Hometown Throwdown #1
June 8
Central Oregon’s first Hometown Throwdown will be held at Big Eddy. Show your stuff in Sous Hole. Come for the fun and stay for the swag. This will be a freestyle event and sign ups starts at 10 am. The comp starts when we are ready. Lets be finished by noon. BBQ picnic after the comp. Meadow Camp some time later. I hope the pressure of the schedule is not too much.
2013 Riverhouse Rendezvous
The 2013 Riverhouse Rendezvous was a spectacular day full of exciting competition on the water. Contrary to various frigid weather conditions seen in past years, competitors were treated to one of Central Oregon’s famous 300 days of sunshine. Temperatures rose into the 60s and the skies were nearly cloudless. A wide variety of kayaks and canoes as well as a stand-up paddle board piloted by Bend’s own Jayson Bowerman made their way through the network of challenging gates. A special thanks to the National Whitewater Slalom Committee’s race director, Bert Hinkley and Tumalo Creek Canoe and Kayak’s Geoff Frank for making the day go so smoothly.
For results go to http://www.nwwhitewater.org/Northwest_Cup_Results_Home.htm
WK Throwdowns
Slave River Throwdowns are coming up, we are just waiting for winter to get lost! Crazy long winter that was super cold, but it does not seem like it wants to go away. Regardless, for those heading out of Fort Smith, NT; here is a map of other events happening.
Click Here for more WK Throwdowns!
See you on the river soon!
Carter County Streams Cleanup
The Elizabethton Carter County Chamber of Commerce is proud to present…
25th Annual Carter County Streams & River Cleanup on Doe River, Watauga River, Buffalo Creek, Laurel Fork and other streams. Saturday, April 27, 2013 @ 9:00 AM – Noon. Join us at the Covered Bridge Park to Clean-up our Rivers and Streams.
Location:
Covered Bridge Park
E Elk Ave
Elizabethton, TN 37643
A picnic and drawing for prizes will be held for all those who participate in the park following the cleanup.
- Dress appropriately!
- Bring boots, waders, insect repellent & sunscreen.
- Conservation/Educational exhibits.
- Trash bags and gloves will be provided.
Sponsored By:
The Carter County Sheriff’s Department
Watauga River Water Authority
Boone Watershed Partnership
Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited
City of Elizabethton
Food City
Contact Stephanie at the Elizabethton Carter County Chamber of Commerce for more details:
423.547.3850
Escarpment Film Premiere

This film is comprised of incredible footage gathered over a 12 year span. Covering everything from historical first descents to modern day high water expeditions. No rapid is left unexposed in this 40 minute documentary. Join us Thursday, April 25th at Asheville Pizza Company for the premiere of this definitive resource on the Jocassee Watershed. Trailer coming soon! Starring: Mac McGee, Dave Fusilli, Matt Anger, Chris Gragtmans, Jeff Paine, Jeff Joyce, Dustin Marquart, Toby Macdermott, Daniel Stewart, Andrew Wagoner, Mike Patterson, Pat Keller, Stephen McGrady, Robert Bone, Clay Lucas and many more…
No fooling Hometown Throw Down Event number one!!
What a break in the weather we had today. I was worried since we had sleet last night that is would turn out to be an ugly day. We had a beautiful sunny evening to kick off our events. The temperature was around 65 degrees and the revel level was 6 feet. We had a few new faces join our group and that is GREAT, let’s spread the word and add a few more for the next event. Being that we had water for the event we hosted a down river event that started just outside Reedy Creek and ended at the take out. The best time we had was 15:45, and was brought in by Todd Craft. Cooper Sallade followed closely behind with a time of 16:30, with Adam Tremper on his tale at 16:35. A good time by all was had and we look forward to the next event. The next event will be right before the Dominion River Rock Events and all have asked to have a boatercross to “warm up” for saturday events. If anyone from other regions or groups would like to participate we would love to have you challenge us to a friendly Region vs Region competition.
APE’s & TEHCC Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Course
(Registration Deadline – 7/27/2013)
Whitewater enthusiasts participate in hazardous activities in wilderness environments. Are you prepared to rescue yourself or your best paddling friend? Are they prepared to rescue you? Help in many cases may not be immediately available, and might be hours, not minutes away. If you’ve already had the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Class and are looking to sharpen the skills that will help keep you and those you care about safe this is your chance.
