Posted by Chip Richards in Whitewater on 29. Jul, 2010 | 0 Comments
“A creative economy is the fuel of magnificence.” Ralph Waldo Emerson. Have you noticed Grand Rapids has been doing a magnificent job with our new creative economy? Medical Mile is world class with the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Lack’s Cancer Research Center and now Michigan State University Medical School. Look at the $70 million LEED [...]
Our rapids are grand, or at least they may be, once again. There is a lot of talk of a “kayak park” being built downtown on the Grand River. Yes, there could be new recreational opportunities for the river, new whitewater adventure sports like kayaking and canoeing, but the real goal of GRWW is to [...]
Regarding the return of rapids to the Grand, the Michigan DNR went on record saying, “We’re very open to the idea of doing this on the Grand River. We think it would actually probably improve the fish habitat in that area. And, you know, one of the reasons of course we’re supportive too is it creates [...]
WARNING: Stay away from the 6th St and Bridgewater dams. Exit the river above the Fish Ladder (we use the East side, upriver of Sixth St) and put in below Bridge St at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. The foremost priority of GRWW is river safety. Our organization is focused on remediating the inherent dangers of the lowhead [...]
If nothing else, we need to make our river safer. The lowhead dam, top, is referred to as a drowning machine. Replacing the existing lowheads, known locally, and erroneously as cofferdams, would create a safer experience for river users. Lowhead dams produce a dangerous, perfect hydraulic that is difficult to navigate and too often impossible [...]
April 24, 2010. We have the rest of the story. The two fishermen refused to talk on camera, but we have an eyewitness account of the near tragedy. Another story of a capsized boat and near drowning at one of five lowhead dams, downtown. The two men were motoring up river on the East side, [...]
Rapid Magazine, an international paddling publication, recently picked up our story. Stay tuned for the article.
Posted by Chip Richards in Featured on 01. Mar, 2011 | 1 Comment
On Sunday, February 27, 2011, the lowhead dams of the Grand River took the life of our young friend, 24 year old “Big Ben” Black. On behalf of Grand Rapids Whitewater, Cannonsburg Ski Area co-workers and Ben’s many friends, we wish to extend our condolences to the family in this difficult time. GRWW continues [...]
Posted by Chip Richards in Economy, Whitewater, Whitewater Parks on 16. Apr, 2010 | No Comments
Posted by Chip Richards in Lowhead Dam, Safety on 15. Apr, 2010 | No Comments
Coming up on the one year anniversary that one rafter will never forget.
Posted by Chip Richards in Whitewater on 02. Feb, 2010 | No Comments
International paddling magazine, The Rapid, picked up our story.
Posted by Chip Richards in Economy, Lowhead Dam, Whitewater on 02. Feb, 2010 | 1 Comment
Listen to this! 5662_0125101 Chris Muller and Chip Richards were joined by WGVU’s Lindsey Smith as we walked the Grand River with representatives of the Michigan DNR and local engineering firm FTC&H. Afterward, we had lunch 50 paces from the water, at Tommy Fitzgerald’s Cafe Stella www.tommyfitzgeraldgroup.com. Outstanding river, outstanding food. Keeping it local, bringing [...]
Posted by Chip Richards in Whitewater on 25. Jan, 2010 | No Comments
Richards, 49, and Muller, 38, both Grand Rapids residents and kayaking enthusiasts, are leading the charge to revitalize the river for the benefit of the local economy, environment and their fellow paddlers. “Chip and I are passionate about the idea, but it’s going to take lots of people investing a lot of time,” says Muller. [...]
Posted by Chip Richards in Whitewater on 21. Jan, 2010 | No Comments
It seems almost every one in our community is enthusiastic about the idea of returning rapids to the Grand. Rapids will improve our economy, better the water quality, enhance fish populations, provide more diverse outdoor recreation and just plain look better than the existing “Industrial Ditch,” flowing through our otherwise, gorgeous downtown. Over the past [...]
Posted by Grand Rapids Whitewater in Whitewater on 21. Jan, 2010 | 1 Comment
Seven student teams from Grand Valley State University enrolled in Mr. John Rumery’s Sports Marketing 361 class presented their ideas to Chip Richards and Roger Starring, board members of GRWW, on Dec 16, ‘09. The presentations were the
Posted by Chip Richards in Lowhead Dam, Safety, Whitewater on 26. Oct, 2009 | No Comments
Posted by Chip Richards in Whitewater on 26. Oct, 2009 | No Comments
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