Events News

If you have the day off, can get the day off, have a furlough day or can even call in sick we need boaters at the October 13th EBMUD Board of Directors Meeting where they will vote to certify the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for their Water Supply Management Plan 2040.

Another year, another awesome American Whitewater Gauley Fest presented by Subaru! Gauley Fest is of major importance to AW as it's our biggest fundraising event. All the funds raised at this national level event go back to funding AW's River Stewardship work all over the United States. A huge thanks goes out to all our volunteers that helped out, people who attended and vendors that setup!

Show your support of American Whitewater and your love of the Feather River by volunteering some time at the Festival!

Great news, this year's American Whitewater Gauley Fest presented by Subaru will feature an awesome AW Members-only game of Rock, Paper, Scissors for over $3,500 of awesome gear (including a new Liquidlogic kayak!). Woody Callaway of Liquidlogic kayaks will be heading up this fun and friendly "competition" that's open to AW members only. Stop by the Liquidlogic booth at 9:15PM to participate, just make sure your membership is current by then, otherwise you can't play and win!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced recently that there is sufficient reservoir storage behind Francis E. Walter Dam to complete all planned whitewater releases for 2009.

American Whitewater received an open letter to boaters from the National Park Service outlining Gauley River access for 2009. For the last decade AW has leased the open field at Mason Branch for private boater parking - we are leasing the field again this year. These are your AW dues at work!

Everyone loves to attend the world's biggest paddling festival: the American Whitewater Gauley Fest presented by Subaru. However, what most people don't realize is that outside AW's 8 full-time employees, it's a completely volunteer run event! AW sure could use your help. Please sign up for 2 hours (or more) and become a part of the Gauley Fest Volunteer Team!

We put up a Facebook event page for the 2009 Gauley Fest. Check it out and share with your friends. See you there!

A short note regarding summer flows on the Pit River. Releases of about 850 cfs will be happening Saturday and Sunday, August 29 & 30.

There will be a whitewater release on the Rock Creek Reach of the Feather river this weekend (8/22-23).

The 19th annual Feather River Festival (CA) will be held during the scheduled releases on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, 2009. The fund-raiser event for American Whitewater is hosted by local paddling club, the Chico Paddleheads.

Timberline Tours and American Whitewater Present the 2009 Gore Canyon Race
Saturday, August 22, 2009

This is the classic Class V whitewater race on the Upper Colorado River that brings together the finest whitewater rafters, kayakers and paddlers of all types of river craft. As always the race is open to all boaters willing to take on some of the best Class V whitewater in the state of Colorado.

Spectators are welcome but remember: stay off the railway tracks!

Join your friends for this one day event at Ohioplye State Park in western Pennsylvania. American Whitewater will be hosting the annual Ohiopyle Falls Fest on August 22, 2009.

The Chelan Gorge Recreational Releases present whitewater boating opportunities that will be available for two weekends this July. American Whitewater has invested more than a decade of effort into bringing this opportunity to the paddling community of the Pacific Northwest, and we are excited to kick off the first weekend of releases. All paddlers considering this run need to carefully evaluate their skill level and understand that continued access to this river and the opportunity depends on our ability to safely enjoy it.

July 25th Immersion Research and Wilderness Voyagers will be hosting the 29th Annual Upper Yough Race - with the proceeds going to American Whitewater!

Challenge the exciting Upper Yough and help raise a few bucks for American Whitewater at the same time. There will be classes for everything from Wavehoppers to short boats and even a team class for three paddlers where at least one must be female. What's more is each racer gets a cool t-shirt and everyone is invited to a fun party afterwards. It will surely rock.

Gauley Fest is coming up (Sept. 18-20) and it's time for vendors to send in their registration forms.

Each year we pack Gauley Fest with vendors from all over the country and always have to turn away applicants as we only have so many spaces. So, don't delay and miss your chance to be a part of the nation's biggest paddling festival.

This year, prices will go up 15% for all booth registrations after September 1st.

Come see American Whitewater at this year's Deerfield Fest July 25th in Charlemont, MA.

After 15 years, Deerfield Fest keeps gettting better! The fest will have no shortage of things to do and will feature vendors, food, boats, a silent auction, plus - and most importantly - the chance to begin or renew an AW membership! Not to mention all the proceeds of the event go towards funding American Whitewater's river stewardship.

Last week FERC approved a whitewater recreation plan for the North Fork Rogue. We are pleased to be working with PacifiCorp who has committed to immediately implementing the plan and providing the whitewater recreational opportunities this summer.

Come see American Whitewater at this year's Potomac Fest, July 11-12 in Great Falls, MD/VA!

Just minutes from the Nation's Capital, the 19th Annual Potomac Whitewater Festival will be two days of fun events organized to delight beginners, experts and spectators alike.

Download and print your own 8.5'' x 11'' poster for AW's Summer Membership Drive. This is the exact same graphic that will be running in upcoming editions of the AW Journal and it's yours free to print and post wherever you'd like to show your AW support.

Enjoy!

