1. A Message From The President
2. Who's Who Of The Nvcc
3. Membership Update Forms
4. Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers [ Activity Club Affiliate Of The American Canoe Association ]
5. Treasurer's Report 6/6/89 - 1/1/90
6. Nvcc Meeting Dec. 3, 1989 College Street Congregational Church.
7. Nvcc Executive Meeting - Jan. 18, 1990
8. Whitewater Training Session 1990

9. Nvcc Classified Ads:
10. Nvcc Personals
11. In The News...
12. Introducing...
13. Hudson Gorge (ny): June 4, 1989
14. Ammonoosuc (nh): June 10, 1989
15. Dead River (me): July 1-2, 1989
16. Green River Reservoir Overnight : August 19-20, 1989

17. Hudson River (ny): September 16, 1989
18. Middle Fork Salmon River: July, 1989
19. Rafting The Middle Fork Of Salmon -- Recorded By Susan Sonchik: June, 1989
20. Nvcc Donation In Memory Of Norm Lavoie ... Keep On Paddlin'
21. Canoeing Vermont State Offers Wealth Of Paddling Pleasure
22. Learn Ropes Before Taking The Plunge
23. Books, Services Help Beginners Get Their Feet Wet
24. Whitewater Schedule 1990

NB: With the passage of time, a good number of the links embedded in back issues of the Bow and Stern may fail. If you notice any broken links in particular that merit repairing/replacing (and you know the correct URL to which the link should point), please email the webmaster. Thanks!

President                       Mike Fullerton          456-8701
Vice-president                  Sheri Larsen            878-6828
Treasurer                       Sue Sonchik             878-4408
Secretary                       Charlie Thompson        878-2536
Membership                      Sue Sonchik             878-4408
Whitewater Schedule             Mike Fullerton &        456-8701
                                Al Roberts              899-4129
Open Boat Clinic                Chuck Thompson &        878-2536
                                Rick Davis              863-2438
Closed Boat Clinic              Jay Appleton            425-2821
Conservation/Water Resources    Ray Gonda               862-6164
Bow & Stern                     Cathy Chamberlain       863-3067

Please fill out and return the Membership Update Form sent with your meeting notice or on the following page in this newsletter. We are trying to update our records on abilities to better coordinate / plan paddling adventures. It will also record who wants / needs / is willing to paddle tandem when partners are needed. We will also be updating the address list to eliminate old names.

Thank you...Send to Sue Sonchik

VPC membership application/update

1. Be a trip organizer.
2. Be a tandem partner.
3. Promote conservation of paddling resources.
4. Report level for the following river(s)_________________________
5. Volunteer/help to_________________________________________

street_____________________________________________

town______________________________

state________ zip code_______________

phone____________________________email______________________

This is a printable membership form and VPC waiver. Please read and sign the waiver, then mail both with your membership fee ($8 per individual OR family) to:

Rich Larsen VPC Membership Chairman (802)878-6828
11 Discovery Road, Essex Junction VT 05452

NOTE: All adult members must sign and submit a VPC Waiver and Release of Liability.

I realize that danger exists in my participation in canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and other activities organized by the Vermont Paddlers Club.

Although I am in good health and able to participate in such activities, I realize that such participation may result in illness or injury due to accidents, the forces of nature, or other causes not foreseeable. Such illness and injury may include disease, strains, sprains, fractures, dislocations, paralysis, and/or death. Possible injuries may cause serious and permanent disability. By my participation in this activity I hereby knowingly assume the risks arising out of that activity.

I also, on behalf of myself, my personal representatives and my heirs, hereby agree to release, hold harmless and indemnify the Vermont Paddlers Club and its agents, officers and employees from any and all claims and suits for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise which may arise out of my participation in canoeing, kayaking, tubing and other activities, whether or not such claims or suits arise from negligent acts or omissions by the organizers and conductors of this activity, their employees or volunteers, another participant, any other person or from any other cause.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE, I UNDERSTAND THAT I GIVE UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND I SIGN IT VOLUNTARILY.

NAME: ___________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________________

AGE: _____________ DATE: ________________________________________

SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN IF PARTICIPANT IS LESS THAN 18 YEARS OLD:

SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________________

DATE: ____________________

The primary purpose of the club is recreational paddlesport. Other purposes include:

1. Sponsoring and organizing activities which promote paddlesport and the club, such as races and public interest activities.
2. Education of both club members and the general public in paddlesport skills, safety and ethics.
3. Conservation as related to protecting the existence, integrity and quality of the natural resources the club draws upon to pursue its other purposes.

No requirement is placed on the club to pursue any or all of these purposes at any given time.

The NORTHERN VERMONT CANOE CRUISERS is a paddling club based in the Burlington, Vermont area, but has members from throughout Vermont with a few from other states. All activities of the club are open to the general public as well as club members. The club organizes a variety of activities relating to both canoeing and kayaking, from flatwater to expert whitewater trips. Whitewater slalom and flatwater racing play a role in club activities. For those interested in meeting other wilderness paddlers and learning about wilderness rivers or looking to meet other sea-kayakers, the club provides an excellent starting point.

The activities in which the club becomes involved depends mainly on the interests and energies of its members who are willing to become active. Anyone is welcome to pursue his or her interests within the club structure if they can generate enough interest among other members and if the activity is not too far astray of club policy or the club charter. Club Policy is often simply a matter of forming a consensus on some activity in the course of normal club operations.

Membership meetings are held at least two times a year in early March and in mid-June. These consist typically of a dinner (catered or pot-luck), a business meeting of about an hour followed by a slide presentation of some boating related adventure. There is an additional meeting in December of odd numbered years for election of officers for the following two years. All items affecting general club policy are determined at the membership meetings.

At other times during the year, the president and the executive committee set club direction. (The executive committee consists of the elected officers, appointed activity chairs, and other interested members). Operational decisions are made through the committees with any major policy issues being brought back to the full membership at the first opportunity. The executive committee also reaches consensus decisions on many small items, to keep them from clogging the agenda at membership meetings.

The BOW & STERN is published twice a year to coincide with club meetings (excepting the election meeting). These times coincide with the start of the spring paddling season and then the summer/fall season. Included in the newsletter are minutes of club meetings, treasurer's report, items on conservation and rivers issues, informational articles of interest to members, a "bulletin board" for advertising sale of personal equipment, trip reports from the past season, and most importantly the trip schedule and instructional clinic dates for the upcoming season. All members are encouraged to submit items for publication.

These introductory clinics are for the novice paddlers who have equipment and desire to learn basic paddling skills. Eligible participants must be competent swimmers (capable of swimming 100 yards) and should have their own transportation. On-the-water instruction begins with flatwater and progresses to a class II whitewater trip. Few instructors are certified but they enjoy helping prospective new members learn, as they have learned, from each other, while having a good time. Safety, cooperation and having fun are important aspects of both the open and decked boat clinics. Pre-registration is required.

TANDEM OPEN CANOE

This clinic is usually run each spring. It starts with a weekday evening classroom session featuring films, slides, equipment, demonstrations of safety, and river running technique. It is followed by a morning-weekend-indoor-pool session where basic strokes and boat maneuvers are taught. Finally, a trip on a local river, preferably on the Mad River in Moretown, puts it all together. Necessary equipment includes completely outfitted canoe with float bags, and appropriately thick painters of bright colors which float. Personal equipment includes life jacket, protective clothing appropriate for the time of year and expected water and air temperatures. Details are covered in the classroom session.

SOLO DECKED B0AT

This clinic is run each mid-summer. It is intended for kayaks and C-1s. The clinic is oriented toward whitewater, however flatwater touring and sea kayakers are welcome. Instruction in Eskimo-roll for kayak or C-1 is included. Necessary equipment includes properly outfitted boat which includes float bags in good repair, paddle, spray skirt, properly fitting life jacket (preferably type-III PFD) and whitewater-type helmet.

The Cruisers have been involved with various aspects of canoe and kayak racing for many years. Projects have included war canoe races, flatwater events on Lake Champlain and, beginning in the mid-1980s, whitewater slalom racing.

Each year, usually the first weekend of May, the Club co-sponsors an open and decked boat slalom race on the West River in Southern Vermont. This is a superb spectator event, as the boats and paddlers negotiate a twisting course through fast and turbulent whitewater. For the paddler, it is a great way to improve boat handling and precision. Club members race at various events throughout the Northeast and are happy to encourage newcomers to this exciting sport.

Others are active in flatwater racing, the purely aerobic sport of paddling a canoe (usually, though there are some flatwater kayak events as well) as quickly as possible. These races are gaining in popularity in this region and are often associated with triathalons.

