farmers, fishermen, local communities again if the lower Snake River is restored to and the Inland Northwest economy. free flowing status. To see the full galleries The project reaches out to businesses, visit www.workingsnakeriver.org. sportsmen, farmers, conservationists, Now is the time to act. Join us in and citizens committed to restoring supporting a solution to salmon recovery eastern Washington’s lower Snake River that benefits farmers, fishermen, local corridor and endangered wild salmon communities and the regional economy. by replacing four aging and costly dams Please write the Obama administration with modern transportation and clean energy alternatives. Removing the four lower Snake River dams will restore more than 60 rapids and 30,000 acres of parklands, wildlife habitat and public access. In particular, the opportunity to paddle along a free flowing, 140-mile corridor would make this an amazing resource to those who appreciate the large river experience. Deeply incised canyons and over 50 river islands would make the lower river a draw for those who wanted to enjoy watching wildlife, fishing, or just sightseeing as they

Photos by Kyle Laughlin

18 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 19 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Funding for Another Dam Will Be River Restoration Removed on a Tributary in

By Thomas O’Keefe the Columbia Gorge

After years of delays, the project to remove By Thomas O’Keefe two dams and restore the Elwha River will get a major boost this summer as We continue our work to restore the major funding from the American Recovery rivers that flow into the Columbia Gorge and Reinvestment Act will be used to with the removal of Hemlock Dam on accelerate the project. Interior Secretary Trout Creek scheduled for this summer. Salazar announced that $54 million of the Trout Creek is a major tributary of the $750 dedicated to projects in our National Wind River and both the creek and the Parks will be directed towards restoration river are well known whitewater runs. of the Elwha River. Removal of the dams The 26-foot high concrete arch dam on was approved by Congress in 1993 and Elwha Dam (WA) could be removed in Trout Creek was constructed in 1935 by work finally got underway last summer the next few years the Civilian Conservation Corps and with preliminary construction projects provided hydropower through the 1950s. in anticipation of dam removal. With this Photo by Thomas O’Keefe The dam’s hydropower generator has not funding removal of the dams should be been operational for decades, the dam is a underway by 2011. barrier to fish migration, and the reservoir Action Item: You can write to President has silted in significantly impacting water In addition to our longstanding support Obama thanking his administration for quality. With removal of the dam, water for this project, American Whitewater making river restoration a priority in the quality and habitat will improve, as well as has also joined in supporting a request by American Recovery and Reinvestment fish passage for steelhead. the local county to seek federal funds for Act. Paddlers in Washington and Oregon removal of Gold Ray Dam on the Rogue can also write their Congressional American Whitewater worked with the River. With removal of Gold Hill Dam last representatives. Gifford Pinchot Task Force and CRAG summer and removal of Savage Rapids Law Center and provided expert testimony Dam well underway, Gold Ray Dam on the recreational benefits of restored remains the last barrier to a free-flowing Elwha River (WA) rivers. While the local county originally Rogue River from Lost Creek Reservoir to challenged the removal, they dropped

the Pacific Ocean. Photo by Thomas O’Keefe their appeal this spring and dam removal will soon be underway.

Dams on the Hood River and White Salmon are scheduled to be removed soon, which will complete a major restoration effort on all of the rivers that flow into the Columbia Gorge, at the heart of some world-class whitewater. We are currently exploring opportunities to protect these rivers long term through Wild and Scenic designations.

18 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 19 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Pacific Northwest Rivers to Flow for the First Time in Decades

By Thomas O’Keefe

This summer the Chelan River and North Fork Rogue will flow for the first time in decades. Aside from occasional “spill events” when flows exceeded the capacity of pipes to the powerhouse and some leakage, these rivers have been dry. In July of 2009 both rivers will see restored flows that will provide new whitewater boating opportunities. American Whitewater has worked on these projects for several years and we are excited to see that flows will be provided to restore recreation part of the public record and can help us A dewatered Chelan Gorge awaiting and fishery resources on both of these make the case that the resources are being restoration flows with implementation of a spectacular rivers. enjoyed by the public. To make sure your new hydropwer license letter is filed properly it helps to reference Action Item: If you enjoy your experience Photos by Thomas O’Keefe the project number and you can contact us on a river restored through the FERC if you have trouble finding it. relicensing process you can always document that through a letter to the Secretary at FERC. These letters become

20 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 20 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 More Wild and (WA-2) and Senator Patty Murray (WA) popular and scenic whitewater paddling introduced legislation to designate destinations for generations of Seattle- Scenic Rivers Washington State’s Illabot Creek as a Wild area paddlers. Upon hearing the news that and Scenic River (H.R. 1593 / S. 635). the Senator and the Congressman were By Thomas O’Keefe Illabot Creek is a tributary of the Skagit sponsoring this legislation to protect this River, which supports one of the largest spectacular paddling destination, the 97 At the end of March, President Barack concentrations of wintering bald eagles year old Wolf exclaimed, “It’s about time!” Obama signed into law the second largest in the lower 48 States, and is a popular Wild and Scenic Rivers package in history attraction for paddlers. Because of the Action Item: Paddlers in Washington State with the addition of 86 new Wild and abundance of salmon and the high quality can help support this legislation by writing Scenic Rivers, totaling over 1,100 miles in of habitat, Illabot Creek is the center to their Senators and Representative and Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, of foraging activity and supports two highlighting their enthusiasm for Wild California, and Massachusetts. These communal night roosts. and Scenic Rivers and support for these rivers include Fossil Creek in Arizona, bills. With strong support and interest rivers in the Eastern Sierra and Northern Just a couple weeks later Senator Murray from the paddling community we hope to San Gabriel Wilderness, the Owyhee River and Congressman Reichert introduced introduce additional legislation. and tributaries including the Jarbidge and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions Bruneau, Taunton River in Massachusetts, and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie more than half a dozen rivers flowing off Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 1769 and Oregon’s Mt. Hood, the North and South S. 721). The legislation will help ensure Fork Elk in Oregon’s Copper Salmon the future of some of Washington’s most Wilderness, rivers of Zion National Park popular backcountry recreation areas by Below: Dramatic scenery along the base of Mt. including the North Fork Virgin, and the designating more than 22,000 acres of Garfield on the two mil section just above the Taylor Snake River headwaters including Alpine wilderness adjacent to the existing Alpine River confluence on the Snoqualmie, Middle Fork, WA Canyon on the Snake and a number of Lakes Wilderness Area. The legislation will spectacular tributaries. also protect nearly 30 miles of the Middle Left: Looking down the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Fork Snoqualmie River and 10 miles of the Valley from the Garfield Ledges. The Middle Fork Pratt River as Wild and Scenic Rivers. comes in from the left and the Taylor comes in from While this bill managed to clear the final the right. Where these two rivers join is commonly procedural hurdles in Congress we were referred to as the start of the “Upper Middle” which already hard at work on the next round of Wolf Bauer, one of American Whitewater’s continues on down the valley river protection legislation. founders was active in efforts in the 1950s to protect the Middle Fork Snoqualmie, Photos by Thomas O’Keefe In March Congressman Rick Larsen which has been one of the most

22 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 23 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Wolf Bauer Recognized As As one of the original river conservation voices in the region, Wolf deserves to The State Park Lodge On be recognized for all his years of work The Green River Is Named enjoying and protecting rivers. Wolf Bauer, who recorded the first descent of the In His Honor American Whitewater is continuing Green River Gorge in the 1950’s and led efforts to efforts to build on Wolf’s legacy and is protect the gorge is recognized for his efforts as the By Thomas O’Keefe working with the National Parks Service lodge at Flaming Geyser State Park is named in his Rivers and Trails Program and the honor. Wolf was founder the Washington Kayak Club Shortly after exploring the Cowlitz Middle Green River Coalition to fill in and one off American Whitewater’s founders. River Canyons, which were destined the missing gaps along the Green River to be flooded by the construction of Gorge to create a continuous corridor of Photo by Thomas O’Keefe hydropower projects, Wolf Bauer set out protected public land. We are also working to explore another river in Washington at the federal level to restore funding to State—the Green River Gorge. In the the Land and Water Conservation Fund, 1950s Wolf made the first descent with a critical federal program that derives its a group of paddlers who took 2 days to revenue from offshore oil and gas leases. carefully scout and run the rapids in the Unfortunately, much of the revenue from gorge, a trip that now takes paddlers less this program has been diverted to the than 4 hours. In the years following that general fund in recent years but we are first descent, Wolf set out to protect the working as members of the Land and river canyons and soon after legislation Water Conservation Fund Coalition to was enacted recognizing the beauty and change that. natural features of the gorge including the biological and geological features Action Item: All paddlers can support which collectively represent a unique our efforts of protecting and enhancing recreational attraction with well over a recreational opportunities on rivers and million people living within hour’s drive. providing public access by writing your The state legislature set a goal of acquiring member of Congress and asking them lands along the twelve-mile gorge for to support two important programs: conservation and recreation. The National Park Service Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program Jay Cohen on the Grand Canyon of On the occasion of this spring’s Green and full funding of the Land and Water the Green River, WA River Cleanup, a few hundred paddlers, Conservation Fund. local residents, state park staff, elected Photo by Thomas O’Keefe officials, and many of his old paddling buddies all came out to honor Wolf. Recognizing Wolf’s contributions to the creation of a series of State Parks along the gorge and a river corridor that is largely in public ownership, Washington State Parks recognized Wolf in a ceremony where the park lodge was named in his honor. Still excited to tell stories of paddling in the early days of whitewater, Wolf gave a show of his early days of exploring the river and learning to run whitewater.

Wolf was the founder of the Washington Kayak Club and also one of American Whitewater’s original founders. He published the first guide to whitewater runs in Washington State, which consisted of a large format map with recommended flow ranges for rivers around the state.

22 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 23 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Clean Water Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and protection for rivers that we all appreciate (3) provide protection to the waters of the and likely take for granted. Watch our Restoration Act United States to the maximum extent of website for opportunities to weigh in on the legislative authority of Congress under this important legislation or check the By Thomas O’Keefe the Constitution. bill status on the Take Action page of the Outdoor Alliance website where you Senator Feingold (D-WI) has reintroduced To paddlers this means several things. can see if your Senator has signed on in the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA), First and most importantly it means that support and send a letter thanking them S. 787. This bill responds to Supreme the rivers you know and love will not be or urging them to sign on as appropriate. Court decisions that have weakened polluted based on the recent court cases We would like to thank Senator Feingold the protections of the Clean Water Act that would allow new pollution sources for looking out for one of our most basic by excluding many headwater streams. in headwater streams. CWRA ensures that human needs: clean water. Paddlers know first hand the value of the massive progress made in the health protecting the water quality of our nation’s of our nation’s rivers since the passage headwaters where we typically recreate. of the Clean Water Act will not backslide. Second, it means that your drinking water CWRA would: (1) reaffirm the original will be protected from new pollution intent of Congress in enacting the Federal inputs that are costly to treat. Lastly, it Water Pollution Control Act to restore may benefit the enjoyment of rivers in and maintain the chemical, physical, and cases where recreation is a benefitial use biological integrity of the waters of the protected under the Clean Water Act. United States; (2) clearly define the waters of the United States that are subject to the Action Item: CWRA will maintain the basic

24 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 24 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 Anna feeling good on the Cascades of the Nantahala

Photo by Paul Villecourt

26 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 Teachings from the River to the river that I paid a friend to drive the time. Kayaking has been a significant me to the put-in of the New River Gorge, teacher in helping me understand how By Anna Levesque drop me off and then pick me up at the to create a happy, fun, successful and take-out. At that time Ender Waves was adventurous life for myself no matter what Kayaking has directed and influenced the a popular surfing spot and I knew there others think or what society tries to dictate course of my life for many years because would be others out there. I paddled that I should do instead. I decided to let I love the way kayaking makes me feel: down to Ender Waves, surfed for a while the river and kayaking be my guides and I happy, exhilarated, and passionate. In the and then headed down the river behind have learned a lot of amazing things! beginning my happiness lay in learning another group. I lingered just far enough new moves and being challenged by bigger behind so that it felt as though I was the The river is a teacher with many faces: Soft, rapids and better paddlers. Getting good only one on the river. easy, playful, and gentle, as well as scary, and being sponsored were my goals. I was pushy, powerful, and intimidating. We as focused on spending as much time on the The sun was low and the whole Gorge kayakers have the unique opportunity to water as possible. I never imagined the was bathed in beautiful golden light that receive the rivers’ teachings in a way that lessons that rivers and kayaking had in brought out the pink hues in the cliff few others can because we have a deeper store for me and how much they would walls. It was a gorgeous evening and as I understanding of how current works. We impact my path through life and my approached Double Z and looked up at learn the subtleties of the currents in order personal growth. Ramshead cliff a feeling of deep gratitude to do the dance of successful maneuvering. and beauty swept over me. I felt a joyful What’s really cool is that we can use the I love the physicality of kayaking. The connection with the river, the gorge, the lessons that we learn on the river to adrenaline rush, being outside and being trees, the stones. It was a feeling of oneness, us in navigating our lives off the river too. active is really fun, but it wasn’t the a merging with the natural world around physicality that really hooked me to the me. I felt in that moment I had everything It’s worked for me and I know it can work sport. It was, and is, an intense feeling I needed in life and that I didn’t want to be for anyone who takes the time to practice. of happiness and fulfillment that comes anywhere else but right here, right now. I’d like to share with you my favorite five with focusing on and enjoying the present teachings from kayaking and the river that moment. I remember one of the first times Yeah, I know that may sound cheesy have had a positive influence in my life. that I experienced this feeling and it wasn’t to some of you, but what I’ve come to You already practice these when you’re on a hard run, or doing a cool move, or know for myself is that living in the paddling so why not try them in other anything like that. present moment and feeling that sense of parts of your life too? connection and happiness is what life is all It was late afternoon and I wanted to go about. That’s why I didn’t follow the path kayaking, but couldn’t find anyone to go of ‘responsibility’ after college and instead Pay Attention with me. I was so fanatical about getting became a raft guide so I could paddle all

On the river the number one rule is pay attention! It’s easy to pay attention when we’re paddling because, when we don’t, we usually end up getting trashed. I’ve heard many paddlers tell me that they love kayaking because it forces them to focus on the present moment and everything else fades away. That feeling of focusing on what’s in front of you and what you need to do to make it through the rapid is very freeing. In that moment there is nothing but you, the river, and your goal.

If you misjudge the timing, read the water wrong or make a bad move, the river will

Women facing their fears while scouting on the Antiqua River, Mexico

Photo by Esprit Rafting www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 27 July/August 2009 let you know immediately. When we get course. It’s also an opportunity to practice hand, if you focus on the current that leads trashed on the river, or miss a wave or mess compassion and forgiveness toward you beside the rock you’ll probably make it up a move it’s not because the river is out yourself and others. Remember that around the obstacle. In kayaking, looking to get us. We can’t blame the river for our no one is perfect and that we all make where you want to go is key to making mistakes, lack of focus or bad timing. We mistakes. Even the best paddlers in the it down a rapid successfully. The same have to take responsibility for our actions world mess up and swim. technique can be used in everyday life, and our thoughts that may have caused especially when setting goals. us to mess up. I’ve heard paddlers try to At first you may only become aware of a blame the river before. It makes them feel pattern after it’s happened and you feel It doesn’t matter where you are now, that better, but it doesn’t fool anyone else! bad. The next time you may have more doesn’t have to define where you’ll be one awareness and you’ll notice that you’re week, two months or three years from Paying attention and taking responsibility doing it in the moment. Eventually you’ll now. It’s just like when you’re on the river for our words, actions and thoughts isn’t notice your pattern before you even and you’re in an eddy. You know where always easy because it means that we have speak and you’ll be able to choose to act you are and by looking to where you want to look at ourselves and admit that we differently. It’s just like learning to read to go you find out what moves you need make mistakes. In our daily lives there may water and anticipate on the river. It may to make to get there. You don’t sit in the not be an immediate physical trashing not feel like it at the time, in the heat of eddy all day feeling sorry for yourself when we don’t pay attention like there is the moment, but we always have a choice because you’re not at the bottom of the in kayaking, but there are consequences to between reacting and responding to a rapid already. You take action to get out careless actions and words that can include situation. of the eddy and head down the rapid. You drama, anger and unhappiness. don’t always know if your moves will work out exactly how you thought, but one way On the river, if we make a wrong move Look at were you want to go or the other you’ll make it to the bottom once and get trashed we’re going to do of the rapid and learn something along it differently the next time. I haven’t met the way. very many paddlers who continue to mess Once you become aware of that point of up because they like getting their butts choice, how do you choose what route to If you’re feeling like you’re in a rut in your kicked, but I have experienced people who take? You can start by looking at where life, think of it as though you’re caught in get addicted to drama and laying blame in you want to go. Most paddlers have an eddy. You have the skills to get out and their lives. experienced what happens when they stare you have the vision to see where you want at that big rock that they’re trying to avoid. to go. Keep your eyes on your goal as you Being truthful with yourself about your It never fails that every time you stare at a make that first move of peeling out. To behavior is an opportunity to change rock you paddle right into it. On the other help with building up the courage to break out you can practice using affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that assert our goal (even if we haven’t met it yet) or assert how we want to feel. They are statements that we use to replace the negative voices and feelings that come up when we’re challenging ourselves.