The Advanced SWR Course is one in a series of swiftwater rescue courses offered through the American Canoe Association (ACA). This course is aimed at anyone desiring the opportunity to further develop their rescue skills first learned in the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course. Critical judgment and rescue awareness, impacting both personal and group safety, are emphasized throughout the course. Although new skills may be taught, this class focuses on developing judgment and applying skills in rescue scenarios that were first learned in the basic course. The course will be predominantly scenario based in the context of a river trip—in other words, students will be moving downriver and responding to situations encountered along the way. We feel that this is a logical progression from your previous training in the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course and will continue to help you refine your judgment and proficiency under realistic conditions that can best be achieved in the dynamic nature of an actual river trip.
Your instructor Scott Fisher is an ACA certified advanced swiftwater rescue and advanced whitewater kayak instructor and has provided instruction to hundreds of individuals, including paddlers, outfitter guides, firefighters, rescue personnel and staff of youth camps.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
• Reinforce skills leaned in the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course
• Practice skills during multiple scenarios
• Refine and extend critical judgment through multiple scenarios
• Develop and practice more advanced rope-based and in-water skills
COURSE PREREQUISITES: Students are required to have completed an ACA Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course and should be comfortable on Class III water. All paddle craft are welcome. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills. Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature, and should expect to be in the water for extended periods of time.
MINIMUM PERSONAL GEAR: Type III PFD designed for whitewater use (Rescue PFD is recommended but not required), whitewater helmet, protective clothing suitable for extended swimming in cold water, protective footwear, boat, paddle, whistle, throw rope, 15+ feet of one inch tubular nylon webbing, 2 locking carabiners, and 2 prusik loops (2 x 6-8 feet pieces of 4-5 millimeter polypropylene cord)
Where: Friday: Riverpark Campground,Jonesborough,TN; Saturday:Nolichucky Gorge
When: Aug 2-3 (evening only on 2nd)
Cost: $70; APEs members can deduct $10; ACA members can further deduct $5
(Non-Refundable after Jul 27th unless replacement found)
Time: Fri: 6:00–9:00 P.M.; Sat: 8:00 A.M.–7:00 P.M. (EST)
Camping: Riverpark Campground,Jonesborough,TN
Note: We will camp together as a group Fri eve
Class Size: Class will be limited to 10 participants
Click Here to download the PDF Application for Registration in this SWR Course
Questions &/or Course Registration: Contact (276) 698-4644 or e-mail tfisher1@its.jnj.com

Guest River Gorge Clean Up
Each year, Wise County coordinates a massive cleanup of the Guest River Gorge. Tim McAfee is the point of contact with respect to having paddlers participate with the clean up. It is a great way to provide community service, and it directly impacts the environmental quality of the gorge.
This year, the event is on April 18th. We meet at the put in for the Gorge, and usually spend 2-4 hours in gathering trash along the river banks, and eddies. Lunch is provided, and we have a free shuttle back to the parking lot.
Most of the time we get to Toilet Bowl rapid and get shuttled back up. Obviously, water levels could impact whether we can participate. But even at low flows, we can scrape down as far as Toilet Bowl.
One of the reasons that kayakers are needed is to assist in gathering trash along the right river bank, which is not accessible except by crossing the river.
Please make every effort to attend. Please invite anyone that might be willing to help.
Tim would like to know who is attending so he can advise the authorities.
Thanks
Timothy W. McAfee
276-679-5401
E-Mail: tmcafee@mcafeelaw.com
APE’s & TEHCC Swiftwater Rescue Refresher Course
(Registration Deadline – 5/18/2013)
Whitewater enthusiasts participate in hazardous activities in wilderness environments. Are you prepared to rescue yourself or your best paddling friend? Are they prepared to rescue you? Help in many cases may not be immediately available, and might be hours, not minutes away. If you’ve already had the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Class and are looking to tune up the skills that will help keep you and those you care about safe this is your chance.
Your instructor Scott Fisher is an ACA certified advanced swiftwater rescue and advanced whitewater kayak instructor and has provided instruction to hundreds of individuals, including paddlers, outfitter guides, firefighters, rescue personnel and staff of youth camps.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
• Reinforce skills leaned in the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course
• Practice skills during multiple scenarios
• Refine and extend critical judgment through multiple scenarios
COURSE PREREQUISITES: Students are required to have completed an ACA Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course. All paddle craft are welcome. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills. Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature, and should expect to be in the water for extended periods of time.