When important stretches of whitewater or other valued paddling resources are in some way threatened, the Club will not hesitate to take action to protect its interests. The Club usually seeks to work hand-in-hand with other conservation organizations to achieve its goals. Protection of the paddling resource includes rivers, lakes and ponds. Constant club involvement in river issues is important since no other organization exists within Vermont to tackle the issues which are most clearly of interest to canoeists and kayakers of all persuasions.

Protection of key stretches of whitewater within Vermont ranks as the highest conservation priority for the Club. Nonetheless, limited club involvement may occur as a result of threats to certain whitewater rivers elsewhere in New England. More generally, the club maintains some profile in nearly all initiatives in river protection and river management issues in Vermont ... be it state or federal agency initiatives and regulatory processes or legislative body actions. Some river protection efforts in which the club has played a central role includes the West, and upper and lower Lamoille Rivers, the Missisquoi at Sheldon Springs and the Connecticut River. It also supported the 1987 Vermont River Protection Bill. Currently the Club is involved in the re-licensing of some 15 hydropower dams in Vermont in an effort to obtain recreational enhancements for canoeists.

Trips are held nearly every weekend from mid-March to mid-june and are scheduled for many weekends in the summer and fall utilizing mostly scheduled water releases from dams through New England and the Adirondacks. Trips are offered at all levels of difficulty, from novice to advanced. Occasional week or longer trips are organized farther afield from year to year ranging from the Southern Appalachians to Canada, from Maine to Idaho.

Flatwater, flowing water, and other laisse-faire events (like the tubing trip) are held primarily in the summer with some in the fall. This part of the club activities is not as focussed as the whitewater portion since whitewater trips require more organization and mutual support among participants for safety and logistics reasons. New member with an interest in this area could help establish a more active schedule. Picnics at Sandbar State Park were once annual events.

The club's Charter does not define the Club as a public service oriented club. However, given that only a small percentage of those who have taken advantage of club training clinics actually become active in club affairs, the club in fact performs a valuable public service in teaching beginning and experienced paddlers, alike, the fundamentals of safe canoeing in both flatwater and whitewater. About 30 to 60 participants per year receive formal club clinic training and an undetermined number of others receive impromptu on-the-river paddling tips when on club trips.

                        
                TOTAL TREASURY $748.51

GENERAL FUND                            SAFETY & TRAINING FUND
------------                            ----------------------

BEGINNING BALANCE       $ 108.27        BEGINNING BALANCE       $ 640.24

INCOME                                  INCOME

Dues                    $ 399.00        Kayak School            $ 200.00
Dinner                  $  86.37        Sales (Decals)          $  12.00

Total Income            $ 485.37        Total Income:           $ 212.00


EXPENSES                                EXPENSES

Bow and Stern           $ 160.54        Canoe/Kayak School:
Stamps                  $ 158.35        Pool Rental             $ 184.69
Room Rental             $ 100.00        Printing                $  59.38
Miscellaneous           $  29.67        Food                    $  52.83
Special Olympics        $  50.00        Weekend Costs           $  35.09

Total Expenses          $ 498.56        Total Expenses          $ 331.99


BALANCE                 $  95.08        BALANCE                 $ 520.25


                TOTAL TREASURY $615.33




SUSAN M. SONCHIK
TREASURER, NVCC

• Called to order at 6:55 by President Rich Larsen.
• Old business - None.
• New business - Elections: Nominating committee report:
• nominees are

  President: Mike Fullerton and Ray Gonda.
  Vice President: Sheri Larsen.
  Secretary: Charlie Thompson.
  Treasurer: Sue Sonchik.

• Call for nominations from floor. None. Peter Alden moved nominations close. Motion carried.
• Peter Alden moved the searetary cast one ballot for the uncontested positions. Motion carried and ballot was cast.
• Rick Davis moved the question on president. Ballots were distributed, collected, and counted by the secretary. Winner was Mike Fullerton.
• Dams and accesses - Discussion on Lamoille and Passumpsic.
• NVCC position and support at public hearings, etc. - Rick Davis reported that at a meeting on the Deerfield River, the individual in attendance did not accurately represent the club's viewpoint. Suggested we write a club policy. Rick then moved that any club position put forth at official hearings on conservation or releases be done so in writing after approval by elected officers or the membership. This was seconded and all were in favor.
• Winooski and Connecticut river planning - those interested in participating should contact Rich Larsen.
• Norm Lavoie memorial - We are looking into a memorial plaque to put at the put-in on the Lamoille River at the Fairfax dam.
• Adjournment Peter Alden so moved.

