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Rapid Thrills  August 1st, 2013 Katie West in Local Regional
News  Two vastly different celebrations. 100 miles apart. One
common theme: a love, a passion and a reverence for the
Southeast's whitewater and the paddling lifestyle that has
evolved around it.  The Nantahala and Ocoee rivers are two of
the biggest names in the region for anything kayak related, so
it's fitting that each will be the backdrop for an upcoming
larger-than-life paddling event- one a festival, the other a
world-class competition. The whitewater gods are smiling down
upon Chattanooga, as it's within an easy drive of both Ocoee
Fest and this year's ICF Freestyle World Championships.  So if
you're in the area next month, grab your gear, grab your friends
and get ready to experience the water like never before.  Ocoee
Fest  Local paddler Bra d McMillan waits in the staging eddy to
take his run in the C1 class at the 2012 ICF Canoe Freestyle
World Cup Final.  That is indeed a