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��������������������� had met during their first descent. They From Cusco a few of us headed south and Venezuela reminding us a lot can happen embraced like old friends. In his sixties, paddled the Colca as well. Chile was close in the outside world while you are on a Demitrio had a slender muscularity from by and I met some friends to repeat the remote river. his life of hard work. He had a substantial road trip we had done in ’85, this time house for the area whose front yard had renting a “refrigerator” with a bigger motor. Over the years I have returned to Chile been scoured by a recent flash flood of the We gained access to some new runs, but three more times. In Chile, Pinoche is no nearby creek. The main river was not far were still denied on others. We now knew longer in power and access has been eased. away and the debris field had left a new and about the ferry to Chaiten and booked our Talking with paddlers now I don’t even powerful rapid. We all listened as Demitrio passage in Santiago well in advance. For recognize the names of many of the runs, described the excitement of the night the nine weeks we traveled from Santiago to demonstrating that our early trips had only slide occurred leaving mudflows at his the straights of Magellan, changing nine scratched the surface. Our first experiences front door. flat tires along the way. In Argentina, while hitching shuttle on the Futa had turned returning north, the drain plug to our van’s into hopeless hikes due to a lack of cars in We used the next day as a chance to rest and differential committed suicide, draining all the country. Now the Futa is considered a to visit more with Demitrio. He proudly of the oil and seizing up the rear end. We classic where a number of local and foreign showed us the crops he was growing, as spent two nights camped along the road in outfitters cater to paddlers and rafters. Few, well as some of his pigs and cows. He was the barren Pampa before getting towed to if anyone, paddles the Bio Bio anymore especially excited about taking us for a ride the closest town with a mechanic. Almost because the Royal Flush canyon and parts on the log raft he used to ferry loads across two weeks would pass before the parts, upstream now reside under a lake created the river in the flatwater upstream of his mechanic, and stars would align and could by the first of many proposed dams. house. We left Demitrio’s and a couple of get back to Santiago. ENDESA, the Chilean utility company, has days later arrived at the confluence with it eyes on the Futa as well. the Urubamba, journey’s end. After a In ’92, a trip down the Rio Bocano in surf session on the big water waves of the Venezuela ended when Marshal Law In Peru, the Shining Path leader has been Urubamba, we loaded into a large motor was imposed after an attempted coup captured and the political situation has canoe that took us back to the nearest road, back in the capital of Caracas. Marshal improved. The Apurimac region once a half day away. From there we began the Law and the associated curfew remained again is being visited, and the Colca drive back to Cusco and trips end. in effect the entire month we were in has seen numerous descents including

www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 43 March/April 2004 commercial groups. The Paucartambo has seen one other descent that I know of. Only a small handful of paddlers have been to Venezuela. In large part I suspect it is due to the political and economic situation of the country.

For the last eight seasons I have paddled in Ecuador. This country is on “the map” and sees paddlers from all around the world. Many of the obvious roadside runs have been explored, while the surface is just being scratched on the less accessible ones.

Talk to anyone about traveling and paddling abroad and you are bound to hear stories of lost luggage, misplaced kayaks, illness, injury, broken down vehicles, washed out roads, strikes, document hassles, or unrunnable fl ows. Mary and I have had our share of all of these, yet we keep coming back. While paddling has been the excuse, we look forward to those chance encounters with people along the rivers edge, or the crowded truck ride at day’s end; experiences where we learn the most. These alone are worth the trip.

Editor’s Note: Phil and Mary DeRiemer are the owners of DeRiemer Adventure Kayaking. Their company conducts 9 day paddling trips in Ecuador as well as paddling adventures in the U.S.

Website: www.adveturekayaking.com Email: [email protected] Tel: (866) kayak 66 (529-2566)

44 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 45 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 to include rafting as well as kayaking. I was Transportation in Chile is a huge issue and warned about the Chilean pace of life, and having your own vehicle is worth its weight how sometimes it takes a while to get things in gold. Unlike Ecuador and Costa Rica done. Being a southerner and someone who where all the taxis know the shuttles for is not particularly in a hurry, I thought the the popular runs, Chile is a place where you laid back pace would be right up my alley. need a solid plan for dealing with shuttles. Little did I know exactly how laid back Chile The further south you travel the more scarce is. I learned that the phrase “mañana en la gas and parts become and everyone is quite mañana” does not really mean tomorrow in protective of their vehicles. For example, the morning, but some unspecifi ed time in in Futaleufu there are no gas stations. Gas the future when they aren’t doing anything arrives from the nearest city in barrels. It is else; and that the more times they say sold in 5 liter increments because that’s the mañana, the less likely it will ever come to size of the wine jug they use to measure it. pass. I also quickly learned that, even though many of my friends give me a hard time Now on my own, armed with a good group about “dicking around,” I had nothing on of friends and Clod, we set out south the Chileans. These were my kind of people. towards the Futaleufu. Our fi rst destination was Pucon, where I had some friends I had Because of my work commitments, I didn’t made over the years. Marcela Rivas hooked get to see much more of the country other us up with a place to stay and we began than the Futaleufu. But during that time, I running a few of the many play rivers and came to intimately know and love this river, creeks in the area. Pucon is to Chile what and I was completely addicted. The powerful Fayetteville is to West Virginia. Except it and clean water of the Futa sucked me in has an active volcano high enough to keep harder than some of the biggest hydraulics a base of snow all year long, and a fabulous I had ever seen. lake, Lago Villarica.

I knew that, no matter what, I needed to I would even go so far as to say that Pucon continue coming back to explore more is a steep creeker’s heaven. One of my of this country and enjoying the fruits of favorite runs there was the Palguin. Josh this laid-back culture. Three years later Lowery, a pioneer of the Chile scene, took I returned with a group of friends: Ken me down this creek my fi rst time. It has Kruger, John Hernandez, and Sue Wagner. three sections: Upper, Middle, and Lower. Together, we bought a van which we named The Upper and Lower are really fun for Clod Van Damme (or Clod Damn Van when experienced paddlers and the Middle is it didn’t run right). The name came from reserved for sickos only. However, if you a mountainous mural painted on the back want to run some serious and large drops door of the van, a place called Torres del that scream “back breaker” or “compressed The Road to Chile Paine, and signed Clod. vertebrae,” the Middle is for you. Often as I drive south through Chile a were about to steal it from the world of familiar song from the Talking Heads paddling, fl oated around the campfi res rattles through my brain as we drive like intoxicating incense. I wanted to across the washboard surface they call a go so badly I could taste it. However, road down here. “Letting the days go by… commitments to school and lack of money water fl owing… how did I get here?” Chile prevented me from experiencing this jewel. represents a certain pinnacle in whitewater The efforts to save it came too late. This was like so many other exotic destinations. unfortunate for the world of whitewater, “The rivers and people Over the past fi ve years, I have spent and more so for the Mapuchi Indians who of Chile have stolen my winters here paddling and trying to were displaced by those dams and continue sustain the lifestyle I love so much through to riot in protest to this day. In a strangely my heart and I gladly guiding, teaching people to kayak, shooting ironic twist, the Mapuchi have been labeled gave it to them.” video, taking photos, digging ditches, as a potential terrorist threat according inspirational environmental speeches, to recent expansion of the defi nition of -John Cornwall anything to scratch together enough pesos “terrorism” by good old George W. So to make it to the river for a few more days when I got an opportunity to go to the of paddling on the Futaleufu. The rivers Futaleufu, yet another river threatened and people of Chile have stolen my heart by Endessa (the same Spain-based power Above photo: Colleen Laffee scouting and I gladly gave it to them. company that took out the Bio Bio), I knew I had to make every effort to get there. Infero Canyon on the Futaleufu River.

The fi rst I heard of Chile and its amazing photos by John Cornwall whitewater was in 1989, my fi rst year of I was fi rst afforded this opportunity by guiding on the Ocoee. Magnifi cent tales Chris Spelius. He brought me down to help of the Rio Bio Bio, and of the dams that expand his company Expediciones Chile

46 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 47 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 Transmar Chile was operating the smallest This year was one of epic water levels and ship in the ferry business, the Pincoya. I had was marked by two fatalities. At first, many done the ferry ride several times on larger boaters were concerned and apprehensive ships and so did not anticipate the ride in about the massive volume of water but as store for us. We happened to set out during the season progressed, business continued one of the largest storms of the season. as usual minus rafting in Inferno Canyon The captain immediately picked us out as and Terminator, two of the more advanced If you like play, there is a beautiful Class section which reminded me of both the But they were not to be deterred in their trouble makers because we were drinking sections of the Futa. To forego rafting III playboat run called the San Pedro. At Upper Yough and the Upper Blackwater). single-minded determination to adhere to wine in anticipation of a great season on on these sections was a difficult but wise the right levels it has a few spots that are We were getting anxious to cross the the letter of the law. He went in the back, the Futaleufu. The fact that we weren’t decision. Clientele who have paid large phenomenal. Parts of the Trancura also frontera at El Paso Mamuil Malal, about 76 got The Book, and diligently searched its the captain, and this was not an Exxon oil sums of money to experience the Futa make good play runs. km east of Pucon and were properly armed yellowed and weathered pages, probably freighter, did not factor in his decision to often want more than they realize they’re with Visas, Passports, and the mountain of printed in the early sixties. Finally, after give the gringos a hard time. asking for. Guides are not gods, and One of the best things about Pucon is that paperwork that every Chilean car dealer about 45 minutes, he raised a finger, discretion is the better part of valor. It’s it has whitewater for all levels of boating. had assured us was correct. As we prepared looked up at us, smiled, and said “aha!” He As the day ended and night came and the every guide’s duty to make the judgment And if you’re on the trail searching for to face the fierce officious scrutiny of the pointed out an obscure paragraph buried storm picked up, we made a voyage to the based on many criteria, number one being big drops, it has more than you can shake Chilean Aduanas, I was fairly confident somewhere in the last third of the Book, bow of the ship to check out the waves, safety. Dead men don’t tip, and we live to a stick at. The town itself is developing a in my documentation, but nothing could which stated that if you are not a Chilean many of which dwarfed the tiny Pincoya. guide another day. pretty strong local paddling scene which I have prepared me for what we would learn citizen, even if you have a vehicle that is This was a thoroughly entertaining activity believe is crucial for the sport as Chileans about the force of nature that is Customs legally yours with all the right paperwork until they flashed us with the spot light and I am aware it is a tease to mention the come to need whitewater too. If we want Paperwork. and no criminal record, you may not cross kept yelling for us to get away from the tragedy and not go into detail. But out of them to be interested in preserving these the border without a notarized document bow of the ship. Reluctantly we returned respect for those involved, I think it best jewels of the paddling world, then the Our first obstacle was convincing them that saying you will return within 120 days with to Clod, Ken played his guitar, and we left to this brief synopsis. When dealing Chileans, not just Americans, need to have a discrepant digit in the year of purchase the vehicle, or a Chilean riding with you. proceeded to drink away our fears as with a river of this caliber at high water the desire to accomplish this task. on the bill of sale was merely a typo. This the storm got bigger. At several points I levels, accidents can happen to anyone at took about 30 minutes of hackneyed Having been thoroughly schooled in the art considered putting on my kayaking gear anytime. No one is immune. Complacency From Pucon, we experienced our first Spanish. Fortunately, the digit was written of not crossing international borders, we and untying my boat in preparation for is the enemy. This is not a commentary on major setback: the border. We got there correctly on one of the many other copies. set out south towards Puerto Montt for the the worst. Eventually, it got so bad that what happened merely an observation to around 5 in the afternoon after scouting The aduanero reluctantly ceded to this 12 hour ferry ride across the Gulf of Ancud, the captain headed to shore to wait out the which I try to adhere. The river was not a few drops on the Alto Trancura (a fun point and the digit was pronounced a typo. to Chaiten. This year we hit on a day that storm near the island of Chiloe. Not until preferential; it took an incredibly talented, later did I find out how serious the storm skilled and experienced paddler and a had been. Even days later, 150km inland, rafting client. We all take our lives into our people, when asking how our trip south own hands every day when we paddle. I went, were saying to us, “oh, you were on would rather focus on how many people THAT ferry boat!” have happily experienced the awesome power of the Futa. No one who was here Once in Futaleufu, Monica Ferrada (I refer will forget those days. It affected the local to her as my Chilean Grandma), owner non-paddlers as much as the paddlers. of a local gift shop and hospedaje called Chileans are a very emotional people and Surandes, set us up with a wonderful little I love them for it. house. It is sometimes harder to find a place to rent here than in NYC. Not to mention As the season paddled onward, a new that you need a Chilean to vouch for you issue arose. Futafriends, an organization or you are completely out of luck. (Sort dedicated to saving the Futaleufu, of like, oh say, crossing an international discovered a new and insidious danger border…) to the river: a huge gold mine in Esquel, Argentina, near the headwaters of the In our new house nestled in the northern Futaleufu. Esquel is quiet little ski town in reaches of Patagonia, we learned the joys the Chubut region. Needless to say, these of cooking on a wood burning stove, a people were not exactly happy about this wood burning shower, and another wood type of development in their backyard. stove for heat. The local children would Since the Futa starts in Argentina and gather to watch the gringos chop wood passes through Chile in its journey to the and place bets on how often we would ocean, both countries are concerned. The miss and curse. The house came complete mine will use cyanide leaching techniques with electricity, running water, some to extract the gold at a rate of about one rudimentary furniture, and, inexplicably, ounce per four tons of material. Maybe two leather riding crops hanging on the it’s because I work in West Virginia where wall next to the ram horns, hubcaps, and I have too often seen the by-products of shrine of empty winebottles. Sue wasn’t too mountain top removal, but I am very stoked about the riding crops. Or maybe it sensitive to these issues. This should be was just the look in the eyes of the men of huge interest to the fly-fishing industry when we saw them. because all it will take is one little “oops” to kill all the fish in the river. And their

