Fairbanks Paddlers Paddling 101

2003 Season

Upcoming Events; The River's Challenge

For information about the trips listed, see the 2003 Calendar Page

One of Fairbanks Paddlers' goals is to provide new boaters the opportunity to develop a familiarity with our local paddling venues, and the skills and confidence to be comfortable on them, in the safety and learning environment of a group including skilled and knowledgeable paddlers. To this end our schedule is designed to provide a series of experiences, from simple flatwater, to the more adrenaline-pumping whitewater of the Nenana. How far you go with this progression is up to you, your goals, your comfort and your interests. Those of us who love and thrive on whitewater don't expect that everyone else will feel the same, or that they will have the time to spend learning the skills necessary to paddle class III and above whitewater. Most paddlers, therefore, will read the trip descriptions carefully and decide whether a particular outing is suitable for them.

As you look down the schedule, however, you will notice that there is a definite progression:

Anyone wishing to participate in any of the Fairbanks Paddlers trips should check with the trip leader by the "call by" date on the Calendar page to insure a place on that trip's roster, or for last minute schedule changes.

1.       The calm, yet valuable, Delta-Clearwater River, Class I-
A birdwatchers paradise at the right time of year and usually the first moving water of the year. Moving water; small eddies, lots of company! Those who would like an overnight experience can plan to float the Tanana to the bridge at Big Delta.

2.       The Wednesday Evenings on the Chena in town, Class I
Moving water, no waves (except from power boats), larger eddies than the D-C, good rolling practice.

3.       The Nenana Reindeer Hills, Class I+
Strong eddy lines; some waves, boulders, sweepers; beautiful scenery.

4.       The Nenana Newcomer's Run, Class II
Big waves, strong eddy lines, some technical maneuvering; big water; exciting!

5.       The Lower Gulkana, Class II
Lots of eddies and rocks; a great training river for lots of practice, without loading your boat with overnight gear.

6.       The Nenana "Upper" section, Class II (III)
Classic kayaker graduation to real whitewater. Big waves, rocks, holes, but lots of room to move around.

7.       The Nenana "Middle" section, Class III
A step up from the Upper, bigger waves, rocks, holes, surfing waves, and a chance to go on down through Roostertail to Twin Rocks.

9.       The Gulkana Festival, Class II (III)
If you like to play with the arctic terns among the rocks of the nicest "tight, technical" class II+ piece of water in the Interior, as well as enjoy a beautiful wilderness river, this is the trip for you. Schedule flexible.

10.   The Lower sections of the Nenana, Class III
Fall water; low and clear, with great play spots. A prerequisite for the Canyon for those not familiar with this stretch of the Nenana.

11.  The Nenana Canyon Newcomers, Class III (IV)
This ain't no stinking Devil's Canyon! But it is a delightful run with sneaks for most of the big stuff. A real thrill for first-timers.

Each trip is chosen to take advantage of skills picked up on the previous trip and provide challenges suitable for gently stretching a paddler's ability for the next level. And, every trip is open to paddlers who are Fairbanks Paddlers members, are qualified to be able to enjoy themselves on that particular stretch of river safely, and who are willing to follow the trip leaders directions. There is a hitch, though, which, with the schedule laid out in this fashion, will seem obvious. Especially for a beginner, it becomes increasingly more difficult to break into the schedule as the summer progresses if he or she hasn't had the experience from the previous Fairbanks Paddlers trips, or other equally challenging rivers. So one of the best way of being sure that you are qualified is to start early in the program and participate in each stage, so that you have the background to fully enjoy the progression.

There are really two separate tracts within this schedule; one a whitewater line, and the other a flatter course, with tandem and tripping canoes in mind. An enthusiastic kayaker or canoe playboater would likely make sure she caught trips 2 (for their first roll in moving, COLD water and simple eddy turns), 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11, with number 5 thrown in for added boat handling and more practice. Someone more interested in tripping or just day paddling on less challenging water would more likely plan on trips 1, 2, 3, and 5, with 7 and 9 a growing possibility as they increase their skills. This provides a great deal of flexibility in pursuing the kind of river experience you most desire. Whatever you are contemplating, please feel free to contact the trip leader and discuss with them the appropriateness of a particular trip in relation to your skills and desires.

Not everyone will be comfortable moving on to the next level. In fact, few totally new boaters will want to go beyond either the Reindeer Hills or Lower Gulkana trips this year, choosing instead to take the remainder of the summer to work on their skills and confidence in less threatening venues, and pick up the schedule next year. Fairbanks Paddlers won't abandon you! Show up at the Wednesday Evening Chena paddle and you'll be sure to meet other like-minded paddlers with whom you can find the right rivers for your skill levels. Remember, however you wish to approach learning to paddle, the primary goal of Fairbanks Paddlers is to HAVE FUN!

PLEASE NOTE: All of our whitewater trips are led by volunteers for the properly experienced whitewater canoeist and kayaker only. If you wish to participate, please realize that:

• You are responsible for knowing and exercising the necessary skills in order to safely enjoy the paddling trip in which you wish to participate.
• You are responsible for having all the required equipment, including adequate clothing. You are responsible for the proper condition of your equipment, and knowing the proper use of your equipment.
• The trip leader has the right to deny participation if, in their opinion, they feel that you are inadequately experienced or prepared.
• Conversely, acceptance on a trip does not mean that the trip leader has determined that you are properly experienced or prepared.
• Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety and well being while engaging in a risk activity.
• All trip participants are required to be members of Fairbanks Paddlers AND have a signed waiver on file with Fairbanks Paddlers. You are responsible for making sure that your membership is current and that you have signed a Fairbanks Paddlers' waiver.