Purpose: Fun, (re)build boating skills, keep interest high in camp; share springtime adventure on the rivers with family and friends—
As a former head of paddling instruction at Mondamin and the Nantahala Outdoor Center for many years, I helped organize over 25 of these, discontinued them a few years back and figured: hey, I’m back at camp! Let’s rev these up again! These have been very popular, and we look forward to offering one this year to reignite the tradition. This year, we will have instructional leadership assistance from Lecky Haller, multiple US Olympic Team member and all-around whitewater legend.
We take a variety of boats and skill levels: canoes, solo and tandem, and kayaks or C-1s. If we have true beginners, we will split the day on the river so one group runs a harder session and the other an easier one, like Sections 9 or 8 of the French Broad. We always adjust the clinic to the needs of the participants and have a long history of sending everyone home tired and happy!
Cost: $500 per person, all inclusive of:
Instruction, gear, food, and camp lodging
Minimum participants: 4; Max: 12
• At the clinic there is an opportunity to donate to the Chief and Calla Bell Foundation (C+CBSF), the independent non-profit that offers scholarships for summer camp experiences, but this is NOT required for participation. We simply give participants the donation form link to the Foundation Website
Schedule: Note that this is a sample schedule! We adjust for water levels and participants’ needs.
Friday evening - May 3rd:
- 4:00 p.m. - Arrive at camp, get situated in cabins and perhaps spend some time getting gear together.
- 6:00 p.m. - Dinner and introductions of the group.
- 7:00 p.m. - Select boats and personal gear for the weekend and place in the Triangle, ready for use.
- 8:00 p.m. - Tower Time!
Saturday, May 4th:
- 7:00 a.m. - Coffee/tea ready in the dining and Tower Time for reflections and conversations.
- 8:00 a.m. – Morning Bell rings
- 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast
- 9:30 a.m. - On the lake! Strokes refresher, filming of all skill sets, including landings drills and kayak or C-1 rolls – or even open Canoe rolls! Load the trailer for the trip to the river.
- 1:00 p.m. – lunch and watch any needed videos of technique to tune up for the river.
- 2:00 p.m. - Drive to Lower Down Green (put in at Big Corky and run to Second Bridge).
- 5:00 p.m. - Drive back from river.
- 7:00 p.m. - Dinner and the rowdy telling of river stories.
- 7:45 p.m. - The Chief and Calla Bell Foundation: who they are, what they do, and the opportunities to contribute.
- 8:00 p.m. - Tower Time and the resolution of all the world’s problems.
- 9:00 p.m. - The sleep of the just
Sunday, 5/5/2024
- 7:00 a.m. - Coffee/tea ready in the dining and Tower Time for reflections and conversations.
- 8:00 a.m. - Morning Bell rings
- 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast
- 9:00 a.m. - Adjustment of personal gear and boats on the trailer.
NOTE: in the past we have found that French Broad Sec 9 from Barnard to Stackhouse is the best option: reliable water up to class 3, and a good jump on the day for people to leave from rather than return to camp. So, several participants going north or west from the river follow us there in their cars. Given that, the schedule looks like this:
- 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 Drive from Mondamin to Barnard Put in and run shuttle.
- 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - On the river.
- 4:00 p.m - leave from river, some from the takeout toward home, some returning to Mondamin with us.
- 6:00 p.m. - arrive Mondamin and remaining participants head home.
Interested? Let’s talk! Give me, Gordon Grant, aka “Gordo,” a call. We’ll be very clear about what we can and cannot do (No, I’m not guiding any kayakers down the Green Narrows, but there are many trips I can safely lead your family and friends on!). Check out this video of a clinic of a few years ago for a good idea of the experience:
Onward,
Gordo
C: 828-713- 7267; gordon@mondamin.com
