Walking Tour of the ASCI Whitewater Course Preview

1

First Stop - Before Bridge

Looking downstream from marker 0.0 / 1.0, which indicates the beginning (0.0) and end (1.0) of the 1-mile walking loop, we see “Pinball Alley”, noted for its narrow passage and riverside rocks, both left and right, making the descent of this set of rapids difficult to pull-off without a bit of bouncing around like a pinball.

2

Savage Falls

Savage Falls is the tallest drop on the ASCI white-water course. Pneumatic controls are located in tan colored control boxes at several locations around the course. These controls allow for the adjustment of the nearby rapids by changing the air pressure in, and thus the size of, large air bladders located under hinged steel plates, located under the water and between the concrete structures.

3

Surf City

Surf City is a favorite play spot for paddlers wanting to “surf” the whitewater. Surfing white water in this case is accomplished by placing the boat on the “backwash” cur-rent of this feature known as a “hole” or “hydraulic jump”. Backwash current is actually flowing upstream and a boat on the backwash is pushed upstream. This is offset by the current flowing into the hole, the downstream current, which pushes the boat downstream. The boat can be held in this position if properly controlled by the guide.

4

Sunset Strip

Sunset Strip is a lazy section of the whitewater course, used in the early stages of teaching whitewater kayaking to beginners. Note the pavilion on the hilltop overlooking the course. This was built in support of the Whitewater Slalom Canoe and Kayak World Championships, held on the ASCI course in September, 2014. Nearly 400 athletes from 48 countries participated in the event, televised internationally by NBC Sports.

5

Mallard’s Pond

Mallard’s Pond where millions of gallons of water are stored, pumped up from Deep Creek Lake as needed. Once in this pond, it is pumped up-hill, approximately 24 vertical feet, to enter the whitewater course. It then circulates the course, returning to the pond in the far right of the picture. Note the ASCI Boat Storage Facility in the center of the picture and the conveyer system that takes boaters from Mallard’s Pond back to the top and beginning of the whitewater course.

6

The ASCI Pump House

The ASCI Pump House contains four 535 hp pumps, three of which are used at any given time to fill and operate the whitewater course.

7

The 2014 World Championship’s Pavilion

The 2014 World Champion-ship’s Pavilion is used for weddings and other gatherings. Also, from station 0.6 one can also get a close-up view of the conveyor system.

8

Monkey Face Rock

Monkey Face Rock where the current forms what is termed a “pillow” on the upstream side of the rock. Paddlers can ride up on this pillow and then slide off to either the left or right channel. Of course if the boat has too much momentum it will penetrate the pillow and pin against the rock, creating a moment of excitement as paddlers carefully work themselves free.

9

Pinball Alley Rapids

A Pinball Alley Rapids creates quite a splash for this raft’s bow riders. It is the joy of the raft guide to give guests the best ride possible. This includes directing the boat into plenty of action such as this.

10

The ASCI Amphitheater

The ASCI Amphitheater is part a contoured grassy area as well as a prepared stone and concrete area that is handicap accessible. Finished to support the 2014 Whitewater Canoe and Kayak World Champion-ships, seating in this area provides the greatest span of view of the race course, which occupied approximately 2/3 of the total ASCI whitewater course, ending just below Monkey Face Rock.

11

Back to our starting place

Back to our starting place, crossing over this bridge will complete your 1-mile walk. For a bird’s eye view of ASCI, look be-hind you at the aerial photo with call-outs of the various features of the ASCI Whitewater Course. Construction of the course began in 2004 and was completed in 2007. Several modifications were made to the course in 2013 in preparation for the World Championships. Total investment in the course is approximately 27 million dollars.