48 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 49 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 to take to get to said breaks. We began to incorporate a strategy relying a little on our pathetic AAA map and heavily on my friend’s uncanny knack for sniffing out waves from miles away. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t, but on one particular day we struck gold. business is probably far more lucrative like a scene out of Ferris Buehler’s Day more valuable. This is difficult for a Nearly all the way down the Baja peninsula, that is another story. This story starts in than the whitewater companies. These Off.” The basic theme of my speech was country going through a horrible economic down an unmarked Class IV dirt road, there South Carolina when we loaded up our The dirt road seemed endless. We crested hill types of environmental accidents are “development is good when done in a depression and rebuilding process. At times is a place called Punta Conejo that will unnamed and untested boat and began our after hill expecting to see the Pacific when stories we all know too well from our conscientious manner. Meridian negotiated like these any development seems good for forever be burned into my memory. When 3000-mile drive just to get to the top of the at last we did. From 300-yards away, our own country. Talk to Meridian Gold of a five-year contract with no taxes. This type the country. I think it is important for I close my eyes I can still see it, almost like I peninsula. To get to the really good breaks first sight of Punta Conejo was a perfectly Canada if you would like to find out more of mine does not provide many jobs and paddlers to be aware of these issues, since am there, and I smile every time. I still feel we would drive south from the border glassy blue sea highlighting a point that details of their environmental rape of this those it does can be very dangerous to we love to paddle clean water. Anyway, after the rush of excitement and surprise as we for another thousand miles on highways stuck out maybe 250 feet. Firing off that beautiful region. the workers’ lifetime health. Your children stirring up a little political unrest we made crested the hill to see our objective below. littered with huge potholes and military point was the most beautiful 8-foot wave will be paying for the cleanup of this site our run for the border and the relative My friend and I decided to make the trip checkpoints packed with boys toting I have ever seen. It was a true point break, So, we circled up the wagons, loaded every for many years after Meridian is finished safety of Chile. to Baja as a test run for the boat we had machine guns. If you ever decide to make tubing over with a light, fanning, off-shore car we could find with Chileans, and beat here. Please don’t make the same mistakes just designed. It sounded good on paper: the trip, make sure it is in a worthy vehicle breeze and peeling for a couple hundred feet to Argentina. Once there, I accidentally the USA has made and is now trying to The days rolled by and the rain kept first we make our own surf kayak, then we with a good friend. A 3000-mile trip with yards in both directions. We both let out ended up being dragged in front of about clean up.” the river at massive levels all season. test it out in Baja where we had heard of anything less could be disastrous. maniacal howls as we looked down at 2,000 to give an impromptu speech International paddling is a zesty endeavor legendary waves and deserted beaches. All our dream. about the perils of this type of mining. As a reality based environmentalist, I do and I highly recommend it. It was quite a great plans start off with simple objectives. Once there, finding the breaks was not easy. One second, I was signing a petition and not believe we have the right to simply tell ride - but then, it always is. We had gotten some beta from a friend Records were set that day for the shortest talking to this older woman about the them not to develop their country. They Making the boat is a story in itself. Not only or two but learned there were very few time taken getting gear on and getting in mine, and the next, she was dragging me need economic development as much as was it costly and time consuming, but very distinguishing landmarks to clue us in to the water. We had to put in on reef and to a microphone and simply said, “tell the we do. However they have the advantage of labor intensive (at least for us), but again, which one of the hundreds of dirt roads rocks which can be tricky with a new people what you have seen.” being able to study history and try to make fiberglass boat. Once paddling though, the best decisions based on facts, not greed. all other worries dissolved into the clear From the perspective of my friends who Every day we have less unspoiled land in Pacific. The break was predictable and so were looking for me, they said, “it was the world and every day their land becomes easy to paddle out to. Once out, I took a moment to look down and saw the ocean floor teaming with life ten feet below. My first wave was like a breath of fresh air. It was as if we had built our boat specifically for this wave. It was fast enough for the initial tube and to race down the line with time enough for big cut backs and spins. We could not have planned it any better.

As our session came to an end and the sun was beginning to set, I was paddling out for “one more ride” and saw something I will always remember. A wave was building just before me and was illuminated by the sun shining through it. As the wave shimmered in this golden light, two large fish were riding it, silhouetted by the sun. It was then that I realized we had just found the name for our boat: Conejo.

photo by John Gangemi

50 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 51 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 We started carrying our boats on river running some, and fi lming only a few, we The river fi nally merged with El Rio Sucio right, bushwhacking through dense made it down four or fi ve miles. Choked (meaning Dirty). The Sucio looked like rainforest. After a quick look we though with boulder gardens, sieves, and some Tang from the Iron Oxide. We knew this we could rope boats from tree to tree and un-portagable rapids, El Rio Patria was a meant the takeout was only 30 minutes reach the bottom without much trouble. mighty adversary worthy of respect. As the away; a welcome site as I had a fl ight to Starting by rapping 20 - 30 feet at a time, light faded away again, we found a Sandbar catch the next morning. Exhausted and tree to tree, we made our way slowly 100 to sleep on. A thin layer covering rocks happy to be in one piece our expedition feet down. Moving our gear took time and provided me with no sleep for the second fi nished at dusk, 3 days after our initial it started getting late. Leaving our boats, we night. Not being completely prepared, walk to the put in. pushed on thinking we would fi nd a way our Iodine tablets were gone and we downstream to hike back up the next day decided it would be better to drink from Our guide Diego had begun to doubt our and retrieve our gear. Melissa went fi rst to the supposedly clean river than dehydrate. safety after waiting at the takeout for a day the last tree we could see in the twilight. I Eating cookies, tuna, a snicker bar, and and a half. He contacted the government, had tied one end to a tree and the other some dried plantains kept our bodies warm which mobilized a search and rescue end to Melissa’s shoulder strap for some and nourished. party. Thankfully, they were organizing backup. As she started down her hands when we arrived and we were able to call faltered on the rope. In some of the most Determined, we continued in the morning it off. Melissa works for Costa Rica Rios terrible seconds of my life, I saw the rope down an ever-growing fl ow of whitewater, Adventures and her friends there had feeding fast and heard her fall through fed by side streams and dropping fast. planned to kayak down after us in the some branches. Suddenly there was a huge Melissa rose to the occasion, getting fl ipped morning. tug and then the rope stopped. I thought and rolling again and again. Ben’s boat her lifejacket, attached to the rope, had scouting and river-running skills proved a At the takeout, we wearily walked up pulled off. huge asset. As he worked his way down one the banks and were bombarded by three rapid he became vertically pinned, quickly camera crews, fi ve shutters clicking “I am O.K.” exited his boat and got to shore unharmed. from newspaper reporters, and multiple virgin rain forest left in Central America. After an hour of setting z-drags the boat requests for interviews. Simultaneously They say Costa Rica After gathering what little beta we could, we Luckily she landed on the last tree before was pulled free. Ben and I helped Melissa we received chastising from the Red Cross, were under the impression the Rio Patria was a deadly freefall of at least 80 feet onto portage multiple times and ran some really Park offi cials, and the search and rescue has been done... approximately 10 miles and contained some rocks. Melissa had fell 25 feet and landed challenging rapids in the most gorgeous party. We were weary and battered but Class IV/V and a one-hour bushwhacking on a spot no bigger than a park bench at and remote area I had ever been. in ecstasy from the epic journey we had A small town named Turrialba was once the portage. So we contacted our guide, got up the base of the last tree. In disbelief, I tried just completed. At a small restaurant we boating Mecca of oldschoolers. Pictures of at 4 AM, drove for 2 hours to the trailhead, to relax and then perform the same rappel watched ourselves on the national news, the legends of slalom and kayaking are on and hiked our loaded boats for 4 hours on with white knuckles gripping the rope. It eating one of the best meals of Arroz y restaurant walls, reminders of the pull this a slippery trail down to the river. With all got dark, we found out the last tree had 100 Pollo ever served. The next day stories spot once had. Currently, complaints speak of of our camping gear, food, safety gear, and feet of drop onto rocks below us. on us were featured in four Coasta Rican a lack of true boating community, expensive cameras; each boat weighed in at 60-75 newspapers. shuttles, and stingy outfi tters. With the help pounds. The hike was diffi cult; it seemed Anchoring into Melissa’s savior arbol we of some true boating “Brahs” a fl oor can every horsefl y in the vicinity immediately spent the night cold, without water or After the meal, we called our guide for be found to sleep on, a discounted shuttle took a liking to my gringo fl esh. food, with our gear suspended 30 feet a ride back to Turrialba where I packed driver talked down, and cheap but tasty local above us. We sat for 11 hours on the side quickly, slept for three hours, and drove food can be bought. We went cheap, boated After putting in it became apparent that the of that vertical face in the rain and didn’t to the airport. I was on a plane back to hard, and experience the warm whitewater river was a little more challenging than we sleep. Ants decided we were in their path my life in Los Estados Unidos before I of the Costa Rican Rainforest. With an eye had planned. Helping Melissa (defi nitely a and waged war. knew it. The whole experience seems so for adventure, Ben Stookesburry and I had Class V boater but with little low volume surreal now, but looking back I would been studying the options and conversations experience) navigate down boulder strewn When morning came, Ben performed an not have traded it for anything. Physical with some locals helped solidify our plans. rapids with plenty of pin potential took time, amazing free climb back to our gear and exhaustion, sleep depravation, fl esh eating but was doable. We reached the portage; the sent it down to me. I lowered Melissa on a insects, rope burns, and an aching back all We had paddled for 3 days on mostly Class river walls grew upwards and formed a steep webbing-rigged harness down the cliff on a seem to be secondary to the overall feeling IV, IV+, and a couple of V rapids. The canyon section. Within its grips the river fell throw rope and lowered all the gear down of exultation I felt. It was an experience I beauty of the Upper Pacuare, Upper Rio into a slide with a 10-ft. terminal-looking to her. When all was done we were in the will never forget and feel fortunate to have Orosi, and Pascua sections was astounding pour over falls at his base. This was followed riverbed, minus one throw rope. had. It was not a fi rst descent, but an epic but left us hungry for steeper drops in by a 20-ft. pour over falls into a violent one. I will never assume because paddlers pristine rainforest. After some thought Ben, hole. Then, a ramp led accelerating water We started making our way down the river, have gone before you that the adventure is Melissa Newel, and I decided to seek out a over a cascading 60-foot waterfall, which fi nding it runnable but very challenging not still there to be had. more remote section of River named the Rio Ben believed would auto-boof a boater into (most sections dropping about 400 feet Patria. The Patria is contained in El Parque crushed vertebrae. per mile). Scouting, portaging some V+, Braullio Carrillo. This is literally some of last

52 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 53 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 photo by Nate Garr Apparently these

