Article Assignment #1

MAKING WAVES FOR THE WORLDS

Written by Juliet Jacobsen Kartorff

Rating: ***

                North Carolina’s Nantahala River Gorge is going to be the site of the 2013 World Freestyle Kayaking Championships. This will be the first time in over twenty years that the community has hosted an event this incredible. The main reason that this area was selected for the competition is because the river is controlled by a dam which ensures water flow. Water quantity and quality have been issues in earlier years of competition, some events have even been postponed.

Because of the intensity of this championship, locals decided that some work needed to be done to improve the quality of the run. Many locals did not like to see large machines and construction materials near the river. They believed that it would affect the river in a negative way. Although the cons of the construction may bother some individuals, the overall improvements will make Nantahala River a more popular destination for white water sports in North America.  

I believe that it is not a big deal for a river to undergo construction. Some people are too passionate about silly things. As long as the river is not being damaged and the wildlife is kept safe, there should be no issues. I  learned from this article that white water kayaking world championships are actually a very important event. I  will be sure to find some footage from these events as they sound very intense.

Jacobsen Kartorff, Juliet. “Making Waves For the Worlds”. Adventure Kayak Magazine(online). Tuesday, May 1 2012. http://www.rapidmedia.com/departments-whitewater/item/418-making-waves-for-the-worlds.html