Should have posted this first. This is what I sent before he
replied. I did have one error in it. In Sutton's (local AW
streamkeeper) letter to to Brad, he mentioned people doing the upper
Yough, which he considered tougher than the Tallulah excluding
Oceania. I quoted that, but messed it up stating that Sutton
thought it was more difficult than Tallulah including Oceania.

"Mr. Perry,

I am writing to you to ask questions and offer suggestions for the
Tallulah Gorge's no riverboarding policy. I would like to see the
policy reviewed and hopefully changed over time. I realize that
riverboarding was a very new sport when the Gorge was made available
for whitewater enthusiasts in 1998, and that there were few boarders
in the region or nation for that matter, with the skills,
experience, and proper equipment to enjoy the gorge safely. I
believe that has changed and that boarders now are doing runs as
difficult or more difficult than the gorge. Sutton Bacon, a
prominent boater who has run many rivers throughout the region, has
stated he knows a few friends who have boarded the Upper Yough in
MA, a river which he considers as a whole more difficult than the
gorge including Oceania. Other riders have pushed the limits in
creeking and have made first riverboard descents on rivers such as
the Russel Fork or the North Fork of the French Broad. In addition,
Shane Bolling, the owner of Ripboard Riverboards has hiked a portion
of the gorge at low water on a non-release period, and while he
would have to see the run with water to make a judgment, with seven
years of riding and scouting experience, he believes that the run is
possible after seeing the underlying structure of the riverbed.
I was wondering when it was decided not to allow riverboarding, if
there were any reasons given besides safety. I am also curious if
it has ever been suggested to allow a team of experienced boarders a
chance to run it one time to see if it is feasible, much like the
original test study for boaters. I believe that a group of
experienced boarders all wearing the proper amount of protective
gear, scouting each rapid, and setting safety could effectively run
the gorge. I think there may be a rapid or two that would require a
portage and one or two more that not everyone would want to run, but
I believe that as a whole, the gorge could be run by a team of
experts.
I have heard that another possible reason for excluding
riverboarding on the Tallulah is the fear that if local residents
see riverboarders doing it, they may think that they can just get
any Styrofoam board or air mattress and head for the gorge.
However, from what I have heard, access is very restricted during
releases, so I contend that even if the locals tried to riverboard
without the proper gear or experience, they would never be allowed
into the gorge. I think it would be wise to consider requirements
for gear should riverboarding ever be allowed in the gorge. I think
helmets, thermal protection, a proper board, and knee pads should be
the minimum required gear to put-in, with other items such as shin
guards, elbow and thigh pads, a mouth piece, and a face shield being
strongly recommended. I would like to hear your thoughts on this
matter, along with any suggestions that have been noted in the
pasts. I hope that the Tallulah Gorge State Park and the
riverboarding community can work together and one day allow the
gorge to be enjoyed by riverboarders as well.

Thank you for your time,

Kevin Yount, Riverboarder from North Carolina. "