Report on the Camp Cup Challenge 2010 - Record numbers!

I'm excited to tell you that this year's Camp Cup was an astounding success! Kristin and I departed Boise on Friday (July 16) after sending off our last student from our alumni program, "Plus," and started the cross country drive to NC. Somewhere just outside Laramie, Wyoming, our beloved van decided it would go no further, leaving us with out transportation.

Fortunately, our broad network of supporters came in handy. Katie Hawkins, past Alzar instructor and current member of our Advisory Committee, lives in Denver (about 2.5 hours from where we broke down) and was able to drive up to rescue us and Pebbles. Because we were transitioning from a 15-passenger van to a small economy car, we had to condense our belongings. That meant leaving behind our playboats, AIRE landing pads, and other luxuries.

As we headed to Denver, we discussed as many options as we could. The only option not on the table: canceling the Camp Cup. We knew that we had to get to NC by Monday morning so we could put on this incredible event. In the end, the best option proved for us to fly from Denver to Charlotte, where more supporters were able to shuttle us over to the Nantahala. The biggest bummer of the whole breakdown: having to board Pebbles, the official Alzar School mascot, in Denver because the airlines would not let dogs on (it's too hot outside for the dogs to wait in their kennel's during plane changes). The shame is that I had been training her all spring to respond to commands that come with a Southern accent, in preparation for our Southeastern debut. Alas, it was not to be in 2010.

Anyway, going into Monday of the Camp Cup (a training day for all interested camps), we were not sure how many participants we would have. In 2008, when we first revitalized the event, we were excited to have 88 kids. Last year, we had 122 and we doubted we'd be able to top that. On the training day, camps were coming in late, with small groups (initially), so we mentally prepared ourselves for a slightly smaller turnout. Our guest coaches, Pablo McCandless (former Olympian), Wayne Dickert (Ambassador from NOC), and Juliet Jacobsen Kastorff (Endless River Adventures kayak guru), were great about helping the kids improve their paddling in anticipation of the big event.

On Tuesday, van after van of kids arrived at the Nantahala Outdoor Center for the official race day. We ended up with 141 kids, a new record for the event!

Thanks to the growing number of kids and volunteers who have been to the event the past two years and know its traditions, the event was smoother, even with the extra folks around. Some of the great changes this year, to continue to tweak the event even better: pizza at lunch (instead of sandwiches, which the kids LOVED), more t-shirts (though we still underestimated the numbers, so some volunteers sacrificed theirs for the kiddos), and the additional sponsorship of WorldKayak.com, which significantly boosted our free raffle for the kids.

I had some great conversations with folks about the purpose of the event this year, and here again I want to stress how pleased we are with the Camp Cup and the role it plays. Instead of a competitive atmosphere, young paddlers are brought together to mingle and meet other paddlers. The camps' staff have the opportunity to share ideas and make professional connections. It reunites some of the legends of paddling from the area (like David Jones, Lecky Haller, and Fritz Orr).

Obviously, we have to thank the many sponsors of the event, who generously provide money and prizes. They are a big reason the event is possible. Thanks to: the NOC, ACA Dixie Division, Alzar School, Snapdragon, WRSI Helmets, World Kayak, and Endless River Adventures. And, especially, thanks to the camps that make this community event possible: Camp Mondamin/Green Cove, Camp High Rocks, Camps Chosatonga/Kahdalea, Camp Merrie-Wood, Camp Glen Arden, Camp Carolina, Camp Gwynn Valley, Camp Illahee, Camp Wayfarer, Camp Falling Creek.

But, the biggest reason the event is a huge success are the kids. They come together with the right frame of mind and positive attitude. They cheer each other as they make runs through the slalom gates or down the Falls. They scream and laugh during the Counselor Cup event at lunch and volunteer to help take-down everything at the end of the day. Seeing how awesome these young people are definitely makes coming from Idaho to NC each summer worth it, even if the van breaks down in the process.

Check out photos at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AlzarSchool

- Sean Bierle

Student Blogs 2 continued

Robert

I have never really thought about how much I have grown as a leader and paddler from day one last year to now. I guess I could say that I now wake up on time according to our daily schedule, which is something I had a lot of trouble with last summer. Not only can I now wake up on time but I can also run class IV rapids confidently, another big step from last year. It was hard to see how much I had really changed from last summer but now looking back on last F.L.O.W. expedition, it is now obvious.