Affirmations are useful in those times when you’re looking to where you want to go and your mind starts going wild with stories about why and how you’re not good enough, too scared and so on... An example would be “I feel relaxed, confident and focused.” When we repeat

The joy of kayaking! Women on the Girls at Play Beginner trip in Mexico celebrate the end of their adventure on the Actopan River “Big Brother”, White Salmon, WA Paddlers Paul Gamache and Scott Waidelich Photo by Esprit Rafting

Photo by Brad Xanthopoulos 28 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 29 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 affirmations to ourselves we feel good and good things flowing in my life is gratitude. creating more happiness in our lives. Just that helps to overpower the negative voices It’s impossible to feel badly when you like in kayaking when you practice the and thoughts. express gratitude for something and the good basic skills that you know you build more you express gratitude the more a strong foundation upon which you can This takes practice. The affirmations we you’ll have to be grateful for. Just try it and easily and quickly progress. use need to be believable for us or have see what happens. the possibility of being believable. It’s important to repeat them to yourself often When I’m paddling a tough river I take the Build a supportive team and over and over again. When you wake time at the beginning of the run to express up, before you go to bed and when you feel gratitude for the river, for my paddling calm and quiet. Writing them in a journal friends, for my skills, for the sunshine The paddlers you surround yourself with 10 to 20 times is also a good practice. It’s and for whatever else comes to mind. are an integral part of how comfortable, like practicing those hard moves in easy Doing this gets me into a positive mindset, confident and happy you feel on the river. water first. The more you repeat them immediately replaces any negativity, and In my experience as a paddling instructor, to yourself when you’re calm, the more takes power away from my fears. women thrive and progress much faster natural it will become to call on them in Off the water I continue this gratitude work when they feel supported and trust those situations when you’re challenged and by thinking of five things that I’m grateful around them. really need them to help you keep your for when I wake up in the morning and I’m picky about who I paddle with, eyes on where you want to go. five things I’m grateful for when I got to especially when I’m paddling a river that bed at night. I start with simple things like challenges me. I like to feel safe with and Be Grateful to overpower your fears. how grateful I am for my comfy bed. From supported by my fellow paddlers. I don’t Another tool I use to work through fear there more and more things pop-up. Being like to paddle with people who are overly and intimidation on the river and to keep grateful for what we have is the first step in aggressive, who put their needs before the

28 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 29 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 group or who get frustrated if the group Surrounding yourself with a supportive forget it. isn’t moving at their pace. I don’t have fun team on and off the river helps you in this type of environment and the point flourish as a paddler and as a person. I read recently in a small business of paddling is to have fun. magazine that venture capitalists like If you flip over roll up and to invest in someone who has failed in The same is true for me in my life in business ventures before because it shows general. I surround myself with friends keep going them that the entrepreneur isn’t afraid and family who accept and love me for to push the innovation envelope. The who I am and who support my endeavors investors see this as a good quality. Playing in a good way. That doesn’t mean that they Imagine giving up kayaking after your it safe all the time keeps us comfortable, always tell me what I want to hear. I count first swim. I’m sure it’s happened to but doesn’t help us progress. Facing on my good friends to call me out on someone, but for most of us we didn’t let challenges can be uncomfortable and behavior that isn’t productive. The key is a swim discourage us into giving up. It’s rewarding at the same time. That’s why to not take things personally. important to learn from the swim, but not most of us love kayaking so much! That to internalize it as an indication of your rush of satisfaction, accomplishment and My students like to joke about my ‘tough self-worth. joy that we feel at the bottom of a scary love’ method of teaching. I definitely make This is a big one for women. In my own rapid that we just ran is addicting. And them do things that they don’t want to do kayaking I have allowed myself to equate if there were no chance of messing up it like run a rapid without a paddle, practice the results of a tough competition or a bad wouldn’t be that exhilarating. their roll or practice back ferries. I don’t line or a swim with my self-worth. This do it to make them suffer I do it because wasn’t productive at all because it led to So don’t let fear of failure or setbacks I know it will help them get better. They me feeling sorry for myself and feeling like get you down or stop you. There is know me so they recognize my intention a bad person. This was especially true for opportunity in every experience so when and they don’t take it personally. In me if I felt that others were judging me. you flip over, roll up and keep paddling! this way they feel good about pushing Really, no one was judging me but myself. their limits because they know they We are our own worst critics. Most people Learning these five lessons on the river are supported. want to see us succeed at what we do. and then applying them to my kayaking and to my life in general has helped me Another requirement of a good paddling Setbacks like swims can enhance our live a happy, successful life. They assist me buddy is that they’re willing to fish your knowledge and experience. We stand to in living in the moment. Just like there are gear out of the river and give you words learn a lot when things don’t work out infinite possibilities of paths that current of encouragement when you swim. Same the way we want. Sometimes it takes four can take down a river, there are also infinite goes for your friends off the river. It’s easy or five times of flipping over on an eddy possibilities of how our lives can look and to feel good, to have fun and to let yourself line because we had the wrong edge lifted feel. The next time you meet a challenge shine when you’re surrounded by people before we understand what we’re suppose or come up on an obstacle in your life just who support, encourage and inspire you. to do. When we figure it out we don’t imagine what you would do on the river and you’ll discover that you already have all that you need to get through it!

Anna Levesque is an accomplished world- class kayaker who offers diverse growth and learning opportunities for women including women’s kayaking retreats, classes, paddling trips in Mexico and instructional DVDs and books. For more information please visit www.watergirlsatplay.com

Jenn Dolch-Martin having fun on the Actopan Rier in Mexico

Photo by Esprit Rafting

30 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 30 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 Profile: Mary DeRiemer first home. Her father was a policeman and her mother was a nurse. They were By Lila Marie Thomas civilians working and living by the Canal in an isolated American community. She All photos by Phil DeReimer remembers having free reign as a child. DeReimer and her friends often rode their Mary DeRiemer has always been a dreamer. bikes down to the huge mud flats created She kicked off her epic kayaking career by the extreme tides of the Pacific Ocean. over twenty years ago at a time when there They used flattened cardboard boxes to were only a handful of women on the slide down the muddy hillsides and chased water. After gaining experience with the fiddler crabs along salty shores. biggest and best outfitters in the country, she launched her own kayak school, DeReimer went on to graduate from Top: On the South Fork of the Yuba River near her DeReimer Adventure Kayaking, with her Florida State and started a career in nursing home in California husband Phil. She’s no slouch on the in Birmingham, AL. There, she worked water, holding two US National Wildwater in labor and delivery and took pride in Inset: Taking a break during a two hour hike in to the Championships and pioneering some of helping women push through perceived Rio Coca for a self contained trip, Ecuador the toughest first descents throughout fears of childbirth. When she was just 22, the U.S. and around the world. Despite two doctor friends convinced her to give kayaking a shot and six months later she her many achievements on the water, DeReimer lived and worked at the DeReimer is quiet and humble, preferring quit nursing and was living in a tent along the Nantahala River. When asked what Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) from to discuss the accomplishments of her 1982 to 1993. For over a decade she students rather than her own. got her hooked on whitewater DeReimer recalls,“It was a love/hate relationship at developed her own kayaking abilities, first. I remember being so happy on the learned to teach kayaking from world- In the Beginning river and also feeling so afraid. The fun renowned instructors and developed was just a step ahead of fear.” the NOC’s Costa Rica Adventure Travel The country of Panama was DeReimer’s program. While there she met Bunny

32 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 33 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Johns who at that time ran NOC’s instruction program. Bunny had a smooth Around the same time period DeReimer, technical approach to kayaking that Kathy Bolyn and Cat Potts were the first greatly influenced DeReimer’s paddling women who scouted and successfully ran style. “They [Bunny Johns and other the Green Narrows. Eric Nies, who was women kayakers] opened the door for also on the trip recalls that day: me,” DeReimer says. “They made me realize I could do anything I wanted on It raised no eyebrows at all. Nantahala has the water.” always had a community of super-solid women boaters, and that was certainly true in the ‘80s. When Mary called me up Leading Ladies of Whitewater and said we were hitting the Narrows, I didn’t think twice, I just loaded my stuff and drove. That was the trip that started Eric Nies, American Whitewater board the modern era of Green boating. Before member and old-school boater, recalls that, the Narrows had been done a few how women have always shaped the sport times in long boats, and the report was: of kayaking: “Don’t go—too much portaging, too much poison ivy, too much pain.” When There have always been strong women we hit the take-out that day, it was clear boaters, and the best women today, like that we’d stumbled onto a classic. Nikki Kelly, continue to move the bar higher and higher. I don’t know if the Mary met her future husband, Phil, in the current generation knows the stories of spring of 1992 while they were working on the women from the ‘70s and ‘80s who a Kent Ford instructional video together. pushed onto hard Class V—I’m thinking After hitting it off they booked a trip of Carrie Ashton, who ran the Niagara to Chile and spent a month traveling gorge in the early ‘80s, or KB (Kathy and paddling together. Three years later Bolyn), who ran Throne and Zeta on the they were married on a 15-foot bluff Fu very early on. Becky Weiss was another overlooking a small pool brimming with extraordinary boater from my part of salmon at the Otter Bar Lodge. the world—20 years ago, she cleaned the Nantahala Cascades at 800 cfs, in a Sabre and by herself, because nobody of either DeReimer Adventure Kayaking sex would go with her. I’m sure the boaters After teaching for so many years with NOC out West have stories about their heroes and Otter Bar, repeat students started as well, whether it’s Nancy Wiley or Beth seeking out Mary and Phil specifically Rypins, or some pre-Youtube local ninja for instruction. DeRiemer Adventure that nobody else has ever heard of. Kayaking was a natural progression for them. The first trip they offered through During the late 1980s, there was an the school was on the Middle Fork of the accomplished and eager group of Salmon River. They have now expanded wildwater racers at NOC who met during their operations to Ecuador, Bhutan, the their breaks to train on the Nantahala Grand Canyon and the Rogue. Students River. It was a relaxed social atmosphere travel from as far as England and Germany that eventually gave DeReimer the to participate in DeReimer Adventure confidence to start competing. She won Kayaking clinics and adventure kayaking two National Wildwater Championships, programs. The school is unique due to its but humbly recalls the fastest women at size and philosophy. Phil and Mary offer the time were competing in the slalom individual instruction and teach all the competition. Although she wouldn’t admit classes themselves. An average clinic can it, her water reading abilities coupled with range from 1 to 4 students. Their goal is the amount of time she spent on the water to provide the best in whitewater guiding made Mary DeReimer one of the fastest and instruction and also to have FUN! females on the water.

32 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 33 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Women and Whitewater to become logical about the emotional Call of the River Wild reaction the fear is causing, to put it into Although Mary and Phil have successfully perspective and to get it out in the open. Mary DeReimer has helped countless built a career out of kayaking together, “If the desire is there,” says DeReimer, women and men find their own rhythm she feels it is more effective for women “then patience and setting realistic goals and confidence on the river. Her dream to start paddling on their own. “It’s easy can be the vehicle to get them where they is simple to be on the water sharing for us women to limit ourselves if we want to go.” what gives her happiness with others. start with a man and allow them to make DeReimer’s favorite aspect of kayaking is all the decisions. I knew what my limits In her travels she’s learned Americans often participating in self-contained whitewater were before I met Phil,” she says. “I could have an “all or nothing” attitude that can overnighters. She feels overnighters not lead until I didn’t feel comfortable. It hinder their progress on the water. “Often only challenge your kayak skills but also allowed our relationship to be unaffected.” students want to attain a certain level of your wilderness survival skills. The longest DeReimer feels women have several expertise in a certain time frame and if trip she’s done in a kayak was six nights. advantages over men on the water. Women they don’t, they give up,” says DeReimer. She and Phil worked their way from an tend to read water better and be more Eastern cultures like Bhutan, where she Argentinean mountain stream to the wide technically precise because they don’t leads trips each year have a different view mouth of a crystal clear lake, back to a have the same amount of strength as men. of success. “In Bhutan they believe you are natural flowing river and finally to the “Women don’t want to throw themselves where you are and you might as well have fiord of Reloncavi in Chile. She also recalls out there. They want to stay on line and be fun along the journey.” She often asks her a three day trip on the Middle Feather in in control,” she says. students, “What did the water teach you?” California as one of the best trips she’s and believes failure on the water is only an ever experienced. “The river can take a Overcoming Fears on the Water opportunity to learn. person to places otherwise inaccessible,” says DeReimer, “into the beauty and A question Mary often asks her students Says Eric Nies, “Simply put, Mary is a magic of nature. What a place of worship! is, “Can you endure the worst possible really solid teacher. She loves to paddle, My goal is to continue to do overnighters thing?” She sees the greatest challenge she loves to teach, and she makes people for as long as I can.” students face is the fear of being out of feel good on the river.” control and dying. She encourages them Mary leads a guest into the top of a rapid on the Grand Canyon

34 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 34 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 It’s Nile or Never

By Jessie Stone talk of a dam being built at the famous too much river lore scare you away. And Silverback rapid and nothing happened. for heavens’ sake, don’t let deepest, darkest During my first trip to the Nile in 2003, All of sudden heavy machinery moved in Africa or the threat of getting malaria keep while filming EJ’s early playboating videos, and within a few months, the Ugly Sisters you away either. While there will still be I had to treat two members of our team were gone! good paddling downstream of Silverback for malaria (EJ and Steve Fisher). Their dam, there is nothing quite like being able illness, despite having good prophylaxis This was the first real wake up call that to kayak this river uninterrupted. Not only and at least intermittent bed net use, the dam was happening. Now, with is the Nile a spectacularly beautiful river, caused me to ask the larger question of almost daily blasting and the landscape but it also holds so much life! Like many what happened to all the locals who live in at Silverback vastly changed, there is no other incredible rivers before it, progress this malaria endemic zone. Did they have question that it’s just a question of time trumps beauty and uniqueness, though malaria all the time? Were they sick all the until this free flowing top section of you wonder on seeing Bujagali Falls time? Answering these questions, led to the Nile becomes a lake. Total Gunga is how UNESCO did not declare it a world the formation of the Ugandan branch of nothing like it used to be and Silverback heritage site. Soft Power Health, the non-profit I run. itself is very different, but at least, they are still there! Within eight months, assuming Maybe saddest of all is that the hydropower One of the best benefits of working in things stay on schedule, the dam should that will be generated from this new dam this part of Uganda is that I live next to be complete. It is really difficult to even will not benefit the local Ugandans, the the Nile, and I get to paddle everyday. contemplate how different the river will be vast majority of whom have no electricity. It’s been very easy to fall in love with the after the dam is finished. The new energy generated will command Nile and its environs. In fact, I think I a very high price abroad (that’s where have gotten pretty spoiled living where I If you haven’t been to the Nile, now is most of Uganda’s current power is sold do. After a long day in the field, I can go definitely the time to go. Words do not do now) and where the new power will go. surf a big beautiful wave or do a quick run this river justice. You must experience it In addition, it is very expensive to deliver down Silverback. Not that I take the river for yourself. Whatever level of paddler you power locally; just the cost of putting in for granted, but for a long time, there was are, there is something for you, so don’t let poles and wire will stop it from happening.

36 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 37 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Polly Green and Jessie Stone across from the Dam

Photo by Morgan Koons

In that sense in particular, the dam seems like such a waste to me.

I sometimes imagine in the future people saying to me, “Tell me about the Nile! What was it like?” I would like to be able to say back, “ I can tell you a little but really you should talk to all these other people, they know it better than me!” Right now, that number is pretty small but everyone who is reading this and wants to experience something really special has the power to make it happen! I hope to see Polly Green on approach to the meat of Silverback you soon running Bujagali Falls or surfing Super Hole or Nile Special. Don’t miss Photo by Morgan Koons this amazing river; you won’t regret it and you’ll have something great to share with your grandkids.

36 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 37 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Girls’ Trip on the Illinois Maybe I should have taken notes. On the A relatively short river, it is free-flowing other hand, paddling keeps me in the from its source in the coast ranges on the By Gillian Salton moment like nothing else, and there is California-Oregon border to its confluence something about milking the moment with the Rogue about 20 miles from the Sometime on day two, one that prevents you from actually laying Pacific Ocean. The paddling season is down memories properly, but here are short, as with most undammed rivers, and of the women said, “I think my recollections. the shuttle is long. It is a river of renown Gillian needs to write the trip here in Oregon, for its remoteness and report for this one.” I said, The images stick. Clear green water, beauty, and for having enough challenging “Um,” thereby confirming countless waterfalls, beautiful women in whitewater to keep it entertaining. In a my fluency in the English rubber suits—sounds like a tropical James state with more Wild and Scenic Rivers language. Bond setting, but it’s the Illinois River. than any other, the Illinois tops the list. Joyce had called sometime in the middle of ski season. Was I interested in coming on a girls’ trip down the Illinois? It would be the two of us and some friends of hers from out of town; three days of self- support whitewater kayaking. I called back at once to say yes. Then I hung up the phone and promptly had second thoughts. I’d heard about the Illinois, but wasn’t so sure where it was, or what I was getting myself into. Joyce is a fantastically skilled boater, and I worried she was projecting her skill onto me. My husband no sooner had asked if he could come if he wore a wig and falsies, than he said “I hear that’s Class V.”