• Called to order at 7:20 at Larsen's house.
• Charlie Thompson read minutes which were accepted.
• Sue Sonchik reported $95 in general fund and $520 in safety and education for a total of $615. Sue found a new checking account which saves us the service charges of the old account.
• Norm Lavoie memorial - Rich Larsen will check with CVPS for permission and location, method of attachment, and cost. Once determined, we will propose the project to the family.
• Joining 1990 ACA - Cost $75. No benefit to NVCC except our name mentioned as a member and possible source of members. Al Roberts moved we join. Motion carried.
• State and conservation mailings - These have been going to Larsens. Sherri will request change to Chuck Thompson who will review and keep the club informed of pertinent articles and info.
• West River drowning - Charlie Thompson will write for a report from Charlie Walbridge, Safety Chairman at ACA, PO Box 1190, Newington, VA 22122. Mike Fullerton will get the AMC report from Adrian Brown. We will share these reports with the club to help accident prevention.
• Brochure - Chuck Thompson and Rich Davis will get the project from Ray Gonda and work up a proposal for the March meeting. Sherri Larsen will proofread. Mike declared this a committee of three.
• Safety and Education - With Ann Chetham-Strode’s departure, we need a new committee. Jay Appleton will likely run the kayak clinic again this summer. Chuck Thompson will head up the canoe clinic and recruit a committee. Sherri will help. The canoe clinic will be held in the summer this year as an experiment. The summer kayak clinic has worked well.
• Whitewater schedule - Mike Fullerton will chair the committee and Al Roberts will help.
• Bow and Stern - Kathy Chamberlain and Eric Bishop. Will need materials by March 1.
• Spring Dinner - March 11. Al Roberts and Bob Schumacher will order pasta dinner like last spring. Al and Mike will coordinate cooking. Charlie Thompson will publish the notice in the last week of Feb. Try to reserve 1st Congregational Church, Janet Shaw, 862-5010. Program: Len Carpenter’s Labrador trip, movie, or John Barry. Rick Davis will check on Barry. Charlie will check with Cathy for the movie list she got a while back.
• West River spring release - April 28-29 and May 5-6. Recreation only no races due to complications over the past couple years.
• Membership questionnaire - Sue Sonchik will prepare a sheet to mail with the dinner announcement to gather info. to add to the membership list. She will code this into the computer.

Respectively submitted Charlie Thompson, Secretary.

To all those who are interested in the whitewater training course given by the NVCC:

This year the canoe training session will not be held in the spring as usual. Instead it has been decided to move the course into the month of June. A cold introduction into the sport of whitewater canoeing seems to have discouraged further participation of new potentially active members. I feel that the cold water is not the only discouraging factor to a new trainee but moving the class into warmer weather will be the first step in trying to solve problem at hand.

During the last NVCC executive meeting I half volunteered and was half given the job of organizing the training course. Though I am happy to be the Whitewater Training Chairman, I see this to be a somewhat large job and would like to have at least two other people work with me. If you are interested please let me know.

When things are organized and the dates set I will be looking for volunteers to help in the training. People will be needed for the following: the instruction class, the "pool" session, and the river. Those who are interested in the training program please let me know.

Thank You. Chuck Thompson Phone #: 878-2536

for sale...

Old Town Tripper... - 17' $400.00

ABS Green

Call Mike Fullerton 456 - 8701 evenings

(Belongs to Eric Bishop - who's Westward Bound!

He's off to travel / boat / and carpenter his way out west ...

Oregon ... Montana ... Texas... Northern California)

Whitewater Play Boat

C-2 OLD TOWN BARRAGIN

Complete with spray skirts and cargo hatch cover

$400 or best offer...

Call Fred Jordan 223-3935

RR 1 Box 1315

Towne Hill Road

Montpelier VT 05602

SUNBURST II $400

CALL TONY RYAN 603-795-4522

OLD TOWN OTTER $400

SOLO ... stable .... whitewater boat

Call Cathy Chamberlain 863-3067

NVCC DECALS $1.50

available from Sue Sonchik 878-4408

River Safety Reports $5

... Call Mike Fullerton 456-8701

Wanted WHITEWATER SOLO BOAT

CALL CHARLIE THOMPSON 878-2536

Paddlers Wanted:

We are looking for another boat or two of paddlers that are Interested in paddling the MOISE RIVER in Northern Quebec. A remote wilderness river, about 300 miles long. In AUGUST. We are open and would consider another river besides the MOISE. Please give us a call... early mornings are best... This trip will take between 3 and 4 weeks. The MOISE is called the Grand Canyon of the East, spectacular scenery, wonderful water, lots of portages...

