Doug Welman

Personal Taste: Do you prefer more or less rocker for a creeker?Why? I prefer Rocker because I like a boat to surface as quickly as possible off a drop. Any major changes for creekboats of the future,design related?I don't see any major changes for creek boats-they need certain qualities to be good creek boats…turned up ends with flat hulls for maximum speed. What rescue equip. do you carry? Breakdown,pulley, rope, float bags, first aid, prussic?I carry a knife, rope, dry bag with a lighter & flashlight. I used to carry a breakdown-do not have one now. Personal Preference: Bent Shaft or Straight, any reason why?I still use a straight shaft as always- so, I can't comment on a bent shaft. Do you spend a lot of time outfitting a new boat or just make it fit. Can you describe some things that you take into consideration when outfitting a creeker?I spend a lot of time outfitting- I like a boat to fit snuggly. Most important issue is to make sure the seat is in the right place so the boat will sit properly in the water. What is you favorite creekboat design to date(or one of them)?I like the Piranha 240- I paddle it now. The Overflow was a good high-water boat. What’s you favorite local hometown run?Bear Creek. What are five cities in the U.S. that you would live in strictly for creeking purposes?1. Chattanooga. 2.Knoxville. 3. Ashville. 4. Atlanta. 5.??? Do you feel play boats have a place on creeks? Example: “Backyard” type creeks. Play boats are all right for creeks without a lot gradient. But, I prefer my creek boat for "SteepCreeks". Creeking vs. Do you prefer boating with boaters you know best or have boated with predominantly? I prefer to boat with people that I am used to boating with, but sometimes it's refreshing to paddle with new people. In 20 plus years of boating- I have done my share of both. Do you take bigger risks with these boaters? Boating with a familiar group helps boot your confidence level. Besides keeping their boat pointing downstream, what are the main differences between creekboaters and other genres? Creekers like to fall and see how quickly they can drop the most gradient. Is creekboating in its “Golden Age” or do you feel there will be lots more pioneered, greater levels, and lots more athletes to take this to the next level. I am sure that there are more first descents to be made but, I think the main creek runs in the Chattanooga area have been established. Compared to the other forms of kayaking would you say that creeking is more team oriented? Yes. It takes a team effort to tackle the "SteepCreeks" people are running today. Some of the portages on these creeks take a team effort as well. How would you describe differences between East Coast and West Coast creeking (word or paragraph) Which would you rather live in? I think the East has naturally carved out rapids-while the West has more of bolder tossed rapids and that is why I prefer to live in the East. Epic: East Coast rapid that makes you really nervous, what’s the first one that pops in your head?The GORILLA is the 1st_ East Coast rapid that comes to my mind. West Coast rapid that makes you really nervous, what’sthe first one that pops in your head?The approach to BALD ROCK FALLS is the 1st West Coast rapid that comes to mind. What are some of the closest calls that you’ve had in your paddling career?My closest call was on Chattooga-Section 4 at Center Crack when I was lassoed out of my boat by a rope that had been left in the drop…after a minute under water I was finally able to reach the bolder on the left side and was to able to rock climb up the side for a breath of air. PYCHO- (Dave Simpson) had his canoe right there where I came up and kept me balanced on the end of the bolder until I could get untangled from the rope. NEVER GO PADDLING WITHOUT AN ACCESSABLE KNIFE! Have you lost a close paddling partner to a whitewater accident? How would you say that it changed your scope on whitewater activities in general, creeking, development? No one has been killed or seriously injured on any trip that I have been on- but, I have lost a few friends to white water accidents. It makes me more determined to put safety first when I am boating. Considerations: Do you ever creek solo? If so what creeks? I have paddled NORTH CHICK a few times solo- but, I think it is safer and more fun when you can share the experience with your friends. At what height(waterfall) does the freefall get a little nutty and maybe less controlled?I think that any drop 30ft and above could have the potential to hurt a back or pop a shoulder out of place. Development: Did you have any heroes growing up that you looked up to for their creeking/riverrunning abilities?Rusty Dunbar, Roger Zebell, John Regon, Jim & Jeff Snyder. Who are some of your heroes in the creeking arena today?I admire ALL the young creekers out there today that are exploring and taking Kayaking to the next level-Safely and Responsibly. What are some things that may have drawn you towards creeking when you were in your developmental stages? I have always enjoyed being out in nature and backpacking especially along creeks-so it was natural that I would be drawn to kayak on creeks. Why kayaking over climbing, soccer, golf, etc.? I enjoy several outdoor sports-but, in Kayaking it is not you against someone else…it is about you becoming one with the river. Would you classify your development as attending the school of hard knocks or did you develop with patience waiting till you felt totally prepared mentally to run Class V?I would say that I attended the school of hard knocks when I first started boating by running class III & IV. I had not developed a good roll or really "any" roll but, by the time I got to class V-I had definitely developed my skills and was ready to run class V's in a safe manner. What ways/things should advancing boaters work on to improve skills that will benefit them on Class creeks and rapids? Working and playing on the Ocoee helped me develop my skills. What advice do you have for the next generations boaters who want to explore the arenas you currently dwell in? I think the main message to young people getting into this great sport, is not to be in such a hurry to tackle class V. Take your time and make sure your skills are up to par. Work your way up the ladder in a safe and fun way and I think you will find more enjoyment from your white water experience. Thanks Doug for taking the time... Sincerely