Just as the fall chill (and rain) fell over “Plan B” rivers on Portland, we embarked on a Costa Rican kayak adventure with Northwest River the Pacifi c drainage Guides, led by Sam Drevo and team. We initially got acquainted over tacos at a pre- are less well known trip dinner, followed by a pool session for some of the group and fi nally a kayaking than those on the packing party shortly prior to departure. photo by Nate Garr The kayakers – Jonny, Nate, Kevin, Lauren, original itinerary, Cliff, and me – were a diverse group in terms of age, profession, and kayak abilities so it was a great – with a few beginners to the sport and some more experienced boaters. Our expert opportunity for guides included Sam, Jonny, and Jeremy from Portland as well as Brian from Maine new adventure. (who was already in the country arranging logistics) and Arturo, a native of Mexico We took our time enjoying innumerable who now lives in Costa Rica and works with waterfalls in the wide, tropical canyon as the local Rios Tropicales affi liate in Quepos. well as beautiful weather. Tropical birds, Throughout the trip they demonstrated iguanas, and other wildlife can be seen Park. San Isidro is a bustling, pleasant, and enthusiasm, humor, and patience during along the way. After a full day of kayaking, fairly modern town although it appears the hectic times on and off the rivers. our reliable bus and driver were waiting at to be more of a gateway to other places photo by Nate Garr the take-out. (such as the General) than a destination Our adventures began right away. Aided itself. The inland town is somewhat low by a few drinks at Paddlers’ Pint Night, Our next day led to bigger water and four on charm, but we kept ourselves busy Nate checked our kayaks on his fl ight class 4 rapids on the General, so I outfi tted with good food and nightlife in the and successfully convinced the skeptical a CFS for the run and Nate took over my downtown area. gate agents that the two boats were “one red EZ, which was a little more comfortable photo by Mark Adams unit” connected by a fl ange – as is often than his battered boat. At “Screaming Right Our next day of paddling was promised the case on prototype surf skis. Excellent Turn,” one of the big rapids that takes to be the pinnacle of the trip and we were engineering talk that convinced even the a huge bend to the right, we shot video not disappointed. After Sam’s friendly (and paddling styles from technical moves to supervisor that he was right! Being the (and laughed) as the raft went for the hero early) knock on the door and a typical making through huge waves and big rapids. last to arrive on a red-eye from LAX, I line and promptly shot three out of four breakfast (pineapple juice, café con leche, After the fi rst few drops, we took a lunch made it to San Jose on Saturday morning Manuel Antonio, one of the most visited took a swim in “Hurricane Caesar,” which boaters out in the water. Jeremy took the eggs, and beans and rice), we went to break as light rain started to fall. Brian and was happy to see our bus, driver, and national parks in Costa Rica. along with “Robin Hood” are two solid most exciting line weaving through huge the put-in of the Rio Division, the main was temporarily missing, but it turns out friends waiting right outside the terminal. class 3 drops on the run. After an hour or holes, while Sam aced the far left hero line tributary to the Rio Savegre. This was he was in his traditional role of kayaking We quickly learned that the original plan After a long drive, we body surfed at sunset so we stopped for what would become our without diffi culty. This is an amazing run the beginning of 16 miles of solid class ahead to shoot video along the run. After of boating such Costa Rica classics such and then dined together in town, getting traditional watermelon and pineapple fruit for its isolation, beauty, big water rapids, 4 paddling which challenged everyone. It lunch was “Malibu,” the major class 5 rapid as the Pacuare, Reventazon, Pejibaye, and our fi rst taste for the delicious local cuisine. break, followed by the more mellow second and play spots. Toward the end of the day was an amazing combination run, starting on the trip. We scouted and then a few of Sarapiqui was off because of fl ooding in The social crowd started the “Cuba Libre” half of the run. we spent time at a killer play spot where with 6-8 miles of super busy, continuous the kayakers started down the rapid while that drainage. In fact, the water was so high (rum and Coke) tradition and visited a we had lunch, soaked in the sun, and shot creeking on the Division. This run was the Nate and I helped paddle the raft. It was a that apparently part of the Pecuare lodge festive beach party until the wee hours. While the Rio Naranjo was a busy mid- photos. This gave a couple of our newer most like what several of us were used to breeze as Artura led us through a big hole was destroyed. Our fi rst day of paddling led us to the Rio sized river, our next destination – Rio boaters an opportunity to practice their in Oregon, very technical with some steep and right into the nearby eddy, avoiding the Naranjo, a great class 2-3 introductory General – originates from its source on Mt. rolls and paddle strokes. Later we had a drops but no big water pushiness. Sam and really meaty stuff in the middle of the river. Brian and team worked hard to arrange run that is named for its rather orange Chirripo and is one of the larger drainages long hike up a dirt road at the take-out I cringed as Nate dropped over a six foot Just as we relaxed, he said “let’s surf” and our “Plan B” itinerary, which led us (slowly, (muddy) color. On the way to the put-in in the country. We embarked on a two-day but were rewarded with fresh pineapple ledge upside down, but not surprisingly he we headed straight into the big hole at the given a landslide on the road) down the we received an expert tour from Ronaldo, big water run with exciting whitewater in a (picked from the local fi elds by our driver) came through, rolled at the bottom, and bottom. The surfi ng was great but then the scenic drive from San Jose to Jaco on the a local farmer and entrepreneur who grows rich tropical environment. The river has a and a clear view of the night stars. recovered to take our photos boofi ng the raft suddenly shot upward, sending Nate Pacifi c coast and then south to Quepos herbs and teas. This was just the beginning gradient of 50 feet per mile and fl ows up ledge. Arturo ran the raft down the narrow and I toward the sky and into the river. which would be our home base for much of his hospitality, as he later guided a tour to 10,000 cubic meters per second, creating During this part of the trip we stayed in San lines without a hitch, and an hour or so Luckily, it was one of those non-traumatic of the trip. This town gets its name from through the park and graciously provided plenty of rapids and play waves along the Isidro de el General, the most important later we all arrived at the confl uence at the swims after which we fl oated right into an the Quepoa Indian tribe, a subgroup of surfboards for our coastal session toward way – not to mention great scenery and a town on the Southern Interamericana, Rio Savegre. eddy. Both Jonny Ott and Nate styled the the Borucas who inhabited the area at the the end of the trip. The river action started lack of crowds. In fact, we did not encounter some 136km from San Jose. The town rapid in their kayaks, although they had a time of the conquest. Quepos has since right away, given the medium-high water another kayak or raft party the entire trip and its surrounding district are home to a This was an incredible transition, as the little excitement as they were tossed around become important as a sportfi shing center level, with plenty of boulder garden rapids – something that can’t usually be said for population of about 40,000 are located on narrow creek merged with a pushy big in that last hole – Nate’s got some nice new and as the nearest town to Parque Nacional and play waves. The “mini-me” (small raft) the rivers of California or Oregon. the southern slope of the Chirripo National water river. We quickly adjusted our scratches on his helmet to show for it!

54 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 55 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 Questions AW’s 50th Anniversary Gala a mountain photography competition, an interactive exhibition and demo area, live 1. In what year was American Whitewater Event hosted by Teva music, and mountain lifestyle parties. For more information on the Teva Mountain founded? In just a few short months paddlers and Games check out their website www.tevam 2. Who was American Whitewater’s other outdoor enthusiasts from around the ountaingames.com! changes that have developed over the past fi rst corporate partner? country will converge on Vail, Colorado fi fty years. Read trip report of fi rst descents 3. How many executive board members for the 2004 Teva Mountain Games and that are now classic river runs, see some of currently sit on the AW board of directors? American Whitewater’s 50th Anniversary Paddlers Art Gallery the earliest paddling videos every created, 4. What was the original purpose of Gala. On June 5th 250 paddlers will take touch an existing fold boat. AW volunteers American Whitewater? part in the Gala Event themed “Rivers Artist from all over the United States are working to gather some of paddling’s 5. What AW executive board member has of Refl ections: Celebrating 50 years of have been submitting their artwork to greatest memorabilia in one location, if whitewater paddling.” Included in the be displayed in the American Whitewater you would like to help or contribute your served the longest? weekend of activities is a paddler’s art National Paddlers Art Gallery during the own piece of history contact Ben VanCamp 6. In what year did AW found the NOWR gallery, whitewater in America museum, 2004 AW Gala Event. The artists’ chosen at [email protected]. (National Organization of Whitewater Rodeos)? river trips, and the Gala fundraising will display their pieces in a gallery in 7. How many staff does American Whitewater dinner. downtown Vail during one of its busiest currently have? summer weekends. Each artist will donate River Trips 8. How many people have at some point been one piece to American Whitewater to be Teva Mountain Games Spring time in the Rocky Mountain means AW executive board members? part of a silent auction to raise funds for 9. In what year did American Whitewater AW. many things…warm days, snow melts, and Professional and amateur outdoor raging rivers. The Colorado Whitewater develop the international scale of adventure athletes from Colorado and Association, one of AW’s founding clubs, river diffi culty? around the world will converge upon the Whitewater in has agreed to lead guided trips on Sunday 10. When did American Whitewater take over mountains and rivers of Vail to compete in America Museum for participants in the AW Gala event on organizing the Gauley River Festival? fi ve sports and ten disciplines including: some of the Rockies most famous river 11. When American Whitewater took over the freestyle kayaking, kayak and raft Throughout the past fi fty years many things runs. Trips for all abilities of whitewater Gauley River Festival the money raised paddlecross, bouldering, speed and dyno have changed in whitewater paddling…boat enthusiasts are being planned for the guest went to what cause? climbing, mountain bike trials, criterion design, technique, and location to name a of the Gala to enjoy. and cross country racing and mountain 12. In what year did Liquid Logic run the fi rst few. The whitewater museum at the Gala ������������������� ��������������������������� trail running. In addition to the athletic color advertisement in the AW journal? Event will walk the visitors through these events, the Mountain Games will include Gala Fundraising Dinner ��������������������� 13. How many river descriptions can be found ������������������� ���������������������������������������� on the American Whitewater website? The Gala fundraising dinner will be help 14. Who was American Whitewater’s fi rst full at the Lodge at Vail in downtown Vail on ������������������������������������������������������ time employee? 2004 American Whitewater Event Schedule Saturday June 5th, 2004. This event will 15. New question be a gathering of AW supporters of both ������������ 16. In 1987 who saved a broke American Date Event Location present and past. Whitewater celebrities �������������� �������������������������������� of the past fi fty years are expected to Whitewater with a $10,000 check? February 28 National Paddling Film Fest Lexington, KY* attend making for a memorable night. �������� ����� 17. What year was the fi rst Ocoee Rodeo? April 24 The American Sacramento, CA* The Gala dinner will include a silent 18. What year was fi rst Tallulah Releases? ������� ��������������������������������������� ����� 19. How many pieces of property does May 1 Cheat River Race Albright, WV* auction and a guest speaker. Private tables and individual tickets are already on sale ������������������������������� American Whitewater own? TBA Washington State Event (TBA) WA* so call AW to reserve your spot, contact 20. How many letters used to abbreviate June 5 AW Gala Event hosted by Teva Vail, CO Ben VanCamp at (828) 252-0728 or at American Whitewater? [email protected]! July 24 North Fork Feather Belden, CA* 21. Who was the fi rst person to win the Ocoee Rodeo? August 1 AW Deerfi eld River Fest Charlemont, MA Information about the Gala event is ���������������������������������������� 22. Who was the fi rst editor of September 24-26 AW Gauley Festival Summersville, WV constantly being update on the American Whitewater website, www.americanwhitew American Whitewater? Fall 2004 TBA AW River Stewardship Institute Happy Camp, CA ater.org. ������������������������ 23. What eastern U.S. river is required to give October 16th Moose Festival Old Forge, NY* water on demand for recreational boaters? 24. When did American Whitewater publish November 20th “The Thing” at Tallulah Tallulah Falls, GA* ������������ � ����������� the fi rst ever picture and story of running ���������������� a waterfall? * Stops on the AW Membership Appreciation Tour 25. What year was Davy Hearn arrested on the Potomac River? [See answers on next pg.]

