California Dreaming

2006 Whitewater Symposium


After our ACA course Sam Drevo convinced me to go to Coloma, CA for the WW Symposium witch ended up being the best trip of the year. Back in 1998 I lived in Coloma part time and was a raft guide for Mother Load River Trips. That year I took my very first paddle strokes in a kayak on the South Fork American river. Since then kayaking has been my life and I find myself full circle back to the beginning. Now being in the industry it was an amazing opportunity to colaborate with some of the biggest names in the industry and people with years of professional outdoor experience and ethuseasum such as Kent Ford, Phil & Mary DeRiemer, Janette Burnett, EJ, Mike Mathers, Julie Munger, Bruce Lessles and More. Also at the core of the sport I got the honorable privlage to paddle with Jamie McEwan and others as they gave us a percpective as to where we are and where we came from in kayaking.

The Whitewater Symposium was a three day meeting representing the strongest entities and schools in the country. As topics in our field grew the focus was also on growing the industry and increasing paddle sports particapation and awarness. All our breakout sessions were lead by the indusrty's finest and we all got a chance to share our ideas and move the sport to the next level.

Here's Drevo so pumped from the key note speaker he can hardly stand it. One of the panel discussions was on whitewater trends - the next five years-where is our sport going in gear media and most importantly instruction?

Our Rescue specialist was Mike Mathers and Julie Munger. Definetely one of the most real practical rescue seminars I've been through. Mike put me through one of the most realestic foot entrapment renactment I've ever seen. My adrenaline was going it looked so real.

No event is complete without a little tomfullery. Cody fron Sundance and Chris from Fluid give a little concert in the festive decore compliments of the river box that goes on every Sundance river trip. thanks guy's!

For FLUID Adventures it put us on the map and allowed me to start friendships and partnerships with local and national schools. I learned some Invaluable pricless information that will stimulate me and everyone I have thus far shared it with. Our indusrty is huge in our heads yet at it's very infant stage in reality. We have come so far and have so far to go. We as paddlers and industry leaders need to continue to create a positive environment for the access for new kayakers and work together for growth of our sport in the right direction which is being shaped every day.

If anyone has questions about the event or want to learn more contact Chris Totten info@fluidadventures.com or Sam Drevo samdrevo@gmail.com next years event will be held in the east coast at one of the new whitewater parks. to keep posted check out www.wwsymposium.com