Alyssa nailing the line at Bulls Sluice, Chattooga River

Looking out over the rocks and seeing Bull’s Sluice, knowing that in a few moments I’d be riding down that far right tongue was a nail-biting experience for me. What was even more thrilling was the rush I got as I entered the eddy right before the Bull. Having made it in by a hair, I was already a little shaken. When my group leader (my dad) exited the eddy, I followed with sweaty palms. Paddling over that rushing current and feeling my whole boat take off through the air and land, a smile of victory swept across my face. I’d finally done it. I’d just run the Bull. My name’s Alyssa Taylor, I’m fourteen, and this is my story:

Almost five years ago, my dad discovered kayaking and set off to learn everything he could about the sport. At the time I was nine. My dad was involved in many things–from work, to kayaking, to my brother’s Boy Scout troop and I’d been trying to figure out something we could do together.   I decided to start kayaking, not knowing how far I’d end up in the sport. It was worth giving it a try.

The first time I ever sat in a kayak, I was in a red Jackson Fun 1.5 feeling very awkward in our community lake. After a few months of playing around on easier rivers like the Tuckasegee and Lower Green, my dad took me to the Dan River. The day was going well until one of the last bends on the river. Having bad eyesight, I didn’t see the strainer in the middle of one of the wave trains. I got caught on it, I couldn’t see my dad anywhere, and I thought I was going to be in trouble. Flipping over, I landed on the back of my boat, upside down in about ten inches of water. Wiggling around was no use. Opening my eyes, I began thinking about every negative thought imaginable: What if no one got to me in time? What if I drowned?…..   I lost the last bit of air I’d been holding when my dad flipped me back up.  I think I was screaming.  I grabbed onto my dad and refused to do anything else that day. I’d only been trapped for seconds, but it was long enough to scare me into leaving the water for a while.

After that I was very cautious around water.  My dad knew if I was ever going to become comfortable with kayaking again, he needed to get me to people who could help me get over my fear. Several of his friends recommended a small shop on the Nantahala called Endless River Adventures (ERA). After doing some research, my dad called and made me a one-on-one PI (Personal Instruction) day with Juliet Kastorff.

We spent a few hours on the lake and when we were through, I remember begging Juliet to let me call my dad.  I was devastated to realize he was off kayaking with his friends. I left him a voicemail that he has kept to this day, describing all of my success. After that, we went to the Tuck through Town [Bryson City]. The very first rapid scared me so much, Juliet agreed to let me hold onto her boat as we went through the waves. After that, it seemed like a huge barrier had been lifted off my shoulders, and I was ready for anything she threw my way. I remember Juliet working me until I was sore, but at the end of the day, I couldn’t stop talking about everything I’d accomplished that day, and I begged my dad to let me go back!

Since that day, I’ve progressed so much in this sport. Many people who have known me since I started don’t recognize the kayaker I am today. Because of every day of instruction, time at Kids Camp, and each visit to ERA, I’ve improved on so many levels. I can’t imagine where I’d be right now if I’d never met the ERA crew. They’re like my family and I know they really care for me, like they do for each person who walks through their doors. They help you in so many ways, and are inspiring to each customer. (In fact, I don’t think the ERA staff considers those who visit them to be customers, but fellow paddlers just trying to enjoy another day on the river.)  The staff does everything they can to help everyone out, and I owe every single one of them a lot. Without them (and a whole community of kayakers that have supported me), I could’ve never run Bull’s Sluice on the Chattooga, or Bayless Boof on the Upper Green, or Lost Guide on the Pigeon, or even Nantahala Falls. Thank you everyone for giving me the support I needed, and thanks for seeing me through. Love, Alyssa(:

Greta hanging out on the river with one of her favorite kayakers: her mom

On a beautiful sunny November afternoon, my mom asked, “Greta, do you want to run the Middle Haw this weekend?” I gulped, “Yeah, sure.” The Middle Haw? No sweat, right? I’ve done the Tuck, the Nanty and the Lower Pigeon. No problem. But you know what? A part of me screamed, “Pause!” You see, I had chickened out on a run on the Middle Haw earlier in the paddling season.

