2024 Beginner Whitewater Paddling Instruction Event

[Wes Barthwick]

2024 WVWA Whitewater Fundamentals Kayak Event May 18 and 19

This event 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 this event although you may find it less expensive to become a member. Only one membership is needed per household to get the discount.
Registration Deadline: May 14th
Coordinator: Wes Barthwick
Location: Paddling instruction will take place on the Greenbrier River between Ft. Spring and Alderson. Camping at Cliff Beck's camp (free) located near Alderson WV (camping can begin on Fri afternoon)
Camping is also available at Greenbrier Campground between Fort Springs and Alderson. Greenbrierriver Campground – Cabin Rentals, RV & Tent Sites, River Trips
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)

We will teach river safety and courtesy, paddle strokes, river hazards, river signals, river reading skills and more.
You will learn the properties of fast moving water and its effect on a kayak. Form, peel outs, eddy turns and ferries will be taught which are the basics of whitewater paddling. If you have some experience but you want to improve your basic skills, this class is for you. Instructions will be followed the same day with a trip from Fort Springs to the campground in the afternoon. Another longer open trip will take place on Sunday starting at Fort Springs on class I-II water.

A pot luck dinner will be held at Cliff Beck's camp after instruction on Saturday.

Come join us for a fun weekend with a paddling club that is now in its 59th year. The West Virginia Wildwater Association.

To register for this event, please click here:

WVWA | Paddling Club Event Registration

[Wes Robertson]

I signed up n got 2 more guys that are signing up and coming with me. 1 is my buddy Moe. Some of you have met him. He's been paddling with me for a year. He paddles a duckie. Doesn't want to try a hard boat but needs some instruction and help learning some basics...
The other guy is Michael Damron. He paddled flat water once years ago. I'm going to get him on some flatwater a couple times between now and the class.

[Nathan Cain]

Considering coming Saturday to camp and paddle on Sunday if I can find someone to fill in for me at the church. Right now I have a scheduling conflict for that Saturday.

[Wes Robertson]

I have another friend interested in attending the class. He doesn't have a boat yet. He's a tall skinny guy. I wanted to post and make sure he could get a boat before I tell him to sign up.
If anyone reads this and has some guidance, let me know! Thanks so much!

[Toni Hartley]

Do you know his approximate height and weight? Wess B would be best to respond regarding boat alignment but I believe approximate height and weight will give him an idea of what is needed.

[Wes Robertson]

Hes 6.3' 165lbs

[Wes Robertson]

His name is Bill Conley if he comes up on the list of folks who have signed up

[Toni Hartley]

Stay tuned for pot luck sign up and information!

[Wes Barthwick]

I have a second boat but it has already been committed to someone in the class. So anyone out there with a boat to lend, give me a shout. Will likely need a skirt too. I have a 3rd paddle and other gear that can be used. I will pick it up at your home and bring it back to you. Thank you in advance.

[Wes Robertson]

I have all the gear he should need except the boat and skirt.

[Kathy RiverRun]

I can provide a boat, Wes. - it's a big and buoyant New Wave in cross-link plastic. I'd say that adding airbags would be a must for a newbie paddler, or it would certainly become a sea anchor if filled with water. (My former tenant, Brian Jennings - RIP, used it as a downriver racer. Let me know if interested.

[Wes Barthwick]

I don't know anything about New Wave boats. Which model is it? The only info I found about them is for the sleek.
paddling.com/gear/manufacturers/new-wave

I have access to a Diesel 75. Not sure if it will work for a 6' 3" person.

[Kathy RiverRun]

No - this is definitely not the Sleek. It's gigantic. I suspect Brian used it as a downriver racer.

[Wes Robertson]

The Problem may be resolved on needing a boat for that guy. I found a used overflow x that he may purchase.
I appreciate all the responses! If it doesn't pan out I will let you know

[Wes Barthwick]

It will work out Wes. Within 24 hours we have potentially 2 and your find would make 3.

[Wes Robertson]

We got that fella a kayak. He should be signing up for the class now. His name is Bill Conley. That'll make 4 of us Logan boys participating. Im stoked!!

[Chuck Brabec]

Apr 29, 2024 9:38:12 GMT -5 Wes Robertson said:

We got that fella a kayak. He should be signing up for the class now. His name is Bill Conley. That'll make 4 of us Logan boys participating. Im stoked!!

I do not see his registration for the event.

[Wes Robertson]

I will remind him today.

[PJ Fish]

I signed up for the event (PJ Fish) but didn’t get a confirmation, do you have my registration?

[Chuck Brabec]

May 3, 2024 19:07:30 GMT -5 PJ Fish said:

I signed up for the event (PJ Fish) but didn’t get a confirmation, do you have my registration?

Your registration was received and recorded. We did not get your payment via Paypal. Please go to www.wvwa.net/cgi-bin/specialpay.pl and follow the instructions to make you payment.

[Toni Hartley]

As mentioned, Cliff will host the potluck on Saturday after the Fundamentals Event. So......
STUDENTS
INSTRUCTORS and SAFETY BOATERS
Others

Please sign up for an item to share on Saturday! We need the following items :

• Paper plates, paper towels, plastic cutlery
• Condiments for burgers and hot dogs (ketchup, mustard, onion, sliced cheese, pickles)
• Side Dishes (and serving utensils)
• chips, dip
• Deserts
• If you are vegetarian or have other dietary concerns, please feel free to add and bring something 

Kindly respond with the item you can bring to share in this thread and review the posts from others to help minimize duplicates before responding.

What else to bring?
Your own beverage and cup
camp chair
We typically eat around the campfire and hopefully, the weather will be dry. If not, bring a rain coat/rain pants.

If you have questions, please reach out to me!
Thank you for all your help in making the event for the entire weekend fun and successful!

[Josh Tinnel]

Ill bring pickles and make Coleslaw

[PJ Fish]

I can bring paper plates, paper towels and utensils.

[Toni Hartley]

Thanks Josh and PJ!

Updated:

Please sign up for an item to share on Saturday! We need the following items :

• Condiments for burgers and hot dogs (ketchup, mustard, onion, sliced cheese, )
• Side Dishes (and serving utensils)
• chips, dip
  
• Deserts
• If you are vegetarian or have other dietary concerns, please feel free to add and bring something

Kindly respond with the item you can bring to share in this thread and review the posts from others to help minimize duplicates before responding.

[Wes Robertson]

I'LL BRING A SIDE DISH. Im thinking potato salad. N I will spread word to the 3 guys coming with me n have each of them to decide on something.

[Bill Niemann]

I’ll be crashing the party. Gonna camp at Cliff’s or stay in town depending on whether my wife Teresa is with me. Will bring paper plates, napkins. and plastic knives, forks, etc. Also hot pickles!

Is anyone boating Friday, say mid-afternoon?

[Toni Hartley]

May 9, 2024 2:26:30 GMT -5 Bill Niemann said:

I’ll be crashing the party. Gonna camp at Cliff’s or stay in town depending on whether my wife Teresa is with me. Will bring paper plates, napkins. and plastic knives, forks, etc. Also hot pickles!

Is anyone boating Friday, say mid-afternoon?

Bill, someone already signed up to bring paper plates, etc....


Would you be able to please bring something else on the updated sign up list?


Condiments for burgers and hot dogs (ketchup, mustard, onion, sliced cheese, )
Side Dishes (and serving utensils)
chips, dip
Deserts
If you are vegetarian or have other dietary concerns, please feel free to add and bring something

[Bill Niemann]

Toni - My bad. I will bring the condiments including sliced cheese.
And the hot pickles.