I got caught up in ski season and forgot all about it. By the last weekend of March, I had finally taken my first run of the spring. Suddenly the Illinois trip was right around the corner. I pulled open the boat shed and looked at a large pile of fiberglass in various states of disrepair, my little plastic boat, and the stalwart of my days, the Freefall (dating myself). After examining the pillar that had been shredded by an ex-roommate’s cat some years ago, I decided to borrow a boat from our local shop. One obstacle down.

A week or so later I returned from a few days out of town to 18 emails in the inbox. As I read I began to get a sense of these women I didn’t know. There seemed to be Jennie, the organized spirit (“I packed tonight” – a week before leaving! I wasn’t

Megi Morishita and a waterfall

Photo by Gillian Salton

38 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 39 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 even sure if I could find my ancient We arrived at put-in about the same sky heightened the clarity of the water, stowfloat!); Megi, the enthusiastic spirit time as a group from Portland. We had and suddenly the stress of work, mild (“I think I might do Opal this weekend a few discussions about where we were carsickness, and tension of setting out with for my final warmup!”); and Leah, the all camping, and to our embarrassment, an unknown group vanished. Peace of the starving artist (“I will sleep in the van.”) the rafters were ready to put on before river. Leah had come over my direction And of course Joyce, who can paddle we were. Somehow the mechanics of and I saw the same transformation drops that angels and strong men fear to getting all our gear into the boats’ backs in her. Within a moment we all tread (Benham Falls, anyone?) I wasn’t and fronts (yank bulkhead out, mash stuff headed downstream. sure what I was getting myself into! But a in, wiggle bulkhead back in, push with all few days later, after packing and shopping, your quads to get it back to length, then To my delight, the trees were wearing my and adjusting the seat on the borrowed quickly attach thumb screws), seemed to favorite color, the green of new leaves just boat a few times, and stuffing everything take awhile. The quick break for mimosas barely out. A waterfall came in one side, in, nothing was left to do but wait around (Jennie:”This OJ has gone bad” – clearly then another. Jennie was the only one of the house for Joyce to come pick me up. not a breakfast cocktail aficionado), didn’t us with a sense of the rapids. Joyce had slow us down much. been here once, 15 years ago, the rest of Joyce pulled up an hour late, which by us not at all. Jennie said today was the any expedition standard is right on time. I slid into the water, ferried across the “moderate” day, tomorrow the hard stuff, Turns out she got tied up squeezing limes glassy river to an eddy on the far side. To then day three was easy. for the margaritas. We pulled into a motel my surprise and joy, the boat seemed to in Grant’s Pass; the other 3 arrived a few handle well full, and Joyce confirmed that The Illinois has plenty of rapids, mostly hours later, and next thing I knew it was 7 I looked well-balanced. I spent a moment Class III, some IV, one V, all in pool-drop am, Jennie’s alarm beeped, and we rallied. looking through the water at the outline of style. The water for this trip was low; we every cobble on the riverbed. The overcast could still see snow on the peaks and

38 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 39 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 hoped for a little rise in flows with the stuff” tomorrow. As I look back now, the bend in the river where a creek flowed in warm weather forecast for the weekend. rapids blend together. Though Jennie from a long open valley. Just then the sun As we slid through the boulder piles of had been down before, the rapids are came out, and a bare peak came into sight the first rapids, we agreed that it would be numerous and the levels were different. upstream. Home for the night. easier with a bit more water. Megi and Leah Also, she has enough rivers in her log that both had packed all their gear in the stern. keeping them all in her head would be We sat on the rocks in the sun, dried out At times their boats looked like Weebles impossible. So it was boat scout and run, our gear, and discovered that Joyce’s back with the fronts wobbling in the air as they taking turns to go first, as we settled into pain had not been for naught—we had pulled out of eddies. They both felt a little the rhythm of the day. In between rapids, enough ice for all the margaritas! We off kilter, though they both looked strong. we chatted in groups of 2,3,5, sending out followed the arc of the setting sun across As we came through one steep drop Megi feelers of conversation. Who wants to talk the rocky bar, then extracted our bivy hit the hole at the bottom and stood on about work and outside life too much on sacs, sleeping bags, hats, and pads, and her tail. The next morning we stuffed the river? But I wanted to know who these set about making burritos. Several days of rocks in Leah’s bow for balance women were, as I sensed the fullness of planning, travel, late nights, and driving years of river and life experience. Again caught up with us and we were in bed It rained lightly, more of a heavy mist than we represented 3 decades: Megi and Leah before the stars emerged. I woke at night actual drops. I guess this was our 30% for the 30s, Joyce and I in our 40s, Jennie to see the sky alight as only a western sky chance of rain. Joyce wiggled in her seat a the Zen Master in life years as well as river can be, in the midst of a wilderness, miles bit, feeling sciatica. I suspected it was the years. I discovered Leah’s soy allergy does from roads or towns. Later I woke to cloud ice for the margaritas that she had packed not require an epi-pen, Jennie describes cover and fog. in a drybag right behind her back! her job title as “bureaucrat,” Megi has a dog called Belle, and Joyce now has a horse The next morning saw wisps of fog slowly We had decided to go to Klondike Creek as well chickens. clearing from among the wooded hills. at mile 9 as the other group wanted Pine We dallied over breakfast and packing. Flat at mile 6, for a few more miles under As the day wound down, Jennie pulled into The rafters eventually came by, looking our belts today, and fewer before the “hard an eddy and stopped us. “I think this is surprised (again) that they had gotten on Klondike.” We ferried across the tailwaves the river before us. We were 10 minutes of a little drop split by a big rock that then shy of earning the “Crack of Noon Boating Camp at Klondike pillowed into a long wall. Pulling out on Club” title when we put on the river. A the cobbles on river left, we walked up to glorious sunny day brought us past more Photo by Leah Wilson a mossy bench that overlooked a hairpin waterfalls, and some more Class III rocky rapids. We pulled over for lunch on some high rocks across from a steep hillside. Someone discovered a bear print in the wet sand, perfectly outlined complete with nail marks. It dwarfed the adjacent deer print. We took pictures with Jennie’s hand for scale.

As we floated on we began to develop some tension about the impending Green Wall, or at least Megi, Leah, and I did. Nobody was quite sure where it was. The waiting for it to arrive seemed to stretch on as we floated through relatively calm water, one bend to another. Joyce said, “This could be Green Wall,” as we came around another corner to see more green rocks, looking a little like a wall. “Why?” asked Leah abruptly. I burst out laughing, as I felt the same—why should this be it, and why can’t it wait as this is so peaceful, and why can’t we be there already, as the rapid you don’t know is more scary than

continued on page 43 40 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 41 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 40 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 41 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 W.O.W.

By Linda McLuckie

In the past I always made sure I had strong the ride, no matter what Class you are male paddlers around me whenever I paddling. And when you see a women was on the river. Then one day I thought take her first swim on a river, give her a the time had come for me to prove to round of applause and say congratulations myself that I could handle things on the … you’re one of us now! You’re a Woman river without depending on men, and on Water!! the W.O.W. (Women on Water) trip was born. On July 4th of 2008, I ran an all P.S. Last year’s trip was such a success, we’ll women’s paddling trip on the Lackawaxen be doing the 2nd Annual W.O.W. trip this in Pennsylvania, through the KCCNY year on July 3rd. Paddling and playing on the Lackawaxen (The Kayak and Canoe Club of NY, www.kccny.com). It was one of the best Some of the women celebrating after the trip trips I’ve ever been on. I invited women Photo by Nan Mason of all skills to join me on this wonderful journey of empowerment. The energy and excitement among the women was electrifying. You could hear us coming down the river a mile away (well, maybe not that far, but you get the picture.) It was so uplifting to watch the more experienced women sharing their skills and talent with the novice paddlers, encouraging them to practice their skills and applauding them when they hit their roll.

It quickly became apparent how alike we were in our paddling lives. I think women share a special bond on the river, because a lot of us have had to overcome the same fears or anxieties when learning to kayak. I’ve talked to some of the men I’ve paddled with about my fears and lots of times they’ve talked about pushing through your fear to the next level. As I progressed, I would be told, “Now we just got to get you on ‘bigger’ water.” That seems to work for a lot of men, but I’ve noticed that women want to take a little longer to get to that ‘bigger’ water. To me it’s not a race to the finish line, but an opportunity to enjoy the scenery and the camaraderie of fellow paddlers along the way. It’s taking a newbie under your wing and giving her that gentle encouragement: that they will make it, that they’re not alone, they’re part of a sisterhood. Women are wonderful at paying forward the support they receive from other paddlers.

Bigger rivers will always be waiting for us around the next bend. So for now, enjoy

42 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 43 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 continued from page 40

the one you can see. up for awhile for walking, then got over it. Too beautiful a place. A few more rapids In the end we arrived. The lead in showed followed before we got to the only other up suddenly, and Jennie started in before rapid with a name we knew. Submarine I could see where she was going. Joyce Hole was Submarine Rock at this level, followed, but lost sight of Jennie and with a slot around it on either side; we disappeared behind a large rock on the could see neither runout from our boats. left. I quickly turned to Leah, said, “I’m Fortunately the rafters were standing on following Joyce’s line, it looked clean, shore, having done a partial of watch me,” and headed down. It was clean, a cataraft, as the slots were too narrow left to right, then back left behind the big for them to get through. Following their rock. I thought I saw Jennie a little higher waved directions, we ran right to left, then in an eddy on the left as I passed. Leah through the left slot. From downstream we pulled in behind me just as Joyce yelled could see the sieve in the right slot. from shore downstream, “I don’t see Jennie!” I hopped out with throwbag, Leah Now we began to look for a camp. The stayed in the water. A quick scramble over canyon is tight here, and the river low. We boulders confirmed that Jennie was sitting found lots of rocky bars, but no flat spots. in an eddy just upstream, now with Megi Around another corner, and another. And with her. I waved at Joyce, all OK. another. We each got out to look at sites. Nothing. We had a snack and carried We scouted for what seemed like forever. on. Eventually, achy and a little cold (on The top of the drop has 3 slots, more like my part) we found a beautiful sheltered 2.5 at this level, then some waves, a hole, beachy spot. After a 3-woman effort to get and another drop landing in some rocks. the fuel canister out of the front of Jennie’s Eventually we took the “wet rocks” route boat, where it had become firmly wedged down the left side of the top half, and then under the grab-loop bolt, we got pasta got out to scout the lower half. Leah and underway. Megi decided to portage. Joyce, Jennie, and I looked at options. The right boof looked We were up later that evening, lying on possible, as long as you were on the line. our Thermarests, watching the satellites, Jennie said, “I don’t boof”; she had the left picking out the few constellations we line in her sights. I could see the line, start knew, and wishing the trip wasn’t ending right, move around two rocks to the left, so soon. down the tongue, through the hole backed by a rock, then through the next hole Morning brought more sunshine, and the backed by two more rocks. I looked and rafters floating by (again). After the skinny looked some more. I thought about how dip for tradition’s sake, we finally launched, much time I’d spent in my boat recently eight minutes earlier than the day before. (three two-hour runs this season) and As promised, the last day was the “easy” time to evacuate an injury (days). I walked day—a few rapids, more waterfalls, and up, picked up my boat, and carried. brilliant sunshine. Too soon came take- out, where a 4-foot sturgeon basked in the Joyce and Jennie decided to run it. I sat in shallows to wish us a safe road trip home. my boat just below, the chase boat, and Leah and Megi carried their throwbags upstream to set shore safety. As I watched, Megi straddled a river channel and did some sketchy rock climbing so she could position herself just above the first hole with a throwbag. I thought how glad I was to be on the river with someone determined to set safety seriously. Eventually Joyce came through, sideways at first but then straightening just in time. Then Jennie came through the hole almost too strongly, into the backup rock and coasting its pillow down.

As we carried on downstream I beat myself

42 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 43 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 ������������������

Dear Members,

American Whitewater has a great story to tell, 2008 was shi�s in our na�onal economy, flowing rivers provide a welcome an outstanding year for your river stewardship organiza�on. and affordable refuge. Whitewater paddling provides many outlets Your membership support allowed American Whitewater’s River to the stresses of daily life and deepens our rela�onships with Stewardship Team to work on important projects in their respec�ve paddling friends, family and the places that are most important to regions. The River Stewardship Team consists of professional us. Protec�ng treasured whitewater assets for future genera�ons staff, board members and volunteers from communi�es across takes on new meaning and significance in troubled �mes. the country. This regional approach to project work is focused on the American Whitewater mission, “To conserve and restore As we move through the coming year we will be taking America’s whitewater resources and to enhance opportuni�es the long view, looking for ways to work smarter and con�nuing to enjoy them safely.” Staying true to the mission, this Annual to be a leader in advoca�ng on behalf of whitewater rivers and Report highlights stewardship projects taking place around the the appropriate management of public lands. Taking the long view country. means that you, the American Whitewater member, are the key to future success. Without your membership support the American As good as 2008 was for American Whitewater, we cannot Whitewater River Stewardship Team could not do the work look backwards. The winds of an economic downturn are blowing reflected in the following pages. There has never been a be�er hard and non-profit organiza�ons are being forced to examine �me to support these projects through American Whitewater their business models. Fortunately, the American Whitewater membership. board and staff have been crea�ve in finding ways to live within the means of the organiza�on. New technologies have assisted; Sincerely, board mee�ngs are done as a conference call with a web-enabled presenta�on tool rather than having face-to-face mee�ngs that require flying folks in from around the country. Addi�onally, our reserve fund was invested very conserva�vely and as a result American Whitewater did not incur financial loss due to the Don Kinser Mark Singelton market downturn in 2008. President Execu�ve Director

With economic adversity comes opportunity, and this recession will be no different. As we all adjust to fundamental

2008 Annual Report North Fork San Joaquin, CA ©Darin Mcquoid North Fork San Joaquin, CA

�����������������������������

Our River Stewardship Program is lead by a small diverse that we conducted in 2008, along with a list of the projects in staff that spends their �me in the complex world of nego�a�ons our work plan. Our goal is always to do the most good for rivers and legal wrangling. The fuel to our fire though is �me spent and paddlers that we can, and to seek a good geographical mix on the water, with the paddling community. The passion that of projects. We priori�ze projects that have strong local support we share for exploring rivers, our technical exper�se, and the from paddlers, that are winnable, and that we can play a vital incredible volunteerism and ac�vism of the paddling community role in. On many of our projects, if paddlers were not there, the allow us to be effec�ve river advocates on the local and na�onal river would fail to be protected or restored. Thank you for your scale. We would like to share a few detailed examples of the work support of these efforts!

2008 Annual Report © Doug Vanhouten

Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a new license in 2004 ��������������������������� and river restora�on began. The downstream dam was removed, land was protected, base flows were ins�tuted, and studies begun �������������������������� that would prepare for pulse flows. American Whitewater has a�ended regular planning mee�ngs since the se�lement was On its way from the Caribbean blue depths of Bear Lake signed to support restora�on, and con�nues this role. American to the pelicans and brine shrimp of the Great Salt Lake, the Bear Whitewater recognized our Regional Coordinator Charlie Vincent River flows through a patchwork of Idaho potato fields. Once a as the 2008 River Steward of the Year for his �reless work on this dynamic and wild river, the Bear has been tamed and put to work project. as an irriga�on conveyance system and a generator of power. On April 20, 2008, the Bear River was For decades the Black Canyon of the treated to its first ever planned pulse flow. Bear was tamed: dewatered by massive pipes Paddlers came from around the region to that diverted water around the Canyon to a enjoy the Bear River, despite the sub-freezing powerhouse at the canyon mouth. Except temperatures, howling winds, and snow. That for a miniscule base flow and an occasional release, and four others in 2008, marked the accidental spill of water, the Canyon was beginning of decades of releases to come and le� essen�ally dry. Sediment built up in the restored a more natural river channel. The channel, vegeta�on took root, species changed, releases were carefully monitored to assure and fish were blocked by a downstream dam. that no significant environmental impacts Grace Dam on the Bear were caused. While monitoring will con�nue Enter American Whitewater. As we have for two more years, so far it appears that the done on dozens of other rivers across the country, we got involved flows are providing vital ecosystem maintenance while not having when the federal license for the dams was being reconsidered. any unintended or unacceptable impacts. American Whitewater Working closely with local volunteers to represent paddlers and a�ended regular mee�ngs in 2008, analyzed data, nego�ated the dynamic nature of rivers that we love, we advocated for study protocols, and pushed for river restora�on. Through our restora�on of water to the Black Canyon and for the removal of stewardship program American Whitewater is on the cu�ng edge the downstream dam. In 2002, a�er several years of conflict and of the science of river restora�on, and is able to restore rivers nego�a�ons, American Whitewater and other stakeholders signed while reconnec�ng people with long forgo�en and special places a se�lement agreement with the power company. The Federal like the Black Canyon of the Bear River.