Last spring, I had only been kayaking a few times in moving water so when I got in my kayak at the put-in on the Middle Haw that day, I freaked. Something made me nervous and my heart was pounding in my throat. I said to my Mom and the others, “I’m not doing this!” Since then, however, I’ve learned a lot about kayaking and I’ve been taught by many great instructors including Ron Miller, Seth Yearout, Russ Scheve, Juliet Jacobsen Kastorff, Ken Kastorff, and Brian McPherson. I’ve been paddling a whole season with lots of fun CCC friends: Jen Fahey, Lorraine Burnham, Nancy Guthrie, Steve Gause, Caleb Gallentine, Scott Hughes, the Summerfields, and the Clevengers to name a very few. “I’m gonna do this!” I told myself.

On November 20, we were the first to arrive at the put-in and we unloaded our boats. A huge group of CCCers including Larry Ausley, Nancy Guthrie and Rick Steeves came rushing through and got right on the river while we were waiting. The water level was dropping quickly! It was a beautiful sunny day, and not too cold, but my mom insisted I wear a drysuit. Moms!!! I put on my drysuit (which took 4-ever) and tried to get into my Dagger GT. Uh oh, I did not fit! I had grown since the last time I was in my boat. It’s a very good thing that Russ Scheve and Brian McPherson were on hand with tools to slide the seat back. While shuttle was being run, a few of us paddled around the put-in and I got comfortable in my boat while waiting for everyone else to arrive. “Hey” I thought, “the Middle Haw isn’t as I scary as I remembered.”

When the shuttle was done, I was super excited and ready to go! As we paddled down river, it was fun to chat with Russ, Brian, Joshua, Scott. Ron and (ok, I’ll admit it) my brother and Mom too. I had just taken the Swiftwater Rescue clinic in September from Brian and Russ so I felt super safe. (Not sure why…did you know that Brian jumped off his house roof when he was kid about my age??) There were many little places to practice eddying and peeling out right away. At first I just followed people but after a while I started to find eddies on my own. At some point, another big group of CCCers paddled alongside before getting ahead of us. It was great to see Sonia and David, Jen and Randy, Doug and Mary, and Lorraine. It seemed like a CCC party on the Haw!

I remember two big rapids: Thunder Falls and S-turn. The name “Thunder Falls” scared me! Why do paddlers put such fierce names on rapids? It turned out that Thunder Falls was not so bad and that Zeus was not hiding behind a rock ready to strike me with his thunder bolt! It was over before I knew it. By the time we got to S-turn, I was having a blast and thought, “This is cool!” S-turn was fast and a wee bit scary because you could not quite see what came ahead. It went by too quickly and I wish I could just hit the “reverse” button and do it again and again and again. By the end of the run, I was feeling really confident in my boat.

I was tempted to try the Lower Haw but decided to wait until the next time. One not-so-scary challenge at a time for me, please.

How to get your kids into kayaking so they have as much fun as Greta? Check out our kids-specific kayak programs at Endless River Adventures…..

These special trips included quite the crew of kids.  The youngest, Jesse, 10 years old and the oldest, Evan at 25. There were two sets of twins, two father-son teams, and two brother and sister teams. These were truly trips that typified the dream Grand Canyon trip: sharing one of the most amazing places in the world with the most special people in your life—your kids.

Does bringing your kids along change the dynamics of a trip? Imagine that rather than beer rafts, there is a “library raft” carrying homework assignments, school books and Kindles full of books to read (although what do you guess there were still probably beer bags trailing the rafts); at the same time that the kitchen and groovers need to be set up, so do kids need to be settled in, sun screened, hydrated, fed, encouraged to write in journals and eventually put to bed!
Read more on what it was like for these two groups of river rats this summer to experience the Grand Canyon….

Jacob enjoying play time in his Project X 48

We are always impressed by young paddlers who work hard to help buy their own equipment. Kayaking is a big investment at the front end–but one that earns its rewards many times over once you have all your gear.   We met Jacob, his sisters, and mom & dad this year.  They definitely all have the “bug” for being on the water now.  And Jacob personally had a summer full of accomplishments – earning money for his kayak, earning his Eagle Scout Award, and working on becoming a good boater!

