Georgia Canoeing Association-Fall Gala (Episode 1)

In October 2010, I participated in the Georgia Canoeing Association's (GCA) paddling event called the Fall Gala. The Fall Gala is an annual whitewater paddling event that the club sponsors usually in October. Traditionally, this weekend of paddling is done near Bryson City, NC. In recent years, the event has based camp in a campground nestled in the North Carolina mountains called Smokey Mountain Meadows.

Most paddlers get into camp on Friday night and paddle a variety of rivers from class I/II to Class IV-V rivers. They usually paddle the Nantahala, Tuckasegee, Ocoee and depending on the group they might tackle bigger water such as the Cheoah. This year they even had a group paddling Fontana Lake. In the evening, paddlers will hang around the campfire and share paddling tales.

Georgia Canoeing Association-2010 Fall Gala (Episode 1) from Jamie Higgins on Vimeo.

In Episode 1 of the GCA Fall Gala video, I joined the group that paddled the Class I/II Tuckasegee River in Dillsboro, NC. The put in for the Tuck is located in the heart of Dillsboro and the City has built a nice put in area and just up the street are public restrooms.

The Tuck is a splendid mountain river and is a favorite river for instructors to train newbies. Many a whitewater paddler took their first trip in whitewater down the Tuck during a basic whitewater kayaking or canoeing class. In fact, my first foray into whitewater was down the Tuck. I will never forget the feeling of accomplishment and awe of the power of the river during the trip. The Tuck opened the world of paddling to me and my love for rivers and paddling has never diminished.

The Tuck has recreational releases most weekends between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend. Unfortunately, we didn't have releases for the day we were paddling. When there are releases the Tuck has several nice Class II rapids, but even without releases the river can be easily navigated and there are still some nice rapids. Regardless of water level, the Tuck remains beautiful and pristine with little development along its shores.

Perhaps one of the most unusual features of the river is the abandoned train ruins along the banks of the rivers. Within the first mile or so along river left you will see remnants of a train. These ruins are the left over props from the Harrison Ford film "The Fugitive". The dramatic train wreck scene was filmed along the banks of the Tuck and train ruins remain behind to add interest to the river.

There a couple of outfitters in the area, but we usually use the Tuckasegee Outfitters: http://www.tuckfloat.com/.

Despite the lower flows, I think all of us had a wonderful time and enjoyed the splendor of the river and the company of fellow river rats.

Also, included in this episode is an interview with local paddling author Will Leverette who gave a presentation about the history of whitewater paddling in Western North Carolina. Will's book, "Waterwise: A History of Paddling in Western North Carolina", is highly entertaining and educational. Photos from the book are featured in the video.

Stay tuned for Episode 2 of the GCA Fall Gala. In the next episode, we paddle down the classic Nantahala River.

Jamie "Queen Rat"