USNWC Slalom Series Continues

In preparation for the upcoming 2008 Olympic Team Trials, held here April 25th through the 27th, the USNWC Slalom Series continues this weekend.
Saturday and Sunday the race will be held from 3 to 6pm.
Traditional Slalom format. Two runs, no demos.
Registration at Climbing check-in Wed-Friday. $30 registration fee.
Competitors meeting 12 noon Saturday @ Kayak Check-In.
The rest of the details will be gone over in the competitors meeting.
We are in huge need of volunteers to help time and judge the event. Contact Dave Hepp at dhepp@usnwc.org or call (704) 391-3900 ext. 115 if interested in volunteering. Volunteers will meet at Kayak Check-In at noon Saturday.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE!

USNWC Youth Kayak & Climbing Camps - Building America's Newest Hucksters and Shredders

US National Whitewater Center Kayak and Climbing camps are an opportunity for youth ages 8 to 11 to have fun in challenging and rewarding activities.

Our programs are designed to provide kids with an exciting, safe and enriching experience that is appropriate to their age and ability.
These camps provide an exciting introduction to the thrill of whitewater kayaking and climbing. We encourage participation and group support while focusing on safety and solid fundamental skills.


Our one week kayak programs will cover all beginner skills and progressions using the upper and lower ponds, the Catawba River and our class II instruction channel.
Students will come away from this experience comfortable and confident in moving water.
The two week program will expand upon the basics working on gaining confidence in class II and III whitewater.
Each camp works at a five to one student to instructor ratio guaranteeing individualized attention.


Climbing camps will learn about balance, safety and basic climbing movement over rock. This camp provides adventure on both the spire and main wall with an emphasis on team work and instruction.






Registration begins March 3rd. Call early to reserve your spot.
Space is limited to 10 children each session.
USNWC Reservations - (704) 391-3900.

The Donkeys Are Coming

Attention Charlotte paddling community: The Crown Town video premiere of Night of the Living Donkey is at Creation Monday, February 25th . The movie starts at 9 PM sharp.



The US National Whitewater Center is the featured spot in which both Cooper Lambla and Garrett Bryant perish by the might of a group of Zombies. It is truly terrifying.
See you there.

1st Annual 'Shamrock & Swap' Saturday, March 15th

Kick off St. Patricks Day weekend at the US National Whitewater Center for our first annual "Shamrock and Swap". This is a used gear sale for anyone who wants to participate. $10 buys you a space to sell your used outdoor goodies like last year's skis, that kayak you would like to get rid of so you can buy this year's latest and greatest model, the climbing shoes that you thought were okay to be "snug" but hurt like hell, those rollerblades that have sat in the garage for the last four years because rollerblading seems so four years ago, the snowshoes you thought you would use when you lived up north but now only look good above the mantel although your decor doesn't call for a "cabin" look. Bring it all, bring it on!


The gear swap will take place between 10am to 4pm. There will be live music from 4 to 7 and the Spring Slalom series continues with a slalom race from 7 to 9pm.

These races will serve as some of the final preparations for the athletes as they prepare for the Olympic Team Trials to be held at the Center on April 25th-27th. This is the perfect opportunity to come and learn more about the sport of slalom kayaking and the athletes.

Register your space by calling the Outfitter's Store (704)391-3900 ext. 203. See you there. TAKE IT OUTSIDE!

The IceMan Cometh???

I haven't been this confused in a long time. I've been waiting for one of the staff to send me the pictures of the recent IceMan competition on the Saluda thinking I would post some info on the race, congratulate Pablo, Jon and Daniel for their participation and lend thanks to the event organizers. I had even already written up a little witty schpiel (italicized below) to paste on the blog once I got the pictures. After downloading the pictures this morning, the confusion began.

What type of race is this???The boys told me they stomped it, they told me it was tough competition but they pulled through. I even let them borrow boats to help ensure a victory. But when I open the first picture of Pablo smiling from an innertube I am definately starting to feel a little hoodwinked and bamboozled.


Jon was neither going forward nor was he "stomping it" as the three of them proclaimed.



Daniel looks as though he is posing for the camera rather than barreling through the thick masses of competitors.

Here's the original write up on the event:
The 8th Annual IceMan Championship and Millrace Massacre took place earlier this month (January 5th to be exact but the winter is flying by so quickly it is difficult to remain exact) on the Saluda River. Pablo, Jon, and Daniel decided to bring the noise, bring the pain all the way to Columbia to tempt their fate at freezing cold temps and must-make moves.
The Millrace Massacre is a time trials for boats 8'6" and under, with several must-make eddies.
The Iceman Championship is a mass start downriver head-to-head race with no length limit that also involves paddling back upstream, running, and even swimming. This race states that "it truly separates the men from the boyz". The event has been put on by the in-famous "SaludaBoyz" or the less gender specific "SaludaKayakerz" for the past several years. Now, I don't know who these good folks from Saluda are or why they defy the rules of grammer constantly replacing a perfectly good s with a z, but I do know that everyone who attended had a great time.


After scrolling through all the pictures I finally did come across one of Pablo "racing" in an actual kayak. Now, I've seen Pablo race before and this is definately not his "game face". He's not even in the boat I let him borrow. I'm very confused.
Next year I'm just going to have to experience this race for myself to see what the real story is. Find out more about this event at www.saludakayakerz.com and be sure to join in on the fun next January.

Who In The World Is HeeHaw Jones?

I've been very puzzled by this question for a long time and I know I'm not alone. But when I got the chance to meet the man, the myth, the legend you better believe I jumped at it. Last night was the world premier of "Night Of The Living Donkey" at the Asheville Brew and View and HeeHaw Jones was there signing autographs, talking about what it's like to be a pro, you know, a typical Thursday night for HeeHaw.

You better believe I got my picture taken with him and let me tell you he lives up to all the hype. I've met many a pro boater in my day but HeeHaw Jones is the consumate pro. He definately stands out from the rest. Learn more about HeeHaw at www.heehawjones.com

The movie was fantastic. Spencer's best work yet even if he says so himself. All of us here at the US National Whitewater Center are very proud of Cooper Lambla and his feature roll in the film. But even more so, we want to shout out high props to our own Garrett Bryant, USNWC Retail Manager extraordinaire, for his movie debut. Garrett's moment in the spotlight alone was worth the price of admission. Everybody needs to go see this movie. You can purchase it at www.effort.tv but I'm afraid you've missed your chance at an autographed copy from HeeHaw Jones. Garrett got one but he had to pay extra. Fame gets you nowhere.