Your Input is Needed!

Please help us! In order to provide you with a high quality recreational experience, we are conducting a survey of trail users of the Smith River Trail System in Martinsville and Henry County Virginia. Your cooperation in completing this survey will be greatly appreciated.

Click this link to begin: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229JUH9S6HM

The survey will close on September 19th, please share this link with all your contacts!

To thank you for completing this survey, all participants will be entered into a drawing to win a free t-shirt from The Smith River Trail System's newest trail "The Dick & Willie Passage", a 4.5 mile paved rail trail coming Spring 2010.

(Don't forget to leave your e-mail address at the end of the survey to register for the drawing.)

Gear Up for Your Next Adventure

Time to clean out the garage and upgrade your equipment! Join us at the Dan River Basin Association's (DRBA) Gear Swap- Sunday, September 6th from 2-6 pm at the North Bassett River Access on Trent Hill Drive in Bassett.

If you're looking to get into a new hobby like fly fishing or paddling, buying used gear can help you get started affordably. Come on out and meet other outdoor enthusiasts too!

Admission is free! Sellers may purchase a booth space for $10; no charge for DRBA members (proceeds from the booth fee will benefit DRBA's work on the Smith River Trail System.)

To register for a booth space, contact 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org for a registration form. DRBA will pre-advertise items for sale for everyone that registers prior to August 24th.

Here's some of the items you'll see at the Gear Swap:

Paddling Gear:
-- Propulsion Technologies PTR 197 Kayak Paddle, blue blades with rienforced tips
-- Old Town Otter Sport Kayak
-- 16 foot Water Quest 3 Person Canoe

Camping Gear:
-- Alpine Peak Internal Frame Backpack, Maroon & Black
-- Assorted Camping Gear, Backpacks, & Sleeping Bags

Books & Guides:
-- Assorted books on Canoeing and Rock Climbing

Healthy Community Challenge

Saturday, August 8th the Partners for Active Living (PALS) celebrated the end of the Healthy Community Challenge and drew the winner for the trip to Myrtle Beach.

Over 100 people showed up to enjoy music by Joe Washrag and food from Subway. The Healthy Community Challenge began in May and had over 400 participants. Participants did different activities in the community to expose them to the great resources that are available for recreational activities. Each time participants completed a level they received a prize. Those completing all 3 levels had their names put in a drawing for a trip to Myrtle Beach for 4 people.

Pictured (right to left) are Jennifer Doss, Dan River Basin Association, Jeannie Frisco, Activate, Melissa Branscome, winner of the trip to Myrtle Beach, Brad Kinkema, Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA, Roger Adams, Henry County Parks and Recreation, Diane Sawyer Coalition for Health and Wellness, Deidre Moyer, Coalition for Health and Wellness.

Events sponsors were Activate, Dr. Jones, Orthodontist, Kings Grant, Community Pride, Embarq, BTW, Beaver Hills Golf Course, Green Frog Graphics, Hugo’s, and Ramos Cleaning,

New Trail Opening Soon!

Friends of Philpott, a Rivers & Trails Group partner, is planning a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Jamison Mills Park Trail, on Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:00 noon. This is also National Public Lands Day. The trail covers over four miles of loops and turns. In time the trail will connect to Horseshoe Point, Salthouse, and Ryans Branch. This will complete an 11 mile trail on the east side of the lake. A special thank you goes out to trail building volunteers from the Henry County Bike Club, Franklin Free-Wheelers, and the Southern Virginia Mountain Biking Association for their help.

Submitted by: Linda Drage

September First Saturday Outing

September 5, 2009
DRBA's September 5 First Saturday Outing will launch at the new Draper Landing Access beside the NC 700 Bridge in Eden. Coordinated by Wayne Kirkpatrick, the seven-mile float will end just below the Berry Hill Bridge at the North Carolina-Virginia line.

Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the access's graveled parking lot to set the shuttle. Three Rivers Outfitters, 336-627-6215 or http://www.3-r-o.com/, will offer boat rentals and shuttle for the float, which will end on private property with the owner's permission.

In this Class I trip, participants will pass through six batteau navigation structures built in the nineteenth century by the Roanoke Navigation Company and by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Sluice walls concentrate the river's water through shallow ledges, creating a narrow channel deep enough to float the long, narrow batteaux, the commercial "semi-trailers" of early river travel.

Devil's Jump Shoal, midway through the trip, is named for impressive mid-river rocks. Less than a mile downstream from Devil's Jump is the confluence of the Dan with Tanyard Creek, named for the tannery owned by John Morehead, father of North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead, who grew up nearby.

Other examples of intriguing nineteenth-century labels are Beasley's Gallows Shoal Sluice and the well-preserved Hairston's Fish Trap Sluice, likely modified from an Amerindian fish weir of 1000 years ago.

Other interesting facts about the geology, history, and culture of this section are found in Maps 42 -- 45 of DRBA's new publication, "An Insider's Guide to the Dan River in North Carolina and Virginia," printed on waterproof paper and available at http://www.danriver.org/ .

Participants are asked to provide boat, life jacket, lunch and water, to dress in layers of artificial (quick-drying) fabric and to sign a waiver.

To reach Draper Landing Access from the north or west, take NC 14 to NC 700 East. Travel on NC 700 about 4 miles through Eden to the bridge over the Dan River. After crossing the bridge, go 0.1 mile and turn left into the gravel driveway to the access.

From the south take US 29 North, turning left (west) on NC 700. Just past Quesinberry Road, turn right into the gravel driveway to the access beside the NC 700 Bridge over the Dan.

From the east take US 29 South, turning right (west) on NC 700.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Wayne Kirkpatrick, wynbtyk@embarqmail.com or 276-694-4449.

Smith River Sports Complex Grand Opening

Smith River Fest 2009

Greetings Fellow Paddlers, Walkers & Cyclists!

Smith River Fest is coming: September 4-7, 2009

DRBA is still accepting video submissions for the upcoming Smith River Film Festival to be held on Sept. 4th (Deadline to register is August 24th). We have already received some great entries and want to see YOUR films too! The entry fee for the contest has been waived, so if that has been holding you up now is the time to send your clips in! Help us showcase the natural beauty of the Dan River basin, the thrill of paddling & cycling, and raise money for a good cause at the same time. A registration form is attached. You will receive one free ticket for each film submitted (limit 3 films per person).

Tickets to attend the film festival are now on sale for $10, all proceeds benefit river access development on the Smith, Mayo, and Dan Rivers. Come enjoy a bag of popcorn, laugh at some funny wipe-outs, and vote for your favorite video to win the grand prize!

On Sept. 6th join us at DRBA's Gear Swap for all recreational gear (paddling, cycling, fishing, camping, and hiking). Come out to buy, sell, and trade your gear. Hasn't your spouse been nagging you to clean out the garage?? Everyone who pre-registers will have the opportunity for their gear to be advertised in advance on the web prior to the event. If you are looking for a good used boat or bicycle, this is the place to find a good deal to get into a new hobby inexpensively!

Don't forget to join us at the North Bassett River Access on Sept. 7th (Labor Day) for Smith River Fest 2009. A fun filled day of paddling, live music, informational booths, and enjoying the beautiful Smith River. More details can be found at http://www.smithriverfest.com/.

See you there!