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President’s MessageIhope that, as you read this letter, youhave all had an opportunity to takeadvantage of an epic spring boatingseason and are enjoying the warmersummer months. I’m very pleased tohave been elected your next AmericanWhitewater President. Though it will bedifficult to fill the shoes of Don Kinser,who has been instrumental in leading AWover the past three years, I am up for thechallenges ahead.AW consists of a strong team of dedicatedindividuals—from our extremely effectiveExecutive Director, Mark Singleton, to ourexperienced staff, knowledgeable board,and motivated volunteers and members.I’m honored to work with all of you, aswell as our stakeholders to create an evenstronger organization and continue topursue our mission.I’m often asked what my primary goals willbe for the next three years, while servingas Board President. AW is a 1.2 millionorganization, which represents 5,200 directdues-paying members, 120 affiliate clubs,and a community of 30,000 whitewaterpaddlers across the nation. I would liketo increase our budget so we can hiremore staff and contractors who can helpus accomplish even more than our leanorganization does currently.philanthropy experience. Christopher willbe working with Kent Ford and others toeducate potential donors about our workand seek their financial assistance. If youknow of potential donors, and would bewilling to meet with them, we will offer youany assistance that you may need. Pleasedon’t hesitate to call on us for help.Another area I would like to see AW improvein is our website. We recently completedan audit of our website, which scolded usrather firmly for its current deficiencies.We need a website that serves our mission,and is a go-to resource for all of you. If it iscost-effective in the long run to make majordesign changes to our website, then I wouldlike to see such changes happen sooner,rather than later. This may be an expensiveundertaking for AW so if you know any webdesign firms that believe in our cause andlike to do pro bono work for non-profits,please let us know!In closing I want to thank all of you foryour support. I look forward to being yourPresident and I know we can accomplishgreatness together.Hope to see you on the river soon,Our membership numbers have been W. Norwood Scottflat for the last few years so this is anarea where I plan to focus my attention.During our May board meeting in NorthBend, Washington, we implemented amembership strategy that includes aboard competition to increase membershipnumbers. I will be reporting the resultsto our Executive Committee each monthduring our regularly scheduled conferencecalls. I’m asking for your assistance too—please help us increase membership.In May we started a DevelopmentCommittee, chaired by Christopher Hest,a California board member with extensive6 americanwhitewater.org

StewardshipAnother HydropowerThreat averted: WhiteRiver Falls, ORby Megan HookerOur nation’s rivers are underincreased pressure and threatfrom new hydroelectric projectsas we seek to increase carbon-neutralenergy production in the face of globalclimate change. These proposed hydroprojects are popping up throughout theU.S. And while the Pacific Northwest is inthe spotlight for removing dams, includingthe Hemlock, Marmot, Condit, Elwha, andGlines Canyon Dams, the region is notexempt from these pressures.In 2010, the Northern Wasco County PublicUtilities District (“NWCPUD”) revived adecades old plan to rehabilitate an oldhydroelectric plant for new productionat White River Falls in Oregon. The WhiteRiver plunges over a 90-foot basalt shelfto create the Falls, and the scenery drawspeople from around the region all yearlong. The lower tier of the falls is known tokayakers as Celestial Falls, and was a greatrunnable waterfall prior to a decision by theState Parks to close the falls to recreation.The White River’s headwaters are fedby an active glacier on the southeasternslopes of Mt. Hood, and the river flows53 miles through forest, agricultural anddesert lands before its confluence with theDeschutes River.The White River and White River Fallshave been recognized for protection innumerous ways. In 1988, the White Riverwas designated Wild and Scenic for itsoutstanding geology, fish habitat, wildlife,recreation and scenic resource values.The entire length of the river was giventhis designation, except for a 0.6-milestretch around White River Falls, whichwas later recommended for inclusionin the Wild and Scenic system. The riverwas also recognized for its conservationvalue by the Northwest Power andConservation Council, which identified itJuly/Aug 2011 Celestial Falls, the lower tier of White River Falls (OR), is safe from dewatering by ahydroelectric project once again. Efforts continue to focus on opening the falls to legalpaddling, which has been off limits for a decade.Photo by Tyler Roemeras a “Protected Area.” Rivers included in unacceptable risk of irreversible loss to fishthese areas represent special places where and wildlife. The state has also recognizedhydroelectric development would pose an the value of the water in the river at the7