The Wenatchee River Festival will take place once again on the second weekend in June with the main festivities on Saturday June 13. The festival will be at Riverside Park in Cashmere.

Brought to you through the efforts of Wet Planet Whitewater and the Headwaters Institute, the White Salmon River RiverFest and Symposium will take place this weekend (Saturday May, 30th). American Whitewater will be presenting an update on Condit Dam removal and river restoration efforts in the region as part of the morning symposium. River races and a great party will take place in the afternoon and evening.

The 7th annual Goden Community Rodeo Series will kick off Wednesday, May 20th. The GCRS is a series of freestyle kayak competitions spread across four Wednesday evenings each summer. The event has become one of Colorado's premier opportunties to build commuity and business relationships between whitewater paddlers, spectators, the paddle sports industry and local businesses. American Whitewater is a happy to sponsor this years event.

Whitewater enthusiasts will descend onto the historic town of Buena Vista on the Upper Arkansas River May 22-25th, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend) for a huge kickoff party to celebrate the start of the summer whitewater boating season. American Whitewater will be there again this year to give paddlers and river enthusiasts opportunities to learn about the issues facing Colorado's iconic rivers, and what paddlers can do to protect and enjoy them.

We are excited to announce the 3rd annual South Platte River Cleanup on Sunday, April 26th in celebration of Earth Day in Denver, Colorado. This is an all volunteer event to pick up trash along the South Platte River and Bike Paths.

Last year, we saw over 200 rafters, kayakers, cyclists and pedestrians that successfully removed over 2 TONS of garbage from the river and bike path. This year we anticipate an even larger turnout. We have even more sponsors and prizes. This is a great way to give back to your community and take care of the river and bike path that wind through Denver.

With nearly 20 bands over 2 stages, a down river raft race, mountain bike event and even a kids village - all along the banks of the French Broad River - this is surely an event you won't want to miss. Plus, if you get your tickets online in advance you can save yourself a few bucks off ticket prices at the gate. You can even come early on Friday and help AW out with a river cleanup on the French Broad that gets done with plenty of time to get to the festival.

The 2009 French Broad River Cleanup is scheduled for Friday, May 1st. American Whitewater, in partnership with Riverlink and the Nantahala Outdoor Center, is holding a river cleanup of the French Broad River.

Download your own poster for AW's major festivals in 2009.

The poster is available as a .pdf for you to print and post as you please. Remember the dates:

Gauley Fest: September 18-20, Summersville, WV

Deerfield Fest: July 25, Charlemont, MA

Wenatchee Fest: June 13-14, Cashmere, WA

In 2008 paddlers celebrated the restoration of pulse flows and awesome Class IV(V) boating opportunities to Idaho's Black Canyon of the Bear River. 2009 will offer paddlers four scheduled dates, and many more potential release dates from April through mid-July. AW negotiated these releases and is involved in their ongoing monitoring and management.

The 26th annual National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) will be held this year in Frankfort, Kentucky on February 20-21st. NPFF seeks to showcase the year's best in paddling related videos and photographs from whitewater destinations all over the world. Plus, the proceeds of this exciting event are donated to whitewater conservation groups such as American Whitewater, the Green River Access Fund and West Virginia Rivers Coalition amongst others.

AW will even be there hosting a membership drive where new and renewing members can join American Whitewater. So come check out some excellent videos and photographs and feel good knowing your money is going to support worthy whitewater causes.

Ohiopyle State Park is conducting a public open house on Saturday, Nov 22, 2008, at 1 pm to 5pm to gather input and feedback on a new proposal for private boater access to Ohiopyle Falls. The open house is a chance for the boating community to review the new park proposal, ask questions of park staff and provide comments.

Due to the prolonged absence of southeastern rainfall, American Whitewater received the following letter from the Southern Company (Georgia Power) dated October 22, canceling fall releases on the Tallulah River. The Southern Company letter is posted on the "read more" link.

Despite overnight temperatures dipping into the 20's this year's Moosefest was a great time as always. Plus, unlike some years, there was no need to dig through snow to get to your gear in the morning as skies were clear and the sun shinning for most of the weekend.

This weekend (Oct. 18th), come renew or start your membership with American Whitewater in Old Forge, NY at the ever-popular Moosefest. Stop by the membership table and show your love and support for your favorite whitewater non-profit. Plus meet pro paddler and Team Dagger member Corey Volt and AW's Jeff Paine who will both be manning the table.

AW will be set up at Mountainman Outdoors Supply Company on Saturday, Oct. 18th, from 4-6PM. Later on that evening AW will be setting up at one of the local pubs, Slickers, from 10PM-12AM.

Come dressed as your favorite rapid on the Green at the "GREEN-O-WEEN" benefit for American Whitewater, Oct 30th at Asheville Pizza Company.

Thursday, October 9th, the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival comes to Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company, Merrimon Ave. Films start at 7:00PM.

Wow, what a festival!

