CdB Forum
CdB Whitewater Paddling Club Discussions => Paddling => Topic started by: Sandra K on May 11, 2010, 12:52:47 PM
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Anyone know if we will still be having the Madawaska weekend at the end of May? Not sure if there is enough water...
Sandra
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I was wondering the same thing. I'd like to go if people want to and there's something to paddle on.
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The Paddler Fest is next week and we will find out how good lower Mad is. Should it be too low I will be happy to paddle something else.
Robert
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I'm participating at Palmer Fest next weekend (already paid before the lack of water).
I'll report the water levels after.
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Hi
http://www.opg.com/safety/water/madawaska.asp (http://www.opg.com/safety/water/madawaska.asp)
Would give you flow rates which can be correlated to Hi,med,lo on the Boatwerks what's running page. But I will save you the trouble ... it's too low for play but OK for running
Palmersfest on the Long Weekend is Sold Out ... the only clinics that might be cancelled are those that involve wave/hole play which are normally held at Hass hole. Water levels are presently too low for Hass hole to be worth considering playing on. Palmersfest is not really designed for those looking for big water.
As for the CdB Palmers weekend which is traditionally held at the end of May ... well that depends on how many people are interested. Although the water levels will be relatively low for this time of year, that certainly doesn't have any effect on having a cold beer(s) around a camp fire. CdB Palmers weekend has always been a mellow event.
For those out there not familiar with the weekend: Saturday is spent at Palmers Rapid messing about on the water, Sunday is a day-trip down the Lower Mad. Camping is at Jessops Camp ground. There's always water in the Lower Mad, just that this year levels will be on the low end.
Last year it snowed at the end of May
Larry W
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So is anyone going?
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So is anyone going?
Yes
Bill
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Is it the weekend of the 29th-30th? I'm interested but I'm also volunteering at the run Ottawa races that weekend.
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Yep - same weekend
Larry
Is it the weekend of the 29th-30th? I'm interested but I'm also volunteering at the run Ottawa races that weekend.
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I renamed the thread to be a bit more clear and made it sticky to the top.
LD
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Any idea when the Sunday river trip gets "rolling down the river"?
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Just got back from the Palmerfest Ocean Kayaking and flatwater weekend the water is very low piano rock acually looks like a piano but the rapids are still runable lots of eddys and places to practice technical skills. unfortunaly i will not be able to join in three weekends in a row are a little to much. hope to see everyone this weekend at Palmerfest, should be a great party.
Darryll
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Good to know Daryll! Thanks,
Can you email me? I have a question for you.
Sandra
PS Does anyone know where I can find the updated member list?
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Hey--Palmer weekend sounds like a good idea.
As for the member list--I just came back in town, and I have a pile of membership forms to transmit to Annie. I'll do that tomorrow, and for membership list enquiries, ask her...
--C.
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I'll be there with 3 featured members:
Barbora,Tomas,Marc
If someone would like to bring new membership forms so that they can sign up, that would be great.
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Hey all!
I have the list of members that paid there registration fees this year. Unfortunately, that is the actual member list since the information for the previous year have bee lost.
I will send the Excel spreadsheet with the information that I've got now to Larry which I think will create a phone directory of actual members.
Annie
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Hi Folks
Now don't get me wrong, I love the Madawaska but it does suck if there is no water in it. Although when I say no water, I did run it when there was no water ie lowest release in August. It was a lot of rocks and scraping.
Just wondering, if depending on the reports from this weekend, if the water level sucks there, if there would be interest in changing the venue and shifting the Mad weekend to the Ottawa for this year?
Sara
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Hi Folks
Now don't get me wrong, I love the Madawaska but it does suck if there is no water in it. Although when I say no water, I did run it when there was no water ie lowest release in August. It was a lot of rocks and scraping.
Just wondering, if depending on the reports from this weekend, if the water level sucks there, if there would be interest in changing the venue and shifting the Mad weekend to the Ottawa for this year?
