2008 BWA Spring Clinic dates: April 19/20, 2008

The BWA Spring Beginners Clinic

For over 20 years the Bluegrass Wildwater Association has hosted an annual weekend beginner whitewater clinic for decked ( C-1 or kayak) and open canoe paddlers.

Clinic Student/Instructor Asignments

Keep an eye here for class assignments and volunteer lists as the clinic date approaches.

Basic Weekend Schedule: It is important that you are read & anticipate this schedule. Print a copy for the weekend. Instructors will update you on changes. Your promptness will make it easier for all to get the most from the clinic. Be dressed & ready for the day by 9:00. You will not be back to camp till late afternoon.

Saturday: 7:00-8:30 Breakfast 8:30-9:00 Organizational/Safety Talk. Meet instructor/go to river. River time 10:00-4:30 Relax/fun 4:30-5:30? Supper about 6:00-6:30 Talent Show 8:00 Campfire 8:30-? Sunday: 7:30-9:00 Breakfast 9:00 Break Camp 9:30 meet instructors/go to river, off river (ask inst.) 3:00-4:00 Don't forget your lunch and water each day. Have a good time!

Clinic Class List As Of 04/15/2008 05:14PM This list is subject to change, a lot of change between now and Saturday the 19th.
Novice Class: Little or no roll Instructor: Larry Cable Assistant: Dave Martin, Jackie Eggers, Penny Kephart Cathleen Adams Erica Couzin Milton "Tom" Moreland Virginia Taylor Karen Rodgers	Novice Class: Inconsistent Pool Roll only Instructor: Alan Beaven Assistants: Joe Wheatley, Frank Block Kurt Oetken Julia Steele Stephen White Nathan Duvall Julie Hebble
Beginner: Combat Roll Trouble but strong boating experience. Instructor: Clay Warren Assistants: Sarah Mello, John Dale Tera Engler Seth Rice Seth Debolt (likely to miss clinic) Russell Hampton Paul O'Sullivan Alicia Rowe	Beginner: Strong pool roll - little boating experience Instructor: Hanley Loller Assistants: Zina Merkin, Adam Trunnell Bethany Overfield David Garrett Karen Rudick Kim Wildman Kenny Gilliam-Taylor
Strong Roll - Ready for Class III Instructor: Chris Hellman Assistants: Wes Prince, John Mello David Shattuck Robert Martin Robert Milgate KC Frankenstein (actual name withheld by request) Daniel Spitler Taylor Kronn	Pre-Advanced. Class III first day. Second day will depend on student. Instructor: Jason "JBob" Bailey Assistants: Hadley Panzer, Liz Block Chris Schardl Jon Demos Brandon Jett Don Austin Logan Burden
Advanced. Noli Gorge on first day. Second day will depend on student. Instructor: George Garrett Assistants: Brian Sandmann, Tim Miller/Jen Coates (Tandem OC2), Super Dave Margavage Brandon Engler Dennis Swingley Elizabeth Decker-O'Sullivan Andrew Smith Heather Warman Rodney Agee	kids Instructors: Barry Grimes, Cynthia Grimes Assistants: Dot Edwards, Jeff Kirkner Brittany Prince Taylor Eggers Clay Eggers Lauren Clark Lucas Arundel
Volunteers
Breakfast Crew Allen Kirkwood - Breakfast Mgr Fred Tuttle - Breakfast Tim Miller - Breakfast Dallas Hargis - Breakfast Brent Austin - Breakfast Bruce Friend - Breakfast Mike Larimore - Breakfast	Dinner Crew Phillip Sisk - Mgr Dinner Meagan Sisk - Dinner Christine Austin - Dinner Travis Bolinger - Dinner Alison Mello - Dinner Robert Hebble - Dinner Keith Hubbard - Dinner
Instruction Clay Warren - Instr Alan Beaven - Instr Barry Grimes - Instr Cynthia Grimes - Instr Hanley Loller - Instr George Garrett - Instr Larry Cable - Instr Chris Hellman - Instr Jason Jbob Bailey - Instr Sarah Mello - Instr-Chase John Dale - Instr-Chase Zina Merkin - Instr-Chase Joe Wheatley - Instr-Chase	Instruction Adam Trunnell - Instr-Chase Dot Edwards - Instr-Chase Jen Coates/Tim Miller - Instr-Chase Wes Prince - Instr-Chase Brian Sandmann - Instr-Chase Hadley Panzer - Instr-Chase Liz Block - Instr-Chase Dave Martin - Instr-Chase Super Dave Margavage - Instr-Chase John Mello - Instr-Chase Jeff Kirkner - Instr-Chase Penny Kephart - Instr-Chase Jackie Eggers - Instr-Chase
Shuttle Dave Pierskalla - Shuttle Mgr Mike Molnar - Shuttle Fred Coates - Shuttle Keith "Zog" Aitken - Shuttle Super Dave Margavage - Backup Shuttle (possibly)	Floaters Guy Cottle(Saturday only). Sockeye Jim Guinn
Read About the Nolichucky area in the new issue of Bowlines: March/April 2008

April 19-20, 2008.

Applications are due by March 15, 2008.
$85 covers instruction, camping, 3 meals and BWA membership
$20 late fee if payment received after March 15
Absolutely no applications will be accepted after April 4th.