So Jacob, you are the proud owner of your own kayak now.  What got you interested in kayaking?
In the summer of 2010, I went to Boy Scout camp at Camp Comer. The camp has a large lake and lots of kayaks and canoes to use. I spent all my free time on the lake and tried out all of their kayaks and had a great time. Later that week, I went rafting on the Ocoee and had a blast, so to combine the two was just cool. I did not know that people did such cool stuff with kayaks.

Buying all the gear is a big commitment. How did you do it?
Starting out I was not super sure that I would love to whitewater kayak, so I saved up some money and got some thing that floats in the water and a stick to paddle with. This summer I decided that I was hooked (my whole family is hooked as well!) and wanted something better. My family and I raise hormone free and antibiotic free cows, and we sell the beef at the local farmers market. We saved money to buy a new boat and gear at the end of the summer.

What made you decide on the Wave Sport Project X?
I took a quick surf lesson and decided that I like to playboat more than I like to go creeking. I demoed the Jackson Rockstar, Allstar, Too Fun, and the Wave Sport Fuse and Project X. I liked the Project X because it has great outfitting and it just fits me better. I had a hard time surfing the others but I was surfing the Project X in no time.

Do you have some paddling goals for next season?
Some of my paddling goals for next summer are to have a bombproof roll, be able to do a couple of tricks while surfing and have even more fun!! I would also like to teach kids and help others with kayaking.

Besides paddling and school, what else occupies your time?
I earned my Eagle Scout award in 2011 but I will continue to attend my scout troop so I can help other people earn their Eagle Scout awards. I also like to mountain bike and motorcycle.

A proud moment when you earn your eagle scout award

Wow-Eagle Scout. That is a big deal!  Walk us through the process of earning your Eagle Scout Award.
The process to earn your Eagle Scout is long but simple. I went to scout camp, earned merit badges and did many service projects. There are 5 rank advancements and each one takes about 4 and a half months. Once I completed the last rank advancement I was able to start my Eagle Scout project. For my Eagle Scout project, I built an amphitheater at the local YMCA. I talked to the director and he said that that was exactly what the YMCA needed for their day care program. I did a “adopt a bench” program to raise money. I sent out an email to my family and friends to see if they would “adopt a bench”. After I raised enough money, I went to the Home Depot and Lowes and bought supplies. Then I organized 4 groups of people and we built the amphitheater. Now that it is complete, I will receive the award on Nov. 12.

Jacob's eagle scout project - ampitheater for the YMCA

Do you see any parallels between being an eagle scout and being a good kayaker?
One of the most visible parallels that I can see is to persevere. My Eagle Scout project took me over 8 months to complete and some times I wanted to quit. I kept at it and finished my project. When you are kayaking and miss your roll then just keep working at it and eventually you will get it.

Who is your favorite group to paddle with?
My family of course!!!

We look forward to seeing you and the whole Walker family on the river for many years to come Jacob!  We are very proud of your accomplishments. And look forward to the time when you can be a junior instructor here at Endless!!

Olivia looking awesome in her Fuse 35!

No matter who it is or how old  – you count with us!
“We grabbed some lunch and then bought her the boat.  Again  your group does a great job and especially working with kids.  You have a way of making them feel important.  Thank you very much.”

Thank you Todd and Olivia for being part of our family

This past weekend the annual Citizens Slalom Race on the Tuckasegee River took place–bringing together old guys, college kids, and a fresh new group of participants – the kids!!  And guess who rocked the race?!?!  We caught up with Aylan and Phynley and Skylar, who along with McKayla and Griffin, showed the rest of the participants that it is not about how big you are, but about how well you paddle the gates that wins! Skylar, Aylan and Phynley shared some thoughts on their first slalom race:

Phynley and I did the Cullowhee slalom race yesterday and I came in second place. Pretty cool. You could tell everyone was racing for fun because (team ERA) beat a lot of the college kids. I think everyone was pretty nervous on their first run and confident on their second. There were enough C2’s to do a team run for us and it was cool! The race was really fun, I can’t wait for the next one. Go team ERA!
-    Aylan Meyers

