Thanks to everyone for making the 2008 Webster Wildwater Weekend River Festival a great success. The downriver and slalom races were hotly contested and full of interesting surprises. Saturday evening’s party rocked with a great band, fantastic videos from the Marshall University Whitewater Club, a photo slide show from MountainBurst photographer Boyce McCoy, plenty of prizes and paddlers from all over the East Coast and Midwest getting together to celebrate. Jim Denvir, faculty sponsor of the Marshall Whitewater Club, was the winner of the grand prize drawing, an inflatable Tomcat kayak donated by G & R IGA Supermarket in Webster Springs. We look forward to seeing everyone next year on April 4 & 5, 2009 for the 11th annual Webster Wildwater Weekend. For information, call 304 847-5449 or 304 847-7653 (evenings) or send us an email at wcda@websterwv.com.
The Williams, Cranberry, Gauley, Elk and Back Fork of Elk Rivers provide whitewater enthusiasts challenging water for a variety of skill levels. Winter and spring typically provide healthy flows. It is rare for Webster County streams to be unrunnable during these months. Heavy summer rains can bring local streams up to runnable levels during the drier summer months. These 'summer treats' are sometimes short-lived so watch the real time river data and catch them while they're running.
The book "Wildwater West Virginia" describes various area river sections as follows:
- "A thrilling run through first class scenery."
- "...the best intermediate run in central West Virginia."
- "...interesting run possibly has more variety than any other in the state."
- "...rivers of incomparable action and...unparalleled beauty."
Photos courtesy of:
Randy Timm
Jeff Macklin
Race Course:
The normal race course starts at the CR 15/3 bridge in Curtin and finishes at Bakers Island in downtown Webster Springs, approximately 5 miles in length. American Whitewater’s description of this river section (shown below) includes approximately 6.6 miles from Bergoo to Curtin:
Bergoo to Webster Springs
Class II-III (IV
11.6 Miles
Avg Gradient 30 fpm
From Bergoo to the CR 15/3 bridge that goes to Curtin the rapids are mostly of the cobble bar variety. From this bridge downstream the rapid makers are mostly small ledges with the biggest one known as Parcoal Falls or the PX. Paddlers unfamiliar with this rapid should scout river right or sneak far left.
Organizers reserve the right to change river sections based on water levels and conditions at the time of the race, although this has occurred only one time in our 10 year history.
Downriver Race Divisions:
1. Inflatables
a) raft b) duckie/kayak
c) shredder
2. Canoes
a)
solo-male solo-female b) tandem-male tandem-female c) co-ed tandem d)
parent-child
3.
C-1
4. Kayak -under 3 meters in length
Male/Female
Age a) under 18 b) 18-29 c) 30-39 d) 40-55 e)
56+
5. Kayak-3
meters and over in length Male/Female
Age a) under 18 b)
18-29 c) 30-39 c) 40-55 d) 56+
6. Sit-on-Top Kayaks Male/Female
Rules: 1. All participants must wear a coast guard approved PFD and helmets at all times while in or on the water. 2. All additional rules posted on race day that pertain to the individual river chosen as the racecourse must be observed.
Prizes: 1st place plaque for each category in each division. 2nd & 3rd place finishers in larger categories also receive award. Custom T-shirt for each participant. Prizes awarded for Best Overall Elapsed Time (male & female). Other prizes awarded by special category and by random drawing.
Entry Fee:$35 per person (non American Canoe Association members); $25 per person (ACA members), or $20 per person for current residents of Webster County, WV (proof of residency required) and for any entrant under age 18 (regardless of residency). Paid entry fee includes custom designed t-shirt and entry for participant and one guest to the Saturday evening party. Paid entry fee also makes you eligible for prizes to be given away at the party on Saturday evening.
©2007. All rights
reserved.
Webster County Watershed Association
PO Box 4
Webster
Springs, WV 26288
Email: WCWA