WCU groups sponsor amateur river race September 10

Western Carolina University organizations are co-sponsoring the third annual Citizens Race, a competition for amateur paddlers on a calm section of the Tuckaseigee River on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Participants are timed as they paddle canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddle boards through nine slalom gales, which are plastic poles hung over the water about three feet apart, on a flat section of the river off Old Cullowhee Road. Canoes, life jackets and paddles will be provided for participants who do not have their own equipment.

Entrants may get a feel for the water and boats from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, as they practice the course. The timed event will begin at 9 am. Sept. 10.

“This event is to show that the downtown area of Cullowhee can be used for river recreation and is a fundraiser for the planned park between the dam and the bridge,” said Maurice Phipps, a parks and recreation management professor and member of the Cullowhee Revitalization Endeavor, or CuRvE. “It is designed to be a community event – a citizens race for families, individuals, kids and students.”

The race is sponsored by WCU’s Parks and Recreation Management program, Parks and Recreation Management Club and Base Camp Cullowhee. Registration is $5 per person, and registration forms (one per boat) are available at Base Camp Cullowhee.

For a link to the concept of the Cullowhee River Park, visit http://www.gocullowhee.org/photos/cullowhee-river-park-concep.html. For more information, contact Base Camp Cullowhee at 828-227-3633 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .