From: The Kentucky Standard

RiverRestoration.org surveyed Beech Fork River near Rubble Dam Thursday as part of Phase I of the Beech Fork whitewater park project.

River Engineer Jason Carey with the Glenwood Springs, Colo.-based company, which focuses on river restoration, preservation, enhancement and use of ecosystems, will be in Bardstown through Saturday.

The whitewater park project is a joint effort between Bardstown Boaters and Bardstown City Council. The emphasis of the River Recreation Enhancements design is to enhance Rubble Dam on the Beech Fork River for whitewater recreation and to improve the water supply.

A plan for a whitewater park has been under way for about two years, Bardstown Boaters President Spalding Hurst said.

“We had a really good spot to build a whitewater park,” he said, “and since that time, we have been raising money and looking for ways to bring in some designers to start the work on this. That’s where we’re at today with RiverRestoration.org.”

RiverRestoration.org is the first developer Bardstown Boaters has hired to survey the area. Bardstown Boaters raised $10,000 — $6,000 from the club, $2,000 from City Council and $2,000 from tourism — to bring Carey, who has more than nine years of experience as a river engineer, to Bardstown. Carey has a master’s degree in civil engineering and a bachelor’s degree in physics.Read More...

Tags: Whitewater Park

Tags: Whitewater Park

Bardstown has been named one of 50 “next great adventure towns in which to live and play” by National Geographic Adventure magazine.

On Bardstown, National Geographic wrote: “We ain’t gonna lie: Bardstown’s status as the world’s bourbon capital drew us in, but its rivers flow as freely as the whiskey. Paddlers convene at Sympson Lake, and a whitewater park is in the works downtown. Not in the liquor business? Lexington and Louisville are both less than an hour’s commute.”

Now we just need to deliver on that whitewater park so we can truley make Bardstown a great adventure town!

Article: Kentucky Standard

Tags: Whitewater Park | National Geographic

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Slap this bad boy onto your car, truck or boat to show some love to your local boating club.

Bardstown Boaters offers the original, exclusively printed Club stickers which are being sold with a minimal markup to cover our expenses. It's the best proactive way that we know to make sure that this image that was produced by the volunteer efforts of the few, end up in the hands of the many. Get it here.

Tags: Gear | Stickers | Store

Bourbon City Challenge Adventure Race 2008 is proud to announce Central Kentucky Canoe and Kayak as the 2008 title sponsor for next month's adventure race in Bardstown.

Central Kentucky Canoe and Kayak - a vital supporter of last year's race - joins hands with more than a dozen other event supporters already whom have pledged their support. And we're still five weeks out from race day.

"Supporting this event is a given for me," Mike Hammons, CKCK owner said. "I had a great time last year and with many of the same supporters on board this year, we'll again see this event grow into one of Kentucky's most enjoyed races."

Thanks to the canoe and kayak livery of Central Kentucky's acceptance of the title sponsorship, this is sure to be another great year for the Bourbon City Challenge Adventure Race.

CKCK joins a generous and dedicated group of supporters - the majority of which turned out last year for the event's inaugural - of whom all are critical to the event's success.

Red Bull, Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Beam Global Spirits, Makers Mark, Flaget Hospital, Ale-8-One, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Bardstown Boaters, Honaker Aviation, Joe Hill's Equipment, Lonely Goat Productions, and many others are on board again this year to support the event and we invite and encourage others to lend their support.

The cooperation of the city, county, and state governments, their departments and the Bardstown-Nelson County Air Board must also be recognized, because only with their cooperation can this event be what it is.

This year's Bourbon City Challenge Adventure Race in Bardstown, Ky., Sept. 14, 2008 begins Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Bardstown-Nelson County Airport on U.S. 62 just a mile west of Bardstown.

The first year's event was a great success drawing 70 racers, 40 sponsors and more than 100 spectators and race fans. This year is sure to attract even more.

The multi-sport race combines running, paddling, navigation and road cycling in a race designed to challenge the person of average athletic ability and provide die-hard athletes a great venue to compete in.

The Bourbon City Challenge is followed by a week filled with activities in Bardstown, during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival's full-week of events. The world renown festival is a celebration of Bardstown's 200-year distilling heritage.

The race begins with a run leaving the Bardstown-Nelson County Airport and continuing across adjoining property with Sympson Lake, where a paddling leg of the event takes place. After the paddle, racers mount bicycles to head their way back to Bardstown on a 12-mile ride in and around Bardstown.

The event offers three categories of racers: solo male, solo female and team relay.

The team relay category allows participants to partake in only portions of the race, while teammates fulfill other legs.

"This keeps the event open and fun to all, not just the hardcore athletes," Bob White, race creator said. "That's what we're here to do is have a great time running, paddling and cycling in the outdoors."

Entry fee for the 2008 race is $30 per racer. The price includes free camping and party activities the night before, a gift bag filled with neat stuff from our sponsors, and a chance at winning prize packages.

Learn more about the event and register online for the race at www.kyrace.com. Bardstown Boaters and Horizon Hoppers Adventure Services are hosting the event along with Bob White, a news reporter for Landmark Community Newspapers Inc. Those interested in sponsoring the event, being an event vendor, volunteering, or media interviews, should contact Bob White.

Tags: Adventure Race | Bardstown