56 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 57 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 ���������� ] Answers [Member of American Whitewater 1. American Whitewater was founded in 1954 an honorary executive board member. when six clubs got together to form a national (3 points) organization. (2 points, - 2 point if you ~ needed a calculator) 15. New answer. Senoritas on the South Fork 2. Inventor of the ratchet backband, 16. Yvonne Chouinard, founder of Patagonia Sunday, April 25, 2004 Immersion Research became AW’s first and past AW board member saved AW corporate partner in 2001. (5 points, add from certain bankruptcy with a $10,000 1 point for each piece of IR gear you own) check when he found AW Board President Pete Skinner sitting on his doorstep. ��������������� 3. American Whitewater’s board of directors is a (4 points) dedicated group of volunteers that work to guide AW’s staff and volunteers to meet our 17. The first Ocoee Rodeo took place in 1981 mission. Currently there are 26 board (6 points, 200points if you attended) members. (10 points, 1 point if you checked the inside cover) 18. The first scheduled recreational release on ���������� The Tallulah arrange by American [Member of American Whitewater 4. Local clubs started AW with the intent to share Whitewater was in November 1997. information between local paddling clubs and (4 points, 8 points if you ever walked communities. (4 points) around Oceana) ] Ladies on the Lower G 5. Pete Skinner served on the American 19. Throughout the years American ��������������� Whitewater board of directors from 1977 to Whitewater has purchased several key Friday, September 24, 2004 1999 for a total of 22 years of dedicated pieces of property to help provide parking service. Thanks Pete! (8 points) lots, takeouts, and putins at various rivers. American Whitewater currently owns 6. American Whitewater founded NOWR in four pieces of property including land on 1988. (10 points, 20 if you competed in a the Elkourn River (KY), the Blackwater NOWR event in the 80’s) (WV), John’s Creek (VA), and the Watagua (TN). (3 points, 6 if you’ve been to them all) 7. American Whitewater currently has eight full time employees. (5 points, - 5 points if 20. American Whitewater was originally you checked the inside cover) abbreviated AWWA and as time went on The watery women of Lotus Designs will be hostessing these whitewater became one word and AWWA gatherings of the ladies as a gift to the good folks at American 8. Throughout AW’s 50 years a total of 149 became AWA and since then we have dedicated boaters have served on the managed to simplify things more with just Whitewater. Any woman who is comfortable rolling in class 3+ American Whitewater’s board of directors. AW as the abbreviation. (1 points, 4 points whitewater is encouraged to sign up for tips, tricks, and (15 points, 25 points if you were one of them) if you understood the explanation) take-out talk. 9. In 1959 the American Whitewater safety 21. Rusty Dunbar was the proud champion of committee developed the first international the 1st Ocoee Rodeo his prize was a scale of difficulty for whitewater. This system lifejacket made by Kathy Mullet. Rusty also Registration is free to Members of American Whitewater! still exists today with only minor won the 2nd and 3rd Ocoee Rodeo as well. modifications. (6 points) 22. The first editor of the American Donations to American Whitewater are greatly appreciated to help keep up 10. American Whitewater began running the Whitewater Journal was Joe Lacy from their work of protecting and restoring whitewater rivers across the country. Gauley River Festival in 1986. (6 points) Denver, CO. The editor for this journal has always been a volunteer position. 11. When American Whitewater began to organize the Gauley River Festival the money 23. The Black River in New York is required Senoritas~ on the South Fork - April 25, 2004 raised went to pay for the fight for to give water on demand as long as you call recreational releases on the Black River in ahead. (2 points) Ladies on the Lower G - September 24, 2004 New York. (3 points, add 8 points if you have been to Gauley Fest and the Black) 24. The summer issue in 1973 of the AW journal featured Martin Begun running Potter’s Falls [Gauley trip requires $30 per person fee for permit] 12. Liquid Logic ran the first color in Tennessee. This photo broke the long- advertisements in the AW journal in 2001 standing stigma of the dangers of waterfalls. For more information call the AW Outreach Offi ce at: 828-252-0728 and it’s never been the same since. ( 4 points, (6 points, 2 extra per waterfall you’ve ran, 15 points if you saved them all) - 4 points for each one over 30 feet) 13. The American Whitewater website is full 25. Davy Hearn was arrested in 1998 running of great information including 4,100 river the Potomac at high water. This led to a descriptions. (2 points, add 10 points for lengthy battle that American Whitewater each one you wrote) won loosening the restrictions imposed on boaters of the Potomac Falls. (4 points, 14. Rich Bowers was AW’s first full time 8 extra points if you have been arrested for boating)

employee and is still active with AW today as ���������������

58 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 59 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 The 2004 Freestyle Schedule (dates are subject to change)

Jan. 21-25 Pre-World Championships Rodeo is dead they said! Oh the The change should create a fun and Feb 28 AW Film Festival humanity, the turmoil, the drama! exciting event to be a part of and watch. April 10-11 Trinity Whitewater Festival I can’t believe they said that! April 17-18 Kern River Rodeo The future of freestyle is here. Paddlers are April 24-25 American River Festival We all know rodeo is not yet dead but doing things we were just dreaming of only a May 1 Cheat Festival the wake-up call tells us that change few years ago. Boats are bringing those new is necessary. 2003 was a quiet year for moves to all paddlers that go out to their May 1-9 The Oregon Cup freestyle. The main reason was the loss local wave or hole and playboat for exercise, May 14-16 Reno Pro Invitational of overall support and organization by challenge, or competition. There are more May 15-16 Missoula, MT Event American Whitewater, who had been sites for freestyle competitions because of May 29 Gunnison, CO Event largely responsible for the sport of smaller boats, whitewater parks all over the June 3-6 Vail Mountain Games freestyle for the last 20 years. American U.S., and more active playboaters than ever June 4-6 Animas River Days Whitewater saw rodeos as a great vehicle before, all searching for the perfect wave. to bring paddlers together to increase the June 11-13 Yampa River Festival awareness of conservation issues. When We are hoping for all events to become June 16-20 FIBARK AW started organizing rodeos they were more fun, challenging, and diverse for June 19 Skykomish small, grassroots events with lots of local paddlers. More and more organizers are July 10 Payette Throwdown support and involvement. They evolved running different types of events including July 24 North Fork Feather into a huge tour across U.S. and Canada. Old schooler - Shane Benedict, boatercross, extreme races, head-to-head Aug. 1 Deerfi eld Festival AW began to realize this was distracting ‘paddle tossing’ back in the day. races, and big trick contests; something them from their main focus which was and New schooler - Marlow Long ‘air the bigger, older events have always done. Aug. 27-29 Black River Festival is river conservation. In 1997, in an effort blunting’ in competition. Some great examples are The Oregon (US Team Trials) to alleviate some of the organizational Cup, The Potomac River Festival, and Sept. 4-11 Canada Cup, Ottawa issues and get paddlers more involved the Ocoee Rodeo (now defunct). These Sept. 25 Gauley Festival in the sport, they brought in athlete events were and are amazing and fun volunteers to help with the organization of and air screws are all within our reach. for all because everyone can be involved competitors and rules. That group became - local freestylers, traveling pros, rafters, the USFKA (United States Freestyle Kayak Rules and rule changes are a part of all creekers, and even non-paddlers. Association). AW even helped the USFKA sports and ours is no different. When get its own non-profi t status. In the fall of rodeos fi rst started we used a 1-10 scale So this becomes our big mission: To bring The USFKA consists of: 2002, AW saw that they could no longer much like the Olympics. It worked but energy back into freestyle by helping support the sport in its entirety and handed paddlers felt it was too subjective. A new local event organizers and volunteers to President: Kristine Jackson over the reigns to the USFKA. It is now our system was put in place in 1993 which create events that involve the larger river [email protected] job to work with local event organizers gave a numerical value to every move and community, and push the sport. It is all of and the volunteers who make our sport paddlers’ points were added up as they our jobs to also remember the things that Vice President: Shane Benedict happen to create the freestyle tour. This went. In 1998, we added variety scores have always made freestyle so much fun. [email protected] transition of organization from AW to the which made the paddlers do more different USFKA has been a challenge but we are moves during their rides. As paddlers’ The USFKA is a group of paddlers elected Athlete Rep: Macy Burnham working hard to make the change work. skill level escalated it became a matter of by you to organize the sport of freestyle. [email protected] how fast paddlers could do the moves and We want your input and your help in The paddling itself has also changed a great not necessarily who was doing the best making these important things happen; Team Manager: Dan Gavere deal. In the fi rst events, a hand surf, barrel moves. We spent 5 years working within let us know what you think will help us roll, or ender would win an event and the that system trying to better emphasize move forward. You can call or email us Treasurer: Ellis Smith undying adoration of your peers. As the variety as the level of paddling soared. with ideas for events, rules, or best of all to sport moved into the 90s the cartwheel, volunteer yourself. Advisors: Clay Wright, Christie Dobson, blunt, and beginnings of the air movement This short history brings us up the present. Jimmy Blakeney were visible. Now all hell has broken loose In 2004 the USFKA is working on a new and there are more variations of aerial system to change with the sport so that Special Recognition also goes to: moves than there are boat models, which paddlers aren’t rushing to do as many Ken Ransford (Ken and Ellis gained the says a lot. This huge change in how boats moves as possible but are instead setting USFKA Ellis Smith 501-c status) are paddled is like the beginning of the air up to do the biggest moves they can. The Jane Abbott and Risa Callaway (Jane and moves in skateboarding, or the forward basic idea we are working on is a 45-second Risa helped make rodeo what it is today) pass in football. It has completely changed ride, but now only the top 5 different Mike Phelan (Events Director for AW) our sport. The added bonus is that boats moves will count. This will encourage are being designed to make all the fun new variety and push paddlers to showcase moves easier for all of us. Loops, air blunts, their most dynamic moves. There is more to it, but that is the general direction.

60 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 61 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 and Scenic segment in the state (California). The rivers unique combination of moderate rapids, warm water (in summer), easy access, superb scenery, abundant wildlife, excellent camping, and fairly light use make it one of the state’s best floats. Well known for its salmon and steelhead Empowering River Activists The Klamath River (OR & CA) flows from fishing, the Klamath is truly a year round the southern Oregon mountains to the river – though it should be avoided during Is there a river in your backyard that welcomes the American Whitewater River California coast. The river is divided into the heavy winter rains, when it becomes a is in jeopardy? Have local government Stewardship Institute to experience the two popular boating sections, the Upper raging torrent. (California Whitewater: A agencies, private landowners, or a power Klamath River. We see the love of rivers and Lower Klamath. The Klamath River is Guide to the Rivers) company brought in high dollar lawyers and nature as the motivation, science as a member of the National Wild and Scenic and hired gun consultants to tell you how a means of understanding, wisdom the River program since 1995. Below are trip Access and Conservation PS COMPOSITES the “process” works? Do you wish you potential harmonizer of diverse human descriptions from California Whitewater: had the skills to be a force in saving your interests, and fun the common joy, to be A Guide to Rivers by Jim Cassady and Issues on the Klamath 1/6 page Vertical BW local resources, or do you wish you knew shared on this Klamath River journey.” The River Stewardship curriculum has Fryar Calhoun. more about how the process is supposed been designed to give each participant The Klamath River for all its beauty and SAME to work, or do you wish you were better This training program will include two the knowledge and skills to battle against greatness is plagued with many issues that at negotiating and defending our right to days on the Upper Klamath (Class III-IV) the attorneys and hired-gun consultants Upper Klamath are indicative of the problems facing rivers enjoy resources that belong to the public? and 4 days on the Lower Klamath River hired by special interests groups. Upon throughout the country. These challenges Difficulty: Class IV+ Then you need to attend AW’s River (Class II-III). Paddlers of all ability levels completion RSI participants will be make it an ideal learning environment Length: 11 miles Stewardship Institute. are welcome to apply. The American able to: for teaching river activists how to work Whitewater Senior Staff and national • Apply basic ecological and hydrological through these problems. “The Upper Klamath flows through In 2004, AW will branch out in a new experts on river conservation will provide principles to real life river restoration a rugged high desert canyon cut into direction with a brand new program called RSI and trip leadership. projects. In December 2000 PacifiCorp initiated the volcanic rocks. The river is on the Pacific the River Stewardship Institute (RSI) • Represent a stakeholders group in a relicense process for the six dams and seven Flyway, a migratory route for a great presented by Kokatat. For the first time in AW will be accepting applications Federal Energy Regulatory powerhouses that make up the Klamath variety of birds. Boaters may see blue its history, AW will be offering an intensive (available online) for participants through Commission’s (FERC) hydropower Project, whose license expires February and green herons, bald and golden eagles, training for whitewater enthusiasts who the 1st of June. Participants selected for relicensing process 28, 2006. In anticipation of PacifiCorp’s falcons, ospreys, cormorants, Canadian would like to become actively involved in the program will be chosen based on the • Utilize existing legal precedents and application for a new license, American geese, numerous species of river birds, the protection of the rivers in their local following criteria: mediation techniques to address threats Whitewater has identified several de- and even pelicans. Along the way they communities. • Leadership and influence potential with to river access by private landowners watered river reaches affected by six dams on the local river community. and government agencies. can stop to look at remains of old mines, the Klamath. In September 2002, American ranches, and mills. Even in the late summer American Whitewater’s numerous • Demonstrated ability and interest in • Employ public relation strategies Whitewater completed flow studies on two learning the skills and techniques necessary and early fall, when most Sierra rivers are volunteers, board of directors, and staff becoming lifelong river conservation for maximizing the effectiveness of of these reaches. Along with other members to protect your home river then be sure to marginally runnable at best, the Upper work countless hours striving towards our volunteer. communication vehicles and messages. of the California Hydropower Reform apply for one of the twenty spots at AW’s Klamath’s dam-controlled flows provide mission to conserve and restore America’s • Demonstrated effectiveness at oral and • Develop marketing strategies to increase Coalition, American Whitewater is working River Stewardship Institute. more than enough water to swamp your whitewater resources and to enhance written communication. the membership and support of river with tribes, non-governmental organizations, boat. ” (California Whitewater: A Guide to opportunities to enjoy them safely. With • The level of threats being faced by rivers conservation organizations. and local alliances and coalitions on fish No previous experience is necessary, just a the Rivers) the boating community growing and the in the volunteer’s home region passage, recreation, biological flows, and willingness to learn. If you are interested rising threats of access closures, water After completing the training RSI other highly volatile water allocation issues in making a difference in your paddling rights, legislative issues, dam construction American Whitewater is working diligently graduates will be some of the nations most Lower Klamath in the Klamath Basin. community please contact AW for more and relicensing AW cannot adequately to obtain funding for the program through highly trained river activist and will be information at (828) 252-0728 or check the represent the boating community on each grant and sponsorship opportunities expected to contribute the following after Difficulty: Class III This training will be the first of its kind AW website www.americanwhitewater.org. issue, without support. AW is searching allowing us to minimize the cost to the their training: Length: 100 miles in the United States. “Recreationalists” Applications are available online and can for twenty volunteers to become the RSI participants. It is due to this funding • Serve a minimum of two terms as an protecting the areas that they enjoy is the be mailed to American Whitewater, River next generation of river stewards and that AW can offer this seven-day river AW Regional Coordinator for the local “Although boaters often overlook it, the only viable option for the protection of Stewardship Institute 20 Battery Park Suite activists armed with the skills and experience for only $150 plus personal paddling community Klamath offers a variety of excellent one- our natural resources. If you would enjoy 302 Asheville NC, 28801or they can be knowledge to address these threats. travel expenses. • Contribute a minimum of three articles day and overnight trips on the longest Wild spending a week on the Klamath River and emailed to [email protected] per year detailing their efforts as a The River Stewardship Institute (RSI) is local river activist to the AW Journal an intensive training program designed to and website. prepare individuals to become tomorrow’s • Work with the American Whitewater whitewater river activists. This seven-day Staff to ensure that the issues facing the innovative training will take place on the local paddling community are addressed Klamath River in California October 9th- on both a local and national level. 16th thanks to the generous support from • Assist the American Whitewater Staff Kokatat and logistical support of John at maximizing the public relations McDermott owner of The River Dancers a opportunities offered at local river and Klamath based whitewater-rafting outfitter. watershed events. Mr. McDermott was very excited to be part • Represent AW and the local paddling of this opportunity: “The River Dancers community at regional stakeholders meetings.

