Chattooga Canoe & Kayak Clinics
Information
General Information
Wildwater is one of the largest, oldest, and most respected river outfitters in the East. Founded in 1971, we have carried over 300,000 guests down the Chattooga, Ocoee, Pigeon, and Nantahala Rivers. Wildwater is licensed by the US Forest Service to offer canoe and kayak instruction to the public on the Chattooga River. Wildwater is a member of the following river conservation organizations:
- American Rivers Conservation Council
- America Outdoors
Our clinic instructors have compiled many years of paddling, teaching, and raft guiding experience: all hold First Aid and CPR certification. Our Team Members are knowledgeable and extremely familiar with the Chattooga River and are chosen not only for their experience, skills, and certifications, but also for their ability to communicate their skills to others. Our focus on personalized instruction, with a low student to teacher ratio, maximizes both whitewater learning and individual growth.
Wildwater wants the opportunity to share with you the beauty and excitement for whitewater boating. Great personal satisfaction can be derived from learning the basics of paddling. It is our hope that as you see and share the beauty of the river, you will more fully understand the necessity for its protection and preservation.
Wildwater offers canoe and kayak clinics on the Chattooga River. The clinic can be set up as a one, two, or three-day experience.
The Clinic
Guests are expected to check in at the Wildwater Chattooga Adventure Center twenty to thirty minutes before the meeting time. This will allow you plenty of time to sign in and change clothes.
The day begins with an orientation by your instructor who will remain with you throughout the course. Classroom instruction in the morning is conducted to familiarize everyone with basic safety techniques, hydrology, equipment, and clinic procedures.
The clinic then moves to a section of the river the instructor feels is most appropriate for the students. Fundamental strokes, maneuvers, and techniques such as wet exits, turns, peelouts, braces, and ferries will all be practiced. Once the instructor is satisfied that everyone has an understanding of the basics, the clinics will move down river through small rapids trying out their new techniques. Lunch will be served riverside.
The second day will be spent on the river reviewing newly acquired skills and increasing each person's level of expertise. More strokes and advanced maneuvers will be taught as confidence and abilities increase. The rapids which are run are larger and more technical, providing a perfect opportunity to test what a student has learned. If a third day is added, more practice of paddling techniques are covered.
In the kayak clinics, the Eskimo roll and other self-rescue techniques will be practiced. At the instructor's discretion, fast learning students may challenge the art of surfing holes and waves.
Price includes instruction, equipment, transportation, and lunches. Clinics start at 8:30 a.m. All trips go, rain or shine.
Notice: Wildwater reserves the right to change put-in and take-out points as necessitated by unusual water levels or conditions of access roads. All trips go, rain or shine.
CANCELLATION POLICY
•Reservations cancelled at least fourteen (14) days in advance will receive a full refund less $10 reservation fee.
•Reservations cancelled at least seven (7) days in advance will receive a refund of money paid less deposit equal to $10 per person for half day trips and $20 per person for full day trips.
•Reservations cancelled less than seven (7) days in advance are ineligible for refund.
•For any consideration of a refund, reservations should be cancelled in advance.
•Request for date transfer are treated like cancellations and may entail a loss of deposit.
•Credit Card Payment: Reservations must be cancelled by the close of the next business day after credit card is given to receive full credit less one $10 fee if cancelling the entire
reservation.
•NO SHOWS on day of the trip will receive NO REFUND.
•An exception form may be filled out for requests for refund due to special circumstances.
Lodging Policy:
•Reservations cancelled 7 days or more in advance of your stay will receive a full refund except one $10 fee.
•Reservations cancelled the day before will receive a voucher (rain check) for a future stay.
•Reservations cancelle the day of your stay will receive NO REFUND, but may fill out a "Request for an Exception" form.
WHAT TO BRING
Cool Weather
Wool sweater Wool mittens/wool hat
Shorts or bathing suit Allergy medicine
Tennis shoes Dry change of clothes
Wool socks Towels
Warm Weather
Shorts or bathing suit Allergy medicine
T-shirt Dry change of clothes
Tennis shoes Towels
Sunscreen
Blue jeans are not recommended, particularly in cold weather. Rental wet suits are available when it is too cool for shorts. Jewelry should be left at home or locked in the car. Glasses should be secured with straps or strings.
