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Post by Tony Daniel on Apr 10, 2022 14:13:04 GMT -5
2022 WVWA Whitewater Fundamentals Kayak Clinic May 21 and May 22nd This clinic is open to beginners who are interested in learning to kayak on whitewater as well as more experienced paddlers who want to improve or practice their skills . You do not need to be a member to attend the clinic although you may find it cheaper to become a member. Only one membership is needed per household to get the discount. Registration Deadline: May 14th Coordinator: Tony Daniel Instructors: Tony Daniel, Wes Barthwick, Dan Waller and whomever else I can round up (we are always looking for volunteers) Location: Paddling instruction will take place on the Greenbrier River between Ft. Spring and Alderson. Camping at Cliff Beck's camp located near Alderson WV (camping can begin on Fri afternoon) Clinic Fee: $60 per student ($30 discount for WVWA members) Class Size: Maximum of 15 (minimum of 3) Class Status: no spots currently filled (15 left) link to register
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Post by James Reeves on Apr 10, 2022 14:21:43 GMT -5
I plan on bringing my daughter. I can volunteer with helping out if there's need for me.
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Post by Tony Daniel on Apr 10, 2022 14:28:05 GMT -5
Answers to frequently asked questions:
Do I have to camp? No but we will be doing a 45 minute talk at Cliff's place on Sat. prior to the on water instruction. On Saturday we should begin actual paddle instruction around 11 am at the greenbrier river campground access. You can only skip the morning meeting with prior permission. You will need to go over some basic safety stuff (online: teams or zoom) with me before hitting the water. On Sunday we will meet right at the greenbrier campground river access at 10:00 am. Expect to work on skills (strokes, eddy turns, peel-outs, ferries) on Sat. and then apply what you've learned on Sunday.
Who can go on Sunday's trip? Sunday's trip is open to all club members, their families, and even your non $20 friends. It is a more relaxing day than Saturday. Saturday will wear you out. Sunday's instruction will be much more laid back and focus on trip dynamics. You can just show up for free on Sunday if you want to. No limit on the size of Sunday's trip.
What do I need to Bring? In addition to your boating gear be prepared to camp, bring some food, including something easy to take on the river, beverages, a camp chair, and dry clothes. Sun Screen, a hat, wet shoes (like tennis shoes) are also handy.
If I don't have a boat or gear can I still take the clinic. Yes, when you register make sure you let us know what you need and tell us your height and weight so we can get a boat and other equipment to fit you.
What's the schedule?
Here's a tentative schedule
Fri. Go to Cliffs set up camp Fri late afternoon/evening- some of us will make a quick run on the greenbrier to scout the venue for any new hazards before the clinic. We will end at Stuarts with dinner at Stuarts (you are welcome to paddle with us if you have prior experience with this stretch of river and Stuarts is certainly an experience in and of itself so join us for unpredictable food, sometimes sketchy service, and a view of the river. Sat. 9:00 am safety talk and introductions (at Cliffs) Sat: 11:00 instruction begins at the greenbrier river campground Sat: 12:30 lunch on the water Sat: 3:30 instruction ends- back to Cliffs Sat: 6:00 hot dogs and hamburgers provided, bring a side and your own beverage Sun. around 8:30 to 9:00 o'clockish Breakfast at the Big Wheel in Alderson Sun. 10:00 am meeting at the put-in Fort Springs (some of us will set shuttle on the way from the Big Wheel) Sun. 3:00 pm we should be on the road back to Cliffs or headed to home (depending upon if you broke camp before leaving Cliffs)
If I've already taken the clinic can I take it again? Yes, we all benefit from repeatedly practicing strokes, doing eddy turns, peel-outs, and ferries. You can even come back as a "safety boater" and skip the fee.
If you have a question we haven't covered, simply post it up on the forum.
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Post by Tony Daniel on Apr 10, 2022 14:29:11 GMT -5
Hey James that sounds great. We can always use the help. How are situated on boats and gear for your daughter?
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Post by James Reeves on Apr 10, 2022 17:42:38 GMT -5
Tony, she's fully equipped except for a helmet.