StewardshipFalls, and holds two instream water rightsfor the area—one for the protection ofaquatic life and the other for preservationof the scenic values at White River Falls andthe state park that surrounds it.Hydropower was originally developedat White River Falls in the early 1900s,and operated until the Dalles Damwas completed on the Columbia Riverin the 1960s. When the project wasdecommissioned, the dam, diversion works,portions of the penstocks and powerhousewere left behind. In 1983, NWCPUD appliedfor a license to rehabilitate the old projectfor hydroelectric production, but at the timethe project was found to be economicallyinfeasible. NWCPUD ultimately decidednot to pursue production and formallysurrendered its license in 1995.In an effort to provide additionalincremental power supply resourcesrequired under federal power obligations,the NWCPUD sought to revive the projectagain in 2010. The project was found to befeasible only if the facility could use up to450 cfs streamflow for power productionbetween October 31 and May 31.American Whitewater and our fellow riverconservation partners were concerned thatthe project would impact instream flowsthat make White River Falls a valuablescenic resource, and in late 2010, we fileda motion to intervene in the applicationfor the preliminary permit to the FederalEnergy Regulatory Commission.Shortly thereafter, plans to revive theproject hit a snag when the scenic waterright for White River Falls, which hadpreviously not surfaced in the projectscoping process, was discovered.While NWCPUD held a water right forhydroelectric production for the site inthe 1990s, the utility requested that theright be surrendered after they decided notto pursue the project. The Oregon WaterResources Department cancelled the right,and in December of 1994, the OregonWater Resources Control Board filed forand approved an instream scenic water8 right at White River Falls on behalf of theOregon Parks and Recreation Department.Modeling of the project showed that itwould not be possible to meet flow needsfor hydroelectricity and the requirementsof the instream scenic water right at thesame time. NWCPUD explored their optionsfor challenging the instream water right,but ultimately decided not to pursuethe issue.In March 2011, the project was once againdeemed to be economically infeasible,and the falls and adjoining state parkwere spared further development. Whilehydroelectric developers are aggressivelypursuing new projects, White River Fallsis a prime example of what we are seeingacross the country. Such projects arefinancially and environmentally costlywith little promise of return in electricityproduction. American Whitewater supportsa final Wild and Scenic designation forWhite River Falls to protect the area fromfuture development.While the hydroelectric story has been laidto rest for the time being, the recreationstory continues. The lower falls at WhiteRiver Falls, Celestial Falls, is still closed forwhitewater boating. Historically, CelestialFalls was recognized as one of the bestwaterfalls in the country for paddlers tosharpen their big drop skills on. In 2001,Oregon Parks and Recreation “closed” thefalls at the state park to kayaking, citingsafety concerns. This decision came despitethe fact that recreational use of the lowerfalls for kayaking is specifically referencedin the river management plan. AmericanWhitewater has long regarded this closureas inconsistent with state and national rivermanagement practices. Waterfall banshave generally been temporary on riverswhere they have been instituted, and wecontinue to work to restore whitewaterboating as a valid activity at Celestial Falls.americanwhitewater.org

