There’s plenty of other media, other than what we included here for you. For more videos on ASCI and all it has to offer, you can visit their media room, including the video below.

Missed our previous articles? ASCI Part 1, ASCI Part 2, ASCI Part 3.

ASCI Rafting Video from Jesse Shimrock on Vimeo.

The second and third portions of the course hold the same challenges as the first stretch, although on the lower half of the course, the path opens up. Rafters are forced to choose a direction around rocks and during low-level water level periods, avoid shallow rocks that could potentially slow them down. The change in course is quite drastic from the first portion of the rapids.

Shown in the picture below, you’ll notice the ASCI team sitting on the rocks making sure the rafters are safe and are available to help if needed and offer guidance on their way down the river. These teams are positioned around the perimeter of the course. You will also notice, the raft below is going down yet another waterfall!

Below, you see the practice lake. In the background, you can see the rafters being dropped into the water. This means you don’t have to swim to your raft, or jump in and get all wet, just yet. But don’t presume you’ll be dry the entire time. Since the winter months are closed at the ASCI white water course, you should be fine with a t-shirt during the summer months and some shorts you wouldn’t mind getting soaked. Whatever you decide to wear, keep in mind it will be getting wet. This includes anything you brought along with you, so empty your pockets before leaving your car.

Also, keep in mind, not only is white-water rafting fun and exciting, but will make for a great workout too! If you’re health-concious and looking to get out and get your daily fitness in, you’re in for a great workout!

Our next picture below is an overlook of the practice lake. The view extends into Western Virginia since this angle of the mountain is viewing the Southerwestern angle of the course. If you don’t decide to go white water rafting, on a beautiful day, you can see for miles, just like we were able to capture in this picture!

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In ASCI Part 1, the previous section, we outlined some of the basic designs of the course and the levels of difficulty this amazing structure can tweak itself to supply. You will see from the picture above, that before you enter the rapids, there is a lake, or reservoir in which the water is stored for the course. Once ready to head down the rapids, your group or your kayak will get on a moving track, which will guide you upwards to the beginning pool (pictures of this ramp also on our previous article).

Below, you see a series of pictures showing the beginning take-off area where each raft or kayak goes down one at a time. This is to ensure that no boater is getting too close to the next during the 1/3 of a mile course. You will also notice the pedestrian bridge crossing over the river, making it easy for friends and family to watch you navigate the rapids from the ‘island’ of the course. This middle ground area is full of paths to wander around; it even allows you to get right next to the rocks for cheering your friends on or just to snap a few pictures.

Shortly after entering the pool to begin the 2-hour white-water rafting trip (est. 6 x 20 minute trips), the first drop takes place under the pedestrian bridge and while it may look a bit challenging, its really the easiest part of the entire course. Once entering the rapids, the rocks and water patterns become more apparent, especially from an onlooker’s perspective.

You can see that the boat has a guide in it, sitting in the back of each boat, steering and controlling the path (to a certain extent) and guiding each team through the rapids. The picture below represents the first leg of the course, which extends straight until a horseshoe bend at the turn up ahead. The rocks and rapids may seem easy to navigate, since what is shown below is only Class I rapids, but once the water levels are turned to Class II through IV, the flow of water changes, rocks dissapear and the path down the river becomes more difficult, much quicker and harder to anticipate. (See here more info on Class I, II, III and IV).

The rapids, in turn, are adjusted throughout the day. Times for these changes are available at the information center located right next to the course. The normal water level changes occur from the early morning up to noon, then change higher as the day moves on, ending with the toughest conditions at the end of the day.

Below, you see the first large drop in the course. Of course safety remains a non-issue since your boat captain sitting in the back will guide you straight down the small falls and the water will pull you right along. In fact, if you’re concerned about safety, we had a talk with a frequent visitor who said that there had only been one injury in the past year at ASCI, whereas other courses who try and simulate rushing water as well as real rapids themselves have more injuries in general throught the year averaging just over a hundered. In this respect, ASCI once again showcases how safe and fun it can be to white water raft, even if its your first time!