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Post by Cliff Beck on Apr 11, 2022 7:52:28 GMT -5
I will be registering Jude and Avani again this year, my sister just camping. Avani is all set with the Trigger, skirt, helmet, and pfd, but needs a paddle. Jude is growing by feet, not inches, and will need a boat, medium mamba or equivalent, paddle, and maybe skirt. Helmet and pfd are covered.
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Post by Wes Barthwick on Apr 12, 2022 11:47:56 GMT -5
As much as I would like to stay at Cliffs, pulling an 8' wide camper over a 9' wide bridge (Cliff claims it is 10') once was enough. We will be staying at River Ridge Campground in Alderson that weekend. For others with campers that don't care to tackle the bridge (don't get me wrong, it can be done), there are 7 or 8 open spots still open as of 4-12. www.riverridgecamp.com/
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Post by Wes Barthwick on Apr 12, 2022 23:18:20 GMT -5
Here are some videos that are worth watching before the clinic as they will be the things taught at the clinic. They are many of the basics of WW kayaking, These are worth watching by everyone, even instructors.
Head, Paddle, Boat and Body -
Forward strokes, and rotation -
Draw Strokes. This is key -
C-Stroke -
Peel Outs Eddy Turns -
Peel outs, Eddy turns and Ferries -
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Post by Christine Gutzwiller on Apr 17, 2022 12:36:35 GMT -5
Hi Gang! I signed up for the Beginners Clinic, but ... it's a long story. I checked the box that I'm a WVWA member but it must not have taken. So when I went to Pay Now (PayPal) screen it said $60. That was wrong, so I hit the "back" button. Now it won't let me pay. Says I'm already registered. Not sure who to poke to make sure I'm listed as both registered and paid. Cliff - I'll mail you a check as I did for dues. You might want to post that mailing address. Thanks!
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Post by Cliff Beck on Apr 17, 2022 15:16:03 GMT -5
Hi Christine, I passed along your issue to Chuck Brabec, who should be able to fix you up.
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Post by Chuck Brabec on Apr 17, 2022 16:30:16 GMT -5
Christine, It looks like you entered gutzwillerchristine@gmailcom (with no . before com). The program that validates the registration information did not catch that and did not find a match in the roster, so it assumed that you are not a WVWA member. If you want to pay online, go to www.wvwa.net/cgi-bin/specialpay.pl and select the option to pay for the fundamentals clinic. Chuck
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Post by Christine Gutzwiller on Apr 18, 2022 15:14:39 GMT -5
Thanks, Guys! I'm good at many things but no one ever hired me for my typing, lol (-: I dropped a check in the mail to Cliff yesterday and will be there!
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Post by Andrew Gillespie on Apr 20, 2022 10:26:15 GMT -5
I registered as a student because I need to get back into my kayak and be comfortable in it. I also have swift water training so some of the safety aspects of the course
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Post by Tony Daniel on Apr 29, 2022 21:31:14 GMT -5
Good for you andrew! We all need to revisit fundamentals, switching boats can make most of us feel like beginners again, slice sterns and play boats make me quiver with fear of a nubile neptune nutcase
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Post by Tony Daniel on Apr 30, 2022 13:27:12 GMT -5
Made some slight changes to sat schedule, starting on water at greenbrier river campground instead of Fort spring, shuttle provided up to fort spring when pods are ready
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Post by Cliff Beck on May 4, 2022 14:11:28 GMT -5
Hi folks,, I will be posting directions to my place real soon.
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Post by Cliff Beck on May 6, 2022 11:23:06 GMT -5
Here you go:
Address: 346 Sawmill Hollow Road, Alderson, 24910 Phone: 304-645-6672 (The two mapping services have different results; Apple seems right)
FROM I-64, TAKE THE ALTA EXIT, #161
Take the Alta, Rte 12 South exit, which is Exit 161. At the stop, turn onto Rte 12 south to Alderson/Pence Springs.
Stay on Rte 12 for about 3.5 miles, to a small community called Asbury.
About a quarter mile past Asbury, make a right on Spring Valley Rd, CR-31.
After 3.5 miles or so you come to a point where the road ahead is actually Spotted Ridge Rd. Go to the left and cross the little bridge (being rebuilt) to stay on Spring Valley.
Next you come to a spot where the paved road continues left and straight ahead is a dirt road. Go straight on the dirt to stay on SV Rd. To the left is the Jarrett Cutoff, not wanted.
