LVMTV :: Monday Morning Madhouse 1/26/09: Whitewater parks and introducing people to the sport
This week, we focus on an increase in whitewater parks and the role they play in introducing people to whitewater paddling. Fergus Coffey, head of instruction over at the US National Whitewater Center, offers up some numbers and insight as to how many people have developed a love for whitewater as a result of the opening of the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. Take a watch and a listen and post any comments you have about this on this page. Enjoy. Run Time: 12:03.
Monday Morning Madhouse: 1/26/09; Whitewater parks and introducing people to kayaking from Lunch Video Magazine on Vimeo.
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January 27th, 2009 at 8:17 am
John, I completely agree with accessibility being the biggest obstacle. I live in Central Ohio and there is limited whitewater that runs more than 2 months out of the year. Not to mention looking for a boat and purchasing one would have to be accomplished no less than 2 hours from my area. If there were a whitewater park within an hour I would probably be there with my friends every weekend practicing for Maryland, Pennsylvania and WVA all the time. I wasn’t sure which message board you posted on so I backed you up on this site instead.
Peace,
Tommy
January 27th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Tommy,
I hear ya. I know the your situation and I can relate. How cold is it up there right now?
John
January 27th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I totally agree with accessibility hindering the growth of whitewater sports. Being from Owensboro, KY, we have an ideal area right on the Ohio with enough gradient to support several features. The problem with trying to gather interest in places like Owensboro is the whitewater world is several hours away in all directions, so you get the typical, “Where you going with that funny lookin’ canoe.” People can’t get excited about something totally foreign to them. I know Bardstown, Bowling Green, and several other KY cities are pushing for features to be built from existing and revitalized dams, allowing people in this area to maybe stumble upon something that would be cool to them.
January 27th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Great topic! I live in Charlotte and I can say with all confidence that I never would have considered taking up kayaking if it wasn’t for the whitewater park here. I have always been interested and always thought it would be cool to try, but never got serious enough to even take a weekend trip to the Nanty. That all changed when I moved back to Charlotte last year. My brother convinced me to get a boat, and I took my first lesson from Chris Wing in July of ‘08. It’s been balls to the wall since then. Having the opportunity to boat for 3 hours after work during daylight savings time is PRICELESS. My skills have developed so quickly that I was able to be confident on class IV creeks within 4 months of that first lesson. The river is a different animal, and there are situations in which the park can develop bad habits IF you let it, but after a few natural runs you learn what not to do. I see new boaters at the park every single time that I go, and the fact that the park offers child-specific clinics is fantastic!
January 27th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
We just came off a below zero bender but its like 15 now. Perfect kayaking weather.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Right on, John! I’m a CO. transplant via Southern Illinois. You and I talked at paddlefest 2005(bought a hot off the press Jefe from you guys) in Silverthorne about bringing parks to the Midwest…the Wabash and Ohio rivers near where we grew up. I was even recently wondering if you had given it anymore further, serious thought. Cool to see you guys bringing it up and pursuing it!
I would love to see the day when I could go visit my grandma in Mt. Carmel and take a playboat with me.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
John, Adriene’s mom here-
Great topic and podcast. I think much of the future of WW depends on park like whitewater park features, especially in states where there is already a large group of boaters (sea kayakers, rec canoeists etc)Just wanted you and others to know that I was a meeting just last week about a whitewater park/course in Grand Rapids, MI (don’t ya think we deserve one based on the name!!) There are a number of dams on the river going right through the town with enough gradient to at least create a play hole/wave if the design is is good. THere was beginning conversation between the fishermen who fish the dam and paddlers who would love to be able to just paddle through town and have the river be more accessible to all. SO it will be interesting to see where it ends up.
The other thing I have noticed about WW kayaking is a need to be more attractive to the older boaters (face it – thats where the money is). that is a topic for another time!!!
Cheers–
January 9th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
All you in the midwest. Springfield, OH is building a park on Buck Creek, through the center of town. The project includes 4 dam locations over 5.5 miles of creek. Phase 1 completed in Oct. 09, phase 2 underconstruction. Phase 3 & 4 in design for early 10′ build. Video can be seen on Youtube – search: SurfSpringfieldOH I am the project originator and construction manager. Recreation Engineering & Planning, Mike Harvey is the project manager.Check out Springfield, OH !!! Drop a line if your headed this way or for more info jloftis@madrivercraftsmen.com