USNWC Shamrock Smackdown 2013

This Smackdown had a different vibe. Sort of a See and be Seen thing. Just you and me and 10,000 of our closest friends.

Reminded me of the Oscars. Yep, that's it. I am already a notorious name dropper (Paddled with Dennis Huntley) so maybe this is the format.

Sometimes opportunities come in bunches, and in this case we’re talking mistletoe bunches. As I was perusing the calendar, I noticed that several events were falling into line: a concert in Chapel Hill, then the Sprig Outing trip Saturday morning , another social engagement that night, and finally the club’s annual Winter Potluck/Meeting. I decided the Sprig Outing needed to be part of my itinerary.

 

 

On the second weekend in June, 19 youth and teen paddlers descended on Bryson City for a paddling clinic held by the Foothills Paddling Club and Carolina Canoe Club.  The students ranged in age from 7 to 18, with almost every age in-between.  Skill levels ranged from, “what’s an eddy?” to “why aren’t we on the Ocoee?”  The students were divided into three groups – beginner, novice, and intermediate, with 2 instructors for each group. 

 

The only thing better than seeing my kids’ smiling faces after a fun run on a river is seeing the faces of over 30 kids and 40 moms and dads after a day on the river making new friends and sharing days outside in the fresh air and cool river water. That is what Families Paddle Too! is all about – it is to encourage the enthusiasm and joy of our next generation of whitewater paddlers.