Not only was it the 25th anniversary of the Gauley Fest but ask almost anyone who was there and you'll hear the same thing "It was the best Gauley Fest ever!" Not only was there beautiful weather with clear blue skies but throw in the industries biggest and best vendors with whitewater enthusiasts from all over and you've got a recipe for an outstanding event!

With the proceeds of the event being used to support the stewardship work of American Whitewater.

This year's Feather River Festival will occur at the September Feather Release. Come on out and enjoy the festivities.

Join the 25th Annual Gauley River Festival in Summersville, WV this weekend September 19-21.

As part of the Yuba/Bear relicensing, Fordyce Creek and Canyon Creek will be flowing at the end of August and in September. Come out and enjoy the flows and help us gather information on these runs.

Come out and support the American River Festival this weekend September 5th -7th. Help raise awareness and for American Whitewater and other great local causes. This event is guaranteed to be fun for the whole family. Support for American Whitewater generated at this event will go to the Larry Berg California River Stewardship Fund.

Ladies of the Lower G returns to Gauley Fest!

Spend a day paddling with Anna Levesque on the Lower Gauley and raise money for AW! What's not to love?

If you haven't heard of the Ladies of the Lower G event it's an annual event that Anna Levesque of Girls at Play and North American River Runners

(NARR) put on around Gauely Fest. All the ladies who sign up spend the day boating down the Lower Gauley with Anna and others for the low, low price of just $40. This even includes "shuttles, a hot lunch catered by NARR, and after-paddling drinks..."

The American Whitewater membership tent will be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center for this year's Guest Appreciation Festival (GAF). Note the date change from last year, 2008 dates are September 26-28.

Take a drive out to the Lock 32 Whitewater Park in Pittsford, NY this weekend for two days of clinics and competition.

The schedule of events at Lockapalooza will feature boatercross, rodeo, whitewater clinics, plus a plastic slalom race. Not to mention plenty of opportunities for spectators to enjoy the show too.

Most importantly, there will be American Whitewater signup forms for you to fill out to join your favorite whitewater-enthusiast-supporting non-profit.

Enjoy some food off the grill or try out the tamer side of kayaking in flatwater kayak demos from Eastern Mountain Sports. Plus, when dark descends they'll be getting out the kayaking videos for some fun viewing.

Check out the website for all the latest information and enjoy the show!

On August 23, 2008 AW will be running Ohiopyle Falls during this one day event and festival.

Colorado- The communities of Gunnison and Crested Butte in the upper Gunnison River basin, will showcase hundreds of miles of scenic waterways and rugged recreation during the Gunnison River Festival and River Awareness Week. The schedule of events promises to deliver plenty of river fun and learning from August 14th-18th, 2008.

The Rock Creek release on the Feather River has been postponed again one week because of the new fire in the Feather River Canyon.

This Saturday be sure to check out American Whitewater's Deerfield River Festival in Charlemont, MA.

The Deerfield Fest has a ton of things to do and will feature vendors, food, boat raffles, a silent auction, plus - and most importantly - the chance to begin or renew an AW membership! Not to mention all the proceeds of the event go towards funding American Whitewater's important mission.

American Whitewater is looking for more story and photo contributions from canoeists, rafters, and C1ers. If you've always wished our magazine highlighted more folks who paddle like you do--with a single blade--this is your chance to make it happen.

Great Falls, MD and VA - July 11-13th

This summer, beat the heat with a refreshing cocktail of whitewater paddling at the 18th Annual Potomac Whitewater Festival. The spectacular race over Great Falls will make your heart rush as world-class paddlers venture down the rough waters of the mighty Potomac.

The Festival will also bring together paddlers of all skill levels through a number of events such as on-water clinics, the classic attainment (paddling upstream against the clock) and squirt boating events, the ever exciting boater-cross, the gravity- defying freestyle competition...

There's still snow in the mountains and flows have been great all spring as boaters from across Washington state gear up to host the Wenatchee River Festival on one of the region's premiere whitewater rivers. Boaters from across the Pacific Northwest will all converge on the town of Cashmere this weekend for a great weekend of fun and activities on the water.

The District Engineer from the US Army Corps of Engineers has scheduled an additional THIRD public hearing to be held in conjunction with the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Northern Integrated Supply Project.The public hearing will be held MONDAY, JUNE 16th in Fort Collins, Colorado at 425 West Prospect Road. The open house will start at 4:00 pm, hearing to begin at 6:00 pm.

American Whitewater commissioned the consulting firm Crane Associates of Burlington, Vermont to conduct an Economic Impact Study on Gauley Festival. Crane Associates specializes in the economics of rivers and natural resources. They help communities find their balance between sustainable economic development and natural resource protection.

The 4th Annual Yough Festival and 28th Annual Upper Yough Race will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Race registration will take place on July 26, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM.

AW is pleased to announce the schedule for new whitewater pulse flows on the Black Canyon of the Bear River in Southeastern Idaho. At the same time we would like to recognize the volunteer largely responsible for these releases. Sixteen whitewater pulse flows could begin as early as the first weekend in April.