These past two weeks were the last weeks of freedom for many of our young paddling friends. The summer passed way too quickly, don’t you think?! Texas, South Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky, Boston, North Carolina….determined to get one last good paddle in before the inevitable school beginning, from all over came a good number of kayakers we know took in one last hoorah before school begins. And TeamERA was lucky enough to either run into and/or spend time with a good number of them out on the river. Read more »

Posted: August 21st, 2008 under Trip Reports.
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At the 2008 Camp Cup Challenge, I ran into the Ovett Brothers–Max and Sam, whitewater kayakers, alums of summer camp–and  now enterprising entrepeneurs already giving back to the sport with their support of the Camp Cup Challange. Read more »

Posted: July 30th, 2008 under Whats Up with Kids Team ERA.
Comments: 2

2008 Camp Cup Challenge a Big Hit!

The 2008 Camp Cup Challenge held on the Nantahala River on July 21^st was a huge success! Personally speaking, it was great to be involved with it! Read more »

Posted: July 26th, 2008 under Whats Up with Kids Team ERA.
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Okay, James is future owner of Dillsboro Rafting Company on the Tuckasegee River….but we like teasing his dad, Shane, that since we helped mold James as a Kayaker, we should get first dibs on him!

After a stellar run through the Falls on the last day of kids camp, James’ repeat performance was videoed by his dad. Check out his run…

And feel empowered the next time you are peeling out of Truckstop eddy knowing a seven year old ran a clean line, so can you!!

Posted: July 13th, 2008 under Whats Up with Kids Team ERA.
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by TeamERA Kid ERIN

One of the things that our annual Kids Camp teaches all the adult milling about is how much we can learn from our “shorter” kayakers.  Future ERA staff member, Erin–a veteran Camp participant set us all straight this year about being able to deal with making a mistake, picking yourself up and going and doing it again.  Ouch! We can all learn a lesson from Erin and her experience at Nantahala Falls. Read more »

Posted: July 10th, 2008 under Whats Up with Kids Team ERA.
Comments: 2

It is always fun to hear from everyone we paddle with–especially if we have not seen them on the water in a while. The tough thing about the kids we paddle with is that often the next time we see them, they are a foot taller and/or paddling circles around everyone, so we don’t always recognize them at first!  Such is Alex’s story.

From Alex’s mom:

” Hi guys, we really miss you guys. Still trying to make it back this summer. Thought you might enjoy seeing how Alex(9 now) has progressed since his first lesson with Matt.”

 This is Alex at M wave and then rolling at Shutdown.

Alex at the ww park in Charlotte

Keep it up Alex!

Posted: July 9th, 2008 under Whats Up with Kids Team ERA.
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TeamERA Kids dominated the Tuck Gorge. Running rapids, learning how to “read” the river, practicing whitewater swimming, jumping off jump rock, helping each other out when….it was a great day.

While a little tired after six hours on the river and with just enough energy left for ice cream, everyone had something to say when asked about their favorite part of the day….. Read more »

Posted: July 3rd, 2008 under Whats Up with Kids Team ERA.
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It is ERA Kids Camp 2008! Every 4th of July week, it seems that the shop is overrun by kayakers–many under 5-feet tall (exception: Cody and Sarah). High energy, low attention span, lots of fun!

Read more »

Posted: July 3rd, 2008 under Whats Up with Kids Team ERA.
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Salida Colorado is winding down after a big double billing this past week. The whitewater park hosted both FIBArk—the oldest whitewater festival in the United States (this year celebrating their 60^th anniversary), and the 2008 National Freestyle Kayaking Championships. While this is normally a big event for grown-up kayakers, this year it was the junior boaters that really stole the show! Read more »

Posted: June 21st, 2008 under Trip Reports.
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News of our 1st annual gear swap has been spreading fast.  The option of being able to barter/swap/buy/exchange kids kayaking gear is too good to be true!  But one hitch: not everyone interested in participating can be at the event.  No worries!  We have come up with a solution:  the addition of a kids gearswap board.  Between now and the gear swap–and following, we will keep the gearswap board updated with kids gear available or needed.  We hope this helps!

Keep checking the gear swap board for updates!

Posted: June 21st, 2008 under Kids Specific Gear.
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