We went to the race and we got interviewed on a TV camera! McKayla was crazy with it but we just went along. I finished in 5th place! It was fun. It was great seeing the C2 team race. They were all old except for Murryn and Griffin, but they were still fast. My best run was my 2nd. My first race was good. (Team ERA) was a hit.  My daddy told us the two most important things were to do our best and to have fun, and we did.
-    Phynley Meyers

Kayak Poem

By: Skyler Singleton

The timer gives the thumbs up
Now go!
I pull, pull, pull to start the race
My sister clangs that bell
The sound harsh and cruel in my world of Zen
My paddle moves to the soundless drum within my head
My kayak glides across the water,
Like a gentle breeze on snow
The red and white stripes for upriver
Oh paddle please don’t knock!
Green and white for down
I carve a turn, nearly hitting,
That peppermint candy cane
Lost in my world of strokes and water
Not hearing what’s going on
Oh, six! It kills!
Like an uphill sprint to win the race,
To get to that red candy cane
And now to get to the finish line
I’m flying without any wings
Soaring across and through,
That broken finish line.

Thanks ladies for taking a break from real “homework” to artistically share with us! Can’t wait for next time to paddle with you!

The course is set up between the Cullowhee Dam and the bridge. The event is run by Western Carolina University (WCU) PRM majors and is a fund raiser for CURVE, a local non-profit working towards sprucing up “old Cullowhee”.

Many of the folks who participate are local to the area, many are new to paddling and the course is very doable for beginners.  New for this year!  A kids class and a SUP class.  There will be canoes available for use for no charge just in case you want to do it with your kid(s).

Registration will take place on the WCU campus, Friday during practice or Saturday the morning of the event.

The 4^th annual Camp Cup Challenge brought 100+ campers from summer camps all over western North Carolina. And for the fourth year in a row it was a wild success!!! In fact, the Challenge is such an awesome concept that the format has spread to create other “challenges“ on the Nantahala with equally enthusiastic success.

The Camp Cup Challenge was rejuvenated by Sean and Kristin Beirle [ of the Alzar School], with the goal of promoting social networking and fun non-competitive whitewater event for kids.  All the kids that participate are involved in the paddling program at their respective camps. The Camp Cup Challenge is for many of the campers the highlight of their summer.  One take on it is because it “challenges” these campers on a whole new level.

All summer campers  work on skills on the lake, then in canoes (a number of the participating camps require that campers learn hard skills in tandem canoes, then solo canoes…before kayaking—even if the camper arrives as an experienced kayaker), then in kayaks.  The Nantahala Falls is one of the numero uno highlights of summer camp. And one of the two events of the Camp Cup Challenge is a downriver timed run through the Falls. The second event of the Challenge is a timed run through slalom gates.

What makes the Camp Cup Challenge so impressive is not just the boating end of things, but the opportunity created for campers to network.  The idea behind networking is that all summer campers work on their whitewater skills. Then they head home. And without any networking resources they never again get in a canoe/kayak until next year’s camp session. The CCC provides the opportunity to meet others from home, hopefully encouraging year-round paddling.

Still, it is the river experience that elicits the “this is the most fun thing I do all summer” statement.  Running Nantahala Falls is a huge highlight for campers.  Typically during camp, running Nantahala Falls rapid—like any more-difficult rapid, is staged so that the counselors run at the front of the group and behind the group as lead and sweep boats.  Leading the way down the rapid so that boaters have someone to follow; sweeping so that if anyone messes up there is a counselor there to give support.  At the Camp Cup Challenge each camper now runs the Falls on their own.  The counselors are at the bottom of the Falls with throw ropes and kayak support. This is a big step for many of the participants who are used to just following someone through the rapid.

When each camper hears “Go” it  means running the Falls independently, while being timed.  It means having a good line, or messing up a bit and having to get back in the boat to finish (there is no penalty for messing up as each participant is encouraged to get back in the boat and make it to the finish line).  No quitters in this group!! It is inspiring.

In addition to running the Falls is the slalom event.   Trying to maneuver through slalom gates is a first for many of the campers. There is tons of support from former champions like Lecky and Pablo and Kristin…but each camper suddenly finds themselves having to try and maneuver through slalom gates on the Nantahala River in a friendly competition.