Roger   456-7088
Lori    454-1418

WANTED:

Paddlers for the 74 mile trip down the MACHIAS in Maine. Flatwater to class 3 .. This trip takes about 6 or 7 days in high water. Starting date is May 24 or 25.

The AMC guide says "one of Maine's most scenic waterways ... offering semi-wilderness travel with lakes, swamps, intermittent rapids up to III, ledges, a waterfall - all in a region that has much less use than the Allagash”.

Contact Roger 456-7088 or Lori 454-1418

Anne Chetham-Strode is going to be teaching again at WILDWATERS Outdoor Center in late May ... She has returned to graduate school at Cornell..

Pat Ezekiel Moor .. has taken a new turn ... she’s off to live in AUSTRALIA with new husband, RICK... For those who'd like to write or VISIT...

Steve & Charlotte Bailey-McPherson (Freeport ME) are expecting their first little paddler in June!

Any contributions to the next edition of this newsletter should be sent to: Cathy Chamberlain L-10 Stonehedge Drive South Burlington VT 05403 863-3067 - hand written or "camera ready"! DEADLINE JUNE 1st...

FIDDLEHEAD BOATWORKS is a new boat shop in Bradford VT specializing in repairs to and custom construction of small wooden boats and canoes. We are currently producing a 13 1/2 foot double paddle canoe of lightweight plywood / epoxy composite. An excellent soto cartopper, this craft fulfills our requirements of being easy to move and maintain, strong ... pretty ... and practical.

Other models scheduled for production in early summer include a lightweight rowable daysailer and perhaps a recreational sliding seat rower. Of course ... we offer recanvasing, repair and refinishing services of wood / canvas canoes and lake boats .... and almost anything else that's made of wood and floats...

Mike Collins ....... Jennifer Schaafsma
802-222-5583 8 AM to 8 PM

HUDSON GORGE (NY): June 4, 1989

Except for a light rain at the beginning of the trip, the conditions were quite good .. The water was at a fun level with the dam release. (The gage at North Creek was 5.0 Ft before the bubble, but that reading probably was inflated by 4-5 inches because of a temporary dam near the gage) There were very few rafters, so we had the Indian and Hudson Rivers pretty much to ourselves ... The trip went smoothly with no major swims. The Campbell kids livened up the trip by entering the water In their kayaks from a rock some 10 feet above the water. Several Campbells, Ray Gonda and Eric Bishop also entertained us with some stunts at Bus Stop Rapids...

June 4th was the last dam release on the Indian for the spring season. Releases will resume in the fall.

AMMONOOSUC (NH): June 10, 1989

Since we missed a scheduled NH trip earlier due to unfavorable water levels ... we took this end of a rainy week to try the Ammonoosuc. The water level was about 3.2' (gage is hard to read...) This turned out to be less challenging than the 5' level that was our introduction to this river .. but It was lively and little technical. We had a fine trip, and in record time by my experience - we were done by 4 PM at Railroad Rapid. Alder Brook Rapid was quite manageable at this level. We look forward to this trip again with high water.

DEAD RIVER (ME): July 1-2, 1989

Once again, Maine came through and a large group enjoyed two great days on the Dead River. Weather cooperated fairly well with cloudy but tolerable on Saturday, and sunny and superb on Sunday.

Water levels were higher than advertised but no one seemed to mind. No major incidents or damage reported.

Saturday night was graced with another of Al Roberts community dinners. This time kabobs with plenty of wine. We were entertained later with the music of whistles, flutes, and harmonica. A great evening sitting in the light rain around the fire .. listening to good music and bad jokes. (The brick made a brief reappearance!!??)

Two of our open boaters, Bob Campbell and Eric Bishop ran the Kennebec Gorge twice, swimming but surviving. It is reported that open boats do not disappear in MAGIC, at least not permanently. Both report the thing is do-able and not as formidable as its reputation.

Last, as usual, space on the shuffle was scarce... For the benefit of future leaders, PLEASE remember to make your reservation with the leader a couple weeks in advance.