62 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 63 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 Shoulder dislocations are one of the most Tintanalli J, Kelen GD and Stapczyncski common significant injuries for whitewater JS (2000) Emergency Medicine, 5th ed., boaters. Field reduction reduces pain, American College of Emergency Physicians, eases evacuation and improves long term McGraw Hill, 2127 pages recovery, but reduction attempts are not always appropriate. Any paddler with Weiss EA (2001) Whitewater Medicine and a serious shoulder injury, including a Rescue, in Wilderness Medicine, 4th ed., P To Reduce … or Not? easy to miss more subtle, and more serious, arm. Distinguishing a direct vs. an indirect successfully reduced dislocated shoulder, Auerbach, editor. Mosby, 729-745. injuries. Rescuers treating patients with mechanism of injury thus can make a should follow up as soon as possible in an You and your paddling buddies are shoulder injuries should carefully look significant difference in treatment. emergency room or with an orthopedic Whisman SA and Hollenhorst SJ (1999) having a great day on the river, shredding for other injuries, including damage to specialist. In an emergency department, Injuries in commercial whitewater rafting. everything in sight. Unfortunately, one nerves, blood vessels, and bones, including Third, where did the injury occur? If a the shoulder can be stabilized and other Clin J Sports Med 9(1) 18-23. of your friends gets thrashed in a hole the collarbone (clavicle), the ribs and shoulder injury occurs on a river like the injuries can be treated, whereas an and ends up swimming. When you reach the cervical spine (neck). In addition, Ocoee, it may make sense to simply apply a orthopedic specialist can help the victim Table 1: Criteria for field reduction of a him, he’s sitting on shore and says that it hypothermia should always be a concern sling to the injured shoulder and evacuate begin physical therapy and, if necessary, dislocated shoulder hurts to move his arm. Did he dislocate with any paddling-related injury. the patient to the medical center 20 minutes perform surgical repairs. Appropriate his shoulder, or do something else? Should away, where someone who previously has follow up after a shoulder injury will speed 1) Treat life-threatening injuries first. you start tugging on his arm? How do you Second, how did the injury occur? Muscle treated dozens of shoulder dislocations can recovery, reduce the risk of future injuries, 2) Indirect mechanism of injury. decide? These are important questions, strain generally occurs over time, due care for the patient. On the other hand, and help the boater get safely back on the 3) Wilderness environment (more than 1- because shoulder injuries are common to overuse or poor paddling technique. evacuation could take days on rivers like water as soon as possible. 2 hours from definitive care). among whitewater paddlers. Strained shoulders hurt, but should have the Middle Fork of the Salmon, and in that bone shards through the skin to create 4) Trained personnel on hand. essentially normal strength and range of case a patient would clearly benefit from an open fracture. Reduction immediately References 5) When in doubt, apply a sling and treat Most of the time, shoulder injuries are motion. Most shoulder dislocations (both field reduction. After a reduction, victims after injury should help with pain, so if as a fracture. simple sprains and strains that are easily while paddling and everywhere else) may not be able to paddle, but they likely reduction attempts cause more pain, it Ellis TJ and Swiontkowski MF (2001) Table 2: A short list of wilderness medicine treated. However, more significant injuries, occur when the upper arm is lifted away will be more comfortable. In addition, suggests that something else may be going Orthopedics; in Wilderness Medicine 4th educational programs. There are at least 30 including fractures and dislocations, can from the body, with the palm forward evacuation probably will be easier, and on. Remember that shoulder dislocations ed., P Auerbach, editor. Mosby, 507-530. also occur. Appropriate management and held above and behind the elbow recovery time likely will be reduced. aren’t fatal injuries. On the other hand, other programs in the United States that offer similar training, but these are the of shoulder injuries reduces pain and – exactly like a high brace gone bad. In Wilderness medicine programs suggest punctured lungs or lacerated arteries, Forgey WM (editor) (1995) Wilderness largest and best known. shortens recovery time, but requires an this position, pressure applied against the that if definitive care is more than an hour caused by manipulating a broken bone in Medical Society Practice Guidelines for ability to accurately diagnose the injury. hand and forearm (for example, bracing or two away, field reduction of dislocated the shoulder, could be life threatening. If Wilderness Emergency Care. ICS books, Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities In particular, recognizing fractures and with poor technique) levers the upper arm joints should be considered. you’re not sure what is going on, applying 71 pages. dislocations is important because both forward, out of the shoulder socket. This a sling and evacuating the victim is the (SOLO) www.soloschools.com require specific treatments and appropriate is an indirect mechanism of injury, and Fourth, do the rescuers know how to way to go. A sling is the correct treatment Johnson DE (1999) Advanced techniques PO Box 3150 follow up after the injury. is unlikely to cause a significant fracture. examine and treat shoulder injuries? for severe muscle strain and fractures for dislocation management. Emergency Conway, NH 03818 Typically, a shoulder dislocated this way Reducing a dislocated shoulder is relatively around the shoulder, and will help protect Medical Services, 29(8) 60-63. Treatment for a dislocated shoulder will be deformed, when compared to the straightforward, but do you really want any injured shoulder whenever there are 603-447-6711 includes reducing the dislocation (i.e., uninjured side (Figures 1 and 2). The someone to manipulate your shoulder if doubts about appropriate treatment. In Kizer KW (1987) Medical problems in Wilderness Medical Associates putting the shoulder back into joint) affected shoulder loses its rounded contour they’ve only read about the procedure? any event, remember that after a shoulder whitewater sports. Clin Sports Med, 6(3) www.wildmed.com as quickly as possible and protecting and a depression between the humerus Would you let someone who had only is reduced, the victim may not be able to 663-668. the shoulder from further injury. In a (upper arm bone) and the point of the read about paddling lead you on your paddle, and will be at much higher risk for RFD 2, box 890 Bryant Pond, ME hospital, most health care providers X-ray shoulder (the acromioclavicular, or AC first trip down the Gauley? Table 2 lists a repeat dislocation. Krupnick JE, Cox RD and Summers 207-665-2707 potentially dislocated joints before trying joint) often can be felt. Patients generally contact information for several well- RL (1998) Injuries sustained during to reduce them. However, X-ray machines hold their arm somewhat away from the known wilderness medicine programs. All competitive white-water paddling: A Wilderness Medicine Institute are tough to find on a riverbank! A variety body, and they are almost completely of them teach how to examine shoulders, survey of athletes in the 1996 Olympic www.nols.edu/wmi/ of wilderness medical programs (such as unable to move the shoulder. how to find injuries to blood vessels and trials. Wilderness Environ Med 9(1) 14-18. Wilderness Medical Associates, SOLO, nerves, and how (and when) to try to NOLS 284 Lincoln St and Wilderness Medical Institute) teach On the other hand, a direct blow to the reduce dislocated shoulders. As paddlers, O’Hare D, Chalmers D, Arnold NA and Lander, WY 82520-2848 how to decide whether or not to attempt shoulder (such as falling off a mountain we choose to go to places where calling 911 Williams F (2002) Mortality and morbidity 1-800-710-NOLS reductions. As with paddling, these bike or smacking your shoulder against the isn’t an option, and it’s in our best interest in white water rafting in New Zealand. Inj

techniques are best learned in a hands-on bottom of the river) is much more likely to learn these skills so we can take care of Contol Saf Promot 9(3) 193-198. class. to break a bone. Direct impact injuries are each other. Biography: Robin is a physician assistant in the emergency department at Durham common in whitewater paddling, and the Riore DC and Houston JD (2001) Injuries Regional Hospital, in Durham, NC. He also When a paddler injures his shoulder, four patient’s physical appearance is not always Once you decide to reduce a potentially in whitewater kayaking. Br. J Sports Med is an in ACA instructor trainer in swiftwater questions should be answered before enough to distinguish between fractures dislocated shoulder, remember that if 35(4) 235-241. deciding to attempt a reduction. First, and and dislocations (especially when the the patient has significant pain when the rescue and whitewater kayaking. most important, are there any other more victim is wearing 2 layers of fleece, a drytop reduction is attempted, you should stop Schoen RG and Stano MJ (2002) Year Acknowledgements: Paul Austin, serious injuries? Shoulder dislocations are and a PFD). Shoulder injuries caused by and reconsider what you’re doing. Early 2000 whitewater injury survey. Wilderness MD, provided a thorough review. His painful, but they aren’t life threatening. direct impact, and associated with severe reduction of a dislocated shoulder eases Environ Med 13(2) 119-124. Before focusing on an obviously dislocated pain or loss of function, should therefore pain and simplifies evacuation, and is often contributions are greatly appreciated. shoulder, make sure the patient’s airway, be treated as fractures. Manipulating a the appropriate course of action. However, Simon RR and Koenigsknecht SJ (1995) breathing and circulation are secure, and broken bone near the shoulder joint could manipulating a broken bone causes severe Emergency Orthopedics, The Extremities, look for other injuries. If a rescuer pays damage blood vessels and nerves, and pain, and could damage nerves, lung 3rd ed., Appleton and Lange, 556 pages. attention only to the obvious injury, it is cause permanent loss of function in the tissue and blood vessels, or even drive

64 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 65 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 ��������� ����������������������

