As the kids are starting to return to schools, and summer break is ending, we at ERA are thinking back on all the great EcoSplash camps we had the privilege of running this summer. One of our favorite places to visit is Tellico Creek on Needmore road. The...
Kids Outdoors
Western North Carolina Kids are Outside this Summer!
Why Kids Need Outdoor Time Many researchers agree that kids who play outside are happier, better at paying attention and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors.Spending time in nature can build their confidence. There’s a lot less structure than most types...
Give Your Kids Outdoor Vacations, not Toys
Our kids camps are just the outdoor vacations your kids need! We offer two different camps for kids all summer long: Kayak Camps and EcoSplash Camps Our kids camps are more than just kayaking. They’re about socializing with other kids, learning to look out for your...
We Are All About Kids!
Professional river staff follow the same rule they preach to the folks they share river time with: you do not teach those you love to kayak – particularly your own children. The rules are simple: Allow your kids to love kayaking for themselves, not for you Avoid...
A Young Lady’s Perspective on Kayaking
by Margaret Branson, Jackson Mississippi
My Experience Being a Junior Kayak Instructor
by Olivia McGinnis I often go kayaking in Bryson City, North Carolina. There is a kayaking store called Endless River Adventures in Bryson City. Endless River Adventures offers kayaking instruction, guided raft trips, unguided raft trips, and fly fishing instruction....
NRC Adding Youth Paddling Programs
The Nantahala Race Club (NRC) is committed to increasing youth participation in slalom, freestyle - and just kayaking in general. This year will bring in a whole new set of programs for slalom, freestyle and recreational boaters to enjoy. This spring will bring in...
My Daughter’s First Combat Roll
Shared by Todd McGinnis (aka: proud father) Well while y’all were styl’n the Upper Ocoee and the Gauley I got to spend an awesome weekend with Olivia on the Nanty as she took part in the slalom Clinic with the Nantahala Racing Club. This is a great clinic and is the...
Zoe Ross: A 15-year old kayaking with big dreams
TeamZoe! If you have not heard of young kayaker Zoe Ross yet–you may in the future. She is a 15 year old girl from Athens,TN who fell in love with whitewater kayaking. Her 9th grade year, Zoe had the opportunity to attend the New River Academy (NRA). NRA is a co-ed...
Expectations for paddling with Kids
Do not prep for a day of paddling with your kids the same you would with your friends. Keep the river time short, anticipate worst-case scenarios, prepare for a change of heart, and leave the expectations behind. Anticipate that kids get: Hungry Cold Tired...
My name is Alyssa, I’m a 14-year old kayaker and here is my kayaking story
Looking out over the rocks and seeing Bull’s Sluice, knowing that in a few moments I’d be riding down that far right tongue was a nail-biting experience for me. What was even more thrilling was the rush I got as I entered the eddy right before the Bull. Having made it...
My name is Alyssa, I’m a 14 year-old kayaker and here’s my story
by Alyssa Taylor Looking out over the rocks and seeing Bull’s Sluice, knowing that in a few moments I’d be riding down that far right tongue was a nail-biting experience for me. What was even more thrilling was the rush I got as I entered the eddy right before the...
When Kayaking is not scary: my trip down the Middle Haw
by Greta Durbin On a beautiful sunny November afternoon, my mom asked, “Greta, do you want to run the Middle Haw this weekend?” I gulped, “Yeah, sure.” The Middle Haw? No sweat, right? I’ve done the Tuck, the Nanty and the Lower Pigeon. No problem. But you know what?...
Young River Rats on the Grand Canyon
There are no two Grand Canyon trips alike. Whether on the river for six days or three weeks….few people experience the Grand Canyon without going home with dreams about the next time to get back -- whether possibly as soon as the following year, or many years later. ...
Doing the Grand Canyon Kids Style
There are no two Grand Canyon trips alike. Whether on the Canyon for six days or three weeks….few people experience a trip without going home with dreams about the next time to get back to the Canyon–that next time possibly being the following year, or many years...
Heading Home with your Own Kayak
by Jacob Walker We are always impressed by young paddlers who work hard to help buy their own equipment. Kayaking is a big investment at the front end–but one that earns its rewards many times over once you have all your gear. We met Jacob, his sisters, and mom...
Young kayakers and Their Boats
Olivia looking awesome in her Fuse 35! Olivia and her dad Todd came in to test out some new boat options for Olivia. Sometimes it is easy to just take away the guess work and just buy something for your young paddler. But letting them play take the lead in deciding...
WATCH OUT WORLD – THE YOUNG PADDLERS ARE OUT FOR THE GOLD!
Introducing kids to slalom has become an integral part of our instruction program. It is the tool for learning better boat control – which plays into river running and freestyle, angle control which plays into creek boating, and just another great way to have fun on...
Kids and Kayaking: Step One- who wants to go kayaking?
The anticipation of the day when your little one will finally be paddling down the river behind you can be unbearable! It can be a long five, six, seven, ten or more years of waiting. If you are at that point, check out our boatertalk article on ten pointers to help...
The “challenge” of the Camp Cup Challenge
The 4th annual Camp Cup Challenge brought 100+ campers from summer camps all over western North Carolina. And for the fourth year in a row it was a wild success!!! In fact, the Challenge is such an awesome concept that the format has spread to create other...