Our February partner of the month, First Descents, a non-profit organization for young adults with cancer, posted a trailer of their new documentary, “The River Ward”. The film follows four First Descents’ participants as they take on the rivers of Montana to overcome the challenges of whitewater kayaking and with it, prove to themselves that cancer, no matter how aggressive, dormant, advanced, or invasive, would never be stronger than they were.
First Descents, founded by Kokatat ambassador Brad Ludden, provides young adults with cancer a free of charge adventure therapy program with the mission of curing the emotional sides of cancer and empowering participants to regain control of their lives through whitewater kayaking. We’re very proud to be affiliated with Brad Ludden and the First Descents.
Kokatat has been a multi-year supporter of First Descents, and we’re excited to announce FD as our “Partner of the Month” for February. During the term of the partnership, Kokatat has provided elite level dry tops, dry suits, life jackets, hand- and footwear to FD alums. Kokatat’s own Brad Ludden has been a Kokatat sponsored athlete since 2003, spending an incredible amount of time on the water with our products, and organizing impactful causes off the water. This summer Kokatat Ambassador Christie Glissmeyer will be teaching at select FD camps. Check back on the blog for more details in the coming months!
Kokatat supports First Descents because the organization is committed to curing young adults of the emotional effects of cancer and empowering them to regain control of their lives through paddlesports. FD mentors teach whitewater kayaking and other challenging adventure sports in a safe, fun and supportive environment. Young adults begin rebuilding their confidence and proving to themselves they are no different than their peers.
All First Descents programs are free of charge to its participants. Coming in March is the annual First Descents Ball, bringing together sponsors, contributing individuals and organizations to gather product and monetary support for the coming year. Please get in touch with Whitney Lange from First Descents at (406) 546-9497 and visit www.firstdescents.org to purchase tickets to the ball or contribute to the organization.
American Whitewater and Kokatat Watersports Wear would like to recognize Theresa Simsiman as our February Volunteer of the Month! Theresa Simsiman has been a whitewater paddler since 1999. In that short time she has made many significant contributions to rivers in California. In addition to being an active member of the whitewater community near her home in Coloma, Theresa decided that she wanted to give something back to this sport that she loved so much. In 2005, Theresa became involved in the relicensing of the hydropower project that controls most of the South Fork American River where she lives.
In 2009 Theresa agreed to participate as American Whitewater’s representative to the Mokelume Ecological Resources Committee. American Whitewater signed the settlement agreement for this project back in 2000. Teresa is also representing American Whitewater in the battle to keep the East Bay municipal utility District (EBMUD) from raising the Pardee dam on the Mokelumne River.
In recognition of her efforts Theresa will be receiving an OuterCore Long Sleeve Shirt from Kokatat!
Kokatat and American Whitewater are pleased to announce Bill Kees as volunteer of the month. Bill served as AW’s lead volunteer representative in the Dolores River Working Group in Southwestern Colorado in 2009. He has worked to provide input into River Management Plan revisions for the USFS and BLM, and built strong working relationships with our partners in the basin.
Bill is no stranger to the Dolores River basin, for the past 30 years he has run all of the canyon reaches of the Colorado, Green and Dolores rivers many times. It has been over these last 30 years that Bill has developed a connection, reverence and sympathy for the maligned waters of the Colorado River drainage. In recognition of his efforts Jason will be receiving an OuterCore long sleeve shirt from Kokatat!
American Whitewater is pleased to recognize Jared Hogle as our Volunteer of the Month for December, 2009. Jared was and remains the leading local advocate for access to New York’s Ausable Chasm and other regional rivers. Over the past few years, some local and corporate interests decided that the best way to manage paddling through the Ausable Chasm is with a locked gate. Jared provided an authentic local voice in favor of providing public access to the beautiful and unique Class IV river that flows through a narrow vertical walled gorge. His personal advocacy and his leadership among the paddling community provided the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with a balanced perspective.
Show you support and start bidding for numerous Kokatat life jackets and Destination Padding Wear along with a unique mix of more than 375 must-have items for paddlers and outdoors people! Boats, books, paddling and outdoor gear, and unparalleled experiences in the rural region traversed by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail are up for bid during the 5th online auction happening November 4 – December 4. Your bids support the work of the NFCT, connecting people and place along our 740 mile water trail.
American Whitewater is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater resources throughout the United States and relies on the support of volunteers to staff local projects, serve as AW’s voice by attending local meetings, work with local partners, and build the necessary relationships needed for success of river stewardship projects. In recognition of their great efforts, Kokatat is rewarding the volunteer of the month with free paddling product.
October’s winner is Michelle “Mac” Miller who did a fantastic job at this year’s Gauley Fest. Here’s what Stacey Johnson, Gauley Fest’s Volunteer Coordinator, had to say about Michelle:
Mac was my right hand at Gauley Fest this year. From the second she arrived on site she was working, helping with set-up, greeting festival goers, training volunteers, and even headed into town for supplies a time or two. From 7am til midnight, or later, she worked tirelessly to help make Gauley Fest 2009 the best year ever!
Thanks Mac, American Whitewater and Kokatat really appreciate all your hard work!