2008 Annual Report In 2008, we worked on several Wild and Scenic River bills. �������������������������� Our members were ac�vely working to designate the Snake River and tributaries in Wyoming, the Owyhee River in Idaho ������ including key tributaries popular for whitewater paddling, and the rivers of Mount Hood in Oregon. Through our partnerships ���������������������������� with organiza�ons like Idaho Rivers United, American Rivers, and local paddling clubs and businesses we proved to be an effec�ve In 2008 we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Wild and force for river protec�on. As several bills moved to comple�on Scenic Rivers Act. Throughout the year, we worked on projects towards the end of 2008 we were hard at work iden�fying key to designate addi�onal rivers while advoca�ng for responsible opportuni�es for more Wild and Scenic designa�ons. Among management of those rivers that have been designated. We also these opportuni�es was the bill to expand the Alpine Lakes celebrated the introduc�on of the Omnibus Public Lands Act of Wilderness that focused on the Pra� River valley. While this bill 2009 which resulted in the designa�on of 86 new Wild and Scenic did not receive a hearing, we will be working hard to build support Rivers. American Whitewater par�cipated in the crea�on and for this legisla�on. passage of the Act, widely recognized as the most significant environmental legisla�on in decades. In addi�on to our Wild and Scenic work, American Whitewater also works to remove dams that are outdated, unsafe, On the Skagit River in Washington State, we requested that or impose significant environmental or economic costs. These the Na�onal Park Service conduct an eligibility and suitability projects represent significant river restora�on opportuni�es as review of the most popular whitewater sec�on of the river. While well as unprecedented scien�fic opportuni�es to inves�gate how the downstream sec�on of the Skagit, which is popular for eagle rivers respond to restora�on of flows. Through 2008, we worked floats, is designated as Wild and Scenic, what many paddlers to keep two important projects in the Pacific Northwest moving do not know is that the well-known whitewater run upstream forward including efforts to remove two dams on the Elwha River, through the S Bends has no such protec�on. In fact, this sec�on and Condit Dam on the White Salmon. During 2008, more dams was originally the site of a massive dam and hydropower project on the Rogue River were removed including Gold Hill Dam on the proposal in the 1970’s, which would have inundated this run. Nugget Falls run and Elk Creek Dam on Elk Creek which is a major Whitewater paddlers were well represented in the public scoping tributary. mee�ngs and we will con�nue to push for long-term protec�on of this great river.

Eric Myren on the Skagit, WA

2008 Annual Report Chattooga Headwaters. Flight courtesy of South Wings.

����������������������������� Service’s support. 2008 marked the thirteenth year that American Whitewater ��������� sought responsible management for the Upper Cha�ooga River. This year we maintained con�nuous pressure on the Forest ������������������������������������� Service to release their long overdue analysis of the issue. In the fall, they finally released their analysis and proposal complete When rivers are managed right you don not even know they with many cri�cal flaws. We dra�ed lengthy cri�cal comments and are managed. There just happens to be good river access, water encouraged paddlers to submit comments of their own. Roughly quality, and plenty of water and na�ve wildlife. In reality, all of these 1,500 paddlers sent in comments reques�ng responsible and are the result of decisions made by landowners and government ra�onal river management. We expect that our 2008 technical agencies. American Whitewater works with these landowners analysis and grassroots advocacy on the Cha�ooga will help us and agencies to influence these decisions and secure protec�ve and na�onally consistent to assure that rivers are protected and enjoyed management for this very special river, and and by the public. Perhaps the most iconic recent hopefully many others. example of our river management work is that southeastern gem, the Cha�ooga River. Our work on the Cha�ooga is an important and na�onally precedent se�ng project. At For over 30 years the US Forest Service American Whitewater, we pride ourselves on has banned boa�ng on the upper 21 miles of working collabora�vely with managers ranging the Wild and Scenic Cha�ooga. At the same from private landowners to the Na�onal Park �me the US Forest Service have ar�ficially Service, with which we co-manage access on increased angling use through stocking 50,000 the Gauley River. In 2008, we also successfully exo�c trout each year and have allowed all advocated for adequate funding for the federal non-boa�ng uses unlimited and unmeasured access. At American agencies responsible for managing rivers. We share a belief with Whitewater, we think Wilderness Areas and Wild and Scenic the federal land and river management agencies that paddling Rivers deserve careful management to protect the landscape from rivers is a societal benefit that should be supported. In 2008, we recrea�onal overuse or maintenance neglect, while equitably cra�ed a Memorandum of Agreement with several federal agencies suppor�ng diverse and appropriate uses. Lastly, we believe that recognizing that shared belief. Through ac�ve par�cipa�on in river the public should have the right to float down public rivers through management, AW helps connect people to rivers and ensure that private lands. This is something that the owners of a private land connec�on is mutually beneficial – and fun! parcel on the Cha�ooga are currently forbidding with the Forest

2008 Annual Report ��������������������������������� ������������������������������� ���������������������

American Whitewater has consistently been transforming the way we restore ecological and recrea�onal values on rivers impacted by dams through our work in California. Ten years ago we were figh�ng for a seat at the table. Through persistence and collabora�on we have been able to gain credibility and recogni�on. Today, whitewater recrea�on flow studies are considered standard as part of any dam relicensing process. Armed with these studies, AW has been able to restore whitewater recrea�on on over one hundred rivers around the country. In fact, American Whitewater probably works on more rivers across the country than just about any other organiza�on or agency.

Working on so many rivers has given us a unique perspec�ve on what is happening on rivers across the country. Because of this perspec�ve, American Whitewater staff are o�en looked upon as valuable resources that can bring in examples and informa�on from other projects. In 2008, our California Stewardship Director, Dave Steindorf, became the Steering Commi�ee Chairman of the California Hydropower Reform Coali�on. This coali�on is made up of the largest state and na�onal river conserva�on organiza�ons that work in California.

As whitewater paddlers we understand that healthy rivers have seasonal flow pa�erns like gradually decreasing flows following the spring snowmelt peak. Dammed rivers o�en lack these pa�erns and this can cause problems for their ecosystems. Frogs lay their eggs during high spring flows, only to have these flows cut off and their eggs le� high and dry on the exposed cobble bars. Vegeta�on o�en encroaches into the river channel because there are no high flow events to keep them at bay. Impacts abound. American Whitewater has recognized this problem and has been at the forefront of restoring more natural flow regimes in California for the past decade. In 2008, we partnered with the Department of Watershed Sciences at University California Davis to scien�fically explore and document the important seasonal flow pa�erns in California’s rivers.

In 2008, American Whitewater cra�ed a new flow schedule on the Cresta reach of the North Fork Feather River. This flow schedule represents the best available science which we have helped to hone over the past decade through our advocacy work. The flow schedule has been accepted by the resource agencies, Pacific Gas & Electric, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. This new flow schedule has peak spring flows that are twenty �mes higher than what Pacific Gas & Electric had released previously. These flows will gradually taper off into the summer, giving a much more predicable flow pa�ern: good for paddlers, fish, and frogs. American Whitewater hopes to see the pa�ern replicated on rivers across California and across the West. Ryan Knight. South Branch Feather, CA ©Darin Mcquoid CA Knight. South Branch Feather, Ryan 2008 Annual Report the threat of Federal protec�on of Colorado’s river flows. They ��������������������������� are a�emp�ng to nego�ate local alterna�ves to Wild and Scenic river management that would allow water providers flexibility in ������� how they capture and manage water in the Upper Colorado River, Yampa, and Dolores River basins. While suppor�ve of flexibility, ������������������� American Whitewater is figh�ng to protect the na�onally significant values of these rivers to an extent consistent with the Wild and American Whitewater had a meaningful impact in how Scenic Rivers Act. American Whitewater has served as the only Colorado shapes water policy in 2008. Our Colorado Stewardship recrea�on representa�ve in these nego�a�ons, and has fought to Program introduced new strategies in the fight to protect wild protect what li�le water remains in Colorado’s River systems. To rivers from a massive water development process that threatens form a basis for our nego�a�ons, American Whitewater worked some of the great river canyons in the Southern Rockies. In the with private and commercial recrea�onal interests to scien�fically Yampa, Dolores and Upper Colorado River quan�fy the range of flows necessary to support watersheds, American Whitewater has used the © Irene Verstraete paddling on Gore Canyon, Glenwood Springs, Hydropower Reform Coali�on’s methodology Yampa River Canyon, and the Dolores River. for recrea�onal flow studies to iden�fy flows that are op�mal for kayaking and ra�ing, American Whitewater not only established and that enhance cri�cal aqua�c habitat. recrea�onal flow targets for Colorado’s rivers Recrea�onal flows are not protected under in 2008, but also our staff and partners have Colorado water law on most rivers. American defended these dynamic spring flows in nearly Whitewater’s strategy will include ensuring 100 stakeholder mee�ngs and nego�a�ons. that resource management plans offer the American Whitewater has created a compelling highest protec�on for flows that sustain the case for maintaining dynamic flows that are state’s whitewater rivers and opportuni�es for vital for recrea�on and the environment alike. their enjoyment. Regional government councils, water conserva�on districts, watershed scien�sts, and conserva�on groups support our ongoing In 2008, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land efforts. Without American Whitewater’s par�cipa�on, Colorado’s Management began evalua�ng the eligibility of Colorado’s most water development policies would fail to account for recrea�onal iconic rivers for protec�on as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Water and environmental water needs, and state and federal resource providers and others have mounted an aggressive response to management planning would leave our rivers shorthanded.

Ryan Knight. South Branch Feather, CA ©Darin Mcquoid CA Knight. South Branch Feather, Ryan Green River, Lodore Canyon, CO © Stuart Perillo 2008 Annual Report ����������������������������

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2008 Annual Report ��������������� Industry Partners Class V - $20,000 Boof - $5,000 Eddy - $1,000 KEEN Immersion Research Blue Sky Ou�i�ers Liquidlogic Diamond Brand Class IV - $15,000 LVM Gaia NOC NRS Girls at Play Pyranha Kayaks Outdoor Play Class III - $10,000 Watershed Palm USA Jackson Kayaks Werner Sawyer Paddles Kayak Session Yakima Southern Explora�ons Kokatat Wakawai.com Patagonia Wave - $2,500 Astral $750 Class II - $7,500 Colorado Kayak Supply GAIA Paddlesports Aire Smith Glasses Clif Bar Waldies $500 Confluence WorldKayak.com Snap Dragon Design Exact Target Zoar Outdoor Subaru

In-Kind Dona�ons

$50,000+ Immersion Research Pa�on Boggs Kokatat $10,000+ Nathan Fey Confluence Holdings Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Crane Associates, LLC Outdoorplay Kayak Session Pyranha US, Inc. Penstock Produc�ons Thomas O’Keefe Groth Consul�ng, Inc. Yakima Young Gun Produc�ons, LLC $500+ $5,000+ Jennie Goldberg ExactTarget, Inc. Mark Singleton Smith Sport Op�cs Merrell - Wolverine Go to americanwhitewater.org > Ohiopyle Falls Community > Industry Partners $1,000+ Pelican Products to see AW’s current list of industry Barry Adams Providence Marke�ng supporters. We hope you’ll con- Bliss-S�ck Sea�le Ra� & Kayak sider a company’s commitment Bob Center SnapDragon Design to river stewardship when making Colorado Kayak Supply Snewsnet your next purchase. David Steindorf Space Bag Diamond Brand Outdoors

2008 Annual Report ��������������� $500+ Sco� Weems Dona�ons David Ackerman When It Rains Inc. Richard Ernie Anderson David J. H. Wilson $5,000+ Brian M. Aubin John D. Wolken Anonymous Donor Robert Baca Dave Zinn Yvon and Melinda Chouinard Sco� P. Barnes Michael D. Crane Kemper Begley $250+ Mort Fuller and Sue Langfit Fuller Elliot Beinfest Jeffrey Abel Boyce Greer Dave Bowman Sco� Adams Joseph Greiner Alan and Suzanne Bressler Russell Adams Patricia Schifferle Ed Clark Mike Aronoff Kenneth Cofer Eric Arons $2,500+ Rebecca Dameron John Arthur Anonymous Donor Jeffrey J. Dean David M. Ashley Cur�s and Buffy Burge Ken Frederick Mar�n Bay and Nancy Anderson Bill Parks/NRS Sean Gallivan Lee Belknap Holley and Brian Gardel Peter R. Bernstein $1,000+ Ross George Eric Besse�e Glenn August Karl and JoAnn Gordon Boater Chick Fes�val Rich and Stephanie Bowers Luke Hanson David Brauer Carolina Canoe Club Robert W. Harris Anne Brindle Clint Edwards Brian Jacobson Allen Brown Sybille Fleischmann Ezra Thomas Jones Robert (Mike) Brown Bob Forster Keith Kishiyama Ian Buckley Garden Homes Fund Kelly Kraus Macy Burnham and Amanda Bruce M. and Olivia J. Genereaux Kevin L. Lewis Marusich Jennie Goldberg Douglas Liu Ed Callahan John Harvey Evelyn Locke Mark Canada Todd Hoffman Greg Mallory Daniel E. Carlson Les Hurrelbrink Ruth Mar�n Ryan Casey Kevin St John Robert and Debora Martz Ross and Tara Cherry KCCNY Megi Morishita Thomas J. Christopher Victor Kress and Dawn Meekhof Gilberto Robles Andrew J. Cole Tony Lunt Norwood Sco� Gretchen Cornell Tom O’Keefe and Rie Yamazaki Amy Shipman Adam Cramer Nicholas B. Paumgarten Ma� Solomon Erik Dalton Jus�n Rae Space Bag Brent and Dawn Davis Ken Ransford Loren Starcher Jeff DeMaine Lee Rust Gordon Steindorf Richard Dechant Alan Salomon Joyce Stuart Gerald Delong Mark Singleton Team Friendsville Development Services Ltd. Roger L. Starring Jim and Julia Tibbe�s Chris Dickens Edward Stockman Eric Tollefson Jim Dobbins TransCanada PipeLines Ltd Christopher Tulley Robert Douglas Barry and Ki�y Tuscano Dane Tullock Susan Eckerly and Terry O’Donnell Candice Clark Wozniak Charlie Vincent Don Edmonds Josh Von Szalatnay Brandon and Tara Engler

2008 Annual Report ��������������� Donna K. Ennis John O’Leary Robert Allegrucci Cindy and Stacey Fornstrom Andrew Oberhardt John Allen Gary Franks Paul Padyk Thomas Allen Tom Franks Tom Quarles Jon Almquist George and Leslie Fuller Johnson Rice Holly and Chase Ambler Gaia Sports Ma� Rodgers Jay Anderson John Garcia Crissa Rodrigue Terrell and Michelle Anderson Edward Gertler Dale Rogerson and Sarah Stanley Henry C. Annable Rob Gibbert Mark Rollins Paul F. Araujo George and Clarice Gordon Ross Romer Mary Arman Thomas Go�wald Julie Sco� Rowland Jacob Armstrong Dan Gray Mike Ryan and Linda Joyce David Asbell Michael Harvey Steve Scarborough Family Ann Griffith Ash Ron Healy Bill and Maryl Sedivy William S. Atkins George Hedrick Jack Shuler Brent Aus�n Paul Holmes Norman Sims Linda Aus�n Robert Howell Skirtworks Jeffrey S. Auxier, Esq. John Jacoby Ellis B. Smith Mark E. Baier Peter Juhnke Peter F. Smith Gary Bailey Tim J. Kelley Chris Sneed Bess and Rod Baird Patrick Kessler Steve Stohlman Balance Point Health Dave Kessmann Joe Stubbs David Baldovin Cameron Klinger Douglas Swartz Gordon Bare Jay Koontz Michael and Caroline Tanksley Kerrie Lee Barloga Jack Krupnick Ma� Terry Steve Barne� David and Angie Kuklinski Pam Todd Jocelyn Barre� Corey Largman Marc Tohir Christopher Barry Emile J. LeDonne Jacob Treadwell Kim Ba�le Mike Lee Chris Voegele Jim Beall Frank Lorch Christopher W. Walker Brian Bearss Brooks Lu�erloh Gary and Joan Warner Craig Beasley Mimi Margulies William E. Weddle Beaver Creek Wildlife Educa�on Tom McCloud Kirk Weir Center Joanne and Dan McGrew Tom and Suzanne Welander Les and Susan Bechdel David McIlwaine James C. Wes�all Frederick W. Beck Thomas McKibbin Collin Whitehead Dan Becker Kurt McKissick Julianna Wilson Jon Becker McNeal Graphics, Inc. Ethan Winter Kevin Belew Robert Merriman Andrew Wise Rick Bellows Kevin and Michelle Miller Tom Wi�ekind Roger E. Belson, MD Steven D. Mills Carter Wray Harold Bencowitz Kevin Mitchell Fred Young Family Shane Benedict Gibson Mokler Suzanne Benson Richard Montgomery $100+ Julia Bent Bryan and Pa�y Morrison Kim Abney Douglas Benton Michael Mullin Michele Adams Tom and Doris Berdeen Network for Good Marty Aiken Susan and William Beresford

