Calling all paddlers! It’s time once again for the Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts’ (APEs) 13th annual Nolichucky River cleanup. As APEs we pride ourselves on our particular emphasis, to protect the rivers we love and spend so much time on year round. For several years now the club has organized successful cleanups, and this year we […]
Author: DBP
RageCage. It’s not a group name, it’s a lifestyle. Following a win in the French Broad River Race, RageCage member Alex Wilson was asked by Dirt Bag Paddlers Admin and whitewater rafting badass Aaron Erdrich to help put together a team for the R6 National Championships (R6 denotes a six man raft racing team). Alex […]
Bogart: How’d you like it? Hepburn: Like it? Bogart: Whitewater rapids! Hepburn: I never dreamed. . . Bogart: I don’t blame you for being scared — not one bit. Nobody with good sense ain’t scare of whitewater. Hepburn: I never dreamed that any mere physical experience could be so stimulating. -The African Queen Erik Allen […]
Before the dam went in at Big Brother Rapid on the White Nile the best class V hit of the day was Total Gunga rapid. It was over three hundred meters from top to bottom, a maelstrom of pressure waves, conflicting currents, massive holes, and enormous boil lines. And all of it was created by […]
As we all know, we’re all in between swims. It’s a part of boating, especially for us rafters. But it’s those swims that make us wonder, “Is it really worth the hurt and pain to keep doing this?” I definitely had that moment on the Upper Youghiogheny River in Friendsville, MD a few […]
I sat on the edge of the chocolate milk colored river as everyone geared up for what would be some big water fun. Six of us were heading down the French Broad River, from Barnard to Hot Springs, NC. This place is a great training ground for whitewater. With its natural flow, you get to […]
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK: June has arrived, bringing with it warm weather and whitewater galore here in The States. What better way to celebrate the season than with an issue dedicated to The Wallace? So here it comes! What is Wallace? The official definition in Urban Dictionary sums it up succinctly- WALLACE : verb (to […]
We bring the month of May to a glorious conclusion with some photos from around the world. Dirt Bag Paddlers Admins represent over 30 countries and every discipline of paddling. Enjoy! Kelly Gladen of West Virginia wrapped up the month on Lower Mash on the Upper Gauley. Can you say high water in West By […]
The second annual Ganga Kayak Fest, hosted in Rishikesh, India on one of the holiest rivers on earth (commonly called the river Ganges), was a huge success last February. Bhupendra Singh Rana, Bhupi to his friends, is a kayaker and rescue guru who heads up GKF, travels the world paddling and spreading good vibes. I […]
Johnstown, PA is probably most known for its devastating flood in May of 1889. However, nearly a thousand whitewater enthusiasts flocked to Greenhouse Park in Johnstown this last weekend for the Stonycreek Rendezvous. And though this festival typically relies on a dam release for solid class lll rapids, this year had a little extra. Steady […]