GREEN RIVER RESERVOIR OVERNIGHT : August 19-20, 1989

SAT AM we were really happy to find that the campsite we picked out as the best for our purposes, on our previous scouting trip, was free ... and we set up camp right away. It was a beautiful sunny day and after lunch we decided to head toward the northern end of the lake. We passed a loon family (two adults, two chicks (loonlings?]) and some brown ducks. We poked our way up a swampy brook until we reached the inevitable beaver dam. Craig and Joan crossed three of them, but didn't get far before the stream ran out.

The campsite had a nice rocky point and we had a relaxing swim before dinner. Later after toasted marshmallows and between twilight and moonrise some of us put out on a glassy water to watch the stars and satellites. Sometime during the night the clouds came over and the wind blew hard and the rain woke us in the early morning. The loons swam nearby and called us to get up.

We tried to wait out the rain, but finally decided to pack up the boats before noon. The rain let up then so we visited the dam and watched four mergansers in a cove for a while. It was a nice trip, even with the rain.

HUDSON RIVER (NY): September 16, 1989

We were planning to paddle the Hudson Gorge but had second thoughts when we got to North Creek and discovered that the river was 5.2 feet at the gauge. After some discussion, we reached the conclusion that 5.2 feet before the release was a bit too high for the group, especially since there were only four of us and there weren't very many other groups on the river. Since the Hudson was high, we thought the East Branch of the Sacandaga River might be just the right level for paddling. We got in our cars and drove for about a half hour, only to discover that the East Branch was too low. After another conference, we decided to head back to North Creek and paddle the lower stretch of the Hudson. We started at the bridge In North Creek and took out by the railroad tracks beyond the Glen. Although we all wished that we could have paddled the Gorge, we still had a good time on the lower stretch of the Hudson.

MIDDLE FORK SALMON RIVER: July, 1989

The Middle Fork is a permitted river, with permits assigned by a lottery system. The three Cruisers went as guests of the locals, friends of Adrienne's, who scored a permit after five years of trying...

The put-in is Boundary Creek, reached by a 24 mile dirt road from Stanley, ID (population negligible!). Paddlers can stay on the river up to eight days,, and we spent seven. Campsites are assigned by the ranger prior to launch, with much horse trading among the parties launching. Sites range from small and rocky, to large and shaded with sandy beaches and hot springs.

The river is much like a northeastern Class II - III in its upper portions, at least at 2.2 ft., the level we found. It winds through steep mountains and Douglas fir forests. Lower down the land is drier, and the lowest section is a virtual desert canyon.

The river varies from quickwater to Class IV at this level, and gets larger and faster as the level rises. 2 feet is generally the lower limit for rafts at the put-in, below that they are usually flown in to Indian Creek, two days downstream. Below Indian Creek the river is usually deep enough for rafts.

We had five hard boats and three rafts to carry luxury accomodations, chairs, tents, beer, wine and gourmet food. Meals included steak (from one rafter's own herd!), seafood fettucini, barbecue chicken, pork chops and elk. There was always an appropriate wine! Rarely have so few carried so much...

The trip is highly recommended. Scenery and wildlife rate a 10 as does the river itself. We also got perfect weather, seven days of clear skies and temps In the 80-90 degree range. If you can find a permit or friend with one .. it's well worth the effort ... !

RAFTING THE MIDDLE FORK OF SALMON -- recorded by Susan Sonchik: June, 1989

On June 7, Sally, Len, Pat, and Susan joined 11 other people in the Idaho Wilderness area to raft the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Pat and 2 others kayaked; the rest of us shared 5 oared rafts. It's amazing how much gear a raft can haul: tables, chairs, coolers, stoves, an extensive wine cellar, sufficient beer, all the necessary luxuries but the kitchen sink. Food was great and included such things as steak and baked potatoes, beef stroganoff, cobbler, pie, shrimp salad; no one lost weight!

The first day Sally and I timidly climbed into the raft belonging to Michael Marine (with a name like that he must be a safe boater, right?) and we manned the auxiliary paddles and bailing bucket. The put-in point is at the top of First Bend Rapid (class 2) so we were quickly drenched by waves that slapped over the bow. Not at all sure that this was fun! Then followed No Name rapid(2), Sulfur Slide(3), Ramshorn(3), Velvet Falls(4), the Chutes(3), Elkhorn(3), and Powerhouse(4) before the first night's camp. Sally and I obediently paddled when prompted to do so by Mike's one-word commands of "Back", "Forward", "Stop", "Hard". The day was spent drifting from one rapid into the next. Good thing Powerhouse was last. By that time we worked as a team. Powerhouse has a 90 degree turn in it where the river rams into a tall undercut cliff; we knew it was a serious rapid when Mike's one-word commands stretched into "Back, hard, harder, HARDER". We missed ramming the wall by about 5 inches. I was ready to set up camp and get out of the raft for the day.

