Hello Whitewater Team Alumni and Friends,

I had been hoping to hold off on any newsletter until I could triumphantly announce the establishment of the Whitewater Slalom Foundation, but there's one item, a request for foreign exchange placing, that I feel I should send out now. Happy New Year! Jamie McEwan

So, four quick news bites:

1. Foundation update.
2. Website update.
3. New USACK bylaws.
4. Foreign whitewater exchange.

1. Although the legal process is proving to be far more intricate and time-consuming than I had imagined, the Whitewater Slalom Foundation is creeping toward realization, with a logo, a board in place, and a development (i.e. fundraising) committee in the formation stages.

2. The slalom website is taking shape. See for example:

http://www.whitewaterslalom.us/schedules.html
to see how the 2009 schedule is shaping up,

http://www.whitewaterslalom.us/us-training-sites-by-activity.html
for a page telling you what training sites are up and running as of this moment, and

http://www.whitewaterslalom.us/training-tips.html
for training tips from all over. (Stood on any balance balls recently?)

3. Check out a draft for new USACK bylaws here:
http://www.usack.org/news/article/8706

4.Read this email from Lukas Wilhelm of Germany, and let's find him a great host family in a whitewater town!
From: "JuNo Wilhelm"
Subject: High school year in USA
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:37:10 +0000Dear white-water friend, I found your email address in the internet on the American white-water page.
I contact this club because it makes a very good impression.
My name is Lukas Wilhelm and I’m from Germany and I`m 16 years old.
I just get a place in a students exchange program and I’ll come to America from August 2009 to June 2010 to visit a High School for one year.
The favourite hobby of my parents and me is white-water kayaking. We have already been kayaking in different European countries. I’m experienced in paddling grade III with some spots IV.
I can’t imagine one year without kayaking.
Now I’m looking for a host family which is active in white-water kayaking.
In the internet we have seen that you are an active paddler. We are sure that you know a lot of other paddlers.
Perhaps you can ask your friends and club members and can help me to find a host family. Otherwise the organisation is looking for a host family for me.
I would be glad to get an answer from you.
Best greetings from Germany
Lukas