36th Annual Southeastern Races

The 36th Annual Southeastern U.S. Slalom and Wild Water Championships will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 1st & 2nd, 2004, on the Nantahala River near Bryson City, North Carolina. The races also include the American Canoe Association Dixie Division Decked Boat Championships. The event is sponsored by the Georgia Canoeing Association with the assistance of the Nantahala Outdoor Center and the Nantahala Racing Club. Race headquarters will be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

The slalom course will take racers through the class III Nantahala Falls. The wild water runs are 8 miles and include class III rapids Patton's Run and Nantahala Falls. There is also a 5-mile Down River Fun Race, from Ferebee Park to above Nantahala Falls, which does not include any rapids above class II.  Skill levels of competitors typically range from persons making their racing debut in the Fun Race to nationally ranked paddlers honing their techniques in the slalom or wild water races. There are separate classes for: men, women and mixed (tandem); adults, juniors and masters; kayaks, decked and open canoes; and championship (racing) and cruising (recreational) designs. The slalom championship classes for both decked and open boats will be held on Saturday on a challenging course, and the cruising/recreational classes for both decked and open boats will be held on Sunday on a "toned down" course.  Awards will be presented in ceremonies at the conclusion of each class for the top three finishers. The Southeastern Cup will be awarded to the paddling club whose members accumulate the most race points. On Sunday we will present awards at the conclusion of each class. The awards for the down river races will be awarded separately. We hope to have more recreational racers if we can help the racers get on the road earlier on Sunday! In addition, there are three special awards in the wild water race. The Charlie Patton Award is presented to the fastest canoe racer in the wild water race. The Julie Wilson Award is presented to the fastest female competitor in the wild water race. And the Ramone Eaton Award is presented to the tandem team turning in the fastest OC- wild water time.  We are adding a Duckie Sprint on Saturday afternoon as new event.  Club members can race inflatables and sit-on-topson a short downriver run racing through the Bump and the Falls.  This will be held after the slalom races

The Southeastern Championships provide a weekend of fun and excitement for competitors, race crew and spectators alike against the backdrop of the Nantahala National Forest. All racers and race crew receive a race T-shirt. In addition, there will be a raffle with lots of paddling prizes. We traditionally have a kayak or canoe as a grand prize. There will be a dinner at the NOC on Saturday evening. Dinner reservations and tickets are necessary.

Racers may register by mail by April 23rd for just $15 using the attached form or in person on the afternoon before the race for $25.  There will be no late registration on the day of the race. If you register by mail, you will receive a race registration package, which contains an entry form, description of fees, waivers and other race information, To register, send your name and mailing address to Debbie Dargis, Race Registrar, 5345 Bannergate Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30022 or send your e-mail request to .  Race volunteers are needed to help with course construction, judging, safety, scoring, timing and hospitality. We start on Thursday morning (April 29) with course construction and race headquarters set up and will end on Sunday afternoon (May 2) with course breakdown.  The GCA provides breakfast and lunch for the volunteers on Race Days. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!! We will have phone numbers for several campgrounds that the volunteers can use. To register as a volunteer, please call Gina Johnson @ 404.512-0832 or e-mail her at . You can also reach me at 770-621-0551 or look forward to seeing all of you.

Bruce Fussell, Race Master.

Beginner Clinic

For

AWC Members and Guests

Class Five Tech is offering an introduction to whitewater kayaking for AWC members and guests.

  The cost is $185 for AWC members or guests, $200 for all others.  The clinic is scheduled for Saturday, May 1, and Sunday May 2, 2004.

The clinic will be held on the Cartecay River in Ellijay, GA. and will cover all the basic kayaking skills.  Equipment is provided.  Overnight camping is free.  Bed and Breakfast $50.00 extra.

For more information and reservations contact Mark Neisler at  or visit our website at http://www.classfivetech.com