Recap: Chattooga Fest 2022
There’s something to be said regarding the connection between the outdoors and adventurous people. It’s an undying attraction; similar to the opposite poles of a magnet, continuously pulling at one another. Combine pristine, protected outdoor spaces and like-minded adventurers to end up with something similar to Chattooga Fest. For FPC, Chattooga Fest has become somewhat of a simple science. With a goal in mind to gather, bask, enjoy, and leave-no-trace, the community never fails to enjoy this weekend to its fullest.
I personally find that the word “crew” best describes the sense of camaraderie found within the event as it takes a further inter-personal spin to the used phrase, “community.” An exceptional crew makes us strong even in the most challenging situations, both on and off the water. Uncertainty fades into the experience itself, resulting in the most pure forms of fun. As I’ve never said, but may start, “we’re here for a good time, not a long time.” Granted… I hope we’re also here for a long time, just gives us more time to share moments like these! Similar to each event I’ve attended in the past, but to a level unreached by others, my crew has expanded vastly. We as members of FPC are massively lucky to share such incredible opportunities with such incredible people! Doing so based out of a space like Chattooga Sounds Campground simply rounds out the experience.
Paddling was at its pinnacle over the weekend, featuring plenty of rain, good water levels, pleasant weather, fun lines, PFDs, and the pushing of comfort levels. From flat-water joys to the rush of Class IV whitewater, each paddler partaking in activity was treated to an excellent array of opportunities. Despite the 2022 absence of Battle of The Bull, stoke surrounding the rapid was high as ever! Some hit single drop for the first time, others finally nailed their line, and a select few shot down double drop (I’m looking at you, Bridget Dohaney). I was overjoyed to have paddled with so many of you on such a beautiful river, on a section new to me nonetheless! Such a captivating place is endlessly improved by the company of talented, high-spirited people. As a true believer in the full support of those who accompany (or who have accompanied) us on these thrilling adventures, I’d like to explicitly shoutout some members who took advantage of such a skilled gathering of paddlers to hit some PFDs. Nick Schirato who, with the help of some of our finest athletes, checked off his PFD of Section 4 on Saturday. Bridget Dohaney, with the encouragement of Kenny Andrews and Dayton Pedrick, ran the double drop line on Bull Sluice for the first time on Sunday. I commend you for taking that leap and trusting those by your side! Upstream slightly from Nick, I was thrilled to tackle Section 3.5 for the first time on Friday! Sunday I got full redemption for my experience on Friday with my close crew, something I’m still very happy to have accomplished. Thank you to those who showed me down and encouraged me to push my limits! Due to the sheer amount of people in attendance, I’m sure I missed some PFD mentions… we as a club are endlessly proud of you and your accomplishments, even in the absence of personal mentions!
Ahead of this year’s extensive raffle, club president Mary Pedrick took to the mic to award the 2022 L4 instructor scholarship. It was at this time that the 2022 scholarship winner was announced. My personal congratulations to FPC’s newest instructor, Cade Puckett! We are all so thrilled to see what incredible things you do in the future! Following the happy news, a keynote speaker was welcomed to the stage. A speaker representing the Chattooga Conservancy shared with us some wisdoms of the area, and some of their future plans to better preserve and embrace its beauty. As an environmentalist, I was personally captivated by this group’s dedication to such a broad expanse of protected land. Learning not only of the likeness this watershed shares with others, but also the extreme uniqueness that lies within its reach was extremely compelling. I find it hard to truly appreciate something we know so little about; we admire something so much more when we are able to understand it for all that it is, that being a one-of-a-kind ecosystem. Each unique plant plays a key role in the natural upkeep and sustainability of the recreational environment we all enjoy so much, as does each animal, and each person who dutifully upholds such a wonderful place. Foothills Paddling Club was also fortunate enough to reflect with the speaker on the impacts of Tugalo Dam, a focal point of the Conservancy's “Restore Chattooga Gorge” initiative. In removing the dam, a greener alternative to energy production by Georgia Power may be explored, over four unseen miles of the Chattooga would become accessible, and the unnatural stagnation of Tugalo Lake would cease. Such a beautiful, wild place is lucky to be so bravely advocated for by the Chattooga Conservancy and we as a club are so grateful to be a part of such an influential movement!
Designed to fundraise for the club and its future events, an impressive offering of prizes were offered at this year's raffle. Filled to the brim with hats (see what I did there?), tee shirts, stickers, nose plugs, Chacos, paddle with a pro-kayaker experiences, instruction packages, paddles, and one neat boat, it was quick to tell that the raffle would be a huge hit. I could go on and on about what other wonderful prizes were offered, but that would simply take away from the abundance of times “Andrews”, “Bowman”, and “Volt” were called… I’d be fibbing to you all if I said that the “Dohaney” name didn’t pop up here and there too. By the end of the night, it was “Andrews” who won claim to the boat and Laura Hopper who took home a private instruction package with Anna Levesque. The stage was cleared of prizes, happy winners stashed their hauls, and a talented lineup of two prepared to share their tunes with the crowd. As Tim kicked off the musical celebration folks settled in at the campfire, a plethora of kids (and a couple teenagers, and one excellent mom) tested their might against one sturdy piñata, old friends and new chatted with one another, and the sky finished getting dark. Despite regretfully not having any myself, I was told that Scott Bouchard’s freshly made funnel cakes were being shared around the boisterous crowd and to no surprise, they were a massive hit! It was Blake who took to the stage next, who also had a guitar at his side as some strode off to bed, others watched happily from the comfort of the warm fire, while some kids learned to flip and tumble in the field. The mic later went quiet and those remaining settled in for quiet conversation around the smoldering round of flames, the wood burned for hours and the conversation grew more and more peaceful. Before long, the wood was burned through, minds were filled to the brink with happy memories of the day, and eyelids were growing heavy. Saturday eased to a standstill as Sunday came into view and the last night owls had fallen asleep, likely before the clock struck two.
Sunday adventures were had and enjoyed with members sprinkled in each direction of the beautiful area. Those who parted with the crowd early were sure to have experienced their own joys on the road home. In the absence of a looming battle at The Bull, many took trips of their own down 3.5. Dane Newman personally enjoyed what was described to me as “a leisurely float”; and for the first time, Scott personally guided a group of happy people down in his own raft. Out on the scout rock at Rock Jumble, I was able to spot these familiar faces coming down amidst my own group and plenty of pictures were taken to commemorate the brief rejoining of FPC members. That being said, the “happy people” sitting in the raft may not have looked as happy as I have made them out to have. Picture proof shows an entertaining story of terror, adrenaline, and excitement; all in good fun, all good lines. Despite a very small group upstream, the previously converged FPC groups met again below Woodall Shoals and joined each other once more for the hike out. I believe the parking lot to have been booming as laughs were had and watermelon was shared, thank you Nikki! Best watermelon ever. It was back at camp that the remaining few said their final ados, packed up, and went their separate ways.
I will forever be grateful for knowing and sharing such wonderful experiences with such incredible people. Foothills Paddling Club knows how to throw a weekend bash, and each member of the crew knows how to have fun. Here’s to my first Chattooga Fest, thank you all for making it so memorable!
Til’ next time, Fhay ✌️
