Last modified Wed., July 16, 2008 - 06:33 PM
Originally created Thursday, July 17, 2008

Liberty Cove conquers Tennessee whitewater

By Daniel Calhan, MWR

NAS Jax MWR Liberty Cove Recreation Center white water expedition. From rear to front: raft guide John Vilma, Anna Vitalis of the Air Force, Shayla Thomas from CNATTU, Samuel Joseph from VP-30, MWR Youth Director, Megan Elliot, Jeremy Grey from USS Taylor and Liberty Cove Program Coordinator Danny Calhan drop into the first rapid of the Oconee River in Tennessee.

Adventure seekers had their fill of excitement when the NAS Jax Liberty Cove Recreation program recently teamed up with the NS Kings Bay Outdoor Recreation program for a day of whitewater rafting on Tennessee's famed Ocoee River.

For only $100, the trip included transportation, two nights lodging, three meals and a guided rafting adventure by Wildwater Ltd. down the upper and middle portions of the Ocoee River.

Wildwater Ltd. is widely recognized as one of the finest whitewater rafting outfitters, and no other river in the eastern U.S. offers the degree of challenge and consistent water flow that is found on the Ocoee. It's been chosen as the site of national whitewater championships on several occasions as well as home of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater competition.

The Upper Ocoee is a five-mile stretch of rapids that includes the 1/4-mile Olympic course from the 1996 Summer Games. The Lower Ocoee is five miles of continuous waves and rapids.

The rapid named "Godzilla" sends some of the NAS Jax Liberty rafters for a swim on the Oconee River. Photos by Whetstone Photography

Early Saturday, the Liberty Cove group met up with the Kings Bay group for breakfast, followed by the drive to the Wildwater Ltd. Outpost. The two groups were split up into five rafts, each with six people and a guide. Once the guide went over paddle commands, the rafters were ready for the Upper Ocoee. Everyone was feeling confident going into the 1/4-mile Olympic course when one of the Liberty rafts hit the Hercules rapids and everyone went for a swim! After the excitement of the Upper Ocoee, the rafters took a snack break and gathered up any lost gear.

During the break, while sharing stories of their swim down the rapids, Anna Vitalis of the Air Force asked, "Can we stay an extra day? I want another chance at Hercules."

Who called the man-overboard drill? Photo from MWR.

The group carried their rafts past a dam to put into the Middle Ocoee which was running bigger and faster than any of the guides had ever seen. The two-hour trip down the Middle Ocoee was full of non-stop, fast-paced rapids that left everyone saying, "I hope this isn't the last one." Sadly there was a last rapid and the day did have to end. While paddling to the take-out spot , Sam Joseph of VP-30 said, "This was the best Liberty trip I have ever taken."

Upcoming events include Dave Matthews Band in West Palm Beach, July 12 and 13, Tampa at the end of August; Whitewater Rafting in September; and Key West in October.

The MWR Liberty raft completes the Oconee River run with all hands present and accounted for. Photos by Whetstone Photography

If you are a single Sailor and want to join Liberty Cove Recreation on an overnight trip, call 542-1335 for information.