2008 American Canoe Association Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Nationals

Special Focus on Women's Classes

The 2008 organizing committee is making a special push to increase participation in the women's classes, with our goal being, at a minimum, classes for both 16-39 year old women and 40 year old plus women in both OC-1 and OC-2. That means there will need to be at least twenty (20) female competitors!! More details will come later, but we intend to set up several special programs with this goal in mind. For example, we hope to establish 1) a boat share program where potential female competitors without current access to race boats can sign up to use boats volunteered by others, and 2) a Learn the Lines from the Ladies day where any prospective competitor (regardless of gender) can paddle the course with long time female raft guides who know the French Broad well at all water levels. Lynne McDuffie and the entire organizing committee will promote participation by female competitors at every opportunity in the Spring of 2008 leading up to the race. Please help us meet this unique goal. Suggestions are welcomed: fbracechair@earthlink.net.

Race Courses

The downriver race course will be Section 9 of the French Broad River in Pisgah National Forest. The downriver races will start at the put-in near Barnard, NC and finish approximately 8.5 miles downstream in Hot Springs, NC (population 650). The sprint races will be on an approximately 1.5 mile portion of the upper half of Section 9 between the Barnard and Stackhouse access points. A video that includes some of the rapids on the sprint course can be found by clicking here (courtesy of Larry Ausley, member of the American Canoe Association's Board of Directors). Competitors will have to paddle about 2 miles down from Barnard to the starting line for the sprint races. Due to shuttle requirements, racers will be limited to competing in two sprint classes. For the downriver races, there will probably be mass starts by class, but individual boat starts on one-minute intervals may be used if necessary. It is estimated that competitors will take approximately 50 minutes to 70 minutes to complete the downriver course and 8 to 10 minutes to complete the sprint course, depending upon water level.

Course Descriptions

The French Broad River is an interesting venue for whitewater open canoe racing. Section 9 of the French Broad River consists of about 8.5 miles of Class II and III rapids. The average drop is about 25 feet per mile and the median volume in mid-July is about 1,500 CFS. The river is relatively remote, flowing through Pisgah National Forest, though there is an access maintained by the Forest Service halfway down the run (the Stackhouse access). At the median flow, the French Broad is easier than the Youghiogheny, site of the 2007 Championships, and perhaps slightly more difficult than the nearby Nantahala River (except for Nantahala Falls). As the name implies, it is a wide river flowing generally west (toward former French territory, thus the name). The water level is not dam-controlled and, therefore, can vary dramatically. For instance, in mid-July of 2007, the flow was a very low 650 CFS, while in mid-July of 2005, the flow was 7,900 CFS. At extreme high or low flows, it may be necessary to adjust the start and finish points of the race. A superb source of information about Section 9 and the Hot Springs area is the Boating Beta page provided by Chris Bell; see www.boatingbeta.com/runs/fbs9.htm

Downriver Course: The downriver race will run from the standard put-in at Barnard River Park to Hot Springs, North Carolina, constituting 8.5 miles of class II-III whitewater. Named rapids in the first four miles include Beginners, The Maze, Turtle Rock, S-Turn, Big Pillow, Sandy Bottom, The Ledges, Pinball, and Stackhouse. Named rapids in the four miles downstream of the Stackhouse access include Needle Rock Rapid, Frank Bell, and Surprise Ledge. A brief description of the rapids can be found by clicking here and links to a few pictures can be found by clicking here. ALL RACERS MUST go to the left of the islands that separate Needle Rock Rapid (left) from Kayak Ledge (right) and the sneak of Frank Bell (left) from the main drop (right). For an aerial view of the route through Frank Bell Rapids, click here . At normal flow, there are no mandatory portages, but any of the rapids can be portaged if a racer so chooses. Any portage chosen should be studied since the banks can be rocky and slippery. Racers may encounter some commercial rafting traffic.

The location of the races for the younger age group classes (10-12) and (13-15) will be determined at the time of the event depending upon water level. Assuming there is median flow at the time of the event, however, these classes will race the lower half of the downriver course, starting at Stackhouse and ending in Hot Springs (again, going left at Needle Rock and Frank Bell).

