POOL SESH!

WOAC holds it's kayak roll clinics most Fridays in the West Center Pool from 4:00 to 6:00.

Durring these pool sessions, club members learn basic kayaking skills like how to preform a wet exit, basic paddling techiques, and maybe even roll.

El Presidente, Kevin Ryan, is not only the worlds greatest river guide, but also a comforting and nurturing instructor.

Other officers occaisionally assist him. Above is Climbing Coordinator, Marshall Sykes, giving his signature thumbs up. Below VP, Adam "Tips" Balint, ready to teach some newbies how to paddle!

Someday you could grow up to be just like him, but first you might need to attend a few of our clinics.

Come out and support your local WOAC at our weekly pool sessions!

Mountain Biking Explosion!

When: Nov 14-16, 2008

What: Virginia Creeper Mountain Biking

Where: Damascus, Virginia

Who: 13 excited WOACers

WOAC members left Winthrop after classes on Friday afternoon. The 4 hour drive to the mountain lodge was filled with fog and restroom breaks. Upon arrival, WOACers shopped for a spaghetti dinner, built an enormous bon fire and made S’mores before preparing for the next day’s activities.

We got up early to cook a hardy breakfast and suit up for our 8:30am ride time. After a quick visit to the Outfitters we were in the van for the 30 minute shuttle up the mountain. The 1^st 17 miles were all downhill with myriad jumps and high wooden bridges. We followed the famous Virginia Creeper trail as it cut through steep mountains, wandered through valleys, and followed mountain streams. The mud, rain, and cold air were no match for extremeness of our group.

Lunch consisted of sandwiches, a tire repair, some tree climbing and a quick visit to the playground in Damascus’s downtown park. The next 17 miles took us through rolling hills and pastures of Virginia’s backcountry. Participants stopped frequently to rest and take pictures of the scenery from the high bridges.

Saturday night brought us a Mexican food tv movie extravaganza of relaxation and ice cream. Sunday morning we cleaned up, packed the SUVs, and began the drive back through some light snow. Yet again, WOACers returned home with another awesome weekend full of memories of teamwork, bike riding, and maybe even a little bit of outdoor adventure.

"This is what we like to call a low oxygen environment"

With anxiety and adrenaline pumping, helmets and PFD’s strapped, stepping out into a 12 foot raft ready to take on Class IV whitewater is definitely a rush. “Remember, don’t let go of your T-grip,” our guide says while we prepare ourselves for the two hours of thrill seeking we’ve come to enjoy.

The United States National White Water Center is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true: bike trails, hiking trails, rock climbing, high ropes course, challenge course, and of course, white water rafting and kayaking. As the official U.S. Olympic Training Site, on any given day you can watch paddlers and their coaches training in the rapids. It’s safe to say after a few hours on the river, you’ve paddled with the Olympians.

An absolute joy, the Whitewater Center is for all skill levels from ‘what’s whitewater?’ to the experienced veteran ready to get in a good session. An annual trip for WOAC, the Whitewater Center never fails to bring smiles to the faces of club members while providing an awesome atmosphere to learn team building and leadership skills through rafting. And that is exactly what occurred on Friday, October 3 2008.

Gathering in the Dinkins parking lot in the afternoon, WOAC participants carpooled 40 minutes to Mt. Holly, NC. After a brief safety talk, the splashing, paddling, and unexpected swimming began. Afterward, participants could not stop talking about coming back to do it again.

Photos courtesy of Christian Grave's Facebook. Thanks bro.

Past Exploits

Here are some photos from a trip we took in 2007. We hiked in to watch a race on the Green River, had lunch, then decided to do some paddling of our own.


The terrain was quite treacherous in some areas of the trail. Below club members ascend fixed lines up a steep hillside.
The race itself was quite a sight to behold. Below is "Gorilla" a 17 foot waterfall about midway through the race. Breathtaking.

Our very own Kevin Ryan (right) was our river guide. He did an excellent job explaining the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking to our group. Here a young Adam Balint (left) listens to Kevin's directions. Here Kevin Ryan teaches Adam Balint the finer points of kayak surfing.
A special thanks to Christian Graves (former president 06-07) for being our photographer.