Nov. 2011


 

                                                                       May, 2011
This riveting story was written by oarsman Tim Cooper of Dolores, CO who paddled his dory through Cataract Canyon in May, 2011 during the historic
peak flow of 55,000 cfs. and lived to tell about it.










          October, 2009 

Where can I buy guide maps to rivers around the country?  Check no further, the "All About Rivers.com" website is an excellent source of guides, maps, books, gear and more.  They have their own on-line store front, stream flow site, and other river resources that are of interest to white-water enthusiasts.  Check them out at: www.allaboutrivers.com   


Highlight item for September 2009
is the Desert Explorer Website:  This site provides us with a great resource and database of myriad locations, maps, guides, trip reports/photo journals and a hundred other useful guides to camping, backpacking, floating, hiking, paddling, etc. that have been practiced by its leaders and contributors throughout the years in the great southwest.  There is something here for anyone who aspires to explore by land or water especially in the wilderness.  A wealth of up-to-date information that's always being augmented.  Check it out at: www.desertexplorer.us
 



                                                                                             


The Essential Kayak Kitchen     By Anne L. Desjardins   (reproduced from  http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/  )

The ice has melted, you have checked out the water levels and you're ready to dip your paddle for the first time this season. They're calling for nice weather right through the weekend and your best paddling buddy wants to take a two-day trip around a large lake you've never explored. Your kayaks are set to go. But what about cooking gear? Since it's the start of a new season, take a few minutes to insure you've got everything you'll need for your weekend expedition and for the rest of the kayak season.

The essentials according to your paddling style
First, you want to consider the type of kayaker you are and the type of boat you use. There's no sense in buying a camping dutch oven if you are content to paddle on the pond in front of your house in your cute recreational 7-foot boat tossing a line at dawn, hoping to catch a trout or two for supper. And if you prefer weekend trips, you'll need different equipment than someone who plans only day-long trips, with a picnic en route and a snack or two carefully tucked into a dry bag... After you assess your needs based on the type of journeys you usually organize, then, you can think about the kind of food you like to take on board with you. Again, if you are vegetarian, you won't probably need a fish paring knife...

The quintessential picnic tools for a day trip
Since 90% of the paddling community leaves for day trips, let's start there. This kind of paddling usually calls for food that has been prepared at home. So the most important tool remains a good collapsible cooler (or two for a party of four) with a foil liner for a more efficient cooling process, that helps avoid food poisoning. Before buying, make sure that the cooler will easily fit either in your front cockpit or in your rear bulkhead. Usually, placing a cooler in the front results in a lack of balance and poor manoeuvrability, unless the weight is equally distributed between the two bulkheads. With the cooler comes the essential "ice packs": you can buy some at any hardware store or make your own by freezing water in watertight containers such as double-lined freezer bags (large ones are better and will keep food safer). Small juice jugs are good too, but don’t forget you'll need room for the food... Ice packs should be placed in the bottom and on top to keep your favourite salad and sandwiches at safe temperatures.

Containers
Square, flat, thin stackable plastic food containers with a good lid are extremely handy for kayakers because they take less room than round ones. For day trips, I prefer to prepare individual portions that I place in stackable containers. Anything goes: pasta salad with Feta cheese, bell peppers and cucumbers; lentils and broccoli salad with a touch of curry, rice and salmon salad with diced mango all travel very well. But when you prepare your meal, don't forget forks and spoons plus paper towels and some wet hand towels. The good news is that with this system of individual containers you won't need more plates: for hot days, why not make a refreshing cucumber-buttermilk-mint cold soup and serve it with a nice egg or tofu salad sandwich on a bun? Since sandwiches are another interesting option for a paddling picnic, the best way to wrap them is first individually in plastic wrap and then in a plastic bag to prevent any moisture. The best bread for kayaking remains baguette, buns or wraps rather than the traditional soft slices.

Don't forget your fluids!
To complete your meal, you will also need a drink: tomato or fruit juice or, why not a glass of wine... Your paddling companions will be impressed if you manage to bring along a nice bottle of cool Riesling to serve in elegant stainless steel glasses to accompany your Asian soba noodles, tofu and vegetables salad! These are little details that make a big difference in terms of creating nice memories for your kayak adventures. Many wine companies now make unbreakable containers and you can find elegant glasses at any kitchen or camping store for 2 dollars each. For regular juice, it's worth the expense to buy unbreakable individual bottles and to fill them with your favourite liquid. Or simply go for unbreakable, individual juice bottles.

