Media Story Ideas
2011 Spring/Summer/Fall Story Ideas
Work Where You Vacation
Thousands of people experience the thrill of white water rafting and entrust their lives in the hands of the Raft Guides steering the boat down the river. How do these people get to that position where they have the skills to share the river with visitors? At the Five-day Wildwater Guide School held in mid-May. Wildwater, the southeastern white water pioneer, has been training freshman Raft Guides with school and on-river scenarios since their beginning in 1971. Over time, regulations and paddling techniques as well as equipment are changed and matured and so has Wildwater training techniques. Over 35 years ago, rafts were procured through army surplus; heavy, durable and difficult to maneuver when full of water. Now raft manufacturers utilize high-tech materials and many are self-bailing, meaning, no heavy boats full of water. This also opens the door for a wider range of potential Guides. No longer is this job limited to burly, outdoorsy men. Both genders of all shapes and sizes, when taught the right skills, can guide a boat down a white water river thanks to updated equipment and refined paddling techniques.
Alumni raft guides range from dignitaries such as South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, to Clemson geology professor Jody Tinsley to Joe Smith, Vice-President of AFLAC Insurance. Other alumni include John Fletcher, Executive Director of Enrollment Services at Auburn University, Mark Wagstaff, Outdoor Recreation Professor at Radford University in VA, and Earl and Glenna Alderson, Outdoor Program Instructors at Hampshire College in MA. Wildwater Raft Guides learn skills that can be carried into careers as varied as business to theology. Wildwater operates on four rivers in the southeast and have two separate lodging facilities and kayak and canoe white water clinic program so opportunities are quite extensive. For more information on Wildwater's 2012 Raft Guide school, contact Mike Coleman, Chattooga River Manager, (877) 247-5535, mcoleman@wildwaterltd.com
Planning for Your Active Vacation
Many travelers plan ahead for their vacations by confirming reservations, sending deposits, buying guide books and researching the area. How often have you taken a weekend and filled it with hiking, paddling, or peddling only to experience sore muscles and joints from pushing it too hard. Here are just a couple of tips to help with your outdoor vacation activities.
STRETCHING–Begin any activity with stretching. Slow stretching is safer than quick forced stretches. The slow stretching allows muscles to warm up slowly, lessening the chance for injury, no matter how slight.
MOVING–Start exercising by walking-just this little bit of movement can make a difference. Swing your arms, breath deeply and elevate your heart rate slightly. Get oxygen into your muscles makes you better prepared for more advanced exercise like paddling a boat.
MOVING MORE-Building up to a longer exercise period can help keep your stamina. Be prepared for increased activity level on vacation by preparing in advance.
Don’t miss out on all your activities on your mountain vacation with sore muscles the first day. Do these three steps and you’re on your way to healthy hiking, biking or paddling on your next vacation.
Wildwater Jeep® Adventures
Nantahala Gorge, NC–Owning a SUV doesn’t necessarily mean you want to take it off-roading or explore back roads on your own. Instead, Wildwater Jeep® Adventures does it for you. The Nantahala Gorge, besides being known for great whitewater rafting, is also seeped in history and taking a Jeep® Adventure introduces you to the background and the back roads of Swain and Macon Counties in western North Carolina.
Trips range from 2 hours to a full day combined with a scenic train ride. The Rails & Trails trip mirrors Wildwater’s well-known Raft & Rail© trip with the day starting with a scenic train ride up the Nantahala River Gorge. At the locomotive switch, the Rafters and Jeep® riders get off and the rafters travel to the raft launch site, the Jeep® riders continue up the mountain. Jeep® riders explore 200 year-old-communities, rise to ridge tops and the Appalachian Trail then dip down and snake along the rivers edge of the Little Tennessee River–all along the way learning of the history; the conflicts during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the men and women who pioneered this area, and the recent efforts to preserve this beautiful region. The Waterfalls Tours is a 2 hour excursion that travels the same route as the Rails & Trails, up the mountain side, along the area’s waterways past roaring rapids and waterfalls but, without the train portion.