2008 Annual Report ��������������� David J. Berg Andy Brown Russ Condrey Julie Berg Charles Brown Robert Connelly Paul Bergquist Courtney Brown and Sco� Fogarty Anne Connolly Edward Berry Gordon Brown, Jr Max Connolly Andy Berry Stephen O. Bruno Andrew Cook Stephanie and Travis Bertram Ian Brunton Ted Cookson Robin Betz Eric Bryant Bob and Linda Cooley Kevin Billingslea Dennis and Karen Buccella Maryrita Cooper Brent Binge Eric Buer Mike Corum Alden Bird Jeff Bullis Jesse Costello-Good Lisa Birskovich Kyle Bullis Gary Coultas Craig Bishop Paul Bunce John Cowan William J. Bishop Sco� Burke William F. Crimmins IV Eric Bloland Deborah and Christopher Burt Bill Crocke� Harlan Blynn Tripp Burwell Vance Cross Clif Bobinski Terry Busch Shelaine Curd-Hetrick Ron Bodinson Ma� Butcher and Liz Pennisi Brendan Curran Ed Bogush Robert Butera Michael Cyrus David Bohannan Christopher Caffrey Rex Dalrymple Darin Bohm Joe Cahalan Das Rad Haus Steven W. Booth Woody Callaway Sandra K. David Nick Borelli Bernard Y. Calvert, III Linda and David Davidson Sco� Bortree Camp Carolina Louise F. Davis Tor Boschen Craig Campbell Phil and Mary DeRiemer Michael Boudoucies Bob Card James Deehan Phil Boudreau Bozo Cardozo Brad Defrates Barbara Bowen Burgess Carey Al Dembeck Arthur F. Bowie Daniel Carroll Edward Dery Norman Bowles Rebecca Carter Polk Deters Phil Boyer Ben Carter Jerry Diamondstein Charles and Nancy Brabec Paul D. Cas�lle Tom Diegel Raymond Bragar and Robin Hertz James Castro David Dinan Paul and Laurie Brager Zachary Cates Sco� Dishman Garth Brantley Gardner Catsman Dixie Division Mike Brayton William Center Keith Doherty Devon Brecke Ma� Cheadle Stephen Dorick Patrick Brennan Helen Cherniack and Mike Shafer David Dorsch Bob Brewer and Jonna Hussey Andy and Diane Cheshier Michael P. Dowling Andy R. Bridge Brian Chisholm Michael Doyle Bill Bridger Joe Cholka Dress Well Outdoors Sco� Bridgham Kathy Clark Frances Duggan John T. Bri�on, M.D. Keith Clausen EPIC Adventures Christopher Brobin Alex Clayden Jared Ebelhar Bradley T. Brooks Steve Codey Randy Ebersole Richard Brooks Sco� Cole Michael Elovitz John Brower Jus�n Collins Cur�s Elwood Dave W. Brown Richard Collins Richard Elwyn

2008 Annual Report ��������������� Xavier Engle Cecil Greck George Hicks Chris Enlow Lee Green Don Hillmuth Carl J. Erb David Greenwald Chuck Hines Alex Eschenbaum John Greer Darrin Hines Chuck and Lola Estes Richard S. Griffith Kevin Hisel Daniel Evans Dale Griffiths Edward Ho Constance Farley Cynthia and Barry Grimes Susan Hockenberry Cathie and Davis Farrar Bill Grist Michael Hodge Chris and Shellie Feather Debbie Grooman Mike J. Hodgman Herman Feineis Michael Gross, MD Ken Hoeve Richard Fernald John Guarino Lynne and Charles Hoffmann Chad S. Finch Andrew Guldman and Cathy Howard Ted Hofmann Phil Fisher Josh Guske Andrew Holcombe George L.P. Fitz Carl and Anita Gutschick Ed Holladay Mitchell Fitzgibbon Mark Gu�adauro J Elmore Holmes Seth Fitzsimmons David Hablewitz Tyler Holt Ryan Flax Jeannine Hagan Marge and Bill Hone Kevin Foley Richard R. and Julie A. Haick Richard L. Hopley David Fosdick Ann Halverson and Harvey Harris Greg Horton John Fralick Hansel Halverson Peter Hubbard and Allison McCrory Michelle R. Francesco Robert and Brian Hamill Roger S. Huff Ross Frank Daniel Hammes Randy Humble Kevin Frankosky Dave Hammond Paul R. Hummel Stuart Fraser Tracy Hancock Chuck Hunley Bob Frater J. Kevin Hannon Andrew P. Hunter David and Jennifer Frierson Edward and Ann Hanrahan Craig D. Irwin David Fulle James A. Hardee Jarred Jackman Ric and Ann Fullerton Dunbar Hardy Link Jackson Funhog Press Jonathan Hare Kenneth Jackson Mark A. Gabel Cody Harris Robert and Charlo�e Jackson Marie Gaither Paul Harrison Jagged Edge Allen Gaither Brenda Harrower Ennis James Ryan Galway John Hart Melody and Sco� Jamieson Bob Gedekoh Eric Hartman John Jamnback Ann Gerhardt Alex Harvey Joey Jarrell Hans and Gail Geyer Jeffrey Hatcher Jerry Jascomb Susan and Robert Glanville Charlo�e Hathaway Jimmy Jehle Timothy Glaser Carter Hearn Andrew Jillings Dave J. Glickerman David Carter Hearn Elizabeth B. Johns Sco� Glisson Oliver Heim Amy Johnson Brent and Jeannie Glover Andy Held Douglas Johnson Roger Gocking John Herman Eric Johnson Steven Goldstein Peter Herndon Jan Johnson Katherine Goode Henry J. Herrmann Michael Johnson Nick Go�lieb David A. Herron Stacey Johnson Denise and Sco� Grava� Andy Hertz Daniel G. Jones Mayo Grava� Christopher Hest Wayne Jones

2008 Annual Report ��������������� David K. Joyce Brian LeDoux and Krysten Econome Jay McDonnell Ed and Grace Kane Robert Leayman Kevin and Patrick McDonnell Stacy and Dale Karacostas Kendall Lee David A. McGovern Norm Karasa Todd Leigh and Linda Savage Tom McGregor Ilona Karow Ben Levy Sco� F. McIntyre Hollis and Stanley Kaskey Craig M. Lewis Samuel B. McLamb Jonathan Katz Theodore Lewis Lizabeth McNamara Mike Kaufman Kevin W. Lindberg Steve McWilliams Laura Kay David Lipski Chuck Meakin Robert Kearse Todd Locker John Mello James Keese Colleen and Fred Lockwood Sarah Mello Charles Keller Ron Lodders Gerald H. Meral Nancy Kemp Tony and Ursula Long Gregg and Karen Merchen Sue Kennedy Robert Lord William P. Merrick Robert and Ann Kennedy Eric Lovejoy and Kris Moller Sam, Mark and Emily Mershon Wilson Kern Jim Low Bob Metzger Chris Kiehl Timothy Luce Chuck Meyer Don Kiely Bryan Lusk John Michnick Britan A. Kilbourne Sco� Lyden Stuart, Liz and Fishburn Miles Paul Killian Mark Lyon Donald S. Millard, Jr. Dieter King MTI Adventurewear Jim Miller Trip D. Kinney Bill MacFarlane Brad Milner Ben Kinsella Brian Madsen Carla Miner Don and Nanci Kinser Erica Madsen Jesse Mitchell Edward A. Kirkwood Peggy and David Mainer Richard Modglin and Susan Hinchey Daniel and Laura Kirsch Dionigi Maladorno Robert and Elizab Molyneaux Stephen Klaeren Bill Mandler Phil Montgomery Hank M. Klausman Russ Mapes Ryan Moore Rusty D. Klein Alejandro Marangoni John Moran Helge Klockow Diane M. Markoff Charles E. Morgan David and Phyllis Knight Thomas Marley Jack Morisey Bill Knowlton Kathleen Mason David Morring Kurt Knuth Mark Mastalski Robert Morton Charles D. Koteen Joe Bill and Kathy Mathews Jon Moseley Nick Kowalski Ma� Ma�son Robert Moses Robert Krase Peter Ma�son Ma� Muir David Krewson Ben R. Maxwell, Jr. John Munnell Bill Krissoff Jade Mayer Caleb Murray Brock Krizan Jamie McAdams Logan Murray Ken Krome Neville McCaghren Bri�a and Denis Nayden Brian Krueger Bill McCanless Robert Neily Ken Kyser Steve McClelland Carol Nelson Phil LaMarche John McClester David Nelson Mark and Sharon Lacroix James E. McComb, MD David R. Nelson Fran Lane Ryan McCrea Steven E. Nelson Michelle Lapin Mark McCrocklin Hannah Nesbeda Brent Laubaugh and Kelly Miller Beth McDonald Alex Nichols

2008 Annual Report ��������������� Rick Norman Beth E. Price Janet Russell Allen Northcu� Dixie Marree Pricke� Kurt Sable Nova Riverrunners Inc. Meg and Coulee Prince Karl Sackinger Ronald S. Novak Wes Prince Sco� Sailor Cliff O’Connor Robert Pritchard Jeffrey Sailus Brian O’Meara Jim Prive�e John Samora Frank Ohrt James Proctor Susan Sams Tom Omiatek Tim Propes Gary and Belinda Sanda Robert Orbelo Leonard Prosnitz Jeff Sandefur Jess Ordower Chris Puchner Philip Sapala Chris Osborne Robert Pugh Richard Scafidi Rob and Susan Osborne Joe Pulliam Chris Scalisi Darryl D. O� Sco� Puthoff Scenic River Tours Dennis and Molly Overly Andrew Quinn Greg and Dawn Schackel Lee A. Owen Annalee Quist Steve Schaefer Tom Pace Jennifer Raber Paul Schelp Jennifer Padberg Paul and Sarah Raffaeli Todd Scheuer Jeffrey Paine Doug and Allison Ragan Rolf Schindler Catherine Painter and Christopher Jeffrey J. Rahuba Steve Schmi� Brandely Judith Ranelli Mike Schmitz Thomas Palka Mark Rasmus Bruce Schnapp Palme�o Paddlers Bre� Redfearn Johanna Schneider Bill and Donna Holmes Parks Mark Reed Eric and Tera Schreiber Charles Parrish Travis A. Reeder Kathrin Schumacher and Chad Jennifer Pascoe Patrick E. Reilly Culbertson Alan Pasnik Paul Reilly and Cathy Murphy Timothy W. Scofield Jesse Pa�erson Terry Reilly John Sco� Russell H. Pa�erson Pierre de Rham Erica Seaver-Engel Dan and Amy Pearse Ian Rice JB Seay Warren Pechan Sue Richardson Kurt Seckington Cliff and Marilyn Peery Jeff Richman Lynn Seigerman Chad Penley Mark and Carol Jean Rickman Ryan Shackleton Dan Perka Shaun Riedinger Richard Shands Kurt Perkins Patrick Rivers Donald E. Shelters Stephen Perkins Le Roy Robbins John Sherman Lance Petrack-Zunich Chris L. Roberts Rebecca Sherman Edward Pe�us and Amy Stout Kenneth Robinson, Jr. Hank Sherrod Robert Hans Pfister Michael Rock Candy Shirey Evans Phelps Ma� Rocke� Mike Shook Nonny Phillips Rockin ‘R’ River Rides Daniel D. Short Randolph Pierce Mack L. Roebuck Donna Shriner Craig Piercy Edward Rohrbach Bre� Shumaker Brad C. Piske Robert G. Rohwer Thomas Siddall Dennis J. Pistoll Philip Rosbo�om John Sills David Plo� Steve Ruhle Roger M. Singer Todd Plum Greg Runyon Anne Singleton Jennifer Plyler and Paula Sorensen Christopher Russell Dick Sisson

2008 Annual Report ��������������� Skagit Watershed Council Axel and Alex Thomsen Spence Wike Lyle Slaughter David Thornton David Wilcox Kent Slawson Mac and Molly Thornton Steve Wilcox Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort Kevin Tice Wilderness Medicine Mark Smail Ann and Cecil Tickamyer Winston Wiley David Smalley Newton Tilson Bill Williams Craig Smith David and Maureen Timm Sherman Williamson David Smith and Joy Gaddis Karen and Malcolm Tobias Ed and Sondra Willobee Michael Smith Dooley Tombras Chad Wilson Ralph and Kathy Smith Peter Towey T Douglas Wilson, Jr Randy K. Smith Town Tinker Tube Rental Michael D. Wilson Terry Smith Jacque R. Townsend Paul D. Wilson Wilson Smith Christopher Tracy Graham Winkelman Susan Snider and Pete Gu�llo Martha Truninger and Michael Joanna Wolf Chris Sorauf Jacob Larry Wolff John Spencer Glen Tsaparas Jessica Wood Kendall Springer Carrington Tutwiler Sco� Wood Robert W. Springman Robert C. Tyler David Wood Jerry Stankunas Chloa Ulrich Denny Woods Mike Stanley Dan M. Valens Jeff Wormald Kathy Stege Gary and Terry Valle Patrick A. Wright John Steimke Ben VanCamp Jim and Pa�y Young Craig Steury Kathy and Paul VanCamp Robert D. Young John Stewart Derek and Amy Varble Pat Younger Larry Stewart Thomas Verra� Brian Zabel Larry and Leslie Stewart David Vican Sarah Zapolsky and David Williams Charles S�ll Yury Voronov Chrissy Zeltner Mark S�vers Mike Ward Dave Zischke Jessie Stone Rich Ward John Stormon Richard Warner Life�me Members Sue Strang and Paul Carlile Chris Washnock David Ackerman Ken and Fran Strickland Wendy Watson Milt Aitken Mark Stuber Bucknell C. Webb Charlie Albright Carl W. Suchovsky Jack Weems Walt Andry Doug Sughrue Greg Weeter Brian M. Aubin Whitney and Kate Sunderland Patricia Ann Wehrle Su�on Bacon, Jr William Szymanski Grant Weidenbach Chris Baggo� Tara Tanaka and Jim Stevenson Roy Weil and Mary Shaw Sco� P. Barnes Jus�n Tatosian Peter Weisenburger Pope Barrow Bruce Taylor Joan Werleman Keith Beck Rick Tegethoff Michael Werner Chris Bell and Beth Maczka Richard Thayer Michele Westermeyer Suzanne Benson Karrie Thomas Wet Planet Ra�ing Inc. William J. Bishop Jeremy Thomas Whitewater Technology Associates Rich and Stephanie Bowers Sco� Thomas Bree Wientjes Dave Bowman Reed D. Thompson Susan and Karl Wigdal Larry Brammer Rod Thompson Nick Wigston Alan and Suzanne Bressler

2008 Annual Report ��������������� Charles and Virginia Brewer Keith Gershon Tony Lunt Brian Briant Claire Gesalman Robert and Debora Martz Peter Bross Ken Gfroerer and Lisa Smith David Mason Alex Brown Nancy Gilbert Bill and Anne Masters David Brown Jennie Goldberg Graham Ma�hews Cur�s and Buffy Burge George and Clarice Gordon David Z. May Victoria Butler Karl and JoAnn Gordon James and Sandra McEwan Margaret R. Caldwell Boyce Greer Sco� McKay Yvon and Melinda Chouinard Joseph Greiner Robert Mingus Thomas J. Christopher Robbie Griffith and Jeff Redding Phil Montgomery Emerson J. Clauss, III H. H. Hancock Joshua C. Moore Jeff Clewell Robby G. Hansen Pete Morey Cal Coetzee Alex and Chris�e Hanzlik-Green Megi Morishita Trey Coleman Charles L. Harris Eric Nies Hope Concannon John Harvey Laura Nugent and Ian Bailey Kevin B. Coyne David Carter Hearn Tom O’Keefe and Rie Yamazaki Adam Cramer Rob Heineman Philip O’Rourke Joshua Crossman Eric Henrickson Keith T. Oldham Rebecca Dameron Hermann Family Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club Brent and Dawn Davis Todd Hoffman George Orr Paul and Downing Denison Dan Hoheim Aida M. Parkinson Stra�ord Douglas Tamara Howard Nicholas B. Paumgarten Chip Ducke� Werner Rod Huck Stephen Perkins Phil Duff Les Hurrelbrink Aaron Pruzan Sco� P. and Lori Duffens Kris�ne and Peter Quayle Kenneth H. Duncan John Jamnback Jus�n Rae Ben Edson and Emily Mahowald John Jerger Ken Ransford Anthony D. Edwards Charlo�e T. Jones Sara Ransford, The Arches Clint Edwards Stacy and Dale Karacostas Founda�on David Ellio� Jeff Keim Bre� Redfearn Vann and Laura Evans Charles Keller Robert Reiterman George M. Feinberg Chris Kelly and Nane�e Laughrey Timothy Reynolds Charles Fiveash Jay P.K. Kenney Dave Robey Jacob Fleisher Patrick Kessler Karl Rogers Kent Ford Don and Nanci Kinser Lawton Salley Bob Forster Keith Kishiyama Patricia Schifferle David Fosdick Mike Klaiber Tom Schneller Gary Franks Sco� and Devan Koehn Rick Schoen Ken Frederick Chris and Caron Koll Norwood Sco� Joel E. Freedman Victor Kress and Dawn Meekhof Mark Scriver Michael French Bill Krissoff Roberta A. Scull Mort Fuller and Sue Langfi� Fuller Ken Kyser Ed Sherwood Nathan Galbreath Andy and Wendy Laakmann Jim Sindelar John Gangemi Troy Langley Tom Sitz Holley and Brian Gardel Jeffrey R. Leighton Peter N. Skinner Bruce M. and Olivia J. Genereaux Douglas Liu Edwin Smalley Ross George Frank Lorch Mike A. Smith

