Alex Prostko

Alexander Richard Prostko, born June 10, 1986, is an American whitewater kayaker, who gained notoriety in the winter of 2007 for being a member of a team that made the first legal descent of Section I of the Chattooga River in over 30 years. [ [http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Article/view/articleid/10279/display/full/ American Whitewater - Team completes First legal upper Chattooga descent in 30 years ] ]

First Descents

On January 5-6, 2007, Prostko was a member of an expedition that successfully kayaked Section I of the Chattooga River. Since 1974, boating of any sort was forbidden on this section of the river by the United States Forest Service, although the lower sections (notably III and IV) were still heavily kayaked. The ban was originally in place to protect and preserve the natural scenic beauty of the area.

After receiving special permission from the United States Forest Service, the 6-man team put into the river about 15 miles from the headwaters, where the Chattooga first becomes navigable. They proceeded to successfully kayak the entirety of Section I on the 5th and 6th of November, except for the impassable Rainbow Falls and 2 other rapids.

Following the successful run, many kayakers are optimistic that the US Forest Service will open Section I to public use, much as Sections III and IV are open.

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