In all the trip covered 105 miles in 7 days, a leisurely float trip thru class 3/4 rapids with names like Sheepeater, Pistol Creek, Cannon Creek, Artillery, Tappan Falls, Jackass, Haystack, Redside, Weber, Porcupine, and (most terrifying) Rubber. Waves crashed over the bow an most rapids, but several times they crashed over the entire raft. Quite exciting and fun once I learned to keep my eyes open and mouth shut. On hot days, the cold water felt refreshing; on the one cloudy rainy day we bailed without removing water just to keep warm. In the quiet water between rapids, Sally and I took turns at the oars, learning to read the river, letting it do the work, ferrying across, doing eddy turns. Sally was a natural at the oars, properly manuveuring without delay to decide what to do. On the last day just above the take-out point I was at the oars for the last easy rapid of the trip; scary to be responsible for the raft and all the gear.

There was lots of time for side trips and exploration during the trip and it was a marvelous area to explore. We found an abandoned mine, an old ranch cabin, a grotto with a tall thin waterfall, many other thundering waterfalls, old Parrot's cabin, Whitey Cox's grave, a large cave with Indian pictograms on the walls, Flying B ranch, and a resort owned by Harrah's. Time was also spent lounging in the many hot springs along the river, but I won't tell tales of those. To the entertainment of all, I had my first kayak lessons: on the grass, then in the shallow water at the shore, and finally in an eddy with the kayak on a long tether so it would not escape downriver. (It was fun enough to convince me to take Jay's course in July.)

This may not have been a canoeing trip but was a fun way to play on the river. The kayaks were so graceful as they flitted through the rapids, they were fun to watch, as were the huge rafts that would disappear from sight in some of the waves. Fun trip (Prepared me for the Dead River with Lenny on the July 4 weekend).

		P.O. Box 299 Essex Junction, Vermont 05453 (802) 879-0499 July 24, 1989
C.A. Chamberlain Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers L-10 Stonehedge Drive So. Burlington, VT 05403 Dear Friends:
I would like to personally acknowledge your generous contribution of $50.00 to Vermont Special Olympics in memory of Normand R. Lavoie. We certainly appreciate this special gift. It is through donations such as this that we have been able to bring quality sports training and athletic competition to Vermont's Special Olympics athletes. The memory of Mr. Lavoie will surely be with us during this year's events.
		Sincerely, Jim Murphy Executive Director

By Lawrence Pyne
Free Press Correspondent

By Lawrence Pyne
Free Press Correspondent

	Power Stroke The most basic stroke for propelling a canoe forward is the power stroke. With the upper hand gripping the top of the paddle, the shaft is held vertical and swept back parallel to the boat's centerline.
	J Stroke The J stroke is a forward steering stroke and begins as a power stroke (see above). As the paddle is brought back it is pulled under the side of the boat by the paddler and then levered off the gunwale. The upper hand thumb then twists forward and down, and the paddle carves the J (if paddling on the port side).
	Sweep Stroke This stroke is used to turn the canoe. With the hands down and the paddle extended, the upper body is rotated to bring the paddle forward and as the body rotates back, the paddle makes a long powerful sweep. The opposite maneuver is a reverse sweep.

Source: The American Red Cross

Canoe USA - Canoe Vermont
        PO Box 610,
        Waitsfield, Vt. 05673
        Tel. 496-2409.
        Guided river expeditions and Inn-to-Inn tours.


Clearwater Sports
        Route 100, RD 1, Box 395
        Waitsfield, Vt. 05673
        Tel. 496-2708
        Guided and self-guided tours, Inn-to-Inn tours,
        and one- and two-day instruction courses.


Connecticut River Safari
        3A Putney Road, US Rt. 5
        Brattleboro, Vt. 05301
        Tel. 257-5008
        Guided tours and self-guided tours.


Pine Ridge Adventure Center
        1075 Williston Road
        Williston, Vt 05495
        Tel. 434-2161
        Guided and self-guided tours, Inn-to-Inn tours.