Tess
July 4, 2010
This morning we ran the Lower South-Fork of the Payette. I swam twice because I missed my roll. Neither were bad, but the water was cold and after my second swim I got on the raft. When we finished the run, we went to the Gutter to clean up the trash and do some surfing and roll practice. After we ate lunch, the clean up began. We filled three trash bags, and even found a kayak. It had a huge hole it and people had obviously taken whatever they could from it. The drainplug and all of the bolts and screws were missing along with the left thigh brace. Sean and Kristin will bring it to the Alzar World Headquarters to use the plastic to repair other boats or turn the kayak in to a planter. After that I got in my boat and practiced my roll, for the rest of the time we were there. I did more than 15 rolls I am now feeling a lot more confident about getting on the river.

Round 2 Student Entries

John
There are 2.5 more days left of this 3-week expedition and its crazy to think that I’ve been away from home this long. It’s one of those situations where it seems like its been forever but it also only feels like I’ve been gone for a week.

Idaho and California are beautiful states and it’s going to be hard adjusting to the puny Appalachian Mountains back in North Carolina.

I am psyched to take home the paddling skills I have learned out here and tear it up back east. It’s weird referring to my home as “out east” when its normally me referring to “out west.”

I am about to start the grand adventure called College, and I think the best thing I could have done to prepare for school is this program. I am definitely taking more home than just paddling skills.

I miss everyone at home though and I can’t wait to see everyone. It has also been about three weeks without Internet; I won’t know what to do with myself when I get home.



Gregory
July 4, 2010
Happy July 4th. On our adventures around the Wild West the scholars of Alzar School have never seen anything as amazing as the Great Western Mountains Orangutan. It is as mysterious as Big Foot. Few people have ever seen the monstrous creature. More people believe in Big Foot so far. It was a cool July day in Garden Valley, Idaho. The group of 10 was playing a friendly game of ultimate Frisbee at the local High School. It was a long throw to Kristin to score a point when out of nowhere it appeared. The great creature rose suddenly, jumping into the air. Screaming loudly it smacked the Frisbee out of the sky using its 5-foot long arms. The other 9 scholars looked on in amazement as the orangutan flew gracefully through the sky, landing smoothly. The beast was at least 8 feet tall and was wearing faded blue shorts, which ended above the knees. Its shirt was very dirty, but appeared to be white reading, “Big Foot is my Bro,” on the front. Once everyone had sized but the 7 ft. 300 lb, pure muscle animal he turned and said calmly to the scholars, “mind if I play?” The scholars accepted nervously. The game went on and the orangutan was an ultimate Frisbee beast. Sorta. And from that day on everyone believed in the Great Western Mountains Orangutan and everyone named him Gregory Wallingford.



Patrick
Sup everyone. Just coming to the end of F.L.O.W. even though I’m sad its coming to an end, I had a fantastic time. The upper Cal Salmon Run had to be the sweetest run we have done, besides the canyon of the SF Payette. I’m doing very well except I hurt my shoulder today but anticipate being back to paddling soon. I’ll see everyone soon- take it easy in B-town, I’ll be shredding again soon enough.



Jami
July 4th, 2010
What an independent day!!! I got my roll down! ‘Course I still got to dot the I’s and cross the T’s, but I did 15 rolls today, so I’m going to just say I got it down!

But wait, there’s more! I had my independent leader day on the 3rd! I was fairly stressed and had prepared for less than ideal debrief, but to my surprise everyone said I did good!!! Chica chica!

So things are going swimmingly (but with a set roll that should change!) and there are so many things I can’t wait to tell you all when I arrive back in Boise (which is currently a mere hour away for tonight before we’re off for the Snake).

Oh, and guess who gets to shower tomorrow for the first time in 13 days!!!!

Lots of love and hugs!



John

(***Disclaimer: Big Foot was not spotted and there was NO lightning, it was a sunny 90 degree day***)

Two weeks ago I found myself in one of the most bizarre situations one can experience.

Well here I was following Patrick down the rapid named Rattlesnake. Little did I know he was taking As I am being tossed me down a not so pleasant line. All of the sudden there is a large curler wave and then chaos as I am tossed into a rather large hold that has yet to be named.

and turned violently in the hole, I realize that I am not alone. Starring at me frozen in the depths of the hole is none other than Bigfoot himself. When I thought being stuck in a hole couldn’t get worse, Big Foot punches me in the face. I mean how RUDE!

Then, when I thought being punched in the face while being worked in a hole couldn’t get worse, a bolt of lightning stuck me.

This was a bad situation and ended up swimming. But in the end I found a really nice serving spoon as I walked down the shore to my kayak.