June-December 2003 Mr. Borrell had been kayaking for twenty A number of inexperienced paddlers met years and had guided on the Arkansas death over the Fourth of July weekend. On Although most of the West experienced professionally for ten. While it’s unusual July 3rd, Jason Smith, 27, drowned in the drier than average weather last summer, for people with this much experience to Class V+ rapids of Tumwater Canyon on many parts of the East Coast had the die on the water, Ranger Pappenfort notes Washington’s Wenatchee River. Mr. Smith wettest year in over a century. High water that this section of the Arkansas is often was paddling solo; his wife was watching and warm temperatures drew many underestimated by boaters who are familiar from the road when he flipped in Chaos inexperienced people to the river, and some with more difficult stretches of the river. Rapid and disappeared. Rescuers found of these encounters ended in tragedy. From The flow that day was 3170 cfs – high, his body the next day, floating in a pool ������������������������� ��������������������� �������������������������� June through December 2003 American but not extreme. Because of the drought between the big drops. AW’s Brian Behle, ��������������������������� ������������������������ ���������������������������������������� Whitewater received reports of 9 kayak, 8 this was the most water anyone had seen who lives in nearby Leavenworth, says ������������������ ��� ������������������ canoe, and 7 rafting fatalities. Five of these in years. Although it’s not clear what that this sort of thing happens every year. ��� ��� deaths were caused by high water, and five turned Mr. Borrell from a swimmer to a Indeed, there was a second drowning in the by low-head dams. The yearly totals of 20 floater, clearly he was in the water too long. area during August! kayak, 15 canoe and 14 rafting deaths are Rescuers should always work to save people the highest numbers we’ve seen in the last first, and the group could have improved On July 4th Richard DeLaurenzo and his decade. Kayak fatalities, as usual, often the odds by getting Mr. Borrell into their wife capsized while paddling through Class involved experienced paddlers. raft before attempting to grab the kayak. II Shohola Rapids on the Upper Delaware River. This river, which forms the border These accounts came from a variety A 23 year-old Maryland man died on the between Pennsylvania and New York, is of sources, and are based primarily on Shenandoah River near Harper’s Ferry, very popular with first-timers. According to newspaper articles and personal narratives. West Virginia on June 29th. According the National Park Service Morning Report Many were posted on Boatertalk, to a report published in “Splashes”, the neither paddler was wearing a life vest. Mountainbuzz, and other paddling bulletin newsletter of the West Virginia Wildwater Their canoe hit a rock and ejected them ������ ��� ��������������������� ���� ������������������������������������ boards. Since it’s impossible for one person Association, Jesse Heise was paddling both. They attempted to hold onto their ������������������� ����������������������������� to keep track of all relevant web sites and with two other people when he flipped canoe as they floated downstream, but Mr. ����������������������� ��� newspapers, I’d like to thank my regular and swam at Bull Falls, a Class II+ ledge. DeLaurenzo lost consciousness and let go. ��� safety correspondents: Tim Bromelkamp, The river was running 4.2’ that day, which Bystanders pulled him ashore and began �������������������� Kathy Streletzky, Slim Ray, Aida Parkinson, is medium-high. He was floating down CPR, but their efforts were in vain ����������������������� Ken Dubel, Susan Oehler, and the board a wave train, holding onto his boat and �������������������� and staff of American Whitewater for paddle, when his sprayskirt caught on a On the same day the French Broad River ��� forwarding the majority of this material. submerged log. The snag was deep in the near Asheville, NC was running at a high I also appreciate those paddlers who take water and not visible from upstream. A and muddy 8,000 cfs. Heyward Bozart, ��������������������� ��������������������������� �������������������� ����������� the time to report on incidents occurring in group of paddlers and river guides formed 52, was camping nearby with his 22 year- ��� ���������������� their area or involving people they know. a human chain. They were not sure how he old son. They decided to canoe the Class ��� was caught at first; they thought it might be II rapids near Ledge Park. Their boat On June 2nd there was a kayaking fatality a foot entrapment. Once they figured out capsized quickly and the pair was washed on the Class III “Fractions” section of the the mechanism, someone passed a knife to away. Mr. Bozart was found dead roughly ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Arkansas River in Colorado. According to the lead rescuer who quickly cut Mr. Heise four miles downstream; his son made it to a report submitted by senior ranger Stuart free. After using a cell phone to contact 911, a small island and was brought to safety by Pappenfort, the trouble began about a they floated the victim down to the Route rescue squads. mile below the Riverside put-in. David 340 Bridge. Because of some unexplained ����������������� ���������������������������� ���������������������������� Borrell flipped and swam while kayaking confusion the ambulance didn’t arrive for Lastly, on the evening of July 5th, two ���������������������������������������������������� ���� ���� ��� ����� along with two friends in a raft. The almost an hour. It’s not clear that this would men and a woman decided to go tubing ���������������������������������������������������� rafters attempted a rescue, but it was held have made a difference, however. on Wilson’s Creek. This Class IV run near ���������������� ������ ������ �������� up because Mr. Borrell asked them to pull Morganton, North Carolina was running ���������������� ������ ������ �������� ���������������������������������������������������� his kayak on board first. Somewhere in the Because the Shenandoah River is popular high following heavy rains. The group ���������������� ������ ������ �������� ����������������������� ���������������������������������� process the rafters lost sight of the swimmer with novices, the hidden snag was not had been drinking, and they quickly ���������������� ������ ������ �������� for about a minute. When the pair spotted forgotten. About a month later, when the got into trouble. Bystanders rescued ���������������������������������������������������� him again he was floating face-down. They river dropped to 2.8’, a group of river guides two of the party, but a third person ���������������� ������ ������ �������� ���������������������������������������������������� quickly pulled him aboard the raft and arrived at Bull Falls to remove it. The snag slipped away. He washed downstream and ��������������������� �������� �������� ���������������������������������������������������� brought him ashore. One man began CPR was almost completely hidden in a standing presumably drowned. ����������� �������� while the other ran to a nearby house and wave. After several hours of fancy rope work ���������������� �������� � ����������������������������������� � �������������������������� called 911. Despite a prompt response from they removed an 8” diameter tree, complete On July 5th there were two commercial ���������������� �������� ��������������������� ��������������� �������� ����������������� ��������������������������������������� ������� � ������� the local police and ambulance services, with its root ball. This is almost certainly outfitting fatalities involving guests who ����������������������� resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. what snagged Mr. Heise’s sprayskirt. died unexpectedly after taking a seemingly ������������������ ���������������

66 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 67 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 Class V rapid. He quickly swam ashore and News noted that the recirculation was so August 15th and involved a father and was heading back upriver when he saw Mr. powerful that the two teens were literally his two sons in a canoe. According to the Sheridan’s kayak fl oat free, upside down, bouncing off the face of the dam. The pair AW’s Doug Sauer, who watched the TV with him inside. The kayak got caught in a also tried to support Sandra Barnett, 24, news and sent web postings, they capsized small ledge-hole. Mr. Keller swam out and but she slipped out of her life vest and was in the backwash after they tried to recover attempted to grab the boat, but it pulsed pulled under water. A 16 year-old girl made balls that were caught there. The father and free and washed into the Class V rapid it ashore and went for help. An hour later one of his boys survived, but a second 9 survivable swim through a rapid. On the above water. This pin occurred just above company and forest service offi cials to below. Mr. Keller hurried downstream and Danville fi refi ghters threw a rope to the year-old son did not. Another incident on Lower Kern River, Richard Thurman, 63, an 8’ waterfall, and the boulders creating examine the site at very low fl ows. The spotted Mr. Sheridan’s kayak pinned in the two girls. They had to time the extrication the Olentangy involved a 30 year-old man complained of diffi culty breathing after the drop apparently also created a very group pulled a number of tangled logs crux of a big drop. Realizing the futility of to avoid a collision with a large log that whose boat capsized above a dam at 11:00 fl oating through a Class I-II riffl e. He was dangerous sieve. out from under the rock using a winch. further rescue efforts, he swam across the was loose in the backwash; even then it pm on October 9th. Needless to say, it was unable to climb back into his raft or swim Their consensus is that these logs, which river, hiked out, and notifi ed authorities. took a number of strong men to pull the pitch dark outside. Rescuers who recovered ashore; when two guides fi nally got him When Mr. Sampson swam out to the site he were hidden underwater at release levels, The next morning Mr. Sheridan was girls free. the body said he was in “a small two-person inside a raft he was no longer breathing. was almost pulled underneath the pinned may have caused the accident. A warning found, still in his boat, washed up on a plastic boat”, but did not identify it further. Two river guides, one of whom is an EMT, boat himself! The two men began desperate sign was placed upstream to warn of the downstream rock. An unidentifi ed man drowned on July The articles alluded to several other recent and a pair of doctors who were on the struggle against the tremendous suction, undercut rock below. 16th after his canoe fl ipped upstream rescues around the dam. trip started CPR. Paramedics responded but Mr. Hawthorne kept sinking deeper In the Midwest, four inexperienced of the 4’ high Winter Street Dam on the quickly and took over the resuscitation and deeper. He fi nally lost consciousness The Tewksbury section of the Jacques paddlers unwisely chose to run low-head Olentangy River about 20 miles north of The Clark Fork of the Yellowstone in attempt. Despite their efforts Mr. Thurman and his PFD came off. Eventually he Cartier River is a magnifi cent Class IV run dams at high fl ows. The results were Columbus, Ohio. He apparently washed Montana was the scene of one death and never regained consciousness. Total elapsed disappeared from view. The loose PFD, near Quebec City in Canada. AW member predictably tragic. On July 8th two canoes over the dam into the backwash; a second several close encounters with eternity this time was just 3 minutes from the fi rst sign along with both pairs of the rescuer’s river Skip Morris reports that a professional carrying four young women capsized at the man swam ashore and survived. According past summer. The run contains two days of of trouble to unresponsiveness. shoes, were also sucked down into the hole. guide died in Class IV Blueberry Island base of a 5’ high dam on the Middle Fork to the Outdoor Adventure Club’s Mark challenging Class IV-V water and several At this point, one of the rescuers washed Rapid on July 22nd. He was thrown from of the Vermillion River in Eastern Illinois. Steinmetz, the fl ow was 1700 cfs, which mandatory portages in a steep gorge. On That same day there was a similar accident downstream. The remaining rescuer his raft while running a steep chute on the According to Eric Sprenne, an AW regional he calls “high and pushy”. Neither man August 7th a group of seven strong Class on the Lower Youghiogheny River in reached down for the kayak and found left, towards the bottom. He popped right coordinator, the dam is a known killer, and was wearing a PFD. The victim’s body was V boaters were on the second day of a Western Pennsylvania. Water levels were the cockpit empty. Realizing that they’d up afterwards, and appeared to be fi ne, there are strong warnings about it in the found two days later. successful run. But even though the party modest, 2 feet at Ohiopyle, when Andrew done all they could, they hiked out and but he never rejoined the group below. guidebook “Paddling Illinois”. Fortunately, included three paddlers who had made Deardon, 46, took a guide-assisted trip notifi ed authorities. Rescuers using a tethered raft and a long two of the four girls were able to grab There were two more drownings at a dam the trip before, they forgot that below the down the river with his church group. He pole thoroughly searched the riverbed. The an inner tube that was fl oating in the on the Great Miami River near Dayton, “Leap of Faith” the mandatory portage was thrown into the water after his raft The body recovery was an epic task. The guide was found in the pool way below the backwash. The Danville, IL Commercial Ohio. The fi rst accident occurred on around an unrunnable section comes up fl ipped at the top of Class III+ Dimple next day a rescue team brought a 9:1 haul rapid. Rope had escaped from his waist- Rapid. At fi rst the situation seemed routine system and a grappling hook. They hooked belt throw bag and become snagged on a according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. the kayak, pulled, and straightened the rock, holding him under water. The bag All four people in the raft surfaced near hook! The body was fi nally recovered on did not have a conventional quick release the boat and grabbed hold of the perimeter August 9th. Lower water levels allowed buckle (with a fl ap and a ball), but used a lines. But Mr. Deardon, who at 5’11 and the rescuers to use an underwater camera side-release buckle similar to that used on 400 pounds was a very large man, let go to locate Mr. Hawthorne, who they then many backpack waist bands. Many people of the raft a short distance below. He was brought to the surface after six hours of feel that this sort of buckle is diffi cult to quickly picked up by a safety kayaker, but hard work. fi nd and operate in an emergency. Users of he was clearly in distress and let go of this this type of throwbag need to recognize the boat, too. By the time guides hauled him A fi fteen year-old camp counselor drowned danger and take appropriate steps. into their raft at the bottom of Swimmer’s while paddling the Nantahala River on Rapid he was not breathing. They started July 12th. Joel Hayes was part of a staff Matt Sheridan, 18, died on the upper CPR at once. Park rangers and EMS trip, running the river in rented boats. section of British Columbia’s Rutherford personnel arrived quickly via the riverside According to John Griffi n, Mr. Hayes was Creek on July 30th. An expert kayaker, his bike path to help out. He was evacuated by in a double duck with a friend. At the runs have been featured in several issues of ambulance to Uniontown Hospital where bottom of “The Ledges” the pair hit a raft Lunch Video Magazine and he was known he was pronounced dead. that was pinned on a large rock near the as “New School Matt”. Pat Keller reported right bank and fl ipped. The rock does not to Boatertalk that he and Matt were very Tragedy struck a small group of experienced look particularly dangerous, but is badly familiar with this run. After running the kayakers on the Upper South fork of the undercut. Mr. Hayes washed under the raft, 35 foot falls they walked around “Portage California Salmon on July 7th. According then under the rock where he was pinned. Rapid” on river right to a seal launch spot to a report written by Mike Sampson and The other person in the double duck just below. The landing looked nasty, and posted on Boatertalk, the fl ow on this Class washed clear of this hazard. it was. Mr. Sheridan, 18, launched fi rst, hit IV-V run was pretty minimal, about 350 cfs. the wrong side of a shifting boil, and was Mr. Sampson was working his way down a Senior staff from the group began rescue carried upstream into an undercut cave. steep, obstructed boulder garden when he attempts at once, assisted by guides from Here he was knocked over and probably heard three sharp blasts on a whistle. He PRO and NOC. They were able to pull hit his head. scrambled downstream with his rope to Mr. Hayes out from under the rock using see Wayne Hawthorne, 48, badly pinned a Z-drag. Unfortunately, he had been Mr. Keller got his rope, but slipped on on and under a submerged rock. The other under water for about fi fteen minutes the greasy rocks as he was setting up and member of the party was standing on and efforts to revive him were fruitless. landed in the water. After washing under a the rock, holding Mr. Hawthorne’s head Soon afterwards, outfi tters met with power rock wall he was carried into the top of a

68 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 69 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 June-December 2003 Summary Date Victim’s Name Age Boat River State Cl. Factors