Sprint Course: The sprint races will cover approximately 1.5 miles of the better rapids, including S-Turn, Big Pillow, Sandy Bottom, and The Ledges. This course will require competitors to put-in at Barnard and paddle 2 miles down to the starting line. It will also require competitors to paddle a half-mile down to the Stackhouse access point after the race. Consequently, each competitor will be limited to two sprint classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The afternoon runs are likely to encounter some commercial rafting traffic.

Dates and Times

The four days of racing for the 2008 National Championships are Thursday through Sunday; July 10-13. The races will start in the morning (a tentative starting time of 8:30 AM is planned) before raft traffic on the river begins. The sprints are scheduled for Friday and downriver classes for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The two days (8-9 July) preceding the race days are for practice, although the French Broad can be practiced at any time. The river level can be obtained by checking the web at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?03453500 and predicted flows for the next few days can be seen by clicking here . The USGS does not maintain water temperature data for this stretch, but the water is quite warm in mid-July.

River Access

River access is very convenient (though the shuttles are long), with a county maintained park at Barnard, a National Forest Service maintained access at Stackhouse, and takeouts on private land on both river right above the Highway 25/70 bridge (railroad tie steps courtesy of Nantahala Outdoor Center) and river left below the bridge (a beach that will be available the week of the race only courtesy of Hot Springs Resort & Spa). While there is not as much commercial rafting activity on the French Broad as there is on the Yough or Nantahala, commercial rafting activities are significant, so we will be starting our races early in the day, probably around 8:30 AM. With such an early start it is anticipated that the afternoons will be free for practice. There is no river use charge for competitors or private paddlers, but the race will be conducted under a Recreation Event Special Use Permit from the Pisgah National Forest (where the event will be conducted).

Check-in and Race Facilities

Race Headquarters will be located at the Bill Whitten Community Center in Hot Springs, which is located on North Andrews Street, right beside the railroad tracks. All competitors must be registered by the day before they compete. Headquarters will be open at least from 2:00 to 5:00 each day, July 8th (Tuesday) through July 12th (Saturday), and probably at other times as well. Boat inspection will be in the grassy area beside the big parking lot in back during the normal hours that Headquarters is open each day. Awards ceremonies will take place at Headquarters at 5:00 each day, except for the last day (Sunday, July 13th) when they will be held earlier.

There are permanent public bathrooms at the Barnard Park launch site and at Headquarters. There are portable toilet facilities at the Stackhouse access point.

The finish line for the downriver races will be just downstream of the Highway 25/70 bridge on the grounds of the Hot Springs Resort & Spa. During race week, you may park here while you are on the river (practicing or racing). Turn at the sign to the Spa and proceed along the gravel drive to the first left hand bend. Park on the right in the big grassy field (will be marked); the river and the big, beautiful finish line beach are 100 feet down the path through the woods. Thank you to Hot Springs Resort & Spa for this access.

The drive from Hot Springs to either the Barnard put-in or the intermediate access point at Stackhouse takes just over one half-hour. The side roads from Route 25/70 into the put-in at Barnard and the intermediate access point at Stackhouse are narrow, windy and dangerous. IT IS IMPERATIVE that all competitors and their shuttle drivers approach these roads with extreme caution. We are determined to be good neighbors during our time in Madison County. Please, please drive responsibly on these roads.

Local Area

Our racing venue is entirely within Madison County, North Carolina, which is a prime outdoor recreation area. It offers outstanding hiking, biking, camping, fishing, rafting, and whitewater canoeing. When the water is up (unusual but not unheard of in July), Big Laurel Creek and Spring Creek are outstanding whitewater runs. Numerous outfitters in the area are available to take inexperienced whitewater enthusiasts down the river. There will be a bike ride/fundraiser on the other side of the county on Saturday, July 12, the Hot Doggett 100. For further information, see www.mhc.edu/hotdoggett/index.asp

Of particular interest, especially to the weary racer, are the hot springs themselves. The Hot Springs Resort & Spa pipes the water into modern Jacuzzi type hot tubs that are drained and sanitized after each use. See http://nchotsprings.com The crystal clear water, heated deep within the earth, is famous for its mineral content and healing powers. Call 828-622-7676 to reserve an hour-long (or more!) soak in the tubs.