LODGING AROUND THE CHATTOOGA
Wildwater Lodging
Wildwater Chattooga Cottages Long Creek, SC (800) 451-9972
Wildwater Group Yurts- Long Creek, SC (800) 451-9972
Jawbone Cabin- Long Creek, SC (800) 451-9972
Bed and Breakfast
Oconee Belle Bed & Breakfast Walhalla, SC (864)638-2238
Glen Ella Springs Inn Clarkesville, GA (877) 456-7527
Beechwood Inn Clayton, GA (706) 782-5485
Magnolia Manor Westminster, SC (864) 647-8559
Walhalla Liberty Lodge Walhalla, SC (864) 638-8239
Sunrise Farm Salem, SC (888) 991-0121
Sylvan Falls Mill Rabun Gap, GA (706) 746-7138
York House B&B Rabun Gap, GA (706) 746-2068
Axle Acres Bed & Barn Westminster, SC (864) 647-5134
Fieldstone Farm Inn Westminster, SC (864) 882 5651
Three Pines View Salem, SC (864) 280-0482
Blaine House B&B Franklin, NC (828) 524-3633
Cabins and Cottages
Jawbone Cabin- Long Creek, SC 800-451-9972
Wildwater Chattooga Cottages Long Creek, SC (800) 451-9972
Wildwater Group Yurts- Long Creek, SC (800) 451-9972
Dillard House Dillard, GA (800) 541-0671
Fall Creek Cottage Long Creek, SC (864) 647-2336
Clearwater Spa Cabin-Chalet Mountain Rest, SC (864) 718-8309
Mountain Rest Cabins and Campground Mountain Rest, SC (864) 718-0333
Mountain Aire Cottages & Motel Clayton, GA (888) 571-9597
Cradlecrest Mountain Cabin Clayton, GA (877) 352-3313
Hidden Gap Cabins Tiger, GA (706) 782-5900
Timberloft Cottages Helen, GA (866) 514-1499
Mountain Lakes Vacation Rentals Upstate, SC (800) 610-0020
Rafters Delight Clayton, GA (229) 574-5575
Black Bear Cabins, Inc. Clayton, GA (706) 490-2009
Helen Georgia Cabin Rentals Helen, GA (706) 878-4000
Campgrounds
State & National Park Service Campgrounds
Mountain Rest Cabins and Campground Mountain Rest, SC (864) 718-0333
Oconee State Park Mountain Rest, SC (864) 638-5353
Long Creek Campground Long Creek, SC (864) 647-1938
Cassidy Bridge Group Camp Long Creek, SC (864) 638-9568
Chau-Ram County Campground Westminster, SC (864) 647-9286
Black Rock Mountain State Park Dillard, GA (706) 746-2141
Andy's Trout Farm Dillard, GA (706) 746-2550
Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls, GA (706) 754-7970
Cross Creek RV Park Mountain City, GA (706) 746-6974
Primitive Camping in the Chattooga Area
Hotels Motels and Inns
Best Western Seneca, SC (864) 886-9646
Days Inn Seneca, SC (864) 885-0710
Jameson Inn Seneca, SC (864) 888-8300
Dillard House Dillard, GA (800) 541-0671
Kingwood Resort Clayton, GA (866) KINGWOOD
The Lodge at Tallulah Falls Tallulah Falls, GA (706) 754-9400
Lake Rabun Hotel Lakemont, GA (800) 398 5134
Historic Old Clayton Inn Clayton, GA (800) 454-3498
Knights Inn Dillard, GA (706) 746-5321
Days Inn Clayton, GA (706) 782-4258
Comfort Inn Clemson, SC (864) 653-3600
Days Inn Clemson, SC (864) 885-0710
Quality Inn & Suites Clayton, GA (800) 334-2214
Americas Best Value Inn Clayton, GA (706) 782-4702
Mountain Aire Cottages & Motel Clayton, GA (888) 571-9597
Resorts
Kingwood Resort Clayton, GA (866) KINGWOOD
Brasstown Valley Young Harris, GA (800) 201-3205
Splendor Mountain Clayton, GA (706) 212-2897
The Ridges Resort & Club Young Harris, GA (706) 896-1886
Tumbling Waters Retreat & Conference Center Clayton, GA (678) 996-2830
Retreats
Camp Chatuga (groups) Mountain Rest, SC (864) 638-3728
Enota Hiawassee, GA (706) 896-9966 or (800) 990-8869
Awanita Valley Retreat Center Marietta, SC (864) 836-3956
Event & Conference Centers
Chattooga Belle Farm Long Creek, SC (864) 972-1026
DATE TRANSFERS
Wildwater reserves the right to cancel or reschedule trip in cases of extreme weather or water level conditions. If this happens, you may either reschedule your trip or receive a full refund. In all other cases, requests for date transfer are treated like cancellations and may entail a loss of deposit.
ALCOHOL
Wildwater reserves the right to refuse to accommodate anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs (which may impair their abilities on the river) and will not hesitate to remove them from the trip without refund.
LIABILITY
Wildwater provides high quality equipment and our staff is professionally trained to make your trip safe and comfortable. However, each person is responsible for their own liability and will be required to sign a waiver prior to the start of the trip.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Wildwater offers professional photography service at all four locations: Chattooga, Ocoee, Pigeon and Nantahala Adventure Centers.
WILDWATER LTD. RESERVATIONS CENTER
P0 Box 309
Long Creek, SC 29658
1-800-451-9972
e-mail: reservations@wildwaterrafting.com
