Black Water Development Company has worked for several years gaining experience and influence in the world of white water paddles sports and is dedicated to the economic growth through the recreational, educational, and competitive opportunities available in Watertown.
With the implementation of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan and the natural resources this area provides, Black Water Development is working with local government agencies to realize the potential of the Black River as a main resource for economic development.
Black Water intends to work effectively to advertise Watertown and the North Country as a major white water destination, thus helping to promote tourism as a major industry in this area.
Black Water Development has organized and promoted two major freestyle kayak competitions on the Black River. These events have gained local and international recognition as “The Black Water Challenge”.
Black Water Development organized and held the first annual Black Water Challenge featuring the US TEAM TRIALS in August of 2004 and the second annual Black Water Challenge which featured the North American Cup in August of 2005. The North American Cup was created by Black Water as a connection between Canada and the United States to braing a North American title to the world of freestyle kayaking and to ensure the highest level competition in Watertown on the world-famous “Route 3 Wave”, with the second portion of the competition held on the world-renowned “Garberator Wave” in conjunction with Wilderness Tours, on the Ottawa River in Beach berg, Ontario, Canada.
The North American Cup was considered to be a major success locally as well as within the professional kayaking community.
Black Water Development Company is currently working with Wilderness Tours (Ottawa River) and Jackson Kayak to organize and promote the first annual Freestyle Kayak World Cup Competition. This event will bring competitors from over 30 countries to Watertown and is also the first step on the road to the Olympics for the sport of Freestyle Kayaking.
We have worked with the foremost experts in white water kayaking and have surrounded ourselves with the best kayakers, boat builders, tourism experts, and event experts and we work closely with the city of Watertown. We are involved in all programs involving river revitalization and development, events, recreation and tourism.
Black Water Development will own and operate a campground facility adjacent to the Route 3 competition site. This facility has a very unique amphitheater and will have camping cabins and site camping available throughout the season. While the campgrounds are ideal for hosting the activities involved with major national and international competitions, we will also feature an educational overtone much like our Canadian affiliate ( Wilderness Tours and Ottawa Kayak School), and offer clinics and instruction on a seasonal basis. Furthermore, the rafting companies can book “packages” for large groups and corporate functions with the camping right down the street. The rafting companies currently boast over 13,000 clients per year coming to Watertown to raft the Black River. The campgrounds will also make it very convenient for kayak schools to bring their groups, with all of these accommodations directly adjacent to the Route 3 Wave, flat water areas, and Waterworks Park.
Black Water Development will continue to work to bring major national and international kayak events to this area. We will continue to improve our area of business to provide a unique, comfortable setting in the city of Watertown. We will use our networking to continue to build the use of the Black River not only for white water kayaking but also for the canoeing, fishing, rafting, and beautiful scenic trails which can be found along the entire length of the Black River.
Black Water Development will work with all entities, regionally, nationally and internationally to promote and facilitate the use of the best natural resource this area has, the Black River.
