ISSUED: 5 February 2018
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University’s Team River Runner (TRR) chapter is recruiting members for the upcoming kayak season and will offer a special clinic to the general public on Saturday, February 24, at the annual Wellness Center Health Fair at Shepherd.
During the Health Fair, TRR will offer three one-hour clinics that will be open to anyone wanting to learn how to kayak.
“We’ll have an hour of basic skills kayaking and an hour of advanced skills—rescues and rolls—and then an hour of kayak football competition,” said Tracy Seffers, Shepherd’s registrar and coordinator for TRR-Shepherd.
The basic skills clinic will run 11 a.m.-noon, advanced skills noon-1 p.m., and kayak football 1-2 p.m.
In addition, Seffers said the 2018 kayak season kicks off on April 4 with the first of six free courses, six sessions each that are open to veterans and their family members. TRR provides all the gear, safety equipment, instruction, and support needed to take the lessons.
TRR meets every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. The group starts in the pool then goes to local rivers. The pool sessions are limited to a maximum of 12, but once the group starts paddling on open water the capacity is unlimited.
“We go on multiple locations on the Potomac, the Shenandoah, and Antietam Creek, depending on water levels, the skill level of the group, and what skills we’re trying to progress our veterans to,” Seffers said.
This is the third year the Wellness Center is hosting a health fair. It will offer a variety of other classes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. They include American Red Cross hands-only CPR certification, a Shepherd physical education department obstacle course, readings from the book “Josh the Otter,” and classes in yoga, swing dance, aquatic exercise, and weight and fitness. About 50 health- and wellness-focused vendors will participate, and the Corellia Garrison of the 501st Legion will collect animal shelter supplies of food, toys, and grooming and care supplies for cats and dogs.
“The Health Fair will have vendors addressing multiple facets of wellness, helping our campus and community find their pathway to being well,” said Jennifer Seeley, Wellness Center group exercise/personal training and wellness coordinator. “I think it is incredible to see all of these people come together with one common goal of enhancing the quality of life of others.”
For more information about Team River Runner-Shepherd, contact Seffers at 304-876-5463 or tseffers@shepherd.edu. For more information about the Wellness Center Health Fair, contact Jennifer Seeley at 304-876-5050 or jseeley@shepherd.edu.
— 30 —