Paddler FitnessPaddler Health andFitness: Where toBegin?by John Amtmann andMeaghen RandallLast time in this space we discusseda plan to improve paddlers’cardiorespiratory fitness. In thisinstallment, we ask, “How do we put it alltogether to develop a program that willimprove all of the fitness components forthe river recreationalist?” To some, “puttingit all together” sounds so daunting thatit gets put off indefinitely. It’s importantto remember that procrastination is the A beginner’s program is one that I considerenemy of health and fitness improvements. using for someone who hasn’t exercisedDo it today!in more than six months to a year. Thosewho have been sedentary for that longConsider this: Approximately 75% of all need time for their body to adapt to aAmericans are either completely sedentary regular regimen of physical activity. Theor inadequately active, which means they guidelines for improving health and fitnessare not getting more than 2 days per week of are general enough to allow for morephysical activity. These numbers probably than one approach to improving fitness.reflect the river enthusiast community Some experts believe in the comfortableas well. We Americans are creative in approach, and schedule a somewhat gentleformulating excuses for why we should not total of four days per week of exercise.be exercising today. Many, however, just Program A is one example of a beginningdon’t know where to start. This article will balanced exercise program of four sessionsdescribe some lower intensity programs per week:– programs I have actually prescribed forindividuals who just didn’t know how to Program Abegin. If you fall into this category, youshould be aiming for about an hour of Mondays and Thursdaysmoderate to intense and balanced physicalactivity every day. Warm-up for 10 minutesAbdominal curlPhoto by John Amtmann Cardio for 20 minutes Strength training:1. Leg press2. Leg extension3. Leg curl4. Lat Pull Down5. Dumbbell bench press6. Abdominal curl7. Back extension Cool down and stretchTuesdays and Fridays Warm-up for 10 minutes Cardio for 30 minutes Cool down and stretchSpecific Guidelines for Program A1. To begin each session, warm-up: Just likeit’s a good idea to warm up the shouldersbefore paddling, it’s a good idea to warm upthe body before exercising. Don’t dismissit. Walk, jog, jumping jacks—anything toincrease body temperature for 10 minutes.Back Extension.Photo by John AmtmannJuly/Aug 2011 9

Paddler FitnessDumbbell bench pressPhoto by John Amtmannof cardio and three days per week ofstrength training.Program BMondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays2. Each and every session should end with 7. Strength training repetitions musta cool down including some effective follow these requirements:and focused stretching. This topic will bea. three seconds to raise the weightcovered in a future issue.b. two second pausec. four seconds to lower the weight3. The intensity of the cardio session shouldbe monitored by palpating heart, and 8. Record weights and reps in a journalintensity should be adjusted to keep the so you know what you’ve done and whatheart rate in the appropriate range rate your session goals will be.(both heart rate monitoring and rangeswere covered in the previous issue of This program requires a commitment ofAmerican Whitewater).four days per week. Some river enthusiasts,however, are more comfortable with a six4. Perform one set of each exercise. During day per week commitment. If you feelthe first week, take the time to learn the better able to maintain the fitness schedulemovements well. Do not complete each set every day during the workweek and haveto fatigue or failure until the second or third the time to exercise once each weekendweek when the movements begin to feel then Program B is for you. It modifies themore comfortable. Beyond the third week above program for three days per weekhowever, each set should be to muscularfatigue or failure—until you can’t continuethe movement with good form. Warm-up for 10 minutes Cardio for 20 minutes Strength:1. Leg press2. Leg extension3. Leg curl4. Lat Pull Down5. Dumbbell incline or benchpress6. Abdominal curl7. Back extension Cool down and stretchTuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays Warm-up for 10 minutes Cardio for 30 minutes Cool down and stretchAny river rat not regularly exercising shouldtry one of these programs to help improvetheir fitness today!5. Do 8-15 repetitions for each exercise,except for the abdominal curl and the backextensions. Complete up to 30 repetitionsfor each of these. When 30 can be done,hold weight to increase resistance.6. When 15 reps can be completed for theother exercises, increase the weight for thenext workout.Lat pull downPhoto by John Amtmann10 americanwhitewater.org