Vermont Canoe Trippers/Battenkill Canoe Ltd.
        Rt. 313
        West Arlington, Vt. 05250
        Tel. 375-9559
        Guided and self-guided tours, Inn-to-Inn tours


Vermont Voyager Expeditions
        Rt. 242, Box 1015
        Montgomery Center, Vt 05471
        Tel. 326-4789
        Guided and self-guided tours, Inn-to-Inn tours.


RENTALS


Battenkill Canoe Ltd.
        Rt. 313
        West Arlington, Vt. 05250
        Tel. 375-9559.


Clearwater Sports
        Route 100, RD 1, Box 395
        Waitsfield, Vt. 05673
        Tel. 496-2708.


Connecticut River Safari
        3A Putney Road, US Rt. 5
        Brattleboro, Vt. 05301
        Tel. 257-5008.


Sailing Winds
        Rt. 30
        Poultney, Vt. 05764
        Tel. 287-9411.


Vermont State Park System
        Several state parks rent canoes, including
        Brighton, Burton Island, Lake Carmi,
        Elmore and Groton state parks.
        Dept. of Parks and Recreation
        Montpelier, Vt. 05602
        Tel, 828-3375.


Vermont Voyager Equipment
        Rt. 242, Box 101S
        Montgomery Center, Vt. 05471
        Tel. 326-4789,


Village Sports Shop
        74 Broad St.
        Lyndonville, Vt. 05851
        Tel. 626-8448.


West River Canoe
        Rt. 100
        East Jamaica, Vt. 05343
        Tel. 896-6209.


Clubs/organizations


American Canoe Association
        Suite 1900, 8580
        Cinder Bed Road
        Newington, Va. 22122
        Tel. 703-550-7523. 
        Publishes a monthly newsletter 
        and promotes tours throughout the country.


Connecticut River Watershed Council
        312 First N.H. Bank Building
        Lebanon, N.H. 03766
        Tel. 603-448-2792.
        Promotes conservation and recreation on
        the Connecticut River, and annually sponsors 
        35 canoe trips and clinics.


Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers
        membership secretary Cathy Chamberlain
        L-10 Stonehedge Drive
        South Burlington, Vt. 05401
        -or- Rich Larsen, president
        878-6828.
        Teaches an annual whitewater Canoeing 
        school and maintains an active schedule of
        trips and outings in northern Vermont.
        Memberships $6/year.


Schools/Classes


Church Street Center
        135 Church St.
        Burlington, Vt. 05401
        Tel. 863-0202.
        Frequently offers courses on canoeing
        and/or short instructional trips to the Adirondacks.


Wildwaters
        Box 197, HCR-01
        Warrensburg, NY 12885
        Tel. 518-494-7478.
        Private and group classes from half-day
        to a week taught on the Hudson River
        in the Adirondacks.


Guide books (available at local outdoor shops,
        all prices are approximate)


AMC River Guide - New Hampshire and Vermont, 
        1988, Appalachian Mountain Club, 5 Joy St.,
        Boston, Mass., 02108. $8.95.


Canoe Camping Vermont & New Hampshire Rivers, 
        second edition, by Roioli Schwelker, 1989, 
        Backcountry Publications, PO Box 175, Woodstock, Vt.
        05901. $6.95.


The Complete Boating Guide to the Connecticut River,
        1988, CRWC, 312 First N.H. Bank Building,
        Lebanon, N.H. 03766. $11.45.


The Vermont Atlas and Gazeteer, 1988,
        The Delorme Mapping Company
        Freeport, Maine 04032. $9.95.


The Winooski River Canoe Guide,
        1987, Winooski Valley Park District,
        Ethan Allen Homestead,
        Burlington, Vt. 05401. $1.95.

Compiled by Lawrence Pyne

Working up a splash - Bill Garlack of Westford paddles down Otter Creek at the beginning of the Vergennes Days canoe race Saturday. Garlack was the first-place finisher for the five-mile race, one of several events in the annual festivities in Addison County's only city.

A group of NVCC volunteers supported a booth and display at the Conservation Celebration last fall. Mike Fullerton showed slides. The boats on display generated a lot of interest and enthusiasm for the sport.

E Easy /\/\/\/\/\/\ M Moderate /\/\/\/\/\/\ D Difficult /\/\/\/\/\/\ F Frightening!

NOTES:

1. All trips are subject to change based on water conditions.
2. Call trip leaders for details
3. Participants MUST call 2 weeks ahead for the
4. Dead River trip. Camping arrangements have to be made in advance.

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