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Why the Bluegrass Wildwater Association? |
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The objectives of this organization are to encourage enjoyment, preservation, and exploration of American waterways for selfpowered craft; to protect the wilderness character of these waterways through conservation of water, wildlife, and parks; to promote safety and proficiency in all aspects of wildwater activities; to promote appreciation for the recreational value of wilderness waterways and wildwater sports; to chart and preserve wilderness waterways in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. |
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Here is how one member has put it:
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| 'What's this club all about anyway?' 'What do I got if I Join?' These are but a couple of questions posed by people I talk to who are curious about our club. At first I am usually frustrated by anyone who would ask such elementary questions. The basic answer I feel is to pass on an ever growing tradition. To be a whitewater boater takes some skills that can be learned In a weekend, some practice at what you've learned. and then hooking up with a group of boaters who can pass on this tradition of river education. This river education is best passed from one to the next, not by book or film. but by taking that novice and Inviting him to go with you. Try to lead and help them all you can and encourage them when they do well. This tradition of helping is what encouraged me In the sport. A few well placed phone calls, invites on trips. and finally someone taking me under their wlng for a paddl ing season. Since then I've had great respect for this effort. And since then I've picked someone each year and helped them along the best I could by just trying to pass along the tradition. . . |
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If you Join.... |
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| You may be pleased to know that your membership goes towards supporting an active organization that is a major contributor to such Wildwater related causes as, American Whitewater, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, the Russell Fork Rendezvous, and any other causes the club may choose. $20/individual; $25/Family year entitles you to receive the newsletter, discounts at many local and out of state outfitter shops, use of club equipment, discount at pool rolling sessions, a listing in the BWA handbook, a stream gauge guide, and web site with a listserve for members’ messages, and lots of other fun activities and good friends to do them with. |
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| Monthly Meetings: The BWA gets together at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of each month. Updated information on meeting location is posted on our Meet & Eat page. |
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| Handbook: One thing, if you paddle in the BWA, in one year this handbook will be worn to a nub. The handbook that you are now holding above all has the phone numbers of all of the BWA members. In addition it also has the ability (when put in a front window of a car) to magicaly trasform into a free parking pass for the Elkhorn Campground putin (poof), so make sure you don’t loose it. If you find that any of the information in this handbook is incorrect or if you have an Idea for something that should be in it contact Phil Sisk at pwsisk0@engr.uky.edu or tell him at a meeting and he will be glad to hear you out. |
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| BWA Forum: The BWA has an on-line forum, located at: www.americanwhitewater.org/bwa This is the best way to keep in touch with what’s going on in the BWA, to hook up with other boaters, find out what rivers are running, to trade, buy and sell gear, or to read about upcoming events or the great trips BWA folks are taking throughout the year. You can read historical posts, view pictures of river trips past and even post your own question or discussion topics! |
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| Roll Sessions: Roll Sessions hosted by the BWA and its current safety director are the best way to learn the basics of self rescue, try new equipment and practice your skills in a controlled environment. From November to March the roll sessions are held in the YWCA on Cross Keys Road, in the Summer the location changes. Gear, including boats, paddles, and skirts, is usually available. To find out the current schedule check the Web Page, Newsletter, or post a question on the Forum! |
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| Bowlines Newsletter: The Bowlines, a bi-monthly newsletter, contains up to date information about current and future events as well as boating related stories submitted by BWA members, factual, fictional and mythical. Paddler Magazine has said this about Bowlines: "Lexington Ky’s Bluegrass Wildwater Association takes top honors for the design, content, entertainment and usefulness of its Bowlines publication. If this were an on-line newsletter contest, the club would probably win that too--it went into cyberspace in 1996 and (is) posting each issue online for ... download." |
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| Web Site: The BWA web site, located at: www.surfbwa.org is a great source for information such as roll session dates, meeting locations and news, membership applications, useful links, clinic applications and an added surprise from time to time. |
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| The National Paddling Film Festival: Hosted by the BWA for over 24 years the National Paddling Film Festival takes place each February and offers amateurs and professionals alike the chance to screen their films and offers the local paddling community a chance to view the latest films videos and images submitted over the previous year. Also hosting workshops, competitions and a silent auction for gear, the NPFF has received national attention, and is at the least a great chance to shake the mid winter blues and get excited for the coming boating season.Of course the NPFF party is as important a tradition as the screenings and guarantees a great time for all involved. The NPFF is another opportu-nity to volunteer your time! |
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| The BWA Spring Beginners Clinic: Officially kicking off the spring season, The Spring Beginners Clinic, held every year in late April, is a great opportunity for beginning and intermedi-ate boaters to get on the river and meet other members of the BWA. Instruction, Gear, Camping and Meals are included for one low price. Applications and other information can be found on the Web Page. The Spring Beginners Clinic fills up in advance every year, so sign up early and tell your friends! |
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| Club Trips: Each year, generous members, out of the goodness of their hearts, volun-teer to lead trips for Beginners and Intermediates alike. These trips go when and where the leaders choose but could include such locations as the Hiawasee, the Nantahala, the Ocoee, the Big South Fork, the New River and the Lower Gauley. Usually informally announced during meet-ings, on the forum or in the newsletter, these trips provide the opportunity for newer paddlers to continue to glean pearls of wisdom from more experi-enced paddlers, like where and when to go and what to do when you get there – who knows, the trip leaders might even have something to offer as well. |
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| Russell Fork Rendezvous: A classic party in the fine BWA tradition, The Russell Fork Rendezvous is a multi-day gathering, festival, and downriver race celebrating the fabulous Russell Fork Gorge located in Breaks Interstate Park. The Russell Fork (and the Pound River flowing out of the Flanagan Dam) is a spectacular river with some of the most challenging water in the country as well as excellent beginner and intermediate sections. The Rendezvous is sched-uled around annual fall releases from the dam, and the town of Haysi gears up for the influx of outdoor enthusiasts by hosting a festival of its own and generally providing a supportive and enthusiastic community to host this happening. The Russell Fork Rendezvous is another great opportunity to volunteer your kind energy for the cause. You have to be there to believe it. |
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| Elkhorn Put-in: The BWA annually buys a pass from the Elkhorn campground that owns the parking area just upstream of the bridge over the South Elkhorn at the forks of the Elkorn put-in. BWA members may display this handbook in their cars to park for free at the put in! Vehicles without passes are towed regu-larly, so display your BWA guide prominently and if you don’t have one, don’t forget to pay the campground attendant to keep the river gods happy! Another valuable perk to BWA affiliation! |
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| Annual Fall Reunion Each year for over 25 years we have had an annual weekend gathering near one of the river systems we paddle. It gies us both a chance to run a river we all enjoy and to visit with each other and past members who may have moved away from the Lexington area. We have a big pot luck meal on Saturday night. We then gather around the campfire to tell stories, musically talented members play music and we catch up on our visiting with each other. |
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| Club Parties: Continuing a decades long tradition, the BWA uses about any excuse to get together for a party. The Clinic, The NPFF, and The Annual Reunion parties are just a few of the official excuses to get together and blow off some steam, but impromptu chili-cook offs, wymin’s get-togethers and just about any gathering of more than a handful of BWA’ers is reason enough for the party to start. Wanna get involved? Throw a party. These parties may or may not be announced, stay in touch! |
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| To contact Club President Phil Sisk: E-mail |
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Information on this web site is provided for the use of BWA members |
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