Less than a mile the dirt ends at a stop sign. Go straight onto Blue Sulphur Springs Rd, CR-25.
Less than a mile at a sharp right turn, go straight onto Bennett Mtn Rd, CR-25/3. Immediately hang a left onto Sawmill Hollow Rd.
Half a mile, stay right at the 346 sign. Welcome to the Beck Place.
Note: there are shorter routes depending on your direction of travel, Exit 150 Dawson, and Exit 156 Sam Black Church, but unless you are a practiced stunt driver you might want to avoid them.
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Post by Chuck Brabec on May 6, 2022 18:06:25 GMT -5
The deadline for registering for the clinic was May 14th. There are 9 paid registrations and 2 registrations pending payment.
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Post by Wes Barthwick on May 17, 2022 18:54:27 GMT -5
I will bring my extra Mamba and gear for people above 150 lbs. that may need it. I will also bring some short and long-sleeved T-shirts, hoodie sweatshirts, hats and a few new high performance polyester T-shirts. If you have a certain size and color in mind, let me know and I will make sure to bring it. wvwaforum.proboards.com/thread/6631Linda makes killer tomato and cucumber salad too.
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Post by Dan Waller on May 18, 2022 7:17:45 GMT -5
I'll be at Cliff's Thursday afternoon or until the construction crew building his new deck gets finished. Which every comes first. I brought all my boats and gear. Rightnow I'm at the Greenbrier camp. Man it was cold last night. The rivers looking good here.
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Post by James Reeves on May 18, 2022 9:12:23 GMT -5
I plan on showing up early Saturday morning. Only thing I'm lacking is a youth size helmet for my daughter. I picked up a S/M at Ace, but it's too large.
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Post by Cliff Beck on May 18, 2022 12:40:45 GMT -5
Please note that Mary Joseph needs everything, all 5 essentials. I need paddles for 2 youth. Splash tops for Jude and Avani (small child) would be nice.
Temps in the 90s this weekend.
Greenbrier expected to hold at 4 ft.
Should have internet. No garuntees.
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Post by Tony Daniel on May 18, 2022 12:56:17 GMT -5
will bring some small helmets , extra gear, paddles and boats- I just don't have a lot of small sizes overall
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Post by Wes Barthwick on May 19, 2022 0:21:01 GMT -5
I just wanted to post a heads up to all those taking on the clinic this weekend. WATCH THE VIDEOS! There will be a quiz. lol The most important ones to watch are the first two and the last. Head paddle boat and body are not expected to be learned right off. It takes time but just keep the concept in mind. The forward stroke is key to learning. Again, it is not expected to master right off, The concept is. The last video on eddy turns, peel outs and ferries will be worked on every place we can find. Watch this video as many times as you can stand. It is key to learning the art of whitewater paddling, The more you practice these skills and the better you get and the more comfortable you will feel on water as you progress to more and more difficult rivers that you test yourself on. You will find your sweet spot difficulty running rivers that test you as you conquer fears and end up with that special feeling as you look back up at the rapid you just conquered!
See you this weekend!
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Aut Thomas
Novice Forum Member
WVWA Member since 2021
Posts: 19
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Post by Aut Thomas on May 19, 2022 9:18:13 GMT -5
I have already registered to take this year's clinic again, however, I'm disappointed to say that I'm not going to be able to make it. I was looking forward to a great weekend with some fantastic people. I'm hoping perhaps my fee could be used toward another clinic in the future? Please advise. Hope the weekend fun and educational for all! If Charlie is there, tell him I'll catch up with him next time, he was very helpful last year & I was looking forward to paddling with him again.
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Post by Tony Daniel on May 19, 2022 9:49:13 GMT -5
sorry you can't make it, we can work something out with a refund, or future clinic or put it toward club dues
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Post by Kevin Varallo on May 20, 2022 10:04:31 GMT -5
I’m gonna try to make the Sunday trip.
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Post by Tony Daniel on May 20, 2022 10:11:46 GMT -5
great
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Post by Ed Burris on May 20, 2022 13:16:24 GMT -5
My son and I are camping at greenbrier river campground. Should be there around 3 today. How long does it take to get to cliffs from there ?
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Post by Cliff Beck on May 20, 2022 14:39:10 GMT -5
Hey bro, glad you are coming. 30 minutes tops.
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