Sara
Good point Sara,
According to OPG, their last update on May 14 says they are still planning to release water from the Palmer Rapids Dam:
http://www.opg.com/safety/water/river/madawaska/madriver.pdf
Bill
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Looks like it's going to be an Ottawa River kind of summer!
Paul ;D
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While most were playing, some were hard at work gathering info. I belong to the later group (along with Darryll, Ishtar, Jacques and Cleo) and here are my two cents. The water level at Palmer's during the weekend was 42 and dropped to 40 on Monday.
At that level there was a really nice surfing wave, picture upper and lower Pushbutton waves stitched together. Once on the wave one could seemingly stay for eternity. You could also cram up to three boats at the time (observed a creeker, Fun and Agent crowded in at the same time). As for the rapid it was a lot of fun especially after the creeking class. While hanging out on the wave on Monday, I bumped into MKC group that run lower Mad on Sunday. I chatted about the river with a guy that was taking course at MKC with me three years ago. He was pleased with the run and described it as intresting and technical. Back then the dude was one of the lifers there, taking courses every year for x many years. Since it's Xmany years plus three he knows his Madawaska. I also chatted with the instructor leading the class,
the only scrape was the can opener the sneak route on the last rapid. He also mentioned that there were playspots here and there. And lastly, I had a chat with a nice fellow who owns the Palmer Rapids Co-op property and he said that there was no special release for Palmer Fest so the water level is what it is.
Robert
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I'm going to Palmers to Saturday morning and returning Saturday evening.
Please contact me if you'd like to share a ride/gas.
Bill
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I spent the past weekend at Palmers/Lower Mad., and thoroughly enjoyed it. I believe the level was mid to high 40's. I spent three days there, and found lots of play opportunities on both sections. Bugs were moderatly bothersome, and were not even present at some campsite locations. Bug bay was typically bad for this time of year.
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Barb, Tomas, Marc and I are coming late Saturday morning and staying Sunday too.
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Is Friday-night, or Saturday-night the bigger 'gather around the campfire' evening?
a) historically
b) this year
I've never stayed until Saturday night in the past.
This year, we're thinking about driving up Sat and play at Palmer's and stay overnight until Sun, but come back w/o the Mad trip.
Thanks!
Sean
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Hi All, I just got a WW boat late last year and have been out at the PumpHouse and a few tmes this spring when the Carp River was running high, which has sections bigger than the pumphouse, but still small stuff. Flatwater rolls are no probs, but have not tested the WW roll yet. I paddled the Madawaska many (20+) years ago as a kid on a canoe trip, but don't remember much about it.
Are conditions going to be reasonable for my level? Based on the desciptions I've heard, it sounds like they'd be good. I can't make Saturday, but might try to do a day of it Sunday. BTW, despite what it says at the top of my screen, I am a member :)
Peter
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a)Most folks just come up on the Saturday ... and camp
b) can't answer that question because it hasn't happened yet.
Is Friday-night, or Saturday-night the bigger 'gather around the campfire' evening?
a) historically
b) this year
I've never stayed until Saturday night in the past.
This year, we're thinking about driving up Sat and play at Palmer's and stay overnight until Sun, but come back w/o the Mad trip.
Thanks!
Sean
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Hi All, I just got a WW boat late last year and have been out at the PumpHouse and a few tmes this spring when the Carp River was running high, which has sections bigger than the pumphouse, but still small stuff. Flatwater rolls are no probs, but have not tested the WW roll yet. I paddled the Madawaska many (20+) years ago as a kid on a canoe trip, but don't remember much about it.
Are conditions going to be reasonable for my level? Based on the desciptions I've heard, it sounds like they'd be good. I can't make Saturday, but might try to do a day of it Sunday. BTW, despite what it says at the top of my screen, I am a member :)
Peter
Hi Peter,
You should be fine for a run on the Lower Mad, the level is pretty tame.