Accomodations

Both the Hot Springs Campground (primitive sites, RV sites and cabins) and the Hot Springs Suites (luxurious accommodations) are located at the finish line of the race and within walking distance of race headquarters. See http://nchotsprings.com or call 828-622-7267 or 828-622-7698 for additional information. There are a number of other campgrounds, motels and restaurants in Hot Springs. See the last page of this document for more camping and lodging accommodations.

Directions

Hot Springs is on Routes 25/70 near the North Carolina/Tennessee border.

From the East and South: Once in Asheville, North Carolina, get on Interstate 240. Take exit 4A onto Highway 19/23 North toward Weaverville. Go 8-10 miles until you see a sign that says Hot Springs 2nd right. While under the underpass, take exit 19A onto Highway 25 North/70 West toward Marshall. Follow Highway 25 North/70 West about 30 miles to Hot Springs.

From the North: Take Interstate 81 South to Interstate 26 East and proceed on I-26 through Johnson City and Erwin, Tennessee (takeout for the Nolichucky River). At Mars Hill, North Carolina, take exit # 11 onto Hwy 213. Follow Hwy 213 for approximately 8 miles until you reach the junction with Hwy 25/70. Turn right onto 25 North/70 West. Hot Springs is about another 16 miles up the road.

From the West: From Knoxville, follow Interstate 40 East. As you approach Newport Tennessee, take exit 432 onto Highway 25 South/70 East. Follow Highway 25 South/70 East through Newport and then about 25 more miles to Hot Springs.

Weather

Daytime temperatures can be as hot as 95 degrees and the humidity can be high. Afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon. The French Broad is wide and exposed to the sun; racers need to be prepared. The water temperature of the French Broad is warm.

Running of the Event

The event will be conducted in accordance with the American Canoe Association Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Racing Rules as modified March 2000; see www.americancanoe.org/ocdownriver/drrules.htm and in accordance with a Recreation Event Special Use Permit from Pisgah National Forest. The event will be hosted by the FB Canoe Racing, Inc., a North Carolina nonprofit corporation.

Race Chairperson: Tom Blue; 400 Tinkerbell Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517; (919) 968-3874; fbracechair@earthlink.net (E-mail is preferred method of contact and will generally be returned in the evening within 24 hours; thanks)

Selected Other Race Committee Members:
Dale Swanson: Safety Officer
Lynne McDuffie: Downriver Chairperson (and unofficial Female Competitor Recruiter)
William McDuffie: Chief Judge (and unofficial Master of Ceremonies)

ACA WWOC Downriver Chair: Paul Cole, 457 Main Street, Groveland, MA 01834 (978) 373-8961, Paul.Cole@aspect.com

More Accomodations

PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST CAMPGROUNDS: (distance from race headquarters)
Rocky Bluff (3 miles): www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/RockyBluff.pdf
Silvermine Group Camp (only 1 mile away, but only 1 group allowed and a half-mile hike in): www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/silvermine.pdf

MOTELS:
Hot Springs Suites 828-622-7698 or 828-622-7267
Bridge Street Cafe and Inn 828-622-0002
Bright Leaf Junction Hotel and Restaurant 828-622-8358
Duckett House Inn & Farm 828-622-7261
Mountain Magnolia Inn & Retreat 828-622-3543
Springbrook Cottages 828-622-7385

There are also numerous cabin rentals around Hot Springs.

More Information

Hot Springs Tourism Association
P.O. Box 66
Hot Springs, North Carolina 28743
www.hotspringsnc.org

Madison County Tourism Association
P.O. Box 1527
Mars Hill, North Carolina 28754
(877) 262-3476
www.visitmadisoncounty.com/index2.html