The Return of Chattooga Fest
The stoke was high as Foothills Paddling Club’s most popular annual river fest returned this year, after being cancelled in 2020 due to COVID. Some familiar faces and traditions from years past, were met with a lot of new faces and a cheerful energy was felt by all. 2020 had been a tough year but if this event proved anything, it is that our community is resilient and is full of hope for what the future holds for the paddling community.
I think that we could all agree that, more than anything else right now, we need something that brings us together, both on the water and off. Perhaps, that is greatest part of Chattooga Fest. When not paddling together, FPC members, both new and seasoned, were able to hang out at the serene Chattooga Sounds Campground. While the past year had forced us into isolation, it was really nice to see our membership come together in one place. There were new friendships formed and reunions of old ones. The reminiscing of past adventures and planning of future ones, along with some jovial fellowship, continued around the campfire into the wee hours of the night. Eventually, the commotion of our camaraderie faded as we all retired to the packed group campsite. For, tomorrow we would paddle.
In the week leading up to this much anticipated weekend, there was rain in the forecast, prompting concern that the river would be too high to safely run desirable sections of this beautiful river. However, the rain was mild and the sun shone brightly on this mighty river, making for levels that were ideal to paddle a plethora of sections at a variety of skill levels, from Flatwater, all the way up to Class IV whitewater. There were those that took the opportunity to take a chill flatwater day touring and SUPing on gorgeous Lake Tugaloo and those who were able to achieve their personal first descents (PFD) on the challenging Section 4 of the Chattooga. There were some that experienced the beauty and mild whitewater of Section 2 and many who stepped up their whitewater game on Sections 3 and 3.5. It is difficult to think of a more ideal weekend to paddle this iconic wild and scenic river.
Steve showing us lines at the Bull. Thanks so much for guiding us on Saturday!
After a long day of paddling, our appetites were all primed for dinner and fellowship. We enjoyed some delicious barbeque prepared by one of our very own members, Chris Gray. This expertly smoked pork seemed to melt in our mouths. The delightful dinner satisfied our appetites and left us ready for the night’s main event, the infamous raffle.
Our Illustrious club president, Mary Pedrick, worked hard to secure sponsors who donated a variety of prizes for our raffle this year. These generous donations included hats, shirts, changing ponchos, instruction gift certificates, rafting gift certificates, helmets, a paddle, and the grand prize: a brand-new standup paddle board from Boardworks. Everyone got five free tickets for registering with the option of purchasing more at check-in and throughout the weekend, and purchase more they certainly did. There was more than one ambitious person who purchased 150 tickets, proving they were in this thing to win big. Jason B. won colossally, taking home that grand prize, the SUP. Congratulations to all of our winners and thank for your donations.
The fest itself was not the only thing that made a return for 2021. After a multi-year hiatus, The Battle of the Bull made its resurgence. An elite few paddlers engaged in combat with the Class IV beast as mesmerized spectators cheered them on from the rocky banks. All of these competent combatants conquered the rapid with style and grace, but alas, only one champion could emerge victorious. Dayton Pedrick took the trophy with his backwards, paddle throwing , hand rolling run of Bull Sluice. Congratulations to you sir. Jimmy Carter would be proud.
Mary Pedrick accepts the Battle of the Bull Trophy on behalf of her stepson, Dayton Pedrick.
As the memorable weekend wound down, it became clear to the Club Officers, Board Members, and Volunteers, that all of their hard work in the months leading up to Chattooga Fest, had paid off in some truly unexpected ways. While we billed this event as a fundraiser for the club, the investments paid off in more than just the monetary. There were skills honed, relationships built, and fond memories made. This event proved to be exactly what we all needed after such a challenging year, whether we realized it or not. I think we all left #ChattoogaFest2021 with with a sense of hope, knowing that our futures are bright and that the best is yet to come for FPC.