Meet the Sweets of the East Team: Abbie Clasgen

Published: August 13, 2018

Abbie is the youngest member of the team bringing that sense of awe for whitewater we can all relate to. She came to the area for a restaurant job and ended up joining the river guide training class. In her own words, Abbie Clasgen:

I got a job working in the restaurants for a rafting company and ended up signing up to ride along with raft trips every week on my day off. Towards the end of the season the river manager tracked me down and asked if I wanted to train to guide the following season. I had no idea that was even an option but I immediately agreed and am so glad I did!

Photo courtesy Candace Evans

Racing opens up a lot of opportunities to travel and to meet amazing people. I also love the feeling of being on a team and working hard with 5 other ladies as enthusiastic about rafting as I am. Racing is also a whole new way to view the river compared to guiding and I love getting to explore the different lines we can take.

My Astral shoes are my absolute favorite piece of gear. I love wearing them to scout and hike because the tread on them is absolutely amazing. And they protect my toes and ankles!

I hope to gain more confidence both on and off the river. I get to really challenge myself in the boat and it’s a great feeling to try and push my limits.

I am new to racing and I am so excited! I started training sitting on the side of the pool, which I thought was so cool. Then I moved up to flatwater at the lake which was a blast. Now we’re practicing downriver and I absolutely love it! I cannot wait to participate in my first race with 5 of my favorite ladies in just a few months.

Photo courtesy Candace Evans

I am going to Argentina to race with the US Junior Team in November. World’s will be my 3rd race ever!

 

National Championship

The National Rafting Championships are coming to southern West Virginia! The US Rafting Association (USRA) recently announced the New and Gauley Rivers will host this prestigious whitewater event September 4-8, 2018. This event is the qualifier for the World Rafting Championship to be held in Australia in May 2019.

Read more here: West Virginia’s Raft Race Team; Sweets of the East

Who is on the team?

This dedicated group of ladies have worked, played, and trained hard together this year to proudly represent the home team. The Sweets of the East team started in 2015 and has rotated team members over the years to accommodate R4 and R6 competitions.

2018 Sweets of the East team members from left to right; Sarah Merritt,  Margaret Cadmus, Katee Knight, Jo-Beth Stamm, Abbie Clasgens, Melanie Seiler, and not pictured alternate Christian Mullens.  Click on each name for individual bios.

Sweets of the East Sponsors

To become a team or event sponsor please contact Mike Cassidy.

National Championship Event Sponsors

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