Any paddling trip requires that you bring along a lot of water: so as well as your day lexan water bottle or your hydration backpack system, you need to carry extra water that can be placed behind your seat. Again, small, square collapsible plastic water jugs come in handy for carrying extra water. On hot days, you will need as much as four glasses of liquid per hour per person. For a change, you can also prepare homemade iced tea with lemon and a drop of honey; it's ideal for paddlers!

...And the snacks!
Any paddler needs to refuel on a regular basis for good performances and to avoid fatigue. So when launching season, it is wise to stock your pantry and fridge with efficient snacks such as: dried fruit (mangoes, cranberries, raisins, dates, apricots), fig bars, unsalted soy nuts and peanuts, raw almonds, individual cheeses wrapped in wax, granola bars made with no trans fat and not too much sugar. Again, each paddler should have some quick snacks ready to eat in his PFD pocket before leaving in the morning. If there's rough weather, you will need that extra boost of energy and if the waters are calm, then you can take a nice break peeking at a cormoran or great heron, with your snack in one hand and your binoculars in the other.

For the weekend paddler (for up to one week)
Of course, the weekender will need the same tools as the picnicker, which will provide his needs for the first day of camping. But for the second and, perhaps the third night, specialized kitchen tools are essential. Here is a basic list of what you will need to prepare for that overnight trip.

  • more water jugs (or a water purifier)
  • can opener
  • large serving bowls (more handy than plates)
  • coffee or tea mugs with coffee or tea and coffee or tea makers
  • set of forks, knives, spoons and a small cutting board
  • basic cooking ustensils : wood spoon, good paring knife, small spatula
  • small one to two burner camp stove with fuel and waterproof matches or a lighter in a watertight container
  • one or two small to medium size pot(s) for each couple of paddlers
  • basic condiments: salt, pepper, mix of dry herbs, olive oil in lexan bottle, honey, etc.
  • small cans of tuna, salmon, chicken, chick peas, tofu, etc. for easy proteins
    (4 oz per person per meal; don’t forget to bring extras for at least one more day of camping for each person, just in case)
  • UHT milk
  • oatmeal, peanut butter and English muffins or bagels for 2 breakfasts
  • 2 quick vegetables for each meal of the second day: bell peppers, zuchini, cherry tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, fennel, baby carrots, broccoli or cauliflower. They will all travel well for 48 to 72 hours without refrigeration.
  • phosphate-free dishwashing soap, nylon scrubbing tool, collapsible sink, cleaning cloth and dish towel
  • a plastic table cloth will always add a nice touch to your picnic table
  • a lantern or two with candles will also work their magic when supper time comes…
  • aluminium foil, ziploc bags, garbage bags
  • cotton rope, multitasking knife (like a good Swiss knife)

For longer trips add this to the previous list:

  • more one or two burner(s) stoves with fuel, depending of the size of your group
  • a large non-stick frying pan and more larger pots (at least two)
  • more cooking tools: bread knife, soup ladle, collapsible colander
  • larger foldable cutting boards
  • cooking grill if you travel to places that allow camp fires
  • more cans and dry goods such as niblet corn, mackerel, sardines, crab, pastas, rice, couscous, cracked wheat, coral lentils, tofu, soy proteins, eggs, dried fruit and vegetables, broth in cubes, nuts

Last tips
For long trips, always plan each of your meals and the number of portions required for each member of the party beforehand; add to those numbers at least 25% more food and adjust your list accordingly for each day of the trip. This will prevent frequent mistakes such as bigger-than expected appetites, loss of some food, etc. Then translate the information from your menus into a very detailed grocery list; finally go shopping and enjoy your planning!

 

                                                                                            


                                       The Passing of a Pioneer

                                               Volker Beer
                                                1937 - 2008
   
       

    On June 22, 2008 Volker Beer was taken by the Arkansas River north
   of Buena Vista, CO. while doing what he loved best.  He lived as he died
   with exuberance and an unyielding sense of adventure. Even at 70,
   Volker was an active kayaker and accomplished triathlete as well as a
   pioneer in the white water paddling sport back in Europe where it all
   started.  In the mid fifties he and fellow adventurers began kayaking
   uncharted white water canyons like the Tara River Gorge in
   Montenegro (second largest in the world).  Volker had recently
   produced a video documenting the early days of white water paddling
   many in which he participated.  His video, "A Chapter in Paddle
   Sport History, How the Sport Changed", is a factual and historic
   document containing incredible old film clips and photos of those early
   sporting days. Volker was among the first to tackle these rivers single
   handed in a foldable, wood framed, canvas covered kayak.

