2005 Rafting News - ARCHIVED
News about Rafting from Past Seasons
Current California Rafting News here!
We've archived our past California rafting news as a reference for last year's river related items. This is the place where rafting news, conservation news, environmental news, political news and articles about river rafting in general are posted. If you are an organization related to river running, both commercially or privately, you are welcome to submit your news item via email or mail. Other rafting news can be found on our current California rafting news or California rafting blog, the oldest rafting blog in the West!
September 28, 2005 (Go to 2006 for new news!)"CHASING 50" 2006
Ryan Mac has negotiated rivers in a raft or kayak since Spring of 2001 with a total of 3 River Seasons in Costa Rica, 2 Seasons in Brazil, and 5 rafting and kayaking seasons in Coloma. Ryan has been a safety kayaker for W.E.T. River Trips for the past 3-4 years and has also filled in from time to time as a river guide. This past 2005 Rafting Season, Ryan officially joined our guiding crew as a member of the American River and Cal Salmon river trips. He focused mainly during this unprecedented high water season as a safety kayaker on the North Fork American River and also on all the high water on the South Fork and Middle Fork American. A member of the infamous, Cali Team that includes kayakers, Charlie Center, Ben Wartburg, Merlin Hanauer, Erik Conklin, Paul Gamache, Rush Sturges & Robbe Hogge, Ryan Mac, the Brazilian correspondent, brings a touch of excitement to even the most beginner river runs for our rafting guests. (Update: Ryan arrived in Brazil safe & sound. Merry Christmas! Read the CaliProduct forum for more updates on this expedition.)
"I've done a range of rafting and advanced rafting trips in 3 different countries, to beginner and intermediate kayak instructing and freestyle kayaking rodeo clinics. My favorite Rivers in California include: Upper Middle Fork Kings, Fantasy Falls, South Silver, Shirtail Creek of North Fork American, Golden Gate, Fordyce Creek, Highland Creek 1st Descent, Dutch Creek 1st Descent, and Triumph Gorge on the Lower South Branch of the Feather 1st Descent... favorite Rivers in Costa Rica include: Upper Pacuare, Peralta on Reventazon, Upper Toro, Upper Pejibaye Toas, Poso Azul and Succio River... favorite Rivers in Brazil Include: Rio Jaquari, Rio Paraibuna, Rio Itajai Acu, Rio Cubatao and 1st Descents on Riberao Ponte Preta, Rio Coura, Rio Colina, Rio Escorrega, Riberao Dos Irmao, Rio Das Furnas, Rio Conquista, Riberao Pamital, Rio Verde, Rio Auiruoca, Rio das Cachoeiras, Rio Sao Joao, and Rio Das Antas."
Brazil is home to an amazing percentage of the world’s fresh water, and not to mention, an incredible potential for exploration. Many challenges await those interested in exploring Brazil’s complex ecosystems. Road access, language barrier, and lack of resources (information, equipment, emergency services), are just a few of the problems and reasons why Brazil’s rivers have remained virtually untouched and untapped. Together, within the expedition team, and with help of current and potential sponsors, "Chasing 50" will be prepared to deal with any challenges that might arise during their venture. Proper gear, good logistics, and a great support team are all crucial in the success and safety of this team. With your financial support "Chasing 50" will be one step closer to achieving their goals; in search for the unknown.
Ryan says, "Our initial plan involves a grueling 3 month journey throughout some of Brazil’s untapped, virgin rivers. The team will be documenting the entire trip with professional quality video cameras and digital photos, with high hopes in producing several programs in both the U.S. and Brazil. Our team will attempt a unique journey through 7 states, visiting over 20 Brazilian National Parks in 15 different mountain ranges, in an effort to surpass 50 River 1st Descents (class IV-V) in 3 months; a mark probably few have ever accomplished. This will take a combined effort with both athletes and sponsors involved."
Ryan would like to thank the following sponsors: Sierra Outdoor Center in Auburn for approximately $1500 worth of gear, W.E.T. River Trips for financial support for the team members, Liquid Logic for boats & kayaks, McPherson Crane and Rigging for High Definition 3CCD Video Camera ($4000) which will be filming the full length Kayaking Movie, ESPN Brazil is sponsoring transportation ($5000), and a small company out of Bertioga, Sao Paulo is sponsoring Hotels and the Ultralight airplane.
Ryan will be returning in the first of April to begin editing on the film. During this time, he will be producing a mini demo video of each sponsor 's company involved. This will turn out like a commercial for the Video, which also gives the sponsors a little exposure.
For all you corporate wannabe sponsors, please send your financial sponsorships or equipment sponsors to Ryan McPherson, 27 Esperson Court, Rio Vista, CA 94571 and make all checks out to "Chasing 50" and Ryan McPherson. Good luck "Chasing 50" team members! May the river gods be with you!
For more information on our guide staff, please read about the rafting guides or check out our new Rafting Interviews! W.E.T. River Trips since 1978... go to our domain at RAFTWET.com and read our latest Rafting Blogs.
September 5, 2005
... these past few days have been filled with such sadness... I'm seeing unbelievable photos and videos of absolute terror and sadness in the Gulf... in the USA. Here is where water, rivers, streams... Mother Nature is at its worst. All of us here at W.E.T. River Trips understand the power of water and we are humbled by it everyday. We understand that it is a force that you cannot tame... it only accommodates us... We raft and kayak the water. We enjoy that bit of danger, knowing that we will probably go home to our families, turn on the tv, sit down and eat our meals, get up in the morning, drive our cars to work and finally at the end of the day; go home to our families again. What we are witnessing is Mother Nature and her own plan. The sadness is so overwhelming as we watch men, women & children battle these forces and become homeless. The poor. These are the people who live near levees, near power plants, near toxic wastelands, near railroads, near all the unwanted places that the rest of us avoid. They are the ones who suffer the greatest damage when one of these entities fail. As a nation of educated, affluent people, it is hard to fathom the idea that no one came to help for 4 days. By day 6, there were people still in their homes without food and water. How can this great nation allow this?
The first conference for America Outdoors (our professional association) was held in Biloxi... because we could party in New Orleans... all the members of our industry are saddened to see that wild, beautiful city under water.
Please consider donating to the Red Cross... this private organization was the first to arrive to help. They did not allow the federal bureaucracy to stand in the way of getting their people to the victims of Katrina. Instead of renting a video, eating out tonight or even booking a rafting trip; donate those funds to the people who can really help our fellow US citizens. Here are the direct links for other private organizations who are helping:
American Red Cross 1.800.435.7669
Salvation Army 1.800.725.2769
America's Second Harvest 1.800.344.8070
Catholic Charities, USA 1.703.549.1390
BloodSource 1.866.82-BLOOD
Operation Share Your Home 1.888.827.2525
United Animal Nations 1.916.429.2457
PLEASE HELP THE 2005 Hurricane victims!
For the rafting Blog Blah Blah, click here Rafting blog:
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