The Nantahala is a bustling community in the summer. In the winter it seems the Gorge slows down and catches its breath. Where do all the guides go during the cold winter months? That was the theme of one of the latest articles in the Tuckasegee Reader (an online...
River Magic
Where Do Guides Go in the Winter
The Nantahala is a bustling community in the summer. In the winter it seems the Gorge slows down and catches its breath. Where do all the guides go during the cold winter months? That was the theme of one of the latest articles in the Tuckasegee Reader (an online...
The Artistic Expression of Graffiti
The artistic expression on the walls in the form of graffiti cover concrete walls Taking your eyes from the streets lined with trash - the potholes, the whores How tastefully done - faces, names, city scapes. The people see the walls and look with disgust while...
Hair Cuts and Kayak Instruction
If you ever thought that there could be parallels drawn between two more different commitments: investing in a good hair cut and kayak instruction then you need to read on........
Inspiration to get out and Kayak!
Learning to kayak can be a challenge for an adult. Not because of age. But because learning to kayak necessitates checking your ego at the front door--or riverside in kayaking terms. The challenges to learn to kayak are soon exceeded by the joy of paddling. And that...
Learning to kayak not once, but twice
When Doug Worful called Endless River Adv and introduced himself with the statement “you have not met me yet, but I am giving you one day to teach me this blasted roll or I am selling my kayak and taking up golf,” we were not surprised. Not the first time we had...
Where to not carry your throw bag
A throw rope is a key piece of paddling gear right behind the initial "five." But like any rescue equipment, use a little common sense! Have it inside your kayak. Secure it around your waist. You chose. But be advised that there should never ever be something attached...
Great advice from a “river maiden”
Men...women...fear...kayaking Here is a succinct way of putting it from Adriene Levknecht -- one of Western North Carolina's "river maidens."
Kudos for Kids: Running Nantahala Falls
Everyone who participated in our kids camps this summer was a winner: great kayaking, super fun kids, ice cream, great rivers, camaraderie….the list goes on (oh yea, and no aliens as instructors this year) Special mention goes to Alyssa Taylor, 2nd year participant of...
Skipping Back-To-School-Shopping for the Ocoee
Erin contemplating how much fun the Ocoee is compared to going back to school We know we are training our future ERA leaders well when they skip back-to-school shopping for paddling on the Ocoee! This year was Erin’s second annual Ocoee trip. And she styled the river....
ERA’s Kids Camp a Blast
The 6th annual Endless River Adventures Kids Camp was such fun!! We started out with sixteen participants for the first two days–with only Harrison holding up the men’s camp end of things for the first two days. Kids Kayak Camp was a blast for all fourteen girls and...
TEAM POPP REPORTING LIVE FROM THE 2010 JUNIOR OLYMPICS
The Popp team will be reporting live all week at the Junior Olympics We have “embedded” journalists who will be reporting live for us all week from the 2010 junior olympics being held on the Nantahala River! Haley, Selena and Bryson will be sharing live reports about...
First Lady: Importance of Outdoor Recreation
First Lady Michelle Obama’s recently released her report on Childhood Obesity in which active outdoor recreation is identified as playing a key role in solving the nation’s childhood obesity problem. Reported in the Outdoor Industry Association’s monthly newsletter,...
The Goal is Directional Rolling
If you are not directionally rolling on the river there is no better time than now to start working on it. Make it your goal for this season.
Improving the Roll with a little Yoga
A while back Sharon Myers mentioned doing side planks. I didn't know she was building anything with boards! Turns out it had something to do with yoga. I've been doing sit-ups & hamstring stretches for 30 years but have "total idiot" status when it comes to...
Spring Means Getting Your Head on Straight
It is sometimes worthwhile pulling out a previous post and looking at it again...such is the case with Exorcising the Spring Hibbie Jibbies. This is a good time to re-read our thoughts on spring paddling.... only thing missing from the original post was checking your...
Time to Go Home
February 14, 2010 Quito Airport Time to go home. There is so much of Ecuador that I will miss. For starters, I will miss the closeness of everything. I will miss crowded buses and packed markets. I will miss the jungle pressed tight against me, the intimacy of the...
Mulberry Fork Bringing Together Parallels between Two Disciplines of Kayaking
What was it about watching the participants of the Mulberry Fork Race that helped reinforce TeamERA's commitment to finding parallels between slalom and whitewater? Mainly watching an enthusiastic group of race competitors--in canoes, kayaks, sit-on-tops...veteran...
First Descent down the Rio Cofanes, Ecuador
First descents. In most countries they start out with the most obvious runs– roadside boating, the runs that have access, the runs that have the most potential; eventually goals are set on those that have a drop that looks the best on television/ in a magazine/ or for...
Kayaking is not always love at first wet exit!
Initiating our newest team member, Courtney into kayaking this summer was not just for orientation,KayakinsHere is Courtney's take on that first wet exit experience.... How to become a whitewater kayaker… “How can you work at Endless and not be a kayaker?” People...