The backside of the course is shown in this series of pictures. Even if you aren’t going to kayak or ride the rapids, its worth going to just see each crew head down the rapids. Best of all, if you just want to watch from the island and walk around the course, it’s free!

Its also worth mentioning how large the boulders are around the course as shown in the picture below. Just to think that each one of these made up thousands of boulders excavated just for this course to closely simulate exactly how a river would pull you around. The course’s behavior is so well-tuned, that before the 2008 Summer Olympics, many countries, including China, Russia and Korea came from the other side of the world just to practice for the Olympics on these rapids!

You will notice in the picture below there are five in the boat. The limit of persons per boat is 6 and in order to ride anything above Class I rapids, you must be 7 and up to ride Class II – III and you must be 10 or older to ride class III – IV rapids. The course itself can adjust from Class IV rapids all the way back to Class I rapids without interruption, which means more people get to raft, which also lessens the wait to go down. Not to worry, if you are at DCL for a week, there is not much of a wait to get on the rapids.

Are you captivated by these rapids and feel like this is something for you?

Back to ASCI Part 1

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ASCI Part 4

To many, it may be a surprise that white water rafting is just as popular at Deep Creek as is skiing. In fact, ASCI, Deep Creek Lake’s state-of-the-art man-made white water rafting facility is one of its kind. ASCI, which stands for ‘Adventure Sports Center International’, also houses many other activities such as rock climbing, hiking and biking, but none compare to the whitewater experience crafted for beginner water rapids to expert conditions.

What makes this so state-of-the-art you say? For one, the course is a 1700 foot long loop (about a third of a mile), which can pump 250,000 gallons of water per minute! The course allows to give various conditions throughout the day. The difficulty ranges from beginner Level 1 conditions, in which the water is not pumped as fast, all the way to expert Level IV conditions towards the end of each day.

Aside from the amazing water capacity, this 24 million dollar facility is the only one in the world created on top of a mountain and is only one of two in the Western Hemisphere! Over 40 million pounds of rock were excavated while creating this course and thousands of boulders were used to similate a realiztic rafting environment, except in this case, with more safety and in the end, more rafting for you! Construction has been completed in December 2007.

From the ASCI website:

Test your timing, reflexes and teamwork on the world’s only adjustable whitewater sports venue that offers class 1-4 whitewater in a “controlled” environment without typical river hazards such as downed trees (strainers), undercut rocks and places for foot entrapment. We do, however, educate you about those hazards for your overall knowledge of river safety, enjoyment and awareness.

ASCI’s “conveyor” conveniently transports you from the finish pond to start pool, eliminating the hassles and time spent on vehicle shuttles from take-out to put-in with traditional whitewater experiences.

ASCI is a premier learning and training center for whitewater rafting and kayaking. Expert guides, instructors and former U.S. Team members on staff ensure high quality and consistent teaching methods.

Rafting is as safe as it gets at ASCI. Instructors will accompany all groups who do not have prior experience and will guide your group through the rapids to help them through any potential pitfalls.

What is most amazing about this facility is the water reservoir used to run the water through the rapids. Not only is there a large power supply used to release the water into the rapids, but the water is maintained so a certain level of water can be run through the course each day. This pond on top of the Wisp Mountain can hold up to 13 million gallons of water, more than enough to fuel the rapids ahead.

Rafters and kyakers begin their course (as shown in the picture above) in the 13 M gallon reservoir and are advanced by a moving track, which will drop them off in the beginning of the course. Each ride lasts about 20 minutes and riders are limited for 2 hours of riding at a time (or 6 rides). The course is extremely affordable for a frequent visitor. If you bring your own boat and paddles, you can get an all-day pass for $15. See their pricing info page for more info on other options if you plan on participating with a group. You can also see more info and make a reservation here.

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