Trip size is limited to 6 people and runs daily with advance reservations. Rates begin at $25 for kids and $40 for adults. The Jeep® is a customized Wrangler model with a Plexiglas roof and elevated seating in the back allowing great views of the scenery. This adventure is a trip with less adrenaline and more interpretive experiences and the goal is to share the wonders of the region with visitors. Call (877) 247-5535 to reserve your seat in the Jeep® today.
Wildwater offers Eastern-Style Accommodations
Nantahala Gorge, NC–Yurts . . . sounds like something from a nonsense story or from Dr. Seuss. They are really a unique alternative to the mountain cabin or tent.
Wildwater is offering these unusual accommodations on the banks of a bold stream perched above a crisp waterfall. Falling Waters Resort is located on the mountain ridges above Fontana Lake in the Nantahala River mountains. The complex caters to the group or the individual who wants to get closer to nature without sleeping on the ground. The yurts are canvas structures modeled after the circular shaped Mongolian structure. These modern buildings sport vinyl-laminated fabric wrapped around Douglas fir lattice walls with mylar windows, a clear acrylic dome for star gazing, and Plexiglas and wooden doors. More commonly found in the West, Falling Waters Adventure Resort offers the first units in Western North Carolina.
The yurts will are tastefully furnished with futons and beds and comfortable chairs and tables, no cots or sleeping bags for these nomads. Wrap around decks overlook the pond and bold stream with the sounds of the waterfall in the distance. Located within minutes of Wildwater’s Nantahala Rafting Center, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Fontana Lake, Tsali Mountain Bike Trail and the Appalachian Hiking Trail, these yurts are quite a welcome change from the “run of the mill” tents. Most recently the Yurts were featured on the summer vacation series of ABC’s Good Morning America, and correspondent Kate Snow loved her accommodations. USA Today featured them in a 2005 series on “Luxury Camping” and the resort was also mentioned as a weekend getaway in National Geographic Adventure magazine.
Wildwater Selected To Prestigious Organization
Long Creek, SC–Wildwater has been selected by its peers to join a unique outdoor organization. The organization–Adventure Gateway–consists of some of the greatest minds in the outdoor travel industry and ultimately provides adventure travelers with the history and future of adventure sports.
Built from a consortium of the top eleven whitewater rafting and canoe outfitters in North America, Adventure Gateway is comprised of industry presidents, officers, designers and leaders, who have collectively brought to the travel industry over 300 years of combined experience. The idea of Adventure Gateway was formed when a group of non-competing companies initially got together to share marketing and operational practices over a casual dinner. The requirements set forth for companies to join the team included operating a paddle sports business which exemplified quality service, equipment, and operations, and that they had been recognized in the outfitting field as providing professional excellence and integrity. This group grew into Adventure Gateway. Each Adventure Gateway member has founders who “led the way” in one or more aspects of their respective adventure territories, not to mention the outfitting industry in general.
Exploring the Mountains in the Fall
It is no secret that thousands flock to the mountains to enjoy the last bit of autumn before winter sets in. The change in temperatures triggers the leaves to change color and this triggers travelers to the mountains.
This year try enjoying the fall colors from a different angle. From a seat in a rubber raft gazing skyward to the ridges while floating along the Nantahala, Ocoee, or Chattooga Rivers or from the seat of a Jeep® with Wildwater’s Jeep Adventures. What better way to let someone else do the “driving” while you kick back and relax.
The Secret Season
The rumble of school busses shouldn’t signal the end of summer. In the mountains, warm relaxing days and cool comfortable nights continue through November. Lower rates and fewer crowds can be found. Discover whitewater rapids, high mountain ridges and cool mountain streams-all in the Smokies. Whether it’s by water on the Nantahala River, by train from Bryson City or by Jeep®, Wildwater has an adventure for you. Summer isn’t over yet until you want it to be.
Art/photos for any story available upon request <media@wildwaterrafting.com>