2008 Annual Report ��������������� Stephen L. Smith Founda�ons Mehdi Akacem Ma� Solomon Ajax Founda�on Brooks R. Alldredge David Spiegel Bailey Family Founda�on Sarah B. Anderson Eli Spiegel Bank of America Founda�on Steve Aus�n Joel Spiegel BP Fabric of America Fund David C. Baker Kevin St. John Charles Stewart Mo� Founda�on Bank of America Mary E. Starzinski Cherokee Preserva�on Founda�on, Kirk T. Barley Chris Stec Inc. Jeff Boord Dave Steindorf Clif Bar Family Founda�on Derek C. Bristol Gordon Steindorf Cloud Mountain Founda�on Brian D. Buckley Peter Stekel CLSJ Founda�on, Inc. George Bullen Sarah Stephenson Community Founda�on of WNC Jim and Lisa Burton Bryan and Michelle Stewart Conserva�on Alliance Michael M. Carroll Jason S�ngl ExxonMobil Founda�on Jim Cavo Mark Sullivan Fidelity Charitable Gi� Fund Joe Cholka Jeffrey Taschler Garden Homes Fund Seth Cooper Charles E. Taylor GE Founda�on Mark D’Agos�no Eric Tollefson George & Miriam Mar�n John Daffron Barry and Ki�y Tuscano Founda�on Nancy and Joe Damboise Jim Veltrop Goldman Founda�on Quincy Dan Charlie Vincent Hope Founda�on Jason Darby Josh Von Szalatnay Hydropower Reform Coali�on Daniel J. Deptula Charlie and Sandy Walbridge Keen Founda�on David Dooley Sco� Weems Kenney Brothers Founda�on William Duffy Kate Wempe Murray Founda�on Larry and Chris�ne Dunn Werner Paddles NC Community Founda�on Daniel W. Du�on Natalie Whiteman Nantahala Outdoor Center Don Ellis Mar�n Wick Envirnmental & Humanitarian Gi� James Ellis Greg Widroe Fund ExxonMobil Kurt Williams Osilas Founda�on Susan A Fialkowski John R. Wilson Patagonia Environmental Grants Robert Fisher John D. Wolken Program William O. Fisher Brandon Woods Pfizer Founda�on Claude Frank Candice Clark Wozniak Pruzan Founda�on Ken Frederick Resources Legacy Fund Founda�on Brian and Carrie Freeman Contribu�ons in Memory Of Richard & Robert Goldman Fund Jeffrey B. Gartman Steve Barron River Management Society GE Founda�on Larry Berg The Stanley Family Fund Edward J. George Daniel DeLaVergne State of Colorado: Colorado Water Claire Gesalman Lee Harrison Hart Conserva�on Board Richard Gibson Randy Kennedy SVB Founda�on Kelly Gillespie Chuck Kern The Arches Founda�on Ed Goufas Isaac Ludwig The Ironman Founda�on, Inc. William Griffin John Schneller The Oregon Community Founda�on Cynthia Grimes Bob Scull Barbara K. Hall Gordon Taylor CFC and Workplace Giving Ronn E. Harding Mark T. Adams Andrew Harrell

2008 Annual Report ��������������� James Harris Sco� Slayton Carolina Canoe Club Oliver Heim Jesse Smith Chicago Whitewater Associa�on Brian Henderson James Sprouffske Chico Paddleheads Neil Hermansdorfer Bryan and Michelle Stewart Coastal Canoeists Richard Hicks Robert S�les Colgate University Jeffrey Holdsworth Tracy Tacke� Colorado Whitewater Associa�on Frank W. Hughto-Delzer Grace Thompson Columbus Outdoor Pursuits Jeffrey Hunt Linda Tulaba Conewago Canoe Club IBM Corpora�on Christopher Tulley Coosa Paddling Club Andris Ikstrums Laura J. Ulibarri East Tennessee Whitewater Club Intuit United eWay Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Robert A. Johnson United Way Silicon Valley Easton Whitewater Parks Eric Jones Mile High United Way Commission Seth Kaufman and Susanne Rublein United Way Special Distribu�on EPIC Outdoor Adventures Chris Kelly and Nane�e Laughrey United Way of Virginia Peninsula Face Level Industries Lark A. Lambert United Way of Na�onal Capital Area Fairbanks Paddlers Glenn Lamson Lorn VanSteenbergh Float Fishermen of Virginia Brian and Mari Li�le Verizon FLOW Paddlers Club Major Mather Li�le Stephen D. Vitale Foothills Paddling Club Brad Love Ma�hew Wallace FORVA Jerry Malloy Wells Fargo Front Range Paddle Associa�on Barry Mar�n Sue Whitney Georgia Canoeing Associa�on Robert J. Mascio Rich Wiegand Georgia Tech Outdoor Recrea�on Timothy McGinty Carol Wilson Grand Canyon Private Boaters Sco� McKay Howard Wolosky Associa�on Microso� Greater Bal�more Canoe Club Marin Millar Affiliate Clubs Hamilton College Henry Miller ADK Schenectady Holtwood Hooligans Daniel P. Molnar Adobe Whitewater Club Hoofers Ou�ng Club Chris�an Morath AMC - New Hampshire Paddlers Hoosier Canoe Club Robert Moses AMC Delaware Valley Chapter Housatonic Canoe & Kayak Squad Andrew Nix Arkansas Canoe Club Houston Canoe Club Jennifer Paisner Atlanta Whitewater Club Huntsville Canoe Club Irov R. Pardee Avid4Adventure Inc. Idaho Whitewater Associa�on Bruce A. Pa�on Bardstown Boaters Iowa Whitewater Coali�on Darrell Penn Base Camp Cullowhee Jackson Hole Kayak Club Jesica L. Presqueira Beartooth Paddlers Society Kansas City Whitewater Club Alan Pe�ngill Benscreek Canoe Club Kansas Whitewater Associa�on Zachary Ramsey Big Thompson Watershed Forum KCCNY Robert Ratcliffe Birmingham Canoe Club Keel Haulers Canoe Club Jennifer Raymond Blue Ridge River Runners Ledyard Canoe Club Eric D. Roush Blue Ridge Voyageurs Lehigh Valley Canoe Club Sharon Sahrie Bluegrass Wildwater Associa�on Lehigh Valley Whitewater Club Daniel R. Sanborn Bradford County Canoe and Kayak Lower Columbia Canoe Club Eric and Tera Schreiber Club Mason Dixon Canoe Cruisers Charles Scroggins Canoe Club of Greater Harrisburg Mecklenburg Regional Paddlers Billy Simmons Canoe Cruisers Associa�on Memphis Whitewater

2008 Annual Report ��������������� Merrimack Valley Paddlers Viking Canoe Club Midwest Missouri Whitewater Associa�on Washington Kayak Club Fox River (WI) Mt Washington Valley Paddlers Washington Recrea�onal River NE Wisconsin Paddlers Inc. Runners Northern Rockies Northwest Ra�ers Associa�on Watauga Paddlers West Rosebud Creek (MT) Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club West Virginia Wildwater Associa�on Bear River (ID) Oregon Whitewater Associa�on Western Carolina Paddlers Milltown Dam (MT) O�er Bar Lodge Kayak School Whitman College Whitewater Club Outdoor Adventure Club Willame�e Kayak & Canoe Club Southern Rockies Ou�ng Club at North Carolina State Zoar Valley Paddling Club Colorado’s Water Supply Future Outward Bound (CO) Ozark Mountain Paddlers Events and Fes�vals Upper Colorado River (CO) Ozark Wilderness Waterways American River Fes�val South Pla�e River (CO) PA Organiza�on for Watersheds & Deerfield River Fes�val Yampa River (CO) Rivers Feather River Fes�val Colorado River (CO) Paddle Trails Canoe Club French Broad River Fes�val Green River (WY, CO, UT) Paddlers4Christ Gauley Fes�val Dolores River (CO) Palme�o Paddlers Moose River Fes�val Blue River (CO) Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Na�onal Paddling Film Fes�val South Boulder Creek (CO) Society Ohiopyle Over the Falls Fes�val Rio Grande River (CO) Philadelphia Canoe Club Potomac River Fes�val Animas River (CO) Pikes Peak Whitewater Club Wenatchee River Fes�val San Miguel River (CO) Pueblo Paddlers Uncompahgre River (CO) River Touring Sec�on Sierra Club Ac�ve Projects Ojo Caliente River (NM) San Miguel Whitewater Associa�on Rio Grande River (NM) SCSU Outdoor Endeavors Southeast Sequoia Paddling Club Cheoah River (NC) Pacific Northwest Sierra Club John Muir Chapter Cha�ooga River (NC, SC, GA) Sultan River (WA) Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter Nantahala and Tuckasegee rivers McKenzie River (OR) Sierra Club San Francisco Chapter (NC) Sullivan Creek (WA) Sierra Nevada Whitewater Club Catawba River (NC, SC) Klamath (OR/CA) Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club Saluda River (SC) Crooked River (OR) St Lawrence University Wilson Creek (NC) White Salmon (WA) Team SICK Snake River Dams (WA) Tennessee Scenic River Associa�on Mid Atlan�c Sandy River (WA) Tennessee Valley Canoe Club Susquehanna River (PA) Green River (WA) Three Rivers Paddling Club Ohiopyle Falls (PA) Pra� River (WA) Toledo River Gang Savage & NB Potomac Rivers (MD) Forest Service Roads Town Tinker Tube Rentals Gauley River (WV) Triad River Runners Lehigh River (PA) California University Kayak Club Feather River (CA), Rock Creek/ University of Colorado Kayak Club Northeast Cresta University of Tennessee Knoxville Ausable River (NY) Feather River (CA), Poe USU Kayak Club Saranac River (NY) Feather River (CA), Oroville/ Feather Utah Whitewater Club O�er Creek (NH) River (CA) Vancouver Kayak Club West River (VT) McCloud River (CA) Venturing Crew 360 Blackwater, etc (VT, NH) Yuba/Bear Rivers (CA)

2008 Annual Report

Whitewater of the Sea California’s Mendocino Coast is our Nick’s Nightmare, The Gauntlet, Deer favorite playground for whitewater Rock, and Chicken Point are just a few of by Cate Hawthorne adventure. The Pacific Ocean has worked our favorites. Like rapids on a river, some for millions of years to carve out rock are named for carnage and others for A five-foot wall of rock looms directly in reefs, sea stacks, and sea caves that are unique features. front of me. I am preparing to paddle an awe-inspiring wonderment to many. straight at it. I see a set of waves rolling in For us, they are a paddling playground. We compare ocean rock gardening to a on the horizon and re-check my position. Surfing the swells and waves of the ocean park and play wave. Like playboaters, Timing is everything, they say, which I over, through, and around these geological we rally our friends, don our paddling find to be especially true in whitewater features in the ocean is referred to as “rock gear, and seek to perfect our moves and kayaking. The wave comes in and is gardening” and is my favorite form of create new ones as we play and interact directly behind me. I take three strong whitewater kayaking. with waves and rocks. Creativity is a large forward strokes and feel its power pick part of ocean rock gardening. It is fun to me up and hurl me toward the rock. In The Noyo Bay in Fort Bragg, California is experience with friends as each has their a whoosh of whitewater, I am carried up, one of our favorite rock gardening spots own paddling style and interpretation over the rock and am now carving an because it is close to home, our dogs of the features. My girlfriend Angie eight-foot wave down its backside. I start love the leash-free beach, good food and is a playboater and spins about on the to the right and then cut back to the left beverages are nearby, and it is an aquatic features whereas I like to carve and in a spray of saltwater and finish in a deep playground full of features. One day we pool. Grinning from ear to ear, I paddle counted 30 different play spots within the Noyo Bay. Angie’s Angst, Brindle’s around the rock to line up for another one, Cate riding the ocean swell and another one, and . . . Bash, The Sound Cave, The Keyhole Cave, Photo by Jeff Laxier

66 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 67 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 surf the waves. Different features offer rock gardener who understands the flow way—in the long or short—it is a lot beginners the opportunity to give it a try and timing of the ocean and can point out of FUN!!! while advanced paddlers can “Go Big” on buffer zones (like eddies) as well as play larger sets or take more technical routes. features like pour-overs, surge channels, My mother says that saltwater is good for Many play spots spill over into deep water elevator rooms, waves, and sea caves. the sinuses. My heart says that it is good pools that allow for scouting, spectating, for the soul. and photography. We prefer rock gardening in the faster, older-style, river runner kayaks (think For more info, check out: http://www.liquid The ocean is a different animal than the Whiplash, ARC, Jive, and RPM). We will fusionkayak.com and river. Lack of rainfall and snowmelt don’t also use sit-on-top kayaks with thigh http://www.womanonwater.blogspot.com keep us high and dry as there is never a straps to make rock gardening accessible shortage of whitewater on the Mendocino to those without a roll. Rock gardening is Coast. Some days are bigger than others a lot of fun in our sea kayaks because we depending upon the tide and size and can paddle into more remote areas. Our direction of the swell. Just like on the river, multi-boat approach to rock gardening water reading is an important skill that has inspired both our and takes time and experience to develop. It whitewater paddling friends to venture Peggy Peattie rides a pour over is always helpful to go with an experienced into new kayaking disciplines. Either Photo by Jeff Laxier

66 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 67 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 The Value of Whitewater finding the inner courage to go for it. I female turn to me after the last challenging knew what it feels like to look back up rapid of the day and in a whisper—as if By Kristin Bierle at Nantahala Falls and know that I alone she just realized it—say, “I feel like I can got myself down it. I knew I was strong do anything.” Another time, a group of all I was raised by a somewhat eccentric enough to portage a canoe down to the female students ran the Cascadas Micos father whose greatest gift was instilling in Chattooga Section III put-in. Section in Mexico. Just as the first students me the belief that I am capable of doing was about to run the last 25-foot waterfall, whatever I want. He did this not just by I moved to Idaho to finish college. I ran her best friend turned to me and said, “I’m telling me so, but also by showing me. He the big rapids on the North Fork of the just so proud of us.” got me and my two sisters involved in the Payette; I paddled Brush Creek during outdoors—paddling specifically—and spring break, and ran Big Falls on the Experiences like these remind me of that forever changed my life. Canyon. I continued to find myself in why paddling and the outdoors are so really uncomfortable situations where important to me. The Alzar School’s Jean My childhood was spent crawling through 90% (or sometimes 99%) of me wanted Bierle Scholarship Initiative, which is caves with my two sisters, before we off the water. I kept stretching my comfort dedicated to developing female outdoor were even old enough to walk. Later, we zone, learning more about who I was as leaders from developing countries, canoed on rivers and lakes as a family, a person. sponsored two females from the town and then I followed my older sister off of Jalcomulco, Mexico to participate in to summer camp where I became hooked I went to Chile, I worked in Costa Rica, our expedition. One of the two students, on whitewater. Thirteen was important went back to Chile, rode a motorcycle Mayan, was the first female to learn to milestone in our family. It wasn’t the around Mexico looking for rivers; I went roll a kayak from her town (which has year we were able to get our ears pierced, back to Chile, kayak always in tow. River countless outfitters and is surrounded or go to the movies with boys—it was chasing taught me to trust my skills, my by world class whitewater). Through the year we were allowed to get our very training, and myself. It taught me that you my butchered Spanish, and countless own kayak. have to deal with, and eventually embrace, analogies to Shakira while trying to convey a degree of uncertainty. It showed me that the hipsnap, Mayan and I practiced and Looking back now, I see that high school I am tough, not because I have run big persevered and she rolled. She rolled, and is a ridiculous time for most teenage rapids, but because I’m out there doing it before you knew it guides from outfitters girls. Consumed by the perceptions of and doing it for myself. It taught me how all around town were coming to the pool others and the intense need for validation, to be a leader, first by leading myself, and to see this fifteen-year-old, 4’10’’ female otherwise interesting and intelligent girls then by leading others. roll a kayak. attempt to hide those aspects that make them unique. Surviving my teenage years In 2004, because we wanted to give other To me this is what it means to be a female was the result of lessons I learned about teens the same chance to find themselves paddler. It isn’t what class whitewater myself before I got there. I knew what it and avoid the perils of adolescence, my you run … it’s about sharing the sense was like to sit above a rapid terrified, 90% husband and I started the Alzar School of empowerment. As the Alzar School of me wanting to get out of the water, but (www.AlzarSchool.com), a nontraditional students go on to some of the top colleges school that takes highly motivated in the nation, I know they bring with students on expeditions around the them the knowledge that they are capable world. Our programs combine the best of doing whatever they want in life. This of experiential education and outdoor confidence will carry over to all aspects adventure. Students go through a of their life. It’s the same confidence my rigorous leadership curriculum, complete dad instilled in me, and it’s why I continue meaningful service projects; some trips to paddle and try to get as many teens as even offer college credit. We are passionate possible paddling. about education, and understand how the lessons learned on the water can help create global citizens.

