Purpose:
Registration information at the bottom of this description!
Fun, (re)build boating skills, keep interest high in camp; share springtime adventure on the rivers with family and friends, and have the opportunity to make a donation to the scholarship fund for campers, if you wish.
As a former head of paddling instruction at Mondamin and the Nantahala Outdoor Center for many years, I have helped organize over 26 of these, and had two wonderful ones this past year: one in spring and one, a special reunion clinic for the Schnider family (Contact David Bell if you would like to arrange a custom clinic). These have been very popular, and we look forward to offering one this year to continue the tradition. This year, we will have instructional leadership assistance from Lecky Haller, multiple US Olympic Team member and all-around whitewater legend, and Jonah D’Antonio, who headed the Mondamin Paddling Program in 2024 and will again in 2025.
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 further donate to the Chief and Calla Bell Foundation (C+CBSF), the independent non-profit that offers scholarships for summer camp experiences. Important Note: This donation is not expected nor a prerequisite for attending the clinic; we give participants the opportunity to donate if they wish.
We give participants the donation form link to the Foundation Website here.
Schedule:
The biggest difference in this and all previous clinics is that it is after the huge changes caused in WNC on all our rivers by the flooding of Hurricane Helene in September of 2024. The rivers are still here; they are still paddleable and beautiful, though changed from the floods. Some, like our beloved Lower Green that has served generations of camp paddlers, will NOT be available for use. Others, like the Tuckasegee and the French Broad, are still available, with excellent teaching spots. We have scouted all the runs to make sure they are boatable and enjoyable.
Note that this is a sample schedule! We adjust for water levels and participants’ needs.
If there is a significant gap in skills and experiences, we can divide the clinic, with more advanced boaters going straight to rivers with beginners remaining on the lake for the first morning.
Note that this is a sample schedule! We adjust for water levels and participants’ needs.
If there is a significant gap in skills and experiences, we can divide the clinic, with more advanced boaters going straight to rivers with beginners remaining on the lake for the first morning.
Friday evening - May 2nd:
-
4:00 p.m. Arrive at camp, get situated in cabins and perhaps spend some time getting gear together.
-
6:30 p.m. Dinner and introductions of the group.
-
7:30 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 3rd:
-
7:00 a.m. - Coffee/tea ready in the dining room 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 nearby river like the upper French Broad for beginning whitewater skills.
-
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, 5/4/2024
-
7:00 a.m. - Coffee/tea ready in the dining room 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. For easier water for beginners, we have used the Section 8 of the French Broad, with great success. 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. - 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. - return to 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!).
Onward,
Dr. Gordon Grant, aka Gordo, lifelong Mondamin Camper and Counselor
C: 828-713- 7267; home email: gordongrnt1@gmail.com
