WOODFIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
A contract signed earlier this month will make many local kayakers and river enthusiasts happy.
A groundbreaking ceremony and celebration of the start of construction on Taylor’s Wave, a whitewater project on the French Broad River, is planned for 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the former Waste Pro site,1476 Riverside Drive. Woodfin officials signed the contract June 11 for the project that will also double the size of Riverside Park.
Taylor’s Wave honors the life of Taylor Hunt, an expert paddler who died in a 2015 whitewater accident in Ecuador, and the support of his family, the town’s website said.
It will be a world-class river wave ideal for a broad range of kayakers and surfers with intermediate to advanced skills, according to Woodfin’s website. It will be created from a carefully designed and engineered ledge feature, made of natural rock and concrete installed in the riverbed.
“It’s going to be great for the kayakers in town,” French Broad Outfitters co-owner Brennan Splain said.
Asheville is in a valley, so there’s no real whitewater here, he explained.
“Even though we’re 2-3 miles upstream, we’re super duper excited,” Splain said.
Friday’s celebration will feature a tour of the site, an information session and speeches from community leaders. The celebration is expected to continue at 5 p.m. at French Broad River Academy South Campus for refreshments sponsored by New Belgium Brewing.
“RiverLink has been the nonprofit partner in the Woodfin Greenway Blueway since 2019. We believe this project aligns beautifully with our mission to promote both the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and watershed,” RiverLink’s Lisa Raleigh said.