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Gauley Festival 2012 |
Almost as if the
relaxing squirt boating week was the calm before a storm, the weekend
quickly rolled in and the action level picked up with the start of
the Gauley Festival.
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SUP ing below the New River Bridge |
Each Friday to
Monday in Sept and October the Gauley river's dam releases and this
weekend each year over 5,000 paddlers descend to the small town of
Summersville deep in West Virginia to paddle, shop and party at the
annual Gauley Fest. The event kicked off with a Stand Up Paddle Board
Race (SUP) on the New River on Thursday and then the arrival of the
water on the Gauley on Friday. It was great on my 3rd trip
to West Virginia to finally be able to paddle this incredible
whitewater run.
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Stephen throws some big moves
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I ran the Upper on
Friday shown down by Gauley and USA whitewater legend and expert
guide Clay Wright and the lower on Sunday. Both super fun, play and
big water, river running, runs. Saturday I joined Colin Kemp and the
World Kayak team and took a group of 'first timers on the Gauley'
paddlers down the lower. In just one day, 40 'new' first timers (41
if you include me) ran the Gauley. Thanks to Colin and the World
Kayak team of guides and instructors who gave their day to share
their love for these runs.
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Fun times on the Gauley |
After paddling
some super impressive rapids, surfing some great play waves and holes
and kick flipping and macho moving down loads of waves trains we
headed back to the festival site, where there was live music and
loads of stands and stalls offering great deals on boats and kit.
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Everyone checks out the deals and kit on show |
The
party went on well into the night and with a great atmosphere it was
great opportunity to catch up with a lot of paddlers from all over
Canada and the USA.
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Jackson Kayaks draws in the crowds as the party goes on late into the night |