Clinic Applications:
Word document format
PDF format

NOTE: If you just want to come hang with us at the clinic, you can sign up
for just the camping and meals. $20 for BWA members, $25 for others.

Clinic Non-Student Reservation Forms
Word document format
PDF format

Questions? To send me an email, click here: Hanley Loller
or call me at 859-806-9843. I am easiest to reach after 5:00 PM

General Clinic Information
Any updated information about the clinic will be posted here

Clinic Dates and Logistics
The clinic will be held on April 19th & 20th, 2008 at the Nolichucky River. The location for camping will be at the Nolichucky Gorge Campground in Erwin, TN. A designated group camping area for all clinic participants will be available. Clinic participants who don't want to set up a tent may reserve a bunk in the bunkhouse for an extra $10 or a space in a platform tent (cabin tents with foam mattresses, already set up) for $8 extra. If requesting a platform tent, be aware that you will probably be bunking with two or three other people. You may request specific bunkmates at your discretion. Bunkhouse lodging is all in one room.

Clinic participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Nolichucky Gorge Campground. Directions may be obtained by clicking the link below or by calling the campground at (423)-743-8876. Those needing assistance in transportation should contact Hanley Loller at the phone numbers listed on the application form. Transportation between the campground and the river will be by private vehicle. We will coordinate shuttles for the trip from the campground.

Directions to the clinic


What is provided?
All camping fees were included in the price of the clinic. Saturday breakfast, Saturday supper, and Sunday breakfast will be provided. You will need to bring food that you can carry on the river with you for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Tupperware or similar containers are recommended (No glass containers please). If car-pooling, which we strongly urgebecause of limited space for cars, you will want to stop to eat on the way down on Friday night and on the way home Sunday night. So bring some cash.

What Do I Need to Bring?
For the following activities, you should at least bring the items mentioned:

Camping: Tent, tarp, sleeping bag, ground cover etc.

Boating: You should either have your own equipment, rent the gear, or list items needed on the application form for BWA to lend items that you need. Loaner equipment is limited, so be sure coordinate with the clinic director, Hanley Loller. Contact Hanley at the number provided on the form or email him here. All paddlers must have at least the following equipment before getting on the river.

• Boat - The boat will need to be designed for whitewater recreational use. • Paddle - Check length for comfort and fit as well as correct type for whitewater. • Life jacket - Coast Guard approved Type III or Type V. Do not use kapok horse collar or Mae West type vests. • Helmet - Mandatory for boaters. Bicycle helmets are not good because they are designed for a different type of impact scenario. • Spray skirt - if you are borrowing or renting equipment, check to make sure that it fits both you and the cockpit of the boat before you get to the put in.

Clothing: DO NOT bring cotton clothing of any type! In the event of a roll or swim, cotton soaks up water and keeps it in. Cotton clothing insures that you will sink, freeze, etc. Be prepared, past clinics have been conducted in conditions from 75 degrees and sunny to near blizzards. Watch the weather forecast and prepare as needed. Regardless, the water will still be chilly. Wetsuits are great, unfortunately that will not be issued with the gear borrowed from the BWA. If you don't have or can't borrow a wet suit, pile garments, polypropylene undies, and wool will do. The important properties are that the material wicks water away from your body and provides insulation when wet. If possible bring enough so that you can have a couple layers of under garments, so you can adjust for the weather. Wear some type of waterproof shell over the above-mentioned garments, at least for the upper half of your body.Tennis shoes will be adequate for open boaters, kayakers and C-boaters need to be sure that their footwear will facilitate a timely exit from an upside down craft. Cheap knock-offs at a discount store is fine. Again, wet suit type booties are the best.

What to Expect:
Expect to have FUN!

We will be paddling various sections of the lower Nolichucky river and possibly the Nolichucky Gorge, South Indian Creek or other local rivers and streams. These southern Appalachian waterways contain magnificent scenery and a wide variety of whitewater experiences. We will have a wide variety of river sections available to choose from. If you do not feel comfortable with a section of the river, you will be allowed to opt out or switch to a class on a milder section. If you have questions on or off the river, ask! We are here to provide you with the answers you seek.

Camping is done on the banks of the Nolichucky at the put in for the lower section and the takeout for the Noli gorge, nestled in the Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests. The appalachian trail passes through the campground, and there are lots of other recreational activities available in the area as well. There is plenty of room for everyone at the campground and dry areas in case it rains. There are hot showers and indoor plumbing, so even in the event of foul weather we should remain reasonably comfortable. Meals will be prepared and served out of the bunkhouse Most years we have both good weather and good water levels... but it has been know to be rainy and cool for the clinic. So students are advised to come prepared! The club will provide all the amenities for clinic participants. That is no small task...most years that means taking care of the needs of over 100 students, instructors, and support people.Once off the river, there will be tons of other activities from getting to know members (or hopefully soon-to-be members) of the BWA to drum circles!

Clinic Application and Waiver

PDF Format

Word Document Format

Your application and the waiver must be completed and signed.

The Clinic is a major event for the Club where more experience paddlers pass on the help that they were given by others when they began boating. It’s a tradition!


For more info contact Hanley Loller

Map to the Clinic

Why BWA?

The Clinic is a major event for the Club where more experience paddlers pass on the help
that they were given by others when they began boating. It’s a tradition!

Pictures from the BWA Clinic 2000

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