     As an active member of the Southern Arizona Paddlers, Volker was
   always willing to share his experience and enthusiasm for river running
  with us. He participated in and photographed several white water river
  adventures over recent years with club members and friends and left us
  with many fine memories, most recently from last May while sharing
  time on the beautiful Dolores River in Colorado. Volker was always out
  front stopping to take photos of his companions on the river. He will be
  sorely missed by all the paddling community, family and friends
.

 



                                    March, 2008             

  This 5-min. video by club member Volker Beer deserves recognition and is getting it.
  Hear and see it on YouTube by going to the following web link.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEy0HoEZ9M4 
  You will be impressed by the quality of video taken over 40 years ago.
  This visualizes the Paddle Sport History article Volker wrote for us
   and is featured below (January, 2008).

  

 

                                                             





                                                                                            


HOW TO LOAD A KAYAK
   by Rick Johnson

Ultimately, the easiest way to carry a kayak is on a low trailer.  It is easy to load and unload, but few cars have a tow hitch. This is a small bike trailer I converted to carry two kayaks.

Carry your boats on their side if possible. That is the strongest part of the kayak.

  Note the carabiner to hold the bow of the kayak to the tongue of the trailer.  It keeps the wind from pushing the boat off the trailer and if the trailer breaks (it happened to me) it saves your boat until you can pull off the road. 

 BUT, if you must car-top, the one rule I found to be true is this:   NEVER buy more boat than you can lift onto the roof of your car
                                                                                       after a long paddle day.  One thing I learned from a small woman 
is this invention.  All I did was improve one thing.

The device (aka the Rod) consists of a simple pipe that will fit into your roof rack.  This version has a washer to prevent the boat from slipping off the rod, a piece of pool noodle to prevent the Rod from damaging the kayak and a piece of steel rod to strengthen the Rod.  My first version made of electrical conduit, bent under load and dropped the kayak.  Thus the internal support.  

The Rod assembled.

PROCEDURE:
Lay the boat next to the car with the bow forward. It is bad luck to carry a boat to the water stern-first.  Also boats like to see where they are going.
  

Slide the Rod into the roof rack.  It does not matter which rack you slide the Rod into. Front or back is the same.  I chose the back for no good reason at all. Lift the stern of the boat and place it onto the Rod.  

Note that I placed some foam under the bow of the boat.

This does two things:

A)  It cushions the boat so it doesn’t get damaged from the ground.

B)  It prevents the boat from sliding along the ground.  Some experimentation will show you how long the Rod should be.

The bow of the boat has a strip of Gorilla-Tape.  This is a skid-guard to protect the boat when I hit sand or a rock or beach the boat.  Tape is easier to replace than repair hull damage.

With the stern still on the Rod, lift the bow and place it on the roof-rack.  Finally, lift the stern off the Rod onto the Roof Rack.  

Remove the Rod and place it in the trunk for when you have to unload.  Strap the kayak down and go.

It is not a good idea to toss the Rod into the boat as that means you have to climb onto the top of the car to find the Rod when you want to unload the boat.

The nice thing here is that it allows a very small person lift a very large boat since you are only lifting half of the boat at a time and not struggling with the entire kayak.

 


                                                                                            

Paddle Sport History / Highlights

In recognition of the 100 Year Anniversary of White Water (WW) Kayaking

by Volker Beer, December 2007

Paddling on rivers, lakes and oceans is as old as the stone ages. The raft, the catamaran, the canoe and the Eskimo kayak evolved depending on the needs and environment of the indigent people in different parts of the world.

With the Leisure Time Revolution in the middle of the 19th century, people in Europe started to enjoy floating down rivers in all kinds of contraptions taking in nature previously only available to a selected few.

1905  Alfred Heurich, a student from Leipzig, Germany, invented the “Faltboot”, a folding Kayak in English called Folboat.

