The much-talked about artificial whitewater course at Adventure Sports Center International (asci) celebrated its official opening in June. This crescent-shaped river is 1,700 feet long and drops 24 feet with nearly continuous rapids. It boasts cutting-edge technology that varies the water according to different skill levels and interests. Over the course of the day, a combination of waveshapers and variable pumps allows Adventure Sports Center International to offer whitewater of varying style and difficulty. Visitors can raft, kayak or canoe an ever-changing river with rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV in the same day.  The $24 million dollar site was developed in large part with public funds in support of a key component of the asci vision - to create easy access to adventure sports for residents, disabled persons and beginners to outdoor recreation. Every day, visitors include local students and families on vacation as well as competitive kayakers.

Adventure Sports Center International was first envisioned following the 1989 Whitewater Slalom World Championships on Garrett County’s Savage River. The sheer remoteness of whitewater in Garrett County made hosting events like this almost prohibitive, so the event organizers, led by Don Storck, were encouraged by then president Sergi Orsi of the International Canoe Federation (the world governing body for all paddle sports) to build an artificial, re-circulating whitewater course.

Construction on the Adventure Sports Center International whitewater course started in 2003. During site excavation over 40 million pounds of sandstone boulders were uncovered. Many are the size of cars and buses, and all have been reintegrated into the course design to give a natural look and feel unlike any artificial course in the world. The irregularly shaped rocks help break-up the pulsing turbulence found in many artificial courses. Six adjustable waveshapers, hydraulically controlled metal plates under the rapids, allow staff to control the river-bottom contour at crucial drops so they can shape the size, style and texture of the waves. asci is the only course in the world with this patented technology. Four 535 Horsepower pumps pull water from a kidney-shaped reservoir and can blast up to 250,000 gallons of water per minute horizontally through four outlets at a speed of five feet per second. One of the pumps is fully variable, and can control turbulence thresholds and fine tune overall flow.  25 million gallons of water are pulled from Deep Creek Lake and re-circulated through the course. When the river closes down, around Halloween, this same water will make snow for Wisp Resort. At the end of the almost third of a mile long course, a 240-foot boat conveyor delivers paddlers from the reservoir right back to the starting pool for another run. The Adventure Sports Center International course combines the wonders of technology with the panoramic views atop Marsh Mountain above Deep Creek Lake. The ambience and beauty of the mountain top location make for a truly unique experience in whitewater paddling.

Adventure Sports Center International offers a variety of whitewater experiences.  Individuals, families or groups can reserve a two-hour guided session in a six-man raft for $50 per person. This is designed for beginners, and includes a safety orientation as well as all necessary specialized equipment (paddle, life vest and helmet). A typical session includes 4 to 6 runs down the course. Visitors can choose between the Class II-III ‘Cascades’ and the Class III-IV ‘Deep Creek Rapids’. Children 10 and older are welcome on all trips. Children 7 to 9 are invited to enjoy the ‘Cascades’ with a parent. More advanced or adventurous visitors can reserve self-guided inflatable kayaks called ‘duckies’. Private rafters or kayakers who pass a skills test and do not need instruction can purchase an all-day pass for $15. Weekend clinics are offered in beginner and intermediate kayaking, specialty boating, and kids kayaking. asci will also be home to various ‘adaptive paddling’ activities for disabled persons, and will offer an array of trips, clinics and activities that will promote the environmental value of adventure sports. Adventure Sports Center International is also home to several competitive whitewater events. The largest whitewater racing event in the United States, the 2007 Whitewater Slalom National Championships were held at asci on August 4^th, and the U.S. Freestyle Kayak National Championships are coming up on September 29^th.

Although Adventure Sports Center International began with this idea of an artificial re-circulating whitewater course, and the river itself is a centerpiece of the facility, asci’s vision quickly expanded.

asci is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to introduce the public to adventure sports, create local programming for Garrett County residents and further environmental stewardship through its various guided and non-guided programming. asci seeks to expand on the world class outdoor resources of Garrett County and the surrounding mountains and to make adventure sports part of the region’s overall cultural and economic future.

Even before the development of asci, adventure sports were a growing concept in Garrett County. Garrett College’s Adventuresports Institute is the country’s first undergraduate program in adventure sports recreation management. The Adventuresports Institute is now 15 years old, enrolls dozens of students, and boasts graduates who have gone on to be leaders in the adventure sports industry. The vision behind the institute included developing local talent that could support asci’s work.

Adventure Sports Center International seeks to serve as a catalyst for this growing adventure sports industry in Garrett County. asci operates the nearby 550-acre “Fork Run Recreation Area,” a backcountry tract where dry-land adventures like mountain biking, rock climbing, trail running and orienteering take place.  3.5 miles of trails, with 10 more miles in development for 2008, are available for hiking, biking, skiing and dog-sledding.  Three rock-climbing sites, the 30 foot Friction Addiction, the aptly named 360 Boulder, and the Ledges play host to a variety of instructor led classes.  Beginners can learn to climb and improve technical skills during two daily group sessions at 9 am and 1 pm. Private lessons and specialty clinics are also available. In addition to introducing people to the joys of rafting down a wild river, mountain biking a remote trail, or even running down a trail, asci will also refer its guests to various adventures beyond its facilities. Nearby possibilities include rafting the world renowned Upper Youghiogheny River, skiing at the WISP resort, fly fishing the natural streams of Garrett County and hiking, biking and running the growing network of trails around the county. Over time, Adventure Sports Center International hopes to introduce residents and guests to these and the many other unique outdoor opportunities available throughout the Allegheny Mountain region.

Adventure Sports Center International is located at 1393 Wisp Mountain Rd., McHenry, MD near Deep Creek Lake and is open April through October. For more information call (301) 387-3250 or visit adventuresportscenter.com.