Local Kayaker to Represent for Team USA at Worlds!
Mike on right with other top 3 winners of a Hometown Throwdown event
Michael Patterson of Erwin, TN has earned a spot on the 2013 USA Freestyle Kayak Team! He will be a part of the Men’s K1 US Team with Dane Jackson, Eric Jackson, Bryan Kirk, Jason Craig, & Clay Wright while competing in the 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championship held in the Nantahala Gorge on Sept 2-8, 2013.
Mike won the spot by competing in the US Team Trials this past weekend on the Nantahala Gorge near Bryson City, NC. The battle was fierce, and hard fought to make this team, but all of Mike’s hard training over the past several years paid off! He beat some big names (Andrew Holcomb,Stephen Wright, & local favorite, Tommy Yon) to earn his spot on the team! A huge congratulation to Mike for making this elite team!
Mike has lived in Erwin, TN for several years and he is never one to toot his own horn. You can often find him training for freestyle kayaking at our local river play spot, Big Rock, on the NolichuckyRiverwhen the feature is optimal for flips and tricks. He has competed in many grassroots freestyle paddling events, known as Hometown Throwdowns, over the years at this play spot and he is the undisputed champion of those events!
Mike will be our hometown hero going into the big “Worlds” event coming this September and we know he will represent the USA well with his freestyle talents! Local paddlers are very proud of him for this major accomplishment and wish him well on bringing home the USA a victory with the team in 2013 on their home turf for the first time in over 15 years!
Mike blows a kiss to judges in Hometown Throwdown event
Again, congrats Mike!!!
US Team Trials Complete Results
Click the link below to see all the winners!
http://freestylekayaking2013.com/blog/us-team-trials-results/
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
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
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
APE’s Intermediate Whitwater Kayak Clinic
(Registration Deadline – 7/13/2013)
The Intermediate Whitewater Kayak Course (IWWK) is one in a series of paddling clinics offered through the American Canoe Association (ACA). This one day course is designed to refine and extend the judgment and technique of intermediate paddlers on class III-IV whitewater, with significant focus on improving fundamentals, boat control and river running technique. If you are just getting comfortable on class III water or already have solid class III skills and want to take it the next level, this class is for you. It will he held either on the Nolichucky Gorge or French Broad Sect 9, dependent on water level and overall skill level of the group. Having a somewhat reliable roll is encouraged. Course will be limited to 10 people.
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 church youth camps.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
* Further develop fundamentals, boat control and river running technique
* Refine and extend judgment on the river
COURSE PREREQUISITES: Proficiency in executing strokes, maneuvers and techniques needed for paddling on class III whitewater. The ability to self rescue is required. A somewhat reliable roll is encouraged. Participants should be in good health and overall fitness and possess solid swimming ability.
MINIMUM PERSONAL GEAR: Whitewater kayak, type III PFD, whitewater helmet, paddle, sprayskirt, protective clothing suitable for weather/water conditions, protective footwear, boat, paddle, whistle, throw rope, drinking water; participants are responsible for bringing their own lunch
Where: French Broad (Sect IX) or Nolichucky Gorge
When: Sat, July 20, 2013
Time: 8:00 am-5:00 pm (EST)
Cost: $60; APEs members can deduct $10; ACA members can further deduct $5
(Non-Refundable after deadline unless replacement found)
Class Size: Class will be limited to 10 participants
Registration: download the form with link below, complete and return form with your check made out to Scott Fisher by 7/13/0213 to: Scott Fisher, 109 Highland Gate Dr., Johnson City, TN 37615.
CLICK HERE for Clinic Registration Form
Questions: Contact (276) 698-4644 or e-mail tfisher1@its.jnj.com
APE’s & TEHCC Beginner Whitwater Kayak Course
(Registration Deadline – TBA)
If you’ve ever thought how much fun it would be to learn how to kayak now’s your chance!! The Beginner Whitewater Kayak Course, sponsored by the Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts (APEs) and the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club, will be held July 14th and 15th in the Tri-Cities area. The clinic is designed for anyone wanting to learn the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking-fundamentals that will ensure a fun and safe time on the river. No previous experience is necessary. Instruction will consist of one day on flat water and one day on the river. As in the past, there will continue to be a strong emphasis on safety. Participants will be responsible for providing their own gear and transportation, although loaner gear is available on a first come basis.
Minimum required gear: Whitewater kayak, double-bladed (kayak) paddle, helmet, spray skirt and PFD (life jacket). Additionally, it is recommended that each student bring river shoes/sandals, a change of clothes in a waterproof bag and a rain jacket. Students are responsible for bringing their own lunch and water to stay hydrated.
Schedule: June 1st (Sat) Lake instruction, 8am-4pm
Location: Warrior’s Path State Park.
Students must participate on Saturday to participate on Sunday.
June 2nd (Sun) River Trip, class II, 8am-4pm
Location: Lower Nolichucky River.
Note: Instructors reserve the right to exclude anyone if they believe safety will be compromised.
Cost: $75.00per student (which includes a $5 ACA event membership fee and a $10 APEs membership fee). If you are already a member of either organization deduct that portion of the cost.
Registration: complete and return the form below and mail it along with your check made out to Scott Fisher by TBA to: Scott Fisher, 109 Highland Gate Dr., Johnson City, TN 37615.
CLICK HERE for Clinic Registration Form
Questions: Contact (276) 698-4644 or e-mail tfisher1@its.jnj.com
Memorial Weekend Family Paddle
Watauga Gorge Triple Crown
The event is set for Sunday, March 31, 2013. News from Eric Chance on Boatertalk:
I thought since Mike Patterson is so slow, I would make up an event that he could win. New for this year we will be having a Watauga Triple Crown Downriver/Freestyle Competition on the Sunday, March 31, 2013 following the race. The judging will be completely subjective, so this is the kind of freestyle event you could win in an RPM. Here are the stages:
1. Hydro Rodeo- downriver freestyle through hydro
2. Heavy Water Boater X- Head to head race through heavy water, longer boats will start farther back (judging for this wonât be subjective).
3. Freestyle off Stateline- extra points for beat downs.
Stay tuned for more details as event time gets closer.
Eric Chance
Watauga Gorge Race
The Race is set for Saturday, March 30, 2013! News from Eric Chance on Boatertalk:
Dust off those long boats, it time to start training for the Watauga Race. The race will be on Saturday March 30th as long as the river is above 250 CFS. I will post the week of if we are going to delay the race for low water.
Racers should need to be at the put in with shuttle set at 2:00 P.M. for a pre race meeting and photo shoot. That gives all you out of towners, first timers and slow pokes (Gragelmans) time to do a practice lap before the race. The format will be the same as years past, mass start, head to head from the put-in to the pool below Stateline. As in years past we will line up from slowest and shortest boats (Mark Miller) farthest downstream to fastest long boats farthest upstream.
I have been informed that in years past the Watauga Race has discriminated against our handi-capable C boating brethren by starting the race upstream of the bridge. So this year, to accommodate our special needs paddlers, C boaters will be permitted to start downstream of the bridge (if they feel they need to).
Eric Chance