1907 Alfred Klepper, a seamster from Rosenheim, bought the patent, improved the rigidity with a lever system and started production. The design was suitable for WW and easy to travel with but WW I stopped any progress.

In the 1920s boating on WW with Folboats slowly developed. During that time Eddi Hans Pawlata reinvented the Eskimo-roll.

1927 Franz von Alber was next and Klaus and Arndt von Rautenfeld most likely have a justified claim to have developed a roll independently with their sea kayaks.

Early 1930s, Walter Frentz, Herbert Rittlinger and a handful of others became pioneers and advocates of WW Kayaking with documentaries and books.

Starting in 1933 Hitler banned the newly founded Kayak Clubs. They did not serve his plan. World War II brought the paddle sport to a total halt.

1948 The British lifted the ban on river travel in Germany. Paddle Clubs were again allowed to form.

1952 Walter Frentz, published an inspiring book “In den Schluchten Europas” (In the Canyons of Europe) that gained popularity. The book was based on his river trips from around 1930. Publications in those days told great stories with awesome pictures of first descents made without river information to go by.

The tough times of the post war era had come to an end and people traveled abroad again looking for adventures with Folboats and Canoes.

1959 Baschin in Stuttgart built the first Polyester/Fiber Kayak raising the paddle sport to a new level. WW kayaking spread around the world and converted from WW adventure trips into a hard core sport. With it came safety consciousness and protective gear.

1980 Prijon in Rosenheim introduced Polyethylene making WW boating virtually maintenance and repair free - a giant contrast to the old Folboat . 


 
  


                                                                                                          

The (NEW) USFS Boater's Guide to the Verde River - Beasley Flat to Sheep Bridge

This guide downloads from the link above in Adobe file format and contains fully annotated topo maps, mileages, paddle time, hazards, section descriptions and more. All ready to print.

 


                                                                                                        

2007 FibArk Raft Rodeo Champion
SAPC President - Tommy James


The "Duck-Man" wins big !

A group of rafting aficionados and spectators judged this rodeo contest by who performed with the best skill while staying in the hole (tricks & time up got points) and also finished with the required end-over splash down into the river.  They couldn't believe someone from Southern Arizona ("There's ain't no water in Southern AZ") could be doing this and even paddling away as the winner.  Tommy quacked he practiced in a pool with a bunch of Girl Scouts (I have pictures to prove it's true).  Several SAPC members & friends where there to cheer for and support Tommy at his first Fibark raft rodeo.  He had the best two runs among several contestants most of who were younger than Tommy whose age matched his number.  The trick that put him over the top was the "whirly-bird".  Great job Tommy - Congratulations !

 


Raft Rodeo Trials sequence

 



 
In the final FibArk event, SAPC member, Steve Kanner, participated in his first 26-mile down river raft race.  Steve was the only solo rafter competing in a race full of teams of at least six paddlers.  Much to his credit, strong-man Steve finished sixth overall just minutes behind the winners.  No trophy but lots of kudos from his friends, a cool 2007 FibArk Finisher's t-shirt and a great Italian dinner at Amica's

 

Dock Line                                         I'm often faced with the problem of getting in and out of a kayak at docks that sit high in the water.  It can be a very awkward and intimidating process.  The kayak tends to move away from the dock, and it's all too easy to dump yourself into the water.
     A four-foot length of rope is all it took for me to make launching from a dock quite easy.  I tied one end of the rope to the seat bracket on the port side of my kayak.  When I launch from a dock, I lower the boat into the water with the port side next to the dock.  I secure the free end of the rope to a cleat, leaving a little slack in the rope to avoid having the kayak tilt in starboard as I step aboard.  With the kayak tethered, it can't move away from the dock, and it stays on an even keel as long as I keep my weight on the dock side of the kayak's centerline.  After I'm seated in the cockpit, I free the rope from the cleat, tuck it in the cockpit and get ready to paddle off.
     When I want to exit the boat, I pull the line tight (leaving no slack) to the cleat and lock it with a few turns.  I climb out keeping my weight on the dock side of the kayak.
     This method works every time and is now my preferred method of launching my kayak.  I am fairly small and nimble, but I showed this method to a larger-than-average paddler who has tumbled into the water using both dock and beach launch methods, and it is now his preferred kayak entry and exit method as well.
     -Michael S. Henebry,  Springfield, IL    (from Canoe & Kayak Magazine)