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February 2006 Press release
Starting in the spring of 2006 Rochester New York will have the distinction of having the first USA Canoe and Kayak Junior Olympic Development Center in the New York/New England region. USA Canoe and Kayak, Inc, the governing body for Olympic Kayaking sports, reviewed information regarding the Rochester Site potential at its Board Meeting in Colorado Springs on November 18. The decision was unanimous in their support for the formation of a Junior Olympic Development Center in the City of Rochester .
Because of the efforts of members of Rochester City Council, Rochester Parks and Recreation Dept, USA Canoe and Kayak inc. and Kayak Adventures the area directly below Driving Park Bridge continuing North for about 1000 feet has been chosen as the home of the Junior Olympic Development Center. USA Canoe and Kayak will be providing the Insurance, Rochester Department of Parks and Recreation has issued the permit to Kayak Adventures for construction and use of the training course. The training course will consist of a series of Slalom Gates suspended over the river. Kayak Adventures, a USACK member club will oversee the activities at the site. Art Miller, Director of Kayak Adventures, and regarded as one of the top Development coaches in the country will also serve of the Head Instructor for the programs. Programs will be offered for Slalom, Sprint, Freestyle and Wildwater. All four of these disciplines hold Junior Olympic championships that are open to all paddlers in the USA , Canada , Mexico and Europe .
Over the last ten years many of the members in the Kayak Adventures Junior Olympic Program have had considerable success at the national level. Currently Adam Contant, Rochester , is the number four boat on the National Team. Adam has achieved Elite status and now travels with the national team. This summer he toured the US and Canada for eight weeks, another week in Colorado , and a week in DC at the Olympic Center. Over Christmas he will be in Atlanta or Mexico . USACK is pleased that Adam, along with the rest of the team members will have a site to train on a daily basis.
The primary purpose of the site will be serve as a training venue for all that wish to pursue the Olympic dream or just want to experience the sport. Local Schools have already signed on to offer kayaking as an option for their students. After School and Summer programs will be made available and affordable to all area residents. The Center will be fee free to all the use it. Time for open recreation paddling will be make available to the general public. The times will be listed on the Kayak Adventures website. www.kayak-adventures.org We are still working on the rules for the Center, which could include a waiver/permit. Safety concerns expressed by the City and RGE deals with Kayakers paddling below the falls. Because of the height of the falls this is a very dangerous area and should be avoided. Latest meetings suggest that signs will be posted prohibiting kayaking in the pool below the falls. Paddlers will need to leave the river whenever the alarms go off. Directions, schedules and other information will be posted on our website prior to the opening in the spring.
Art Miller (Director - Kayak Adventure)
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