MINIMUM PERSONAL GEAR: Type III PFD designed for whitewater use (Rescue PFD is recommended but not required), whitewater helmet, protective clothing suitable for extended swimming in cold water, protective footwear, boat, paddle, whistle, throw rope, 15+ feet of one inch tubular nylon webbing, 2 locking carabiners, and 2 prusik loops (2 x 6-8 feet pieces of 4-5 millimeter polypropylene cord)
Where: Riverpark Campground, 3937 Hwy 81 South,Jonesborough,Tennessee37659 (423) 753-5359
When: May 25, 2013
Cost: $60; APEs members can deduct $10; ACA members can further deduct $5
(Non-Refundable after May 18th unless replacement found)
Time: 8:00 A.M.–7:00 P.M. (EST)
Camping: Available on-site. If you would like to camp coordinate with the campground directly.
Class Size: Class will be limited to 15 participants
Registration: Send check made out to Scott Fisher by 5/18/2013 to: Scott Fisher, 109 Highland Gate Dr., Johnson City, TN 37615.
Click Here to download the PDF Application for Registration in this SWR Course
Questions &/or Course Registration: Contact (276) 698-4644 or e-mail tfisher1@its.jnj.com
APE’s & TEHCC Basic Swift Water Rescue Course
(Registration Deadline: 6/21/2013)
Location: Tri-Cities, TN Area (Near or on Nolichucky River)
ACA Instuctor: Scott Fisher
Assistant Instructor: Wesley R. Bradley
Contact: tfisher1@its.jnj.com
Whitewater enthusiasts participate in hazardous activities in wilderness environments. Are you prepared to rescue yourself or your best paddling friend? Are they prepared to rescue you? Help in many cases may not be immediately available, and might be hours, not minutes away. Sign up and bring your favorite paddling crew to this clinic. It’s like buying yourself, and them, the safety line that may save your lives.
The Basic SWR Course, sponsored by Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts (APEs) and Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoe Club (TEHCC), is one in a series of swiftwater rescue courses offered through the American Canoe Association. The course is led by ACA certified swiftwater rescue and kayak instructor Scott Fisher and is designed to teach the recreational paddler basic swiftwater rescue techniques where limited personnel and/or safety gear is available. Scott has provided instruction to hundreds of individuals, paddling clubs, firefighters, rescue personnel, staff of church youth camps, and local outfitter guides. The clinic will include classroom instruction, river skills and realistic scenarios. Successful completion of this course will prepare you to self-rescue and
aid in the rescue of others in whitewater environments.
Course Overview: The Swiftwater Rescue Course teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments, and pins, also are practiced. Scenarios will provide an opportunity for participants to practice their skills both individually and within a team/group context.
Course Objectives:
Promote proactive prevention of river accidents and injuries.
Develop and practice key self-rescue skills.
Identify and avoid river hazards by understanding hydrology, hazards, and river features.
Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
Develop and practice methods for recovering swimmers, and loose boats and equipment
Develop and practice more advanced rope-based and in-water skills
Gain experience using the rescue PFD, and understand its strengths and weaknesses
Utilize rescue scene management principles needed within a paddling group
Course Prerequisites: All paddle craft are welcome. Ideally, students should be able to competently maneuver their craft in at least class II whitewater. However, all boaters, and non-boaters with an interest in swiftwater rescue (e.g., professional rescuers), will benefit from the class. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness, possess solid swimming ability, and be comfortable swimming in moving current during river drills. Participants should dress appropriately for weather and temperature, and should expect to be in the water for extended periods of time.
Minimum personal equipment for class: Type III PFD designed for whitewater use (Rescue PFD is recommended but not required), whitewater helmet, protective clothing suitable for extended swimming in cold water, protective footwear, boat, paddle, whistle, throw rope, 15+ feet of one inch tubular nylon webbing, 2 locking carabiners, and 2 prusick loops (2 x 6-8 feet pieces of 4-5 millimeter polypropylene cord)
Who: Adults and Minors 15 years and older (Parent/Legal Guardian MUST accompany minor and arranged ahead). Instructors reserve the right to exclude anyone if they feel safety will be compromised.
When: Friday, June 28th 7:00pm – 9:00pm; Saturday, June 29th 8:00am – 7:00pm (Saturday Evening Session TBD); Sunday, June 30th 8:00am – 5:00pm
Where: Friday evening: Riverpark Campground (3937 Highway 81 South, Jonesborough, TN 37659); Saturday: Riverpark/Lower Nolichucky River; Sunday: Riverpark/Lower Nolichucky River
Cost: $95; $85 if already an APEs member; ACA members can further deduct $5
Registration and payment deadline is 6/21/2013 (See Cancellation Policy in PDF Application)
Note: We will camp together as a group. This makes the class logistics much easier. Camping fees are $10 per night per person paid separately.
Click Here to download the PDF Application for this SWR Course
Questions: Feel free to contact Scott at 276-698-4644 or tfisher1@its.jnj.com