The Camp Cup Challenge is character building. Campers must carry their boats up to the Falls and down to the gates; they have to be there on time; they have to load/unload their own gear off the trailers;. The Camp Cup Challenge is about having fun, friendly competition (which is often non-existent for kids involved in sports),  whitewater fun and at the end of the day, prizes–not for winning, but for being a participant in the event.

If there was ever an example of a competition where everyone finishes up a winner – it is the Camp Cup Challenge!

And topping off a great event was the 1st annual Endless River Adventures Ice cream social thanks to Soda Pops Ice Cream Store of Bryson City.

For photos from the day, check out the ERA Facebook page.

We’d like to introduce you to some of the young guns of the Nantahala Gorge – our up-and-coming super stars Sam Ovett- age 20, Rowan Stuart, age 15, and Max Ovett, age 17.  All three are part of Team ERA – and we are proud of what they are doing as boaters and as ambassadors on the river!

Okay, let’s start with what got you into paddling?  How old were you?
Sam – I think I was about 12 years old. I started at a weeklong summer camp done by the Whitewater Learning Center of Georgia.  But I actually owe it to my younger brother, Max, who had already done a week long camp the summer before.
Rowan - Primarily my Dad, he was a C1-er for about 15 years. I was about 11 or 12 when I was bought my first kayak.
Max - I started out paddling when I was about 8 or 9 years old.  I went to a weeklong summer camp in Atlanta (the Whitewater Learning Center of Georgia).  My brother and I had always been intrigued by kayaking after a raft trip on the Nantahala River.  Then a few summers after participating in the week long paddling camp I went to Camp Mondamin for two summers.

What boat/s are the three of you paddling?
Sam – Wave Sport ProjectX 54 and Habitat 74
Rowan - Project X 48 and I just got my first creek boat – a Habitat 74
Max – Project X 54 and Habitat 74.

Have you set any goals for your paddling—besides having fun!?!
Max - My goals for paddling are to push myself–and others, to be the best paddler they can possibly be. This goal is really facilitated having my brother Sam, which really when you put us together creates this drive between use were we will compete to try and always out do each other. I also have the goal to have as much fun as humanly possible!!
Rowan – I hope to become a better play boater, and I would like to start running some bigger rivers. My two overall kayaking goals right now are being good enough for the 2013 Freestyle Worlds, and running the Green Narrows by the time I’m 17.
Sam – I usually tell people I am just out to have fun, but I definitely have a competitive side, which pushes me to be a better paddler. Since I nearly always paddle with Max I do my best to push myself to keep up–or be better, than him.

You three are on the water almost every day!  What is a fun day of paddling for you?
Rowan - Every day paddling is a fun day, but I really like days when I get to go over to the Ocoee for most of the morning and afternoon, and then play at the Nantahala Freestyle Wave afterwards.
Max – A fun day paddling to me is very hard to describe…. It can be enjoying the company of others and helping them…to running creeks where I have to deal with that feeling of apprehension while pushing myself and my paddling abilities… to just sitting at a play spot never really getting out and stopping and going to there is no water or no more energy to paddle.
Sam- Creek boating in the AM and Play boating in the PM till the water has stopped releasing from the dam.

What is helping you the most at the Freestyle Wave?
Sam - I would say it is a combination of the people and the atmosphere surrounding the Nantahala Freestyle Wave that encourages me to try new moves that helps most, especially since everybody at the wave is fired up about kayaking. Being constantly surrounded by people who are better than me definitely helps me to excel.
Max- Every one who paddles there. There is always a feeling of excited energy and it is great to watch better paddlers throw moves and then following after them and trying to throw the same move. Also my competiveness between my brother and I–that really drives me to try and always be a step ahead of him.
Rowan - I think that the most help to me at the wave comes from the people that I paddle with. They offer a lot of encouragement, and are great at critiquing my tricks.