Whitewater WomenRiver LessonsIby Jen Clinehave a huge sense of adventure. Ithought my former husband did too, untilone morning at breakfast he proclaimed,“Marriage is boring,” and sure enough, heleft a few months later.I realize now that some people can substitutesensation for emotion. This means that thesensation that an activity provides (rockclimbing, paddling, any extreme sport)replaces the feelings the person may beavoiding. I am the opposite: the outdooractivities I enjoy intensify the emotions Iam feeling and I feel more connected to theoutdoors and those around me. Gripping arock face with my backside hanging out inthe breeze has always been a huge thrill forme. Peering down a wide open bowl on skisover looking the Rocky Mountains is evenbetter. Backpacking is slow and arduous butwhen I start out on a solo trip, I am nervousand excited all at once.It comes as no surprise that I would beinterested in kayaking. I love water andgetting wet, and kayaks are the “sports carsof the wilderness.” They are compact, sleek,and fast. With the US National WhitewaterCenter just 20 minutes from my house,it was too tempting to learn. I signed upfor a package of lessons last fall and wassoon rolling my kayak inconsistently andpaddling the Wilderness channel (Class III).I laughed at myself because every time I hit“M wave,” the largest wave on the channel,I would shut my eyes and scream.The first week in November my neighborinvited me to paddle the Upper Green.Many experienced paddlers were going,and “newbies” were welcome.“Am I ready for a real river?” I asked.“Absolutely,” Will replied.“Besides,” he said, “Sanders and I will bethere to look out for you.”July/Aug 2011 I needed to find a paddle, gear to keepme warm, and a babysitter for my kids.I was skeptical I could pull it all off, andlet the week go by. Will called me againon Saturday,“C’mon, Jen, I think you should go,” he said.It was a good opportunity, I realized, and Ishould make every effort to experience it.Will lent me the gear I needed, I ran up toGreat Outdoor provisions (GOP) to buy apaddle but because they were sold out ofmy size, they lent me a demo paddle formy trip. A call to my former husband, andhe agreed to be at my house at 5:30 am tostay with the kids. I was in.Sanders and Will picked me up dirt earlyand we were off to the mountains aftermeeting the rest of the group. When wearrived at the put-in, I quickly got geared upand waited for the others. I stood looking atthe river and the gorgeous trees droppingtheir leaves in the water. I also listened andwatched the water slap against the rocksand was amazed at how it was constantlyflowing. The mist was rising and the scenewas gorgeous. I decided privately at thatmoment to dedicate the day to one of myformer patients at the hospital.The author at Bayliss Boof on theUpper Green (NC).Photo by Anna LevesqueShe was a 32-year-old pregnant womanwrought with cancer. I treated her off andon for four months, and as her physicaltherapist, it was my job to make herstronger. Her goals were to transfer into awheelchair to visit her son in the NeonatalInstensive Care Unit (NICU) every day (shedelivered in August) and to go home forThanksgiving. She fought hard, and despitebeing paralyzed from the waist down, andbattling severe pain on a daily basis, shenever refused a therapy session. She wasvibrant, and funny, but most of all, she wasbrave. It wasn’t enough though. She haddied earlier in the week. In honor of her, Idecided to be brave on the river that day.I felt lucky to be healthy and strong at 40years old, and didn’t want to shy away fromany challenges.Forty minutes into the trip, I flipped mykayak and was pinned against rock. I lostmy paddle, but Will and Sanders were therein a flash. Will helped me retrieve my boatand Sanders found my paddle. I kept mycalm the entire time. Ten minutes later wepulled our boats over to the side of the riverto scout a rapid. It looked scary, a fairly bigdrop, and I watched guys paddle over it.11

Whitewater WomenThe author with her children, Tommy andtolerable because I was so happy aboutKatelyn Cline.my accomplishment.Photo by Rob ZabelI paddled down the rapids, spun my boat atthe bottom, but landed square in the water.My first Class III rapid on a real river and Iwas upright. I was beaming and so in themoment that I barely heard the cheers ofthe 18 men I was paddling with.We returned home and my kids wereexcited to hear about my day. I wentthrough the details and shared with themhow my patient inspired me. “How did sheconspire (inspire) you, Mommy,” my sevenyear-old son inquired.“Did you hear them cheering for you?” Will “When people are brave during scary orasked, when we reconvened.sad moments, it makes you want to belike them,” I replied. At that point I wasn’tWe continued down the rest of the river, sure if I was referring to my handling of mythrough two more Class III rapids and my former marriage, or my first real river trip,lines were good. I flipped one other time, or my patient from the hospital, but it reallydidn’t manage a roll, but a friend was there didn’t matter. My kids got it, and I felt moreand he flipped me back up again. The connected to them than ever.day was perfect. The sun came out and“You

RIVER ACCESS: To assure public access to whitewater rivers pursuant to the guidelines published in its official Access Policy, AW arranges for river access through private lands by negotiation or purchase, seeks to protect the right of public passage on all rivers and streams navigable by kayak or canoe, encourages