Western Maryland
Welcome to Western Maryland
Western Maryland is home to some the marquee whitewater runs in the Eastern United States. It includes the watersheds of the North Branch of the Potomac, the Youghiogheny River, and, with in an hour's drive, the Cheat and Tygart watershed. According to regional tradition, Western Maryland begins just west of the City of Frederick, MD, and continues west along I-70 and then I-68 until the West Virginia state approximately 10 miles west of Friendsville. This 150 mile journey takes one from around 300 feet above sea level all the way to the highest point of Maryland at over 3,000 feet of elevation. The mountainous nature of the region mixed with river valleys provides paddling experiences from the moving flat water along parts of the Potomac and Monocacy Rivers to classic whitewater runs like the Upper Yough, Kitzmiller section of the North Branch of the Potomac, and the Savage River. Some of the world's best white water boaters cut their teeth on the rivers of the Western Maryland region. Given the close proximity of both the West Virginia Panhandle and South Western Pennsylvania there is some overlap in rivers that are included both in the Western Maryland Region and the Confluence/Ohiopyle Region of on worlkayak.com. This will also be true once there is a Morgantown based region for West Virginia.
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Regional Rivers
River descriptions coming soon...
The Western Maryland Boater Lifestyle...
Western Maryland is unique in that it is primarily a whitewater destination rather than a home to a large whitewater population like Ashville, NC or Fayetteville, WV.
Regional Paddling News
Western Maryland Introduces New Ambassador - Nathan Blatchley
The Western Maryland region has a new ambassador to go with being a new region. Nathan Blatchley is a local boater who has been paddling the streams and rivers of the region since 1990.
Its official - September 9 Savage Release a go. YEAH!!!!
So I was wondering around the next instead of doing what I was supposed to be doing and there was a change to the Savage/North BranchRelease Schedule website this AM.
ASCI Friday Night Fun Series Riversport Series Final in 4 days
All good things must come to an end, and the end of the first year of the Friday Night Fun Series is this Friday. But before we sign off o the year we are going out with a bang!
Results from Friday Night Fun Series #6 - Immersion Research Giant Slalom
A quick post with the results from this past Fridays event, the Immersion Research Giant Slalom. A dozen boats participated in the event including 1 Ducky, a 2 person Ducky, a C-1, 6 kayaks, and 1 C-1 that had been converted to a kayak.
National Paddling News
The Second Annual Am I Ready for the Gauley Yet? Contest.Aug 23 08 - Yup, it is that time of the year again. Gauley Season!
Midwest Freestyle ChampionshipsAug 11 08 - I am off to coach at Wausau. It looks like it is going to be a great time, and Cole has organized some screen time for some movie premiers. Look for event coverage at www.worldkayakblogs.com/throwdown
In Between Swims : The Olympic Whitewater Slalom PreviewAug 07 08 - Ok boys and girls it's time for the OLYMPICS!!
West Coast Women's White Water Festival Jul 24 08 - Recently, Christina Russell, a professional kayaker from Bend, OR organized the West Coast Women's White Water Festival with the help of Heather Herbeck, a professional kayaker from White Salmon, WA. The event incorporated boater-cross, 8-ball, down-river runs, in addition to yoga classes, a barbeque, video screenings and camping. The event was highly successful attracting about 30 ladies from Oregon, Washington, North Carolina and beyond.
WK BLOGGER POSTS - Start a blog!
A New Old Classic - Part 5: The Deck is Out A recent blog post by: Bill Kirby
The deckis out of the mold and it turned out[...]
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Maryland Events
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No calendar events available for the moment.
Learning Library
ROLLING A KAYAK - DVDThe most comprehensive, clear, and concise guide to learning and perfecting the roll in a whitewater kayak. - BUY NOW
ROLLING A KAYAK - BookRolling a Kayak is Ken Whiting's sixth book on kayaking technique and the most comprehensive, clear and concise guide to learning and perfecting the kayak roll. - BUY NOW
WHITEWATER KAYAKING BOOK The most comprehensive and valuable book on the sport. Includes detailed illustrations, stunning photos and literary contributions from the world's most notable paddlers. - BUY NOW
WHITEWATER KAYAKING DVD A special double feature DVD that includes Paddler Magazine's Best Instructional, Liquid Skills, and SOAR, and that covers everything from the fundamental skills and concepts to the most advanced, cutting-edge paddling techniques. For beginner to advanced paddlers. - BUY NOW
WHITEWATER KAYAKING FOR WOMEN - DVDA special double feature DVD containing both groundbreaking instructional videos Whitewater Kayaking Basics for Women and Girls at Play. - BUY NOW
EJ's River Running Basics DVDThree time World Champion, Olympian, and founder of the World Kayak Federation, Eric Jackson, will teach you how to have a great time running rivers safely! - BUY NOW
Strokes, Concepts, and Bombproofing Your Roll - dvdThe most comprehensive instructional program in history on the skills of maneuvering your kayak. - BUY NOW
EJ's Rolling & Bracing - DVDThe most effective method to learn the kayak roll and kayak brace is also the most fun. - BUY NOW
The River Runner's EdgeThis energizing instructional unlocks the secrets of competent river runners: Water reading, strategies, strokes, maneuvers, and basic playboating. - BUY NOW
Kayak Session MagazinePhoto first! It is with this simple say that we launched in 2000 the first issue of Kayak Session. Kayak Session is an incredible, visual Magazine. - SUBSCRIBE NOW
Rapid MagazineRapid is North Americas only whitewater kayaking and canoeing magazine. - SUBSCRIBE NOW<
Canoe & Kayak MagCanoe and Kayak has been around for over 20+ years as a leader in paddlesport information.SUBSCRIBE NOW