Middle White $almon kayak race NOV 2 2024 - Join a "GREEN RACE" to raise GREEN$ for WNC
The Green River, NC has been the heart of the Western North Carolina
paddling community and attracts paddlers from around the world. In 1996 Leland Davis organized the first Green Narrows Race as a grassroots gathering of like minded souls. Since then, the 1st Saturday in November has been one of the most anticipated days of the year for many whitewater enthusiasts. The Green before Helene was the shit.
Hurricane Helene sucker punched Western North Carolina and surrounding mountain communities. The Columbia River Gorge paddling community has strong ties to WNC. There are many ways to help, and we should do what we can:
Asheville Citizen Times - How to Help
In the spirit of the original Green Narrows Race, this year on November 2nd, let's raise some green for WNC rivers and the WNC paddling community. Start your own Raise Some Green Race in your local paddling community. Let a thousand Green Races bloom until the original Green Narrows Race returns.
WHO: Columbia Gorge whitewater lovers.
WHAT: The Raise Some Green Race - A downriver kayak race.
WHEN: November 2nd, 2024. Race meeting and registration at BZ Falls River Access parking lot at 1:00 PM, race starts at 2:00ish. Set your own shuttle.
WHERE: Middle White Salmon River, BZ to Husum.
WHY: To raise money for American Whitewater* and other WNC charities, which will no doubt play a major role in recovering river access destroyed by Hurricane Helene, for the benefit of the WNC paddling community.
DONATION: Minimum $40 donation to WNC charity of your choice OR proof of American Whitewater membership (which only costs $35!). If you are already an AW member (nice) bring proof of membership and consider making an additional donation. We will not be accepting money. This is a community event. Donate money to your WNC charity of choice or AW ... just do it & bring the receipt (paper or phone).
RACE DETAILS: The Raise Some Green Race is a downriver time-trial race starting from the large pool below BZ Falls to Husum
Falls. We'll keep times. The goal is to raise money, so if you don't want to race Maytag
or Husum Falls, no worries ... we'll have starts above & below Maytag and finishes above & below Husum Falls. No boat categories, run what ya brung ... choose wisely.
WHO ELSE SHOULD DO THIS? Every paddling community should have their own "Raise Some Green Race". You don't need a fancy river or complicated details ... all you need is a body of water, a paddling community, an urge to help and a need for speed. Designate a WNC charity or group that needs support. You do you. Be creative. Keep it simple. You're either ridin' or hidin' (Green Race 2009).
* WHY AW?: There will be a future when folks stop rescuing their neighbors and start recovering from Helene. Local paddlers, swimmers, explorers, fishermen, river recreation companies, paddlers from neighboring states, tourists ... eventually ... will want to get back on the water and try to get back to a new normal. River access has been compromised and will need to be rebuilt. I feel American Whitewater is well suited to help with this mission overall as well as to help support local groups that will no doubt crop up in the future with targeted funding.
WHO AM I? Hello, I'm Brian! My wife Sarah and I live in Bingen, WA. We like to kayak. In a past life we really enjoyed downriver kayak racing. We have many dear friends who live in WNC and value the time we have spent there with them. We look forward to seeing - and paddling with them - again.
