Slalom Gates will make you a better whitewater kayaker
One of the challenges an instructor has is making kayaking “accessible” regardless of how far away from whitewater someone might live. In our instruction program we are constantly encouraging the kayakers we train to spend time in a boat. Time in a boat is what makes...
What Slalom Gates can Teach a Whitewater Kayaker
I have spent years paddling by the poor slalom boaters and always felt they were really missing out on the whole whitewater experience—spending so much of their time paddling through a series of gates like energizer bunnies. Personally speaking, my goal has always...
Article: When Rivers Slow Down
Our friend and fellow ecuador traveler John has made some significant breakthroughs in his paddling this summer. This most recent revelation is one experienced by every kayaker: the moment that a particular rapid/river starts to slow down enough that it is possible...
Revelation: when the river slows down
Our friend and fellow ecuador traveler John has made some significant breakthroughs in his paddling this summer. This most recent revelation is one experienced by every kayaker: the moment that a particular rapid/river starts to slow down enough that it is possible...
The River Shoe Conundrum….
Wet Exits are Funb. Prove It!
by Juliet I have always coached parents on patience when it comes to their kids’ comfort level in being upside down. That “comfort level” for many kids does not really happen until they reach 10-12 years old. Not making sense considering that they are super stars...
Reviving a tradition: the Camp Cup Challenge
A long-standing tradition has been revived here on the Nantahala River: the Camp Cup Challenge. This annual event was originally held to gather together all the regional summer camps spread throughout western North Carolina for a day of fun non-competitive whitewater...
Thought Provoking Concepts During WOR
During the Carolina Canoe Club's 2009 Week of Rivers, the roll master Ken--along with Steve and Maria, spent a day at the lake working with paddlers on their rolls. The day began with a thought provoking session on some of the rolling concepts that have come out of...
Day one of Kids Rule! week begins with a legacy
It was no coincidence that two-time olympic C-1 racer Adam Clawson was at ERA this morning...he was in to join his step-father for a day of paddling with Craig on the Ocoee. Craig's famous "giggle" was heard as he chortled that he would be "teaching Adam" on the...
Snake Bites, Tetanus, Stitches
we suffered none of the above emergencies during our participation in the 3rd annual Tuckasegee Clean up....but we definitely were aware of all three during our collection of thirteen bags of trash, three tires, a bicycle frame, rusted grill and other assortment of...