Charlotte Whitewater Park this past weekend

[Ryan Viser]

We had a blast at the Whitewater Training Center this past weekend. I hate it that we always miss Surf n Turf but Widespread Panic always schedules their summer tour closers in Charlotte the same weekend, and Panic and Paddling is just too much to pass up. The only thing that made this year better than last was I brought friends this time. My buddy Wade (the wiz) came w. us and we met Grant Bennett out there. He grew up paddling in AR but moved out to Greenville, SC for his residency. At any rate, we got to paddle it both days, was my first time to paddle my new Viper 11 on "real" moving water, I didn't count Rockport. That thing is definitely more squirrely than my Probe 12 II. We mostly ran the class III course. I took a run down the class IV course and made it all the way through the curve and ate crap in the hole at the bottom. The next day I styled that thing. I think they were releasing more water than normal because the big hole at the end of the class III course was not near as smooth and well defined as last year, was really big and washy. The places is really fun though if you ever get a chance to check it out. That last half of the class III course is something I would describe as big, violent water. Really a lot of fun, a great place to just "go for it" without the normal consequences you would encounter in the wild.

[bmartin]

Tis a fun place for sure and if you are in the area they have plenty of boats to rent for not too much so you can hit it if you are there on business or a family outing. Of course any carnage only adds more entertainment to all the people there enjoying lunch and walking the trails.

The amount of water moved up by those pumps is impressive and I know first hand that the grates will catch your gear that can be collected after they power the pumps down.

[knu2xs]

Ryan, the bottom hole varies even day-to-day depending on how they play with the baffles at the top. Following Trials they have been fiddling with a few of the bollards leading into the elbow, changing the hole some.

The best description I have yet to come up with for the thing is it feels a lot like a floodstage creek. it might not be all that huge, but it definitely pushes you around a lot more than most III and IV.

Sorry I couldn't be there. Work has put me on the road for three consecutive weeks, first Houston, TX, then Redlands, CA. Thankfully, I'm catching the red eye Friday to get back in my boat on Saturday morning.

Glad to hear you did make it out and enjoyed a little Panic and Park!