Send Auburn Kayakers into Whitewater

The Auburn Whitewater Kayaking Club needs to raise funds to compete in several competitions in the Southeast.

Competing gives our club, and Auburn University, exposure in the kayaking community. Competition and training also provide a healthy, active pursuit for students and faculty members.

Our club plans on competing in the Alabama Cup Series; Paddle South in Columbus, Ga.; Coosa Fest; River Rock in Richmond, Va.; the Ocoee River Championships; and the Ocoee River Races.

Entry fees and gas money to these events can add up quickly and prove expensive for members in the club, which can prevent them from competing and representing Auburn University. Donations will make competitions more accessible to members, allowing for more exposure to kayaking, which can become a healthy, lifelong activity.

Each competition could include several types of kayaking: downriver racing, slalom racing, and freestyle. Downriver racing is an event where participants will race down a four-to-six mile stretch of whitewater to compete for the fastest times. Slalom racing involves paddling through different “gates” in a specific order, on a set course. The paddler is penalized for touching the gates, missing the gates or going out of order. The fastest time wins.

Freestyle kayaking is a competition based on how many tricks a paddler can do on a whitewater feature, such as a wave or a hole, in a certain amount of time. Different tricks are worth different amounts of points, and the one with the most points wins.