The Gauley River is one of my favorite rivers. It’s got everything — scenery, great rapids and fun playspots. I look forward to Gauley season every year as it gives me an opportunity to visit with friends who live up in that area. I raft guided on the New and the Gauley for several years so it’s like a second home to me. I also look forward to Gauley Fest because I get to organize the AW Fundraiser Ladies on the Lower G. It’s an annual fundraiser held the Friday before Gauley Fest that was originally started by Lotus Designs when they had their kick-butt women’s line. I’ve carried on the event for the last four years.
It’s a really fun way for women paddlers from all over to get together and paddle. Shuttle and lunch are included and all proceeds go to American Whitewater. This year we had fifteen women participate and we raised over $400.00 for AW! Adam Motes, our male Dagger representative, served us drinks and may have given out a few shoulder rubs… Thanks to all of the ladies who participated! American Whitewater is an important non profit organization that secures access for boaters and works on conservation projects. To learn more visit www.americanwhitewater.org If you didn’t have the opportunity to participate this year I look forward to seeing you in 2009! To see photos from Ladies on the Lower G please scroll down.
On Saturday I paddled the Upper Gauley early with Andrew, Corey Volt and Taylor Cote. Taylor is only 14 years old and this is her second year paddling the Upper Gauley. She’s really fun to watch and she does a good job at not letting her nerves get in the way of great paddling.
I set up Girls at Play in the Dagger booth at Gauley Fest where we raffled off a custom Green boat. All proceeds from the raffle went to AW. I believe Dagger raised over $1600.00 for AW by donating the Green boat! The lucky winner was really excited too… Thanks to all of you ladies who stopped by the booth. Some you are signed up for Whitewater Goddess Weekend and other for Mexico. It was great to chat with you.
Sunday I paddled the Upper again with Andrew, our friend Josh and Snowy, the Dagger designer. I paddled the Axiom prototype and I really liked it. I look forward to paddling the production model as well. It comes in four sizes for a wide range of paddler shapes and sizes which is cool. I like how fast it goes, how stable it is and how easily it surfs and stern squirts. For those of you who still paddle the RPM, you’re going to love the Axiom!
Gauley Fest was super fun and I’m looking forward to next year! Enjoy the photos…