What is currently your favorite move at the Freestyle wave?
Max – My favorite move to throw is a loop because I love the feeling of weightlessness you get from throwing one huge!
Rowan - My favorite move at the wave is definitely a flat spin. I could just sit in that wave and spin all day long.
Sam- I just recently learned how to do a McNasty so I am pretty psyched about that and I am working on dialing it in, but looping at the wave has to be my favorite move it is just so much fun to do and you can get huge air for the feature it is.

Okay, how about the most challenging move at the Freestyle wave?
Rowan - I’m having some trouble with aerial tricks, like cartwheels and loops, but I’ve been practicing.
Max- The hardest moves for me at the moment are Phoenix Monkeys and McNastys. This is due to how complex the tricks are and how much commitment is needed to fully complete the move.
Sam- To me one of the most challenging moves is the Phoenix Monkey.  I am working on it; however, it definitely is going to take some flopping around in the hole as I practice it before I am able to consistently do it clean.

This is such a great community of boaters for you to be a part of, anyone in particular who is helping you the most at the wave?
Max -There is not a single person or persons who are helping me at the wave.  There are tons of people who I enjoy watching and are able to help me perfect tricks such as Tommy Yon, Joe Barkley, Matt Anger, Casey Jones, and especially my brother Sam. Also every body that comes down there you can learn something from them.
Sam – My Brother, his passion for kayaking gets me fired up to paddle every time I am in a boat.
Rowan -Recently, some of my friends have been a lot of help, Sam and Max Ovett especially. Other people include Daniel Dutton, Tommy Yon, and Craig Parks.

Boating takes up a lot of your time–when not paddling, what are you doing?
Sam – When I am not paddling I am generally thinking about paddling or guiding rafts in the summer time for Endless River Adventures, and I am in college for a degree in Environmental Science and Pre-Med. So I stay fairly busy
Rowan - When I’m not paddling, I can be found catching up on schoolwork, reading, or hanging out with friends
Max - During the summer when I am not paddling I can be found working at the Endless River Adventures in the store-where I get to work with all different types of paddling gear. During fall-winter-spring you can find me at school and then with all the weekends and such you can find me paddling or just hanging out with friends and my brother Sam.

School must definitely cut into your boating time!! What is your hardest subject in school?
Sam -Anything related to chemistry. Hands Down.
Max- The hardest subject I have taken in school so far is AP Physics, which was very confusing, but I am going to work on understanding it due to how much of it is involved with kayaking.
Rowan -Overall, math is the most difficult subject for me. This is a difficult question though, because when I understand math, I love it, but when I don’t understand a concept, I hate it.

How about favorite subject?
Rowan - My favorite high school core subject is probably writing or English, but I recently took a college anthropology class that I absolutely loved.
Max- My favorite subjects would have to be math and the sciences. I find them super enjoyable because when you figure out a super complex problem or idea you get an awesome feeling of accomplishment. Sort of similar to the feeling you get after you style a hard rapid.
Sam-I really enjoy physics since so much of kayaking is understanding the physics of a situation and being able to mentally solve the problem and then execute it. I feel like it has a real connection to everyday life.

Back to the river!! What is your favorite part about working on the river?
Max - My favorite part would have to be the close-knit community and how friendly everybody is towards each other.
Sam – The amazing people that tend to gravitate to working on the river. I haven’t really kayaked or guided outside of the southeast, but as far as I can tell the folks that call the rivers home seem to be the nicest people in the world.
Rowan - All that I’ve done as of yet on the river is some shadowing along with instructions and kids clinics, but I’m looking forward to when I can instruct some myself. Teaching clinics is some of the most challenging jobs I’ve helped do, but it’s definitely something that I’m excited to do in the future

As ambassadors for ERA—and for kayaking, what advice would you share with paddlers your age wanting to excel?
Max-Just push yourself and get out there as much as you possibly can at every opportunity that presents itself. Also make sure its enjoyable and you are really having fun because truly when you are having fun is when you are at your best!
Rowan - Practice! Find a good paddling buddy, preferably someone a bit better than you who can give a critique, and then get out there on the water every day. Just keep trying new moves, or new tricks, and keep perfecting them.
Sam- Paddle, Paddle, Paddle, and do it because your having fun! As far as I can tell the best kayakers that I know spend a lot of time in their boats.