Bill
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Hi guys
I will be coming up for Sunday only - rough idea of meet time? I will either be at the put in, or can join a convoy at Quadeville ...
thanks
wendy
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Thanks for the info Bill. Hope I can make it, pretty sure i can get away. I guess I'll just aim to be at the putin well before the 10:15 time you suggested for meeting. I assume I can hitch a ride with someone at the end?? Out of curiosity, how long does the paddle usually take??
Peter
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We're driving there tonight, camp friday and saturday night then departing early sunday. We might be able to catch diner breakfast sunday with everyone, though.
--C.
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Bill,
At this point, my plan is to get there Saturday morning, christen a few of our new comers, surf a bit and then drive back Saturday evening.
I know most will be staying over night, but I made plan to do flat water sea kayaking with the wife on Sunday...got to build up that side too.
Would be very happy to share the long ride with you.
P.S. I'm already in Manotick today.
LD
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Thanks for the info Bill. Hope I can make it, pretty sure i can get away. I guess I'll just aim to be at the putin well before the 10:15 time you suggested for meeting. I assume I can hitch a ride with someone at the end?? Out of curiosity, how long does the paddle usually take??
Peter
Hi Peter, there shouldn't be any problem with getting hooked in on the shuttle.
I imagine it will get sorted out quit easily at the put-in.
The paddle takes about 3 - 4 hours.
Bill
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Oops... We're driving tomorrow morning after all...
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What boat would you rather be in?
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Thanks everyone for the great day at Palmer's. I was impressed with the teaching skills of some of our members, very professional!
Jim
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What boat would you rather be in?
I told him my boat would make a lousy hat but he wanted to try anyhow...and it was a nice day for a swim!
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My first time at CdB Madawaska weekend. It was a lot of fun, though I could only stay one day. Next year I plan on staying the whole weekend. I'm glad we had old and new members present.
Paul☺
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A big thanks to my buddies who helped me on introducing the Dej's gang to white water kayaking.
Sunday, Babora, Tomas and Marc went down with the group.
I saw them back at home. Everyone had the normal numbers of limbs still attached.
Barbora didn't even swim!!
See you guys in 2 weeks for the New Comers day and BBQ at the Dejs.
LD
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Yeah, thanks to those who set this up. It was my first time out with the club, and first time on the Mad or any decent river. Lots of fun, good friendly crew for a guy like me who showed up for Sunday not knowing anyone. I'll do it again for sure! I even met some neighbors up there, small world.
For those not there, a couple guys in a Grumman who knew nothing about the river dumped their gear and canoe in one rapid, and it floated down to the next, the second last rapid and wrapped pretty firmly on a rock. When I was back at the pull out getting my boat some other paddlers who were in canoes came in. They had managed to get onto the rock in the middle to try to free it up. They said it was good and stuck there, but did manage to salvage a bit more gear from the boat.
Luckily, Ian was there with surfin' 6 year old, and was able to shuttle the guys back to the pullout
Peter
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Hi
Level VI cup - cancelled
Mackfest - cancelled
Kipawa Festival - cancelled
Yet the Annual CdB Palmers weekend held near the end of May keeps on chugging along(for about 15-20 years now). Low water levels no big deal. Yah, it would have been great if spring water levels were normal this year but now I know there is enough water @ 40ish cms. No bugs this year, great weather for camping and several beers/cocktails were consumed around the camp fire.
Any hi-lites:
- watching and learning how to do the "hand of God" rescue technique. Paul would have a different opinion on the success.
- getting out fished by Luc
- the assortment of food passed around the campfire - bacon and more bacon
- happy that I passed the beginner stage ages ago
some photos at:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/larrywong12345/PalmersWeekend?feat=directlink (http://picasaweb.google.ca/larrywong12345/PalmersWeekend?feat=directlink)
Pleased that those that came out had a good time.
Larry
BTW:
Oh about the 2 dudes our group plucked out the river on Sunday. They were paddling by themselves (things that make you go hmmm)
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With only one wave/hole for decent surfing at Palmer's Rapid(s), you can bet there was a bit of a line-up, last weekend.
Unexpectedly, some in the line up were slower than others...
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