Start making plans for the 12th annual Webster Wildwater Weekend, April 10th & 11th, 2010 on the Elk River in Webster Springs, WV featuring downriver & slalom races. Great for novices & experienced paddlers! Custom t-shirt for all entrants…prizes & trophies awarded. Race registration at Baker’s Island in Webster Springs. Party Saturday night around an indoor bonfire at Camp Caesar with live music, race videos & more! Organized river trips on Sunday.
For more information, call 304 847-2145 (day) or 304 847-7653 (evenings) or send us an email at wcda@websterwv.com.
Here’s what others have to say: Put this festival on your calendars, folks. Last year, it was definitely my best weekend of paddling and trumped CheatFest, GauleyFest, and StonyFest. …it's so quintessentially West (by God) Virginia that you'll be grinning the entire time, even though it's freezing out and your gear never dries. – posted on Three Rivers (PA) Paddling Club web site
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 “A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to West Virginia” describes various area river sections
- "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."
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 history.
Downriver Race Divisions:
1) Inflatables
a) raft/shredder
b)
duckie/sit-on-top
2) Canoes
a) solo-male
solo-female
b) tandem
c) parent-child (under 18)
3)
Kayak-under 3
meters in length
Male
Female
a) 17 & under 17 & under
b)
18-35
18-35
c)
36-55
36-55
d)
56+
56+
4)
Kayak-3 meters and
over in length*
Male
Female
a) 17 & under 17 & under
b)
18-35
18-35
c)
36-55
36-55
d)
56+
56+
*(includes decked C1)
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); $30 per person (ACA members with proof of membership), 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 given away at the party on Saturday evening. Entry fee to the party only is $10 (this does not include race entries or prize drawings and can be purchased at registration or at the door).
For more West Virginia fun check out these events:
Babcock Gristmill Grinder Half-Marathon Trail Run
Animal Upper Gauley Race - http://www.gauleyrace.com
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reserved.
Webster County Watershed Association
PO Box 4
Webster
Springs, WV 26288
Email: WCWA