Published: April 27, 2006 10:00 pm         

Rafting beamed to key markets

Segment aimed at ‘getting the word out’ about region’s whitewater

FAYETTEVILLE — From their lofty perch atop the New River Gorge Bridge Thursday, two Charleston business owners beamed live images of the whitewater rafting Fayette County has to offer to viewers of The Weather Channel and other television stations in the eastern United States via satellite technology.

Parked on the northbound side of U.S. 19 and safely ensconced in his satellite truck, Joe Stevens explained that what he and business partner Dan Shreve recorded from 876 feet above the New River would be seen by television viewers as far away as Raleigh, N.C., Pittsburgh and — literally — around the world.

“We have confirmed shots in Charleston, Clarksburg, Ghent and Roanoke. This is our initial contract and attempt at something like this, and it’s pretty successful,” added Stevens, co-owner and director of communications and development for The Media Center.

“Those are only the confirmed shots, but everyone throughout the region was able to receive this. We sent out footage this morning of the rafts. The Weather Channel was our main hub, but other television stations will likely use the footage on their weather forecasts at various times. Weathermen like pretty shots.”

Stevens noted that Thursday’s event was the culmination of nearly two weeks of planning and collaboration with West Virginia Professional Rafting Outfitters (WVPRO). The date was changed four times due to inclement weather, but Stevens and Shreve struck golden sunshine Thursday.

A former communications director for Snowshoe Ski Resort for 15 years, Stevens was an avid whitewater rafter himself in the early 1990s. The establishment of those relationships with whitewater outfitters helped him land the first contract since his fledgling company formed last October.

Rafting outfitters contacted Stevens about shooting the opening day of the autumn rafting season on the Gauley River, but Hurricane Katrina precluded TWC’s ability to feature the footage.

“The rafters wanted to be proactive in getting the word out. If the number of rafters is down, let’s show them that it’s fun. People may not think about rafting in April, but you can do it,” said Stevens, gesturing toward the monitor in his truck that featured several brave souls navigating the waters of the New River.

“Over the past couple of years, the rafting industry has been a little bit off. Rather than just sitting around wondering what happened, we decided to hook up with someone with satellite capabilities,” explained Len Hanger, vice president of Songer Whitewater and a WVPRO board member.

“We want to get the word out that there’s great rafting in West Virginia and thought this was the best way to do that. We’ll see good coverage in the eastern part of the U.S. That’s our market. We’re trying to put the word out that West Virginia is a great place to vacation and, while you’re here, you need to be whitewater rafting.”

Stevens hopes that Thursday’s efforts will be beneficial for WVPRO, which is hoping to get more people out on the rivers by showing them, rather than telling them, how exhilarating the experience can be.

“The proof in the pudding will be when the phones ring for the whitewater rafting companies,” Stevens quipped.

— E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com