BWA Event Information



Winter Sessions start November 13

Learn to roll your canoe or kayak !

New in the sport and need to learn how to roll your canoe, kayak, or C-1?. The Bluegrass Wildwater Association can help you. Each winter & summer BWA members volunteer their skills to help paddlers lean how to roll their boat when they flip. This is a must learn skill if you paddle whitewater.

Everyone is welcome...even if you have never paddled before. Roll sessions are informal with shared BWA member's boats and equipment available on a first come first served basis. For assured equipment bring your own gear. Experienced BWA paddlers will be volunteering their time to help you get started.

Tell your friends and neighbors...come on out and learn to be a safer boater.

Northside YMCA

7:45 - 9:45

Come in through the door on the left side of the building. Clean the debris out
of your boat before it goes into the pool.

Nov 13, 20
Dec 4, 11, 18
Jan 8 - end of March, except NPFF weekend
$5 members, $10 non-members
5 for 4 card available i.e. 5 sessions for $20 / $40

Instructors that agree to instruct for 1 hr free
School age or younger kids 12th grade free with paying adult

Let's continue our great turnout that we had at our summer sessions. Bring your
friends and we will need our devoted instructors!!!!

Check for updates..



Wash your boats.

Study technique and get your boats outfitted before you arrive at the pool, so that our precious pool time is better spent.

We need skirt donations. We are only rarely short on boats and paddles but we are often short on skirts.


Swiftwater Rescue Class

was August 1-2, 2009 next one TBD.


Course Objectives: To teach effective skills for swiftwater rescue, including self rescue techniques, rope handling skills and approaches for dealing with boat pinning and entrapments. Special attention is given to teaching simple, effective skills that use the limited gear that most whitewater paddlers carry.

Safety: Students will be taught that rescue, like river running, requires good judgement. Participation in the exercises is voluntary, depending on the students own self assessment.

The course will use in the water simulations to help the student develop an effective response to commonly encountered problems on the river. Each exercise will utilize techniques to protect the rescuers and provide safety backup.


Prerequisites: Any adult BWA member can attend. The Student should be at least an intermediate paddler capable of ferrying and catching eddies in Class II water. You should have decent swimming skills , not be afraid to go underwater, and be in decent physical condition. You should dress for swimming and prolong immersion. A farmer john or neoprene paddling pants are recommended for warmth and protection from bumps, cuts and bruises. Closed toed shoes, booties and sandals are not appropriate.

This is not a paddling weekend, but you do need to bring a boat. You do need helmet, PFD and all other appropriate river gear, including a paddle. The paddle will be treated roughly, so leave the Silver Creek at home. You will need a throwbag, 12’to 15’ of tubular webbing, two locking carabiners, and two 6’ lengths of 4mm to 6mm accessory cord.

Location: Ratliff's Hole Access on the Russell Fork outside of Elkhorn City, KY


Cost: The cost of the class is $75 per student. ACA members are eligible for a $5 discount. PayPal (BWA website), check, cash, and money orders are accepted. Make check payable to BWA.

Meals / Lodging: Students are responsible for their own meals and camping.

Application Deadline: Applications and payment must be received by TBT.

Swiftwater Rescue Class Application

Course Outline



Novice Trips

Each year, generous members, out of the goodness of their hearts, volunteer to lead trips for Beginners and Intermediates alike. These trips go when and where the leaders choose but could include such locations as the Hiawasee, the Nantahala, the Emory-Obed System, the Big South Fork, the New River and the Lower Yough. Usually informally announced during meetings, on the forum or in the newsletter, these trips provide the opportunity for newer paddlers to continue to glean pearls of wisdom from more experienced paddlers, like where and when to go and what to do when you get there.



Nantahala Falls


The BWA Spring Beginners
Canoe & Kayak Clinic
Was Held April 18-19, 2009

Contact: click here: Allen Kirkwood
or call 859-351-3823.

For over 29 years the Bluegrass Wildwater Association has hosted an annual weekend beginner whitewater clinic for kayak, canoe and C-1 (decked canoe) paddlers.

This year's clinic will be held on the beautiful Nolichucky River where a wide selection of whitewater sections offer a variety of opportunities for boaters of differing skill levels. Classes are grouped according to experience and skill allowing students the opportunity to share their learning experiences as well as benefit from the experience of the instructors. There will even be an advanced clinic on the Nolichucky Gorge for Class III boaters who want to try a little more advanced water under controlled circumstances.

Accommodations: The clinic will be held at the beautiful Nolichucky Gorge campground in Erwin, TN. The cost of camping is included in your registration fee. The BWA has also reserved the bunkhouse and several tents on platforms.

Food: Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast are included in the price of registration. Lunch on the river for Saturday and Sunday is the responsibility of the student. Please refer to the student literature for recommendations.

Entertainment: Saturday night will feature the clinic talent show. Prizes to be announced, so dust off your hidden performance skills and join in the fun.

Non-students: If you want to bring along a non-paddling friend, significant other, or entire family to enjoy the weekend, that's okay. There are plenty of other things to do at the Nolichucky and for a small additional fee, they can get in on the BWA group discount and meal plan.Download the non student reservation form below to register a non-student.




2008 Spring Paddling Clinic on the Nolichucky Photos



River Clean-ups


Annual Red River Clean-up
May 9, 2009

Cancelled due to High water

Join fellow river enthusiasts for a Clean Sweep of one of our streams. Help draw attention to one of our precious resources. We will be working to remove unsightly trash along the river banks and send it to the landfill where it belongs! Boats and volunteers are needed. So, don't be shy! Get involved in your creek!


To Volunteer:
Contact David Leachman
859-948-2363 (Cell)
dclmdr@yahoo.com

Read about Russ Miller and the Red River Clean-up
in this Bowlines Story:

BWA Red River 2008 Clean-up Photos









2009 NPFF info
Click Here to go to the
National Paddling Film Festival Page
Lexington Ky.
February 20-21 2009

Our 26th Annual NPFF,
We celebrate 26 years of promoting River Conservation & Causes
through "The Best in Paddlesport Video and Image Competition".

News on the 2008 Film Festival !

For 25 years, the volunteers of the NPFF have strived to make your film, photo presentation and viewing experience the very best possible. Thanks to the suggestions by you, filmmakers, photographers and sponsors the festival continues to be the best and most recognized film competition supporting river conservation in the world.

Winners of the 2008 Paddling Film Festival:


Best Still Image: Photographer: John Bolivar

Image: Boulder Location: Boulder Drop Playhole, Skykomish River

Amateur General
Accomplished General
Accomplished Documentary
Professional General
Professional Documentary
Best of Show
Best Still Image
Paddlers' Choice
Poster Contest
Lockapalooza Rodeo
The End of Time
Adios San Juan
The Pulse
The Green Race Movie
The Green Race Movie
#7 "Bouder"
Another Year
Ben Doran
Jeff Parker
Matt Buys
Young Guns Prod.
Chris Gallaway
Chris Gallaway
John Bolivar
Heath Damron
Steven Buys


National Paddling Film Festival Web Page


For pictures of the event take a look here:

Photos of 2007 NPFF.



Information on Other BWA Events will be added to this page as needed.

Information on this web site is provided for the use of BWA members
Copyright 2008 Bluegrass Wildwater Association
Send web related information to: webmaster@surfky-bwa.org