Press release here:
Join the French Broad Riverkeeper for the 2nd annual Save the French Broad float trip. Be a part of our rainbow-colored flotilla as we paddle 122 miles of one of the oldest and most scenic rivers in America!
The French Broad Riverkeeper, Hartwell Carson, will lead a group of people down an exciting a rewarding journey over the course of 11 days. Carson explains “the French Broad River is one of the most underutilized resources in the region. The river is currently threatened by many water quality concerns that we will monitor during this trip, but it is also one of the country’s most scenic and inviting paddling destinations.”
Jeff Rich, a local paddling enthusiast and photographer, who has paddled and documented several of the French Broad Riverkeeper’s monitoring trips, explains “this trip is a rare opportunity to enjoy the French Broad River in this fashion, because continuous access can be challenging and riverside camping is almost non-existent due to the amount of private property along the banks.”
Will Leverette, who to many is considered French Broad paddling royalty, will kick off the trip on June 18th at Headwaters Outfitters. Leverette, whose grandfather bears the name of the great class IV Frank Bell’s rapid, will give a presentation referencing his book, WaterWise: A history of Whitewater Paddling in Western North Carolina. Leverette’s oration will include stories of his grandfather’s paddling expedition from Hendersonville to the Mississippi River as well as share memories from when some of the area’s most spectacular gorges were flooded in the name of energy progress.
Following the presentation, the trip will then embark on the first of 11 days of paddling and camping along the banks of the majestic French Broad River. The public is invited to paddle one day, one weekend, or the entire trip with Carson and other paddling and environmental enthusiasts. The French Broad Riverkeeper will guide paddlers along 122 miles of the French Broad while raising awareness of current issues regarding the health of the river, including conducting water quality monitoring, testing fish for mercury pollution, sampling for bacteria problems, and touring a waste water treatment plan. Another aspect of the trip will be educating the public about the Save the French Broad Campaign, and will include touring and sampling award winning wines at the Biltmore, stopping for evening events in Brevard, Asheville, and Hot Springs,, and participating in a raft race down the exciting whitewater section of the river.
Experience the French Broad River as never before, with the logistics, including boat, beer, food, shuttle, entertainment, and primitive camping taken care of!
This trip is brought to you by Sweetwater Brewery, the Western North Carolina Alliance, and Clear Channel Asheville and its family of stations. All the proceeds of this trip will help benefit the French Broad Riverkeeper program, and go directly back into cleaning up the river. See you on the river!
Register, learn more, and stay up to date with all the exciting events of this trip by visiting www.savethefrenchbroad.com.