CHATTOOGA FEST 2021

It’s no Bull, we are back!

April 30th - May 2nd, Chattooga Sounds Campground

Welcome to Foothills Paddling Club’s largest fundraising event of the year! The first weekend in May, our members from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia all come together at the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River. At this event, we raise money through membership renewals, new member sign-ups, and the exciting Saturday night raffle. The money brought into the club from this single annual event helps to fund operating costs, offer educational opportunities, host conservation and awareness events, and make our annual donations to other non-profit organizations like American Whitewater, Save our Saluda, and Team River Runner.

Event Registration

Chattooga Fest is exclusive to Foothills Paddling Club Members and their guests. If you are not a member yet, sign up today for only $20/year to include everyone living in your household!

Join us

FPC Members can register for Chattooga Fest online through the Membership Portal, under Events. Prices below are per person with all options offered during the registration process.

Required: Event Registration: $12.50, per person, includes 5 raffle tickets, daily admittance to morning meeting at the group campsite, opportunity for participation in guided paddling/rafting trips, evening admittance for socializing at the group campsite, and live music performance. Your kids 12 and under may come with you for free, and you will be given an opportunity to pre-register a guest. This fee helps to cover FPC’s ACA Paddle America Club event insurance and our operating costs.

Optional Add-on: Camping: $12.50 per night per person

Optional Add-On: BQ Dinner (Saturday): $6 per person

Optional Add-On: Rafting Trip: FREE, spaces limited (must pre-register)

Guided Trips to be announced at the morning meeting: FREE, must attend morning meeting

Membership Portal

Make a donation.

Unable to attend Chattooga Fest, but still want to contribute to our fundraiser?

Donate

The Battle of the Bull is back this year!

Think you have the perfect line through the Bull? Or maybe the worst? Most stylish? Silliest? Let our judges decide. On Sunday, May 2nd, we will be bringing back the Battle of the Bull competition - put on in the South Carolina eddy and pick your line to launch. Our judges will be watching and scoring to decide on the ultimate prize winner.
*Bull Sluice rapid* *is a class 4 and not for the faint of heart. If you are not quite ready for that caliber, grab a spot on the rocks to watch and cheer.*

Rafting Trips

Club members will have an opportunity to pre-register for a spot in one of our whitewater rafts for a trip down Section 3 of the Chattooga on Saturday, May 1st.
Space is limited, and reserved for members only.

Guided Kayaking Trips

Want to join a group for a trip down Earls to Sandy? How about a personal first decent of Section 3.5? Looking for a flatwater lake paddle?
Let us show you the way!
Each morning at 8:30am we gather around the bandstand at the group campsite for our volunteer trip coordinators to announce opportunities for the day. These are not instructional clinics, just folks looking to have a good time with a safe group on the water.
There will be a Section IV PFD trip offered. People interested in that need to have appropriate skill sets and experience in class 3/4 creeking, a solid combat roll, and will need to pre-register. Space is limited.
All trip options are water level dependent and may be cancelled or not offered. Trip coordinators reserve the right to deny participation if someone does not have qualified experience and/or the necessary skill sets for safe passage on particular sections.

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 30th

Kick-off!
Chattooga Section 3 Trip | 12pm

Check-in
Group Campsite | 5-8pm

Saturday, May 1st

Check-in
Group Campsite | 7-9am

Morning Trip Meeting
Group Campsite Bandstand | 8:30am

Check-in
Group Campsite | 6-8pm

BBQ Dinner
Group Campsite Kitchen | 6:30pm

Live Music
Group Campsite Bandstand | 6:30-8:30pm

Raffle Winner Announcements
Group Campsite Bandstand | 8:30pm
(Must be present to win)

Sunday, May 2nd

Morning Trip Meeting
Group Campsite Bandstand | 8:30am

Clean up and Pack up
Group Campsite | 8:45am

Battle of the Bull
Bull Sluice | 12pm
(Competitors meet at 11am)

Everyday

Paddle Trips
Guided and Meetup trips on various sections of the Chattooga and Lake Tugaloo. Simply attend the Morning Trip Meetings for details on the day’s opportunities. **Section IV PFD and Rafting trip require pre-registration.

Networking
Meet new paddlers and reconnect with old friends.

Used Gear Swap
Have gear you need to sell? We’ll be hosting space at the group campground for a gear swap/sale. You are welcome to leave your item(s) with a price tag your contact information attached. (Neither FPC nor Chattooga Sounds will be responsible for monitoring your belongings nor handling financial transactions, we’re just giving you the space.)