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Update,
August 13:
Access Granted!!!!!!!!! For a three-week period (Aug. 22-Sept. 12),
paddlers will be able to run the Falls. See the article
on the AW website and the Guidelines
for more info. Boaters, remember: this is a trial period. PLEASE abide by
the rules and DON'T mess this up for everyone.
The AW Ohiopyle Over-The-Falls Festival will take place as
scheduled, August 21 (high-water cancellation dates: Aug. 28, Sept. 11).
Ohiopyle, PA. – The Bureau of Parks (BOP) has contacted American Whitewater (AW) with official notification granting additional boater access to Ohiopyle Falls starting August 22, 2010. The new BOP policy can be reviewed by clicking here. The new policy is similar to the BOP proposal submitted to the public on November 22, 2008, which was overwhelmingly supported by the public.
Prior to granting access the BOP requested that we obtain political support for their November 22, 2008 private boater access proposal. On May 7, 2010 the access committee presented the BOP a package of political support including a resolution passed by the entire Borough of Ohiopyle Council and letters of support from two PA State Representatives, two Fayette County Commissioners, several non-profit directors of organizations dealing with the Youghiogheny River and a number of outfitters all supporting this resolution. The entire package is on our web site and we cannot thank the following individuals enough:
Ohiopyle Mayor Mark McCarty and the entire Council Tim Mahoney, PA Representative, 51st Legislative District Mike Reese, PA Representative, 59th Legislative District Vince Zapotosky, Fayette County Commissioner, Chairman Vincent Vicites, Fayette County Commissioner, Vice Chairman Jon Meade Executive Director, PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers Beverly Braverman, Executive Director, Mountain Watershed Association: Home of the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper Eric Martin, Wilderness Voyageurs Andy Smith, Riversport Tom McEwan, Liquid Adventures Kayak School
We would particularly like to thank the work and support that John Hallas, the former Ohiopyle Park Manager, contributed to this effort. He is now a Regional Park Manager.
Even though this access is very limited, AW thinks this is a step in the right direction. Come join American Whitewater and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers on August 21, 2010 as we celebrate our victory at this year’s Over the Falls Festival. Whitewater paddlers nationwide will gather there to race and perform freestyle moves over the spectacular eighteen-foot waterfall in the picturesque mountain village of Ohiopyle. Spectators are invited to watch paddlers sprint and cartwheel end-over-end off the waterfall.
Other event features include the Falls Under Lights, Town Party and with Live Music from Half Time String Band. The area also offers biking, hiking, camping, magnificent scenery, photographic opportunities, history and cultural activities. Please visit www.FallsRace.com for more information and registration details.
Proceeds benefit American Whitewater, Ohiopyle Stewart Volunteer Fire Co. and Ohiopyle State Park. High water dates or cancellation dates are August 28 or September 11, 2010. Volunteers needed for event registration & safety.
New: check out the article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 8/14/10.
Boater Information
Given the late notice we will not have any preregistration. We need plenty of help and this year we will require everyone 18 and over who wants to run the Falls to give the event at least one hour of safety! Registration fees have been reduced to $15 and volunteers who give us at least two hours of their time will receive a cool T-shirt. Registration forms and waivers are included on this Website. We ask that you download the forms and bring them with you to the event in order to save time. You can sign up for the race and/or freestyle competitions or to just do practice runs the day of the event.
It is important that everyone realize that running this waterfall should be for experienced boaters only. Running this class IV waterfall has all the hazards involved with any other class IV rapid. Our safety at the base of the Falls only involves helping swimmers if and when they wash out from under the Falls. As with any whitewater activity you are responsible for judging your own capabilities and for your own safety. If you do not have the experience to run the Falls, please do not attempt to do so.
Even if you do not run the Falls, come on down and celebrate with us. This event was twenty years in the making.
Activities Planned: Over the Falls Race and Freestyle Event: 12 Noon Practice Runs: 9AM-Noon, then following Freestyle 'til 4 PM “The Upstream World Championships held on the Lower Yough and sponsored by Wilderness Voyageurs has been scheduled for Saturday August 28, 2010 due to the prior uncertainty of this year’s festival. Town Party with live band The Half Time String Band: 7:30 PM-10:30 PM Awards Ceremony: at the Town Party Falls Under Lights
Recent access information is also on this Website.
Thank you! AW Ohiopyle Access Committee
Update,
August 1:
Unfortunately, the Bureau of Parks has not come to a decision on additional access as they had indicated they would during the week of July 26. The Falls Festival is still tentatively scheduled for August 21, 2010 in Ohiopyle but we are still waiting to hear from the Bureau of Parks before we finalize the details of the event. Please stay posted to this website. We are sorry if this causes you any inconvenience. The Ohiopyle Access Committee is continuing to work on getting access to Ohiopyle Falls. We have submitted the following documents at the request of John Norbeck, Director of Parks of the PA Bureau of Parks. Check out the following documents for mo info: Get a look at the unique, handmade, rotating
trophies that go to the winners of the Race and Freestyle: Click on
"Winners' Trophies" in the frame below. Benner's Meadow Run is the Official Campground of the Over The Falls Festival. Click on "Camping" in the frame below for great deals and great fun! Paddle, Bike, Hike, Trail Run... Explore 19,000-acre Ohiopyle State Park and miles of spectacular mountains in nearby parks. Drop the Falls until your arms and legs drop off - party afterwards. Or, just come, hang out and enjoy the show. Camping at Benner's Meadow Run Area Map Directions from Pittsburgh Directions from Washington, DC Registration for Racers and Volunteers American Whitewater Homepage |
 
Thanks to Kent Noble for the photo used above. Sprint Freestyle Upstream Race Sponsors Town Party 2009 Results 2008 Results 2007 Results 2006 Results 2005 Results 2008 Festival Wrap-up by Barry Adams 2007 Festival Wrap-up by Barry Adams 2006 Clinic Wrap-up by Barry Adams Photos from Outdoor Adventure Photography: 2009 Falls Race 2008 Falls Race 2007 Falls Race 2007 Upstream Race  (Click the above for the large image of this year's t-shirt, designed by Chuck Kelley, of American Eagle Screen Printing) New! Check out the article in the Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review, 8/14/10. Groups offering activities:     Recent Access History:
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