Old School Boaters Celebrate Return of Worlds to U.S.

 

When the Whitewater Slalom World Championships come to Western Maryland Sept. 17-21, 30 miles away in Ohiopyle, Penn., a different set of paddlers, many of them retired slalom racers, will be reminiscing about the good ol’ days on the river. In an event being organized by former racer David Curran, the Old School Boater Gathering is drawing racers from as far back as the ‘60s – even a few who competed in the 1972 Olympics – for a get-together Sept. 20 at Wilderness Voyageurs’ Falls City Restaurant in Ohiopyle at 5 p.m. Beforehand, for those still able to fasten their skirts, there will be an unofficial Yough Loop paddle at 2 p.m. We caught up with organizer Curran for his rationale behind the rendezvous…

Canoe & Kayak: How’d you come up with the idea?

David Curran: The Worlds haven’t been here in 25 years when they were held on the Savage River in 1989. The location is near the Yough, a place many East Coasters cut their teeth learning the sport. So it got me thinking. Since it’s a drivable event, perhaps a bunch of folks would like to get together at a place they have fond memories of: the Yough. Tom Southworth, an Olympian from 1971, told me, “My wife, Nancy, and I met on the Yough! The first time I laid eyes on her she was out in the river below the falls ...more