Us National Whitewater Center Kayaking Trip

OVERVIEW

THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED

The US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC is the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, as well as the training ground for US Olympic Slalom Kayaking. The center offers two channels of continuous rapids, ranging from class II to class IV Olympic competition level rapids and slalom gates. There are also a few good play spots for those interested in getting in some surfing action in their kayaks.

There is a festival taking place at the center on Saturday the 12th, the Fall Finale. This is an all-day event featuring live music in the afternoon/evening, starting at 4pm, celebrating the last of the River Jam concert series. It should be a lot of fun, although this means that the center will be a little crowed this day.
http://usnwc.org/fall-finale/

The USNWC can be challenging for even those who have kayaked before, so Class III experience and a solid roll is highly recommended. Otherwise, beginners may sign up for the trip, but must pay to take a private or group lesson both days and are responsible for setting this up themselves beforehand. Costs for this range from $55-$80 a day. http://usnwc.org/learn/instruction-certification/kayak-instruction/#private. Availability may be limited with the festival going on so this should be done fairly early, and cleared with me before I move you from the waitlist.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:

There is also rafting, rodeo rafting, SUP squatching, paddleboarding, and some other land activities for those interested, but again, these activities tend to cost around $99 for a 2 day pass and must be arranged beforehand, especially with the festival going on. Let me know if you are planning on doing any of these activities when signing up or if you have any questions. Check the website for more info: http://usnwc.org/play/

TIMES/SCHEDULE:

This will depend on when people are able to leave on Friday/who’s driving. Ideally I’d like to be leaving Charlottesville by 5:00 pm Friday night, and return 8:00 pm Sunday, but more times will be finalized depending on schedule constraints.

The plans are to drive down Friday night, camp at McDowell Nature Preserve, paddle Saturday and Sunday, and get back Sunday night.
The water release schedule Saturday is 11:00am – 6:30pm
Sunday is 12:00pm – 5:30pm

I will have to leave early on Sunday, but this shouldn’t affect the schedule of the rest of the group, unless others want to leave early to coordinate with other trips, etc

CAMPING:

McDowell Nature Preserve, about a 20 minute drive from the center.

http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/StewardshipServices/NaturePreserves/Pages/McDowell.aspx

These are very nice campsites and have fire rings, electricity, and even indoor plumbing!

FOOD:

I am planning on getting food for breakfast Saturday and Sunday, as well as dinner Friday and Saturday night. You should provide your own lunch, (there is also a nice restaurant and a couple of places to get food at the center while we’re there)

FEES:

The club will pay for camping, meals I described, and $150 towards gas each vehicle. The only fee will come from purchasing day passes for time on the water and for parking. Parking is $5 per car, and I can get one vehicle in for free, so if everyone brings $1 we can split the rest of that cost.

For regular kayaking (since we will all be coming with gear and boats already) only a day pass for time on the water is needed. This cost is not posted online, but I think it’s around $25 a day for the entire day. This is also a perfect time to demo some other boats, (the center has a large variety ranging from play boats to river runners) and this is a flat $20 fee to demo as many boats as you want for the entire day. If you are planning on doing other activities at the center, plan on bringing money for those costs as well.

I’m putting $51 as the general fee, but this will depend on what everyone decides to do and is just an estimate (does not get paid to me)

THE CLUB PROVIDES

Kayaking gear (if necessary) let me know if anything is needed (boats, spray skirts, paddles, pfds, helmets, noseplugs, neoprene booties, paddle jackets) or any camping gear. Money for gas is provided up to $150, as well as 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners.

YOU SHOULD BRING:

$$ for food and activities, warm clothes, water clothes, sunscreen, snacks/lunch, kayaking gear if you have it, camping stuff if you have it, any kitchen gear

DISCLAIMER/LEGAL:

I am NOT “leading” any river trips, I am only coordinating some transportation and logistics. YOU are responsible for your own safety and the activities you choose to participate in while on this trip. Additionally, all participants must have read and must agree to abide by the American Whitewater Safety Code http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/safety:start? for the duration of the trip.

All who participate on this trip agree to participate as “Common Adventurers”.