6/2 David Borell ? K-1 Arkansas River CO III Flush drowning; high water Fractions Section 6/28 ? ? Tube Delaware River PA/NJ II No PFD Scudders Falls 6/29 Jesse Heiss 23 K-1 Shenandoah River WV III Sprayskirt snagged pretty fast. Here the river goes under a field flipped and swam. He washed up against Below the “Old Iron Bridge” the river 7/3 Jason Smith 27 Raft Icicle Creek WA IV? Solo Paddler; cause unknown of giant boulders and over several huge a large rock and apparently caught his changes character abruptly, and the group 7/4 Richard DiLaurenzio ? Canoe Delaware River NY/PA II No PFD drops. The group ran a straightforward foot. One of his friends threw him a rope, washed into the first big rapid. The results 7/4 Hoyt Boyzart 52 Canoe French Broad River NC II+ High water, Inexperience Class IV ledge, went around a blind bend, but he could not hold on and disappeared were predictable. According to a Wenatchee 7/5 ? (Man) ? Tube Wilson’s Creek NC IV High water, Inexperience and all hell broke loose. underwater. Rescue crews were summoned, World article sent by AW’s Paul Delaney, 7/5 Richard Thurman 63 Raft Kern River CA II Health problem and they recovered the body at 7:20 pm. two of the three rafts flipped, tossing four 7/5 Andrew Darden 46 Comm Raft L. Youghiogheny River PA IV Health problem AW Safety Chair Tim Kelly is preparing a people into the water. Three were stranded 7/7 Sandra Bennett 24 Canoe M.F. Vermillion IL X Caught by dam 7/8 Wayne Hawthorne 48 K-1 S.F. California Salmon CA IV? Caught in sieve detailed account for the AW Journal using An unidentified kayaker died in the in mid-river and had to be rescued. A 7/12 Joel Hayes 17 Raft Nantahala River NC III Undercut rock excellent reports from Boatertalk and backwash of a gauging weir below Pine fourth rafter, Alisa Belcourt, 15, could not 7/16 ? (Man) ? Canoe Olentangy River OH X Caught by dam Montainbuzz and some incredibly gripping Flat Dam on the Kings River near Fresno, be found. Emergency responders searched 7/22 ? (Guide) ? Comm Raft Jacques-Cartier River PQ, Can IV Sangged on rope email accounts. I won’t try to duplicate his CA. This low head dam has been the site of the area for over a week; her body was 7/30 Matt Sheridan 18 K-1 Rutherford Creek B.C., Can VI Undercut rock work, but I will try to summarize what trouble before. AW’s Paul Martzen reported finally found on August 22nd. 8/7 Dan Crain ? K-1 Clark Fork River MT X Missed portage happened. First, the entire group washed on Boatertalk that the trouble started when 8/9 Ryan Philbrick 29 IK Clackimas River OR II Foot entrapment into a sieve and over a cascade, dropping a “Class IV Boater” who was new to the area Hurricanes mean high water, and this 8/13 ? (Girl) 13 Raft Wenachee River WA V+ Flush drowning, Inexperience Tumwater Canyon about 50 feet. The cascade had multiple told a local paddler he wanted to try to surf can provide challenging sport for skilled 8/15 ? (Boy) 9 Canoe Great Miami River OH X Caught by dam sieves, underground tunnels, and drains. the reversal. Despite strong warnings against paddlers. But it’s another story when 9/15 ? (Man) ? K-1 King’s River CA X Caught by dam Two surfaced in lightless underwater doing so, he entered the backwash. He could reckless thrill-seekers become involved. 9/19 Christopher Bell 21 Canoe Black’s Run VA ? Paddling at night; high water caverns. One was able to climb out after surf it, but he couldn’t get out. Another According to the Harrisonburg, Virginia’s 9/27 Yannick Meraud 38 Raft N.F. Feather CA IV Undercut rock a desperate struggle, while the other was kayaker moved in and attempted a rescue, Daily News-Record, three college students 9/29 James Williamson 58 Canoe Oswegachie River NY ? Pinned by strainer forced to blow his whistle until paddlers on inadvertently breaking the most basic rules made a fast trip down Black’s Run just 10/9 ? (Man) 30 ? Boat Great Miami River OH X Caught by dam, boating at night the surface heard him and lowered a rope. of working around dams. He too was caught after midnight on September 19th. This 11/9 Keith Green 40 K-1 Chatooga River GA/SC IV+ Undercut rock 11/19 ? (Man) ? Canoe Watauga River TN ? Pinned by strainer One paddler (who remained in his boat by the hydraulic. He flipped, bailed out, and tiny creek, which runs right through 11/21 Josh Reichert 22 K-1 Shenandoah River WV III High water, cold water somehow) and three swimmers reached began recirculating helplessly. Harrisonburg, seldom has enough water to safety in a pool below this cascade. Three float a boat. The trio had a good first run, of these paddlers suffered serious injuries, The local paddler knew what to do. He and decided to try it again. As before, they including serious cuts, broken bones, a returned to shore and grabbed several launched their canoe behind their home. ruptured eardrum, and a collapsed lung. throw ropes and ran out on a bridge just But the water was rising, and they capsized upstream. With help of several bystanders at about 2:36 am. Two men swam to shore Total: Dan Crain, 42, a former college football he lowered a rope down to the trapped safely, but a third did not. Rescuers were player and smoke jumper, was knocked men, and then ran a second line down called out, but initially saw nothing but unconscious. He was still in his boat when the shore to a spot below the dam. From flood waters and darkness. At 7:30 that 8 - Kayak he washed into the first pool. He then here it was possible to pull the Class IV morning they found the body of Chris Ball, 8 - Canoe went over a 20 foot falls. This lead into boater downstream to safety. He suffered 21, in the creek. People at the memorial another massive sieve that dropped 30 feet nerve damage to one arm that he wrapped service remembered the dead man ork of 7 - Raft into a second pool below. When rescuers the rope around, testifying to the force of the Feather River in Northern California got to his kayak he was no longer inside. the pull needed. The would-be rescuer, are running again. But the events of 2 - Tube His body was spotted four hours later, unfortunately, was unconscious by the time September 27th showed that paddling them 2 - Unknown pinned between two rocks in the middle the rope arrived. In a few minutes he was is not without risk. Eric Petlock, an active of the river. It could not be recovered for stripped of his PFD, and then washed out local paddler who became AW’s principal several weeks, of the hydraulic. They pulled him to shore investigator, filed a report that tells the and began CPR, but could not revive him. following story. A raft containing four Yearly Total: Several other groups who were running the experienced paddlers and one first-timer river helped with the search and recovery. The Wenatchee River above Tumwater were making their way down the Class III- Several boats were missing. The walking Canyon is calm and beautiful as it flowed IV Cresta Run when they broadsided on a 19 - Kayak wounded had to face the final few miles along Highway 2 towards Leavenworth, rock and flipped. The first-timer, Yannick of Class IV water and the dreadful duties Washington on August 13th. A group Meraud, 38, swam towards the river left 15 - Canoe of notifying the family and reporting the floating the river, three rafts manned by shore. He was pushed up against and under 14 - Raft accident to authorities. two adults and five young girls, had no a huge granite slab which lay alongside the idea what lay ahead. Investigators later riverbank. Witnesses saw him disappear, 3 - Tube By August 9th the Clackamas River near described the rafts as “the sort of thing and tried to help by running a line along 4 - Motorboat Portland, Oregon was running at 700 cfs, a that you buy at a discount store” and noted the margin of the slab. When they did not pretty low level. According to Mike Jolley of that there was only one PFD on board. But succeed, they sent for help. Rescue squad 1 - Unknown the Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club, three anyone who drove further down the road members who recovered the body the paddlers were running the river below could see the notorious Class V+ Rapids next day reported that the slab is actually Bob’s Hole just before 3:00 pm. There Ryan waiting below. the roof of a giant underwater cave. They Philbrick, paddling an inflatable kayak, believe that Mr. Meraud eddied out in

70 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 71 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 and drowned. The other two paddlers Rob Traynham, who was involved with the readers to send relevant information. The managed to swim to a small, debris-strewn aerial search, told AW’s Tim Bromelkamp information we acquire is also added to our island. They were later brought to safety by that the victim worked at a summer camp Safety Database, the largest collection of its the Carter County Swiftwater rescue Team. which took campers on rafting trips down kind in the world. Created by former Safety the Shenandoah. This experience clearly Chair Lee Belknap and accessible at www.a This same high water was too much for did not prepare him for the river at high mericanwhitewater.org, it provides a real- a couple of kayakers on the Shenandoah flows. His body was spotted several days world basis for our safety program. Please there and could not escape. We hope that resuscitation efforts for an hour without After the uninjured boater from the second River near Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. later in a logjam near the confluence with forward accident descriptions, newspaper this tragedy will alert other boaters to this success, the pair followed wilderness group finished running the Five Falls he According to an article in Splashes, the the Potomac River. articles, personal accounts, and other danger spot and prevent future accidents. protocols and discontinued their efforts. was dismayed to find two paddles floating newsletter of the West Virginia Wildwater material of note to [email protected] They secured his body and scrambled in the pool below Soc ‘em Dog Rapid. By Association, the level that day was 9.4 feet, There were many positive and inspiring (Rt. 1, Box A43B, Bruceton Mills, WV A story in the Harrisburg, PA Patriot out of the canyon. Olympic Mountain now a member of the first group started or 22,000 cfs. This made the river was stories to come out of this year. Lives were 26525). News reported that James Williamson, Rescue hiked in and recovered his body the to ask if anyone had seen a guy in a green extremely wide and fast. Two students with saved by outstanding rescues on the Little 58, died while canoeing on the rain- next day. helmet. A search began, but Mr. Green had kayaks rented from a university outdoor White Salmon in Washington, Jawbone Remember that the best way to cut down swollen Oswegachie River in New York’s disappeared. On November 12th rescuers program put in at Millville. Both men Rapid on the Chatooga (an account on gossip and speculation after a serious Adirondack Mountains. Mr. Williamson, Mr. Manfridi was a very strong paddler using an underwater camera found his had taken a short introductory course at to be featured in the AW Journal), and incident is to prepare a full account of a Central Pennsylvania political figure, who had not bailed out of his kayak in body pinned in Right Crack. the college which included no whitewater Initiation Rapid on the Gauley. Rumors what happened and get the word out. In was canoeing with friends on September over two years. There was no sign of a head training. They had helmets and PFD’s, but of many other heads-up rescues by boaters addition to club newsletters, local and 28th when his canoe struck a logjam and injury, and his friends speculated that he With all the confusion it’s not surprising no wetsuits. abound. We also got word that a man regional bulletin boards are an increasingly capsized. His body was found the next probably kept trying to roll back up until that there was some finger-pointing survived a swim over Ohiopyle Falls at 7.6 important communications tool. It’s also day. No other details are available, and he lost consciousness. This would not afterwards. Certainly it would have been The pair didn’t make it very far before they feet. Another one went over Niagara Falls useful to post place a copy on the American those with information are encouraged to have been the first time it has happened useful to set safety below Corkscrew flipped and swam. One man let go of his and lived! Whitewater Forum. Found on AW‘s contact the Safety Committee. to someone, and this reminds us all that beforehand, and this would have provided boat and returned quickly to shore. Josh web site, www.americanwhitewater.org although rolling is important, we must one reliable witness to the accident. But Reichert, 22, held onto his boat and was Please remember that American it focuses on conservation, access, and Paddlers in the Northwest were shocked always leave a reserve so we can bail out drops of this difficulty are often run carried some distance downstream. It’s not Whitewater depends on its members and safety programs. While run as a forum to learn that Ben Manfridi, a well-known and swim. Someone also suggested that without setting downstream safety, and known how long he was conscious, but the friends to send the information contained within Boatertalk, it contains very little paddler, skier, and mountaineer, died a new pair of neoprene gloves may have if that risk is taken, someone has to go Shenandoah Staircase at that level is a long in this accident summary. We appreciate casual chat. while paddling the Grand Canyon of the made orienting the paddle blade more first. When a paddler misses their roll at Class IV rapid with huge waves and holes. all your submissions, and ask all our Elwha River in Olympic National Park. Mr. difficult than anticipated, and that this is Corkscrew, it’s imperative that they bail Manfridi, 24, had made a solo run earlier what caused his rolls to fail. out and start swimming to the right side in the year and knew the river. He and at once. There’s a large eddy here which is his three friends planned to complete the November 9th also saw a drowning on pretty easy to catch at most levels. Crack in entire run in a single long day. After an 8 Section IV of the Chatooga River near the Rock is a notorious body snatcher, and mile hike to the put-in they would run 8.5 Clayton, Georgia. Water levels were can make a swimmer disappear instantly. miles of Class IV-V rapids in a steep-walled modest, 1.6’ feet at the Rt. 76 Bridge. Two You do not want to get washed here gorge. The flow on November 9th was 1024 different groups who were working their without your boat! cfs, a perfect level. way through the “Five Falls” section met up above Class V Corkscrew Rapids. It’s Having lots of people around sometimes The group reached the put-in at about 10: not entirely clear what happened next, but gives paddlers a false sense of security, 30 am, and their run through the Upper here’s my best attempt, based on Boatertalk and makes it tough to keep track of Canyon went smoothly. They reached the posts and an email sent to me by Dennis people. Although groups often assist each entrance to the Lower Canyon, Goblin’s Kerrigan, a rescue instructor and longtime another on the river, it’s unreasonable Gate, at 2:45 pm. After scouting, the first Chatooga guide. to expect other parties to keep track of paddler ran through and set safety. Mr. people in your group. We often lose sight Manfridi came next. He flipped in a small Keith Green, 40, was in the first group. He of someone for a few seconds on difficult pourover and made four roll attempts elected to run Class V Corkscrew Rapid runs, especially if there are distractions or before washing over a big drop into a while others in his group watched. He obstacles. Mr. Green is not the first person Class I runout. He flushed through a short flipped and bailed out, but appeared to be to disappear suddenly on a river with a lot stretch of easy whitewater and then around in good shape and swimming aggressively of people nearby, and he won’t be the last. a bend. above Crack in the Rock. Group management techniques like the buddy system are useful in crowds, but not The safety boater gave chase, and caught Two paddlers from the second group foolproof. sight of a kayak floating upside-down in an followed. Neither one saw Mr. Green’s swim eddy. He could see that Mr. Manfridi was and one of them separated his shoulder Heavy rains in the week before Thanksgiving still inside as he approached. He quickly and needed help. As the second group dealt sent Wautauga River levels shooting up. On righted the kayak; Mr. Manfridi’s sprayskirt with the injured person several people November 19th three men attempted to was still in place and his paddle was still in from the first group ran Corkscrew and paddle the lower river, a roadside Class his hands. The other paddlers arrived and continued working their way downstream. II-III run located below Wautauga Lake helped get Mr. Manfridi out of his boat and None of them realized that Mr. Green was and upstream of Elizabethton, Tennessee. onto a rock. Two of the men did CPR while in trouble. Their canoe flipped, and one man became a third went for help. After continuing pinned between the boat and some logs,