On these expeditions I’ve found my passion in life. I had a thirteen-year-old

Kristin Bierle teaching Mayan how to roll

Photo by Sam Bierle 68 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 69 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 A Tribute to Lars Holbeck Lars put a new clutch in his van while I finished on the highest reaches of the American River in a take-home midterm in the Foster Freeze the Sierra, including the Royal Gorge. By Richard Montgomery parking lot in Placerville. (I’m not sure what Chuck was doing.) Lars’s name is also well-known in climbing circles and is attributed first ascents in Yosemite Lars grew up in Santa Rosa California. He Those two years based out of Protein Farms and at Joshua Tree. started climbing at 13, and paddling a year laid the foundations of Stanley and Holbek’s or two later. Every summer from age 16 to guidebook, The Best Whitewater in California, In the mid 1990s he took up paragliding and 19 he and his older classmate Michael Schlax published first in 1984 and on its 3rd edition. converted a number of friends to this sport. He would leave Santa Rosa and head to Idaho for It is still referred to as `the bible’ by many flew in California, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. In extended paddling trips. Their paddling mentor California paddlers. Friend Dave Steindorf who the spring of 1999 he reconnected with Nancy was Jim Smith, then in his early thirties. Jim works with AW to secure guaranteed water flows Wiley a well-known paddler from Durango, got started with the Sierra Club River Touring from dam operators had sent a letter to Lars Colorado. The two became partners for life. Section based out of Oakland, and the paddling recently, one which unfortunately Lars never In the early part of the current decade he and center of Northern California in the 60s up got to read. Dave wrote: “There is no hydro Nancy were on an extended paddling and through the mid 70s. relicensing in the State in which your book flying trip to Peru. A freak downdraft folded is not referenced. PG&E, Southern California Nancy’s wing and sent her for an 80-foot fall. I met Lars through my future wife Judith who Edison, and every other dam operator in She broke several vertebrae and shattered an had befriended Michael in elementary school. California owns a copy of your guide book. This ankle. Doctors told her she would never walk Judith and I were students at Sonoma State might be a surprise but I would venture to say again. We all got to see another side of Lars University, 10 miles south of Santa Rosa. My that The Best Whitewater in California may be emerge: a nurturing, caring side, which worked main paddling partner was slalom champion the single most owned book by dam operators in concert with his persistence, humor, and can- Chuck Stanley, who was then living and in California. I have watched them pull their do-attitude, and aimed towards Nancy and her working in Oregon. Chuck soon transferred to pristine copies out of their brief cases, not a healing. Coupling Lars’ nurturing with Nancy’s Sonoma State. Chuck and Judith and I, with an smudge on the cover, not a smear on a page. indomitable spirit, somehow it did not seem assortment of others, lived in a field, sublet from Certainly not the well tattered copy that sits on like a miracle that within a year and a half of a farmer. We called the place Protein Farms. most of our bookshelves or on the dash of our the accident Nancy was again mountain biking, cars as we drive to a new run.” skiing and paddling. (The couple did quit Lars would visit us there often in his VW van, paragliding.) parking just outside the wood-and-tin carport Lars went on to first descents all over the world. which doubled as our kitchen, sometimes He ran the Stikine in Alaska, the Pacartambo in Over the last few years Nancy and Lars built an living there for weeks on end, cooking with Peru, and numerous first descents in Chile. He off-the-grid passive solar house on property they us, making gear, pouring over topo maps in started teaching himself Spanish by sneaking had bought outside of Durango. He continued the library, planning trips, doing automotive in to the language lab at Sonoma State, and to get out on the water, but his passion turned repairs, and training slalom gates with Chuck in was fluent after his 3rd or 4th extended trip. more towards living off the grid and converting the duck pond just across the creek. With Eric Magnussen he did exploratory cars to run on vegetable oil. He had, with Nancy, adventures in Costa Rica. He wrote a guidebook a small fleet of vegetable oil powered cars. For a brief period from 1978-1980 Protein to Chilean whitewater. He made whitewater For months ever spring and some summers Farms became the whitewater paddling capital videos including `The Wild Americans’ where for the last 6 years the couple had walked of California. Chuck and Lars trained and on he reveled in the boyhood style- humor of the parts of the California, Nevada, and Arizona long weekends, spring, and winter breaks they videos he had made with his brother Suren deserts looking for desert tortoises as part of would drag me out of my math and physics while growing up in Santa Rosa. EPA-funded endangered species remediation books for exploratory or flood runs. John and projects. Through that, they developed a whole Eric Magnusson also attended Sonoma State From the late 80s to the mid 90s he and well- tortoise community, which folded in with their and competition with them, and with the “Billy known paddler Beth Rypins became partners paddling and flying communities. Goat Boys”: Reg Lake, Royal Robbins, and Doug and paddled throughout California, Chile, and Tompkins based out of San Francisco helped took one long trip to paddle in Siberia. Lars died the night March 13, 2009, after a spur Chuck, Lars, Michael and I on as a group. four and half month battle with an aggressive First descent fever took over. In the winters we In the early 90s he and Mark Kocina got into lymphoma that settled in his abdomen. He is paddled the flooding rivers and creeks an hour speed descents, redoing many of the runs in survived by brother Suren, mother Mimi, father or so North of Santa Rosa—Sulphur Creek at “the bible” in hours when the first runs had Erik, partner Nancy, together with hundreds of 7,000 and the Russian at 50,000 sticks in my taken a full day, or even multiple days. The friends scattered all over both Americas. mind. In the spring we went up to the Trinity standard Middle Fork of the Feather run is Alps or the Sierras. Our big record 1st descent usually done in three days. Lars and Mark did He was one of the smartest people I’ve known, safari happened during Spring Break, 1980. In it in eight hours. one of the most persistent, and one of the most one three day period we made the first descent self-sufficient. He loved being on the learning of the Golden Gate (on the South American), He helped numerous young boaters, including curve, or “being a gooner” as he put it. He had and of Bald Rock on the Middle Feather, which Charlie Center, get to their cutting edge. Up an indefatigable sense of humor. He kept it to have since become standards. In between the until the end of the 90s he continued to keep the end. two we got skunked on the Bear River. We up with the young guns of the up-and-coming bivouacked twice. And somewhere in there generation, being part of first or second descents

68 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 69 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Women’s Canoe Will Men’s has been in the Jen Singletary of Nantahala, NC at the US Open on Olympics since 1936. Slalom canoe/kayak the Nantahala, NC in March 2009, where she won Shine in 2009: had its Olympic debut in 1972 (men’s 3rd place Sisters of the Single Blade and women’s kayak, and men’s canoe), only to Photo by Michael Thompson the Fight for Olympic Inclusion be dropped until it was reinstated in 1992. By Pamela Boteler, President, USA WomenCAN For some reason, we are still talking today who are on the water now would rather about women being excluded from doing be a part of creating the opportunity and something they love just because they living the dream, rather than waiting for So many of our dreams at first seem are women. Women canoeists are still others to do the hard work. impossible, then they seem improbable, and excluded from the grandest stage of all: the finally, when we summon the will, they Olympics, and in over 95% of the countries It is shocking to me that the Olympics become inevitable. around the world, they are excluded from still do not give women canoeists equal Christopher Reeve the National Championships. We can opportunities … I thought those days play around on our local pond or river, were over. We have not come as far as we The year 2009 will go down in history but we are not allowed to live out the thought we have. as the most exciting and most pivotal, same Olympic dream that men have for as women in canoe continue paddling decades. Nancy Kalafus, sprint kayak racer in their way toward Olympic inclusion. This the 1960s, still a budding canoeist, and group of serious and competitive athletes In many countries, yes, including the currently District Director of Physical has, over the decades, shown incredible United States, women are directly Education and Athletics, Garden City courage, taken considerable risks, and has discouraged from paddling in Olympic- School District, Garden City, Long the vision, perseverance and persistence to style canoes. Many coaches outright refuse Island, NY hold steadfast and strong to a Dream. The to put females (kids or adults) in canoes “Sisters of the Single Blade” are committed because there is no path to the Olympics Flatwater to both Sprint (flatwater) and Slalom and no money for development. In their (whitewater) canoeing. We paddle in view athletes should “Go where the money In March 2009, under the direction of different boats and on different water, but and the glory are.” new leadership, the ICF issued its boldest we share a single blade and a single dream: statement of support for the cause of the Olympics. Still, in spite of all odds, the women who women’s canoeing to date, announcing have been on the water in the past and women’s canoe to be added to the 2010

70 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 71 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 World Championships as a full medal Championships in Nova Scotia in August Slalom event—but only the C1 200 meter event 2009. Hannah will race the C1 500 and (and only C1 for Slalom). In addition, 200-meter events, Hannah and Kaitlyn On the whitewater side, things have really women’s canoe events will gain “exhibition” will compete in the C2 500 and Anna and been rolling since 2008, when the ICF status at the 2009 World Championships Pam will race the C2 200-meter. Anna added women’s canoe as exhibition to in Nova Scotia, Canada (August 12-16), and Pam will also compete at the Pan the Slalom World Championships in Seu and there will be an historic Pre-worlds American Championships in July 2009 in d’Urgell, Spain. In addition, the highly Development Camp for women’s canoe, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Hannah and Kaitlyn successful Slalom Canoe “World Series” fully funded by the ICF and CKC and will remain in the U.S. and compete at events added women’s canoe, but only the host organizing committee, Canoe the Lake Placid International Regatta the Slovakia and the US had participants. ’09. Over 16 countries across all five same weekend. We expect Team USA to In 2009, all World Series events will continents submitted applications for 40 train hard and vie for medals at all of these have women’s canoe AND prize money. athletes, and more are expressing interest major events. Women’s Canoe will be full medal in sending athletes and coaches. We also events at all three World Cup events, and anticipate up to 18 countries will send With all of our recent advancement toward exhibition at the World Championships. women to the Sprint Worlds exhibition, an gaining the right to compete, we need to It is anticipated that over 10 countries will overwhelming response that has shocked acknowledge those who championed our send athletes to the Worlds. And in 2010, and enthralled all involved in making cause for years. Thank you to women C1W will be a full-medal event at the this historic event a reality. Also, the 2009 warriors like Elizabeth Smith, Debby World Championships. Sprint Pan American Championships Page, and Francine Fox, the women war will include women’s canoe as full medal canoe paddlers in the 1950s-1970s in New events for the first time ever. York, Sue “Canoe” Wolpert (WCC), Nancy 2009 National Team for Kalafus, and so many others. And thanks Women’s Slalom Canoe 2009 National Team for to Sheila Kuyper who began the Sprint Canoe revolution in Canada. You all were The U.S. has an incredibly talented Women’s Sprint Canoe shunned and in many cases scorned and group of Junior and Senior women ridiculed for “doing a man’s sport.” Your in canoe. Hannah Menke (Rockaway, NY), Kaitlyn presence on the water were the tiny drops McKelroy (San Diego, CA), Anna of water that are now tipping the bucket in The 2009 U.S. team trials just wrapped up Crawford (Lanier Canoe/Kayak Club, favor of a new generation of both paddlers in mid-May on the Animas in Colorado. Gainesville, GA) and Pam Boteler (WCC) and leaders. The results from that competition all qualified to compete at the World determined the women’s World Cup team for the upcoming year. The C1 women’s team will be Carolyn Peterson (a true leader for a young and vibrant Slalom World Cup and World Championships Team), Micki Reeves, and Hailey Thompson (a fantastic junior from Wisconsin who won the 2008 American Open World Series event—the first slalom event anywhere in the world to offer women prize money, thanks to generous donations to USA WomenCAN; finally, “Equal Pay for Equal Work”—the 2009 U.S. Open, and the C1W Junior National Team Trials).

The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility

Hailey Thompson of Stevens Point, WI at the US Open on the Nantahala, NC, in March 2009 where she won 1st place

Photo by Michael Thompson

70 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 71 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. What Can You do to Help?

By Pam Boteler, President, USA WomenCAN The Olympic Charter 1. Contact the International Canoe Federation (ICF) to show your support for Without Olympic status, our sport loses Women’s Canoe and thank them for continuing to “do the right thing.” The a large population of promising paddlers ICF is our voice to the International Olympic Committee. They want to hear and incredible athletes, many of whom from you! Brandi Derksen, ICF Media/Public Relations Director Brandi.Derk leave the sport completely because of lack [email protected] of opportunities and support. For women training in canoes, this is not a “build 2. Email the London 2012 Olympics Organizing Committee at either it and they will come” dream, though [email protected] or http://www.london2012.com. Tell them you support certainly that is a part of this “chicken and the addition of Women’s Canoe C1 & C2 as exhibition in 2012. egg” game (“show us the paddlers, we’ll give you events”). Female paddlers are on “London 2012’s ambition is to create a Games for everyone, where everyone is the water, and they want only for doors to invited to take part, join in and enjoy the most exciting event in the world...Our be opened so they can paddle through and emblem [represents that we are]…not afraid to shake things up, to challenge the compete for the same Olympic glory and accepted. To change things.” respect as their male counterparts. Women - from London2012.com’s Brand Description canoeists want to enhance the excitement and popularity of our great sport around 3. Encourage and support women who wish to take up the single blade or who the world, and they support balance across already do. Support the coaches. Volunteer for events. Offer to house athletes all disciplines in the Olympics. traveling to competitions to reduce costs. Offer to take in international athletes coming to the U.S. to train. WomenCAN is grateful for the opportunities offered to women in 2009 4. Email USA Canoe/Kayak to show your support for the inclusion of Women’s and beyond, and will continue to work Canoe at all local and national events and to include women’s canoe in all with local, National and International funding decisions. http://usack.org/contact_us/ngb or [email protected] Federations to advance canoe for women, too. We still have hopes for exhibition 5. Join the Face Book Group “Women in Canoe – International.” events in 2012, but the target for full inclusion on the Olympic program is 6. Make a tax-deductible donation. Women’s Canoe remains a self-funded 2016. For now, we will see you on the line venture… in 2009! Donations can be sent to: USA Canoe/Kayak c/o Fund for USA WomenCAN/Just Canoe It! 330 South Tryon Street, Lower Level Charlotte, NC 28282

In the memo line of the check, write “WomenCAN/Just Canoe It!” 2009 donations support women canoeists competing at the Pan American Championships, World Championships, and World Cup events.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Meade

72 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 73 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 It’s Easy to Support AW!

American Whitewater is proud of the work we have accomplished in our stewardship Affiliate Club Spotlight program but we need your help to sustain our success. Your support through membership and donations enables our staff to be active and engaged in the process The Bluegrass Wildwater Association has of river stewardship. Donations don’t have to be large; each person doing a small part been an American Whitewater Affiliate makes a noticeable difference. Many donors fail to take full advantage of federal tax Club member since before super markets incentives specifically intended to encourage charitable contributions. Such incentives had bar codes. American Whitewater often enable a donor to make a larger gift to AW at little or no additional cost. For would like to take this opportunity to more information about maximizing your gift visit the IRS website dedicated to thank the BWA for their continued charitable organizations. support and their stewardship efforts. American Whitewater is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, EIN# 23- The objectives of the Bluegrass Wildwater 7083760. To learn more about the Giving Options below, contact us at 866-BOAT4AW Association are to encourage enjoyment, or visit the “Donate” link under “Support AW” on our website at www.americanwhi preservation, and exploration of tewater.org. American waterways for self-powered craft; to protect the wilderness character • Donate online today! of these waterways through conservation of water, wildlife, and parks; to promote • Monthly Giving: Contribute a minimum of $10 via credit card or electronic transfer safety and proficiency in all aspects from your bank account. of wildwater activities; to promote appreciation for the recreational value • Bequests: Include AW in your will or living trust. Bequests to AW are generally exempt of wilderness waterways and wildwater from federal or state inheritance taxes, and subject to an unlimited deduction. sports; to chart and preserve wilderness waterways in the Commonwealth of • Combined Federal Campaign: Federal employees including federal civilians, Kentucky and throughout the southeast/ military personnel and U.S. Postal Workers can donate to AW through the CFC a once mid Atlantic. BWA members play a critical a year charitable fund raising program. Look for AW (Agency #11351) in the official role in hosting the National Paddling Film CFC listing of eligible donors. Festival each year. • Charitable Remainder Trusts: Convert a highly appreciated asset (such as real estate Members of BWA support an active or stocks) into a lifetime income while minimizing income and estate taxes. organization that is a major contributor to such whitewater related causes as, • Employer Matching: Many employers will match your donations to non- American Whitewater, the West Virginia profit organizations. This includes membership payments, as well as additional Rivers Coalition, the Russell Fork contributions. Check to see if your employer has a matching program. Rendezvous, and many other causes. BWA yearly dues are an affordable $20 for an • MissionFish: Sell your items through the MissionFish program on eBay and the Individual and $25 for a Family and entitle proceeds come directly to AW. you to receive the newsletter, discounts at many local and out of state outfitter • Other Assets: A gift of real estate to AW qualifies you for a tax deduction based on the shops, use of club equipment, discount property’s fair market value. If it is not a river access point, AW will sell the property at pool rolling sessions, a listing in the and use the proceeds to protect access and restore rivers. Acceptance of property is BWA handbook, a stream gauge guide, subject to certain conditions. You may also be eligible to receive tax benefits for gifts and web site with a list serve for members’ of real property. Art and jewelry are examples of personal property items that may be messages, plus lots of other fun activities eligible. Interested donors should check with your financial and tax advisors and AW and good friends to do them with. on the feasibility and tax considerations of such gifts.

The BWA gets together at 7:30 pm on • Securities: Donating appreciated stock to AW benefits both the donor and the second Tuesday of each month. To whitewater rivers. The donor receives two tax-related benefits. First, the gain on the learn more about the BWA or to join stock is not subject to capital gains taxes. Second, the donor can deduct the value of their club, check out their website at http: the stock as a charitable contribution. //www.surfky-bwa.org/. And remember, • United Way: All federal campaigns, and a few of the local campaigns will allow you current members of the BWA receive a $10 to donate to AW. AW’s UNITED WAY member # is 2302. discount off their AW membership. • Vehicle Donations: Turn that extra car, truck, or RV into a tax deductible donation Thanks again BWA for your support of benefiting AW. American Whitewater!

72 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 73 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Class V Sponsor Class II Sponsor

In 2006, Keen’s contributions will aid American Whitewater’s projects in the Southeast, and the Pacific Northwest. In the Southeast Keen’s support will help American Whitewater’s work restoring the Catawba watershed. Additional funding from Keen will support AW’s projects on the Columbia River Basin and the Cascade range in the Pacific Northwest.

Class IV Sponsors Boof Sponsors

Class III Sponsor Wave Sponsors

74 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 75 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Each day American Whitewater faces new challenges that threaten our whitewater rivers. To aid us in this fight, we rely on support from members, donors, Clif Bar & Company was founded on the In addition to local and grassroots foundations, and partners principle of sustaining the individual, organizations, Clif Bar supports a number the community and the planet. Since its of national non-profit organizations. in the industry. Companies inception, the company has supported Committed to preserving the environment throughout the whitewater non-profit organizations and events and the places that inspire adventure, nationwide that focus on health, Clif Bar has partnered with a variety of and outdoor industries are community, and environmental issues. outdoor advocacy programs, including American Whitewater since 2002. stepping forward to support At the heart of Clif Bar’s community Each year Clif Bar provides financial AW’s River Stewardship work. efforts is the 2080 Program, Making support and bar donations for American Community Service Part of Our Workday. Whitewater and its members. Because Clif American Whitewater urges As an employee-run program, 2080 Bar knows that support on the grassroots you not to make purchase makes it easy for employees to identify, level is so important, they’ve worked organize and participate in community with AW to create the annual Flowing decisions blindly. When volunteer efforts on company time. Rivers Grant Program, which promotes you buy your next piece of The 2080 Program name refers to the river stewardship and safety efforts in program’s original goal of committing AW’s Affiliate Clubs. We are honored to outdoor gear there are many at least 2,080 hours to community partner with American Whitewater and factors to consider: quality, service each year—the equivalent of appreciate the strength and enthusiasm of having one full-time employee dedicated its members. dependability, comfort, exclusively to volunteer work. Habitat for safety, and fashion. American Humanity, Big City Mountaineers, the Santa Clara Diabetes Camp, Meals on Whitewater hopes you will Wheels and impoverished communities in emerging countries are some of the add one more consideration main beneficiaries of this program. to this list: corporate responsibility. Support companies that support your rivers

74 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 75 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Join

Today! s s s s s s American Whitewater has been extraordinarily fortunate in our ability to leverage a strong grassroots Over the years, American Whitewater be sure that everyone you paddle with volunteers have participated in numerous understands the work AW does, and how base—members hydropower meetings as well as you, as an AW member, value that work. instream and recreational flow studies; and other filed comments and assisted with an Membership support is what will volunteers—to uncountable number of filings; appeared determine our ability to continue our as expert witnesses; lobbied; worked to river stewardship work in the years to assist our limited fight new dams, remove existing dams, come. Individual Annual Memberships deny licenses, and improve public access are only $35. If you are a member of your staff with many to rivers and streams. In nearly every river local paddling club and your club is an stewardship issue AW has been involved Affiliate Club member of AW, join as a whitewater river with, the outcome has been favorable Club Affiliate Individual for $25. This is to paddlers. Not only has AW secured less than a tank of gas or an inexpensive conservation and favorable decisions for the paddling night out. This is certainly not too much community, but we are the only national to pay to have a national organization restoration efforts. organization representing paddlers as representing your paddling interests all these decisions are being made. across the country.

A growing membership base is crucial Join on-line today at http: to our ability to continue with our work. //americanwhitewater.org/content/ Some studies show that there are currently Membership/join-AW/, call 1-866- over 100,000 whitewater paddlers in the BOAT4AW (866-262-8429), or fill out the U.S. American Whitewater currently has form on the back of this page and mail 6,300 active members. When considering it to: the amount of whitewater river miles that AW has had a direct impact on, this Membership membership number is unimpressive. P.O. Box 1540 We need all paddlers to join American Cullowhee, NC 28723 Whitewater. If you are a member, please

76 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 s

76 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 The Affiliate Club Program lies at the Alaska AMC - New Hampshire Paddlers, Honover very heart of AW’s existence. AW’s Fairbanks Paddlers, Fairbanks original purpose since 1957 has been to Nova Riverrunners Inc., Chickaloon Michigan distribute information among its Affiliate Club Sport: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Alabama Clubs. AW’s relationships with local Birmingham Canoe Club, Birmingham Minnesota clubs have provided the backbone for Huntsville Canoe Club, Huntsville SCSU Outdoor Endeavors, Saint Cloud the river conservation and access work it accomplishes. Over 100 clubs are now AW Arkansas Mississippi Club Affiliates and they are all doing great Arkansas Canoe Club, Little Rock Mississippi Outdoor Club, Clinton work on your behalf. If you don’t belong to a club consider joining one. California Missouri Chico Paddleheads, Chico Ozark Mountain Paddlers, Springfield American Whitewater is pleased to Gold Country Paddlers, Lotus Ozark Wilderness Waterways, Kansas City Sequoia Paddling Club, Forestville introduce a new position in 2009. Barry Sierra Club Loma Prieta Ch., San Jose Montana Adams from the Three Rivers Paddling Sierra Club SF Chapter, Livermore Beartooth Paddlers Society, Billings Club has taken on the responsibilities of AW’s Affiliate Club Liaison. Barry Colorado Nevada will be working with Affiliate Clubs to Colorado Whitewater Assn, Englewood Sierra Nevada Whitewater Club, Reno distribute information and promote AW Pikes Peak Whitewater Club, Colorado Springs membership. You may recognize Barry’s San Miguel Whitewater Asso, Telluride New Hampshire name as the Ohiopyle Over the Falls University of Colorado Kayak Club, Boulder Ledyard Canoe Club, Hanover Mt. Washington Valley Paddlers, Franconia Festival Coordinator. We are pleased to Delaware have Barry working with our Affiliate Wilmington Trail Club Paddlers. Wilmington New Jersey Clubs this year. KCCNY, Flauders Georgia AFFILIATE CLUBS, we want to know Atlanta Whitewater Club, Atlanta New Mexico what you are doing. Send your events to us Georgia Canoeing Assoc, Atlanta Adobe Whitewater Club, Albuquerque at [email protected] and we Georgia Tech Outdoor Recreation, Atlanta will include them in the Journal. Deadline Paddlers4Christ, Ellijay New York ADK Schenectady, Schenectady for submissions to the bi-monthly Journal Idaho AMC NY-NJ Chapter, New York are the 1st of February, April, June, August, Idaho Whitewater Assoc., Boise Colgate University, Hamilton October, December. Flow Paddlers’ Club, Ontario Illnois Hamilton College, Clinton The AW Journal Club Affiliates by state: Chicago Whitewater Assoc., Chicago Housatonic Canoe & Kayak Squad, Ossining Team SICK, Carbondale St Lawrence University, Canton Town Tinker Tube Rentals, Phoenicia Indiana USA Paddling, West Falls Hoosier Canoe Club, Indianapolis Zoar Valley Paddling Club, Buffalo Ohio Valley Paddlers, Evansville N. Carolina Iowa Base Camp Cullowhee, Cullowhee Iowa Whitewater Coalition, W. Des Moines Carolina Canoe Club, Raleigh Mecklenburg Regional Paddlers, Indian Trail Kentucky NCSU Outing Club, Raleigh Bardstown Boaters, Frankfort Triad River Runners, Winston, Salem Bluegrass Wildwater Association, Lexington Watauga Paddlers, Boone Elkhorn Paddlers, Lexington Viking Canoe Club, Louisville Ohio Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, Columbus Maine Keel Haulers Canoe Club, Westlake Penobscot Paddle & Chowder Society, Topsham Outdoor Adventure Club, Dayton Toledo River Gang, Waterville Maryland Blue Ridge Voyageurs, Silver Spring Oregon Greater Baltimore Canoe Club, Baltimore Face Level Industries LLC, Portland Mason Dixon Canoe Cruisers, Smithsburg Lower Columbia Canoe Club, Portland Massachusetts

78 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 79 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Join American Whitewater as a Club Affiliate! Northwest Rafters Assoc, Portland 10 Reasons to Join AW Oregon Canoe and Kayak, Portland Oregon Whitewater Association, Beaverton Discounted AW as an Affiliate Club Willamette Kayak & Canoe Club, Corvallis Membership for Pennsylvania Affiliate Club AMC Delaware Valley Chapter, Sugarloaf Benscreek Canoe Club, Johnstown Members 1. Receive the American Bradford County Canoe and Kayak Club, Sayre Whitewater Journal, the Canoe Club of Greater Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg By Carla Miner, Membership Manager oldest continually published Conewago Canoe Club, York Holtwood Hooligans, Lititz whitewater magazine. Lehigh Valley Canoe Club, Lehigh Valley AW offers a discounted Affiliate Lehigh Valley Whitewater Inc., Lehigh Valley Club membership of $25, a $10 2. Join the list of Affiliate Clubs Philadelphia Canoe Club, Philadelphia savings. If you are renewing noted in each bi-monthly Three Rivers Paddling Club, Pittsburgh your AW membership or AW Journal. S. Carolina joining as a new member, select Foothills Paddling Club, Greenville the Affiliate Club Discounted 3. List club events in the AW Journal. Palmetto Paddlers, Columbia Personal Membership online at http://americanwhitewater.org/ 4. Your Club’s members can Tennessee content/Membership/join- Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts, Kingsport become AW members for $25. Chota Canoe Club AW/. Or, if you are renewing A $10 savings! East Tennessee Whitewater Club, Oak Ridge or joining by mail or telephone Memphis Whitewater, Memphis just mention the name of the 5. Have technical expertise for Tennessee Scenic River Assoc., Nashville Affiliate Club you belong to and Tennessee Valley Canoe Club, Chattanooga your Club conservation and University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville you can take advantage of the $25 access committees ‘on tap.’ membership. Texas 6. Have access to technical and Houston Canoe Club, Houston A list of AW Affiliate Clubs onsite assistance for your Club’s Vermont can be found on our website at event planning. Vermont Paddlers Club, Essex Junction http://americanwhitewater.org/ content/Membership/join-AW/. 7. Enjoy VIP benefits for “Joint Virginia If you do not see your Club listed Members” at AW events. Blue Ridge River Runners, Lynch Station here please encourage them to Canoe Cruisers Assn, Arlington Coastal Canoeists, Blacksburg renew their Club membership 8. Participate in exclusive AW Float Fishermen of Virginia, Richmond or to join AW as a new Affiliate Affiliate Club promotions. Club. Your Club’s membership Washington and your personal membership BEWET, Bellevue 9. Post Club information on the Paddle Trails Canoe Clube, Seattle enable our staff to be active and AW Website to help paddlers Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club, Spokane engaged in the process of river find you. The Mountaineers, Seattle stewardship. When you join or University Kayak Club, Seattle renew your membership your 10. Elligible to apply for the 2009 Venturing Crew 360, Snohomish support is helping to meet the Washington Kayak Club, Seattle Clif Bar Flowing Rivers grant Washington Recreational River Runners, Renton many challenges whitewater Whitman College Whiteater Club, Walla Walla rivers face.

West Virginia If you have any questions about West VA Wildwater Association, S. Charleston For more information, the Affiliate Club membership, contact Carla Miner at Wisconsin please contact me. I can be [email protected] Hoofers Outing Club, Madison reached at 866_BOAT-4AW or sign-up on-line at: NE Wisconsin Paddlers Inc. Appleton or membership@americanwhite www.americanwhitewater.org/membership Sierra Club / John Muir Chapter, Madison water.org.

78 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 79 July/August 2009 July/August 2009 Please read this carefully before send ing us Those without access to a word pro ces sor American Whitewater feature ar ti cles should your articles and photos! This is a vol un teer may sub mit their articles typed. Please relate to some aspect of whitewater boat ing. pub li ca tion, please cooperate and help us dou ble space. Please do not sub mit articles per tain ing to out. Do not send us your mate ri al without sea kayaking or fl at water. a release – signed by all au thors and pho- Photos may be submitted as slides, black or white tog ra phers (attached). prints, or color prints or electronic, digital pho- If you are writing about a commonly pad- tos, 300 dpi tiffs, Photoshop or high res jpegs dled river, your story should be told from a If possible, articles should be sub mit ted on a minimum 3”x5.” Keep your orig i nals and send unique perspective. Articles about dif fi cult, 3-1/2-inch computer disk. (Microsoft Word us du plicates if pos si ble; we cannot guar an tee infrequently paddled, or exotic rivers are given if pos si ble – others accepted.) Please do not the safe re turn of your pic tures. If you want us special con sid er ation. But we are also inter- alter the margins or spac ing param e ters; use to return your pic tures, include a self-ad dressed ested in well writ ten, un usu al articles pertain- the standard default set tings. Send a printed stamped en ve lope with your sub mis sion. The ing to Class II, III & IV rivers as well. Feature copy of the article as well. bet ter the pho tos the better the re pro duc tion. sto ries do not have to be about a specifi c river. Articles about paddling tech niques, the river en vi ron ment and river per son al i ties are also ac cept ed. Pieces that in cor po rate humor are es pe cial ly wel come. Open boating and raft ing sto ries are wel come. Profanity should be used only when it is ab- so lute ly necessary to effectively tell a sto ry; it is not our intent to offend our more sen si tive mem bers and readers. Please check all facts carefully, par tic u lar ly those regarding individuals, gov ern ment agen cies, and corpo ra tions in volved in river access and en viron mental mat ters. You are legally re spon si ble for the accuracy of such material. Make sure names are spelled cor- rectly and riv er gra di ents and dis tanc es are cor rect ly cal cu lat ed. Articles will be edited at the dis cre tion of the editors to fi t our format, length, and style. Expect to see changes in your ar ti cle. If you don’t want us to edit your ar ti cle, please don’t send it in! Be cause of our dead lines you will not be able to review the editorial chang es made prior to pub li ca tion.

American Whitewater is a nonprofi t; the ed i tors and con trib u tors to Amer i can White wa ter are not re im bursed. On rare oc ca sions, by pre ar range ment, pro fes sion al writ ers receive a small hon o rar i um when they submit sto ries at our re quest. Gen er al ly, our con trib u tors do not expect pay ment, since most are mem bers of AW, which is a vol un teer con ser va tion and safe ty or ga ni za tion.

Send your material to: Journal Editor P.O. Box 1540 Cullowhee, NC 28723 E-mail: [email protected]

80 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009 80 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org July/August 2009