72 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 73 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 It was a long but great day but a great chance an unbelievable place, set in the middle of trip after the previous day’s excitement, to see a run that apparently very few groups tropical wilderness and hosted by friendly and we were “greeted” at the take-out eddy have kayaked before. Just as we thought it folks, several of whom were from Montana. with a big crocodile, although he showed couldn’t get better, we pulled into the At this point in the trip we had bonded little interest chomping us or even checking Rafiki Safari Lodge. This is an African-style with our new friends and guides, and I us out. After loading up the bus, we made open air lodge in the middle of 750 private personally felt lucky to be in such a great our way through the dirt roads and African acres of paradise on the Rio Savegre. Our place with such a cool group of people. palm oil plantations back to Quepos, where first priority was to ride the 50 foot mossy After a gourmet meal of seafood and steak, we enjoyed air-conditioned comfort for the slide into the swimming pool, followed we sat on rocking chairs and swings staring next three nights (air conditioning is key to by lounging and drinking on the patio into the starry sky. drying out your wet gear in tropical, humid overlooking the river. Kevin and Lauren climates). worked with the bartender to concoct the Day two on the Savegre was much more “BBC” (Baileys Banana Colada), a thick straightforward, starting off with the class After five days of subsequently more fruity drink that was quickly requested by 3 “La Boca del Diablo” rapid but then difficult rivers, our trip slowed down a the entire group. Some folks livened up mellowing out to mostly class 2+ rapids as bit as we got back into enjoying the town the night with super strong Long Island the river winds its way to the Pacific ocean. including some shopping and sightseeing. Iced Teas, with our friend Cliff holding the This was a great chance for our newer On Friday we took a day off to enjoy an trip record. kayakers to hop back in the kayaks and get expertly guided tour of Parque Nacional some experience in warm, forgiving water. Manuel Antonio by Ronaldo – where we Our comfortable yet remote lodging Just as we thought it couldn’t get any better, saw monkeys, sloths, birds, and other consisted of African style tent cabins with the Rafiki Lodge truck drove up with a wildlife. At 683 hectares, Manuel Antonio comfy beds, big decks with a view, and the freshly cooked lunch for us in the middle is by far the smallest park in the national nicest bathrooms of the entire trip. It was of the run – a great treat! It was a relaxing park system, but it is also one of the most

74 American Whitewater www.americanwhitewater.org www.americanwhitewater.org American Whitewater 75 March/April 2004 March/April 2004 popular. This is because of its beautiful Cliff reunited with his Costa Rican us all jealous. After dinner a few of us forest-backed tropical beaches, dramatic girlfriend Rosa, and bets are on as to found a decidedly low brow club to end the rocky headlands, prolific wildlife, and whether the relationship continues now night, but it shut down around fairly early maintained trail network. that we’re home. Toward the end of the and that was clearly the end of the action trip I finally got the energy to keep up on a Sunday night. Thanks to the short line It was a long and hot, humid hike but we (or at least partially keep up) with the late and friendly local agent at the airport, I got washed off the sweat at a great waterfall night crowd. We went to the famous beach our two kayaks on the plane for no charge along with some new friends from party on Friday night, although it paled in although I had a heck of a time dragging Switzerland. That afternoon several of us comparison to the huge crowd the next them through customs at LAX. enjoyed a marathon shopping excursion night, dancing as the surf waves came in in Quepos followed by iced coffee at until the early hours of the morning. A Life is short, so if you get the chance to Café Milagro (a great spot for breakfast, ride home over the curvy roads in Arturo’s kayak in Costa Rica or other tropical espresso drinks, and coffee beans to take pick-up truck added an extra element of destinations my advice is to take advantage home), cigars next door, and body surfing excitement to the trip. of it. Thanks again to our guides, the past sunset with a couple of Imperials (the hospitable citizens of Costa Rica, my newly local beer of Costa Rica). In our rush to It is tough to end such a great trip, but on found friends, and a great roommate for an leave town with only a little cash, we ran Sunday it was back to San Jose for another incredible trip. up a drink and dinner tab that night and round of boat packing followed by our couldn’t pay the bill – no ATM cards, farewell dinner. Given its relatively high For more information: no credit cards in-hand. Luckily, after elevation, San Jose was a cool break from www.northwestriverguides.com dropping Arturo’s name we got a reprieve the hot weather on the coast. Kevin and www.rafikisafari.com and were able to pay the bill a couple of Lauren left early for a five day extension to www.lonelyplanet.com days later. the Osa Peninsula, which naturally made

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Pennsylvania Join American AMC Delaware Valley Chapter, Sugarloaf Benscreek Canoe Club, Johnson Whitewater as a Canoe Club of Greater Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg Holtwood Hooligans, Lititz Club Affiliate! Philadelphia Canoe Club, Philadelphia The Affiliate Club Program lies at the very California Missouri heart of AW’s existence. AW’s original Gold Country Paddlers, Lotus Kansas City Whitewater Club, Raymore Three Rivers Paddling Club, Pittsburgh “10” Reasons to Join AW purpose since 1957 has been to distribute River Skills Center, Mt. Shasta Meramec River Canoe Club, Fenton as an Affiliate Club information among its Affiliate Clubs. Sequoia Paddling Club, Windsor Missouri Whitewater Association, St. Louis S. Carolina AW’s relationships with local club have Shasta Paddlers, Redding Ozark Mountain Paddlers, Springfield Foothills Paddling Club, Greenville 1. Receive the American Whitewater provided the backbone for much of the Journal, the oldest continually Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, San Jose Ozark Wilderness Waterways, Kansas City Palmetto Paddlers, Columbia river conservation and access work it published whitewater magazine. accomplishes throughout the country. Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, Granada Hills Streamteach, St. Louis Over eighty-five clubs are now AW Club Tennessee 2. Join the list of Affiliate Clubs noted Affiliates and they are all doing great work Colorado Montana America Outdoors, Knoxville in each bi-monthly AW Journal. on your behalf. If you don’t belong to a Arkansas Headwaters Recreations Area, Salida Beartooth Paddlers Society, Billings Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts, Elizabethton club consider joining one and help other Pueblo Paddlers, Pueblo West Chota Canoe Club, Knoxville 3. Host your Club’s website on the AW server free of charge. paddlers give back to you local paddling Colorado White Water Assoc., Englewood Nevada E. Tennessee Whitewater Club, Oak Ridge community. Eastman Hiking and Canoeing, Kingsport Sierra Nevada Whitewater Club, Reno 4. Your Club’s members can become Georgia McCallie School Outdoor Program, Chattanooga AW members for $25. For 2004, AW is excited to announce several Tennessee Valley Canoe Club, Chattanooga programs for AW Affiliate Clubs. Atlanta Whitewater Club, Atlanta New Hampshire A $10 savings! Georgia Canoeing Association, Atlanta Ledyard Canoe Club, Hanover River Stewardship Institute Week long Georgia Tech Outdoor Recreation, Atlanta Merrimack Valley Paddlers, Merrimack Texas 5. Have technical expertise for your conservation and access training program Bayou Whitewater Club, Houston Club conservation and access Mt. Washington Valley Paddlers, Franconia committees ‘on tap.’ designed to prepare river activists with Idaho Waterline, Manchester the tools necessary to successfully save Idaho Rivers Sports, Boise Utah 6. Have access to technical and onsite their rivers. New Jersey University of Utah, Salt Lake City assistance for your Club’s event USU Kayak Club, Logan planning. 2nd ‘Flowing Rivers’ Grant Program, Illinois Garden State Canoe Club, Millington Chicago Whitewater Association, Cary Hunterdon Canoe Club, Flemington sponsored by Clif Bar Virginia 7. Enjoy VIP benefits for “Joint The Paddling Bares, Milltown Members” at AW events. BRAND NEW Affiliate Club section of Indiana Blue Ridge River Runners, Lynch Station the AW Journal dedicated to promoting Hoosier Canoe Club, Indianapolis New Mexico Blue Ridge Voyageurs, McLean 8. Participate in exclusive AW Affiliate your club and its events with the Adobe Whitewater Club, Albuquerque Canoe Cruisers Association, Arlington Club promotions. whitewater community at large. If Coastal Canoeists, Richmond your Affiliate Club would like to be one Kentucy Viking Canoe Club, Lewisvillle New York Float Fishermen of Virginia, Roanoke 9. Post Club information on the AW of the first to begin listing your club’s Richmond Whitewater Club, Mechanicsville Website to help paddlers find you. major events in the Journal, please email Bluegrass Whitewater Assoc., Lexington FLOW Paddlers Club, Rochester [email protected] for more details. Housatonic Canoe & Kayak Squad, Ossining 10. Eligible to apply for a spot in the Maine KCCNY, S. Hackensack Vermont AW 2004 River Stewardship Club Affiliates by State: AMC Maine Chapter, Hallowell Town Tinker Tube Rentals, Phoenicia Vermont Paddlers Club, Jericho Institute. Hurricane Island Outward Bound, Newry Whitewater Challengers, Old Forge Alaska Zoar Valley Paddling Club, Dunkirk Washington Our newest clubs... Fairbanks Paddlers, Fairbanks Massachusetts Associated Students, Bellingham AMC Boston Chapter, Boston N. Carolina The Mountaineers, Seattle • Coastal Canoeists, Richmond, VA Alabama Camp Carolina, Brevard Paddle Trails Canoe Club, Seattle • AMC Delaware Valley Chapter, Sugarloaf, PA Coosa Paddling Club, Montgomery Maryland Carolina Canoe Club, Raleigh Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club, Spokane Huntsville Canoe Club, Huntsville Washington Kayak Club, Seattle • McCallie School Outdoor Program, Greater Baltimore Canoe Club, Kingsville Triad River Runners, Winston-Salem Chatanooga, TN Mason Dixon Canoe Cruisers, Boonsboro Western Carolina Paddlers, Asheville • Desert Paddlers Club, Tempe, AZ Arizona Monocacy Canoe Club, Frederick West Virginia Desert Paddlers Club, Tempe Calleva Paddling, Germantown Ohio West Virginia Wildwater Assoc., Charleston Grand Canyon Private Boaters Assoc, Flagstaff Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, Columbus For more information, Minnesota Keel Haulers Canoe Club, Westlake Wisconsin contact Michael Phelan at Hoofers Outing Club, Madison Arkansas Boat Busters Anonymous, Stillwater Outdoor Adventure Club, Dayton [email protected] Arkansas Canoe Club, Little Rock Sierra Club/John Muir Chapter, La Crosse Toledo River Gang, Waterville AW Outreach Office at 828-252-0728 or sign-up on-line at: Oregon Wyoming www.americanwhitewater.org/membership Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club, Corvallis Jackson Hole Kayak Club, Jackson

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