CdB Forum
CdB Whitewater Paddling Club Discussions => Paddling => Topic started by: Larry W on April 01, 2016, 10:38:04 AM
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Well in the news - Swiss Chalet buys out St. Hubert.
what didn't make the news ... even the Beachburg Chronicles
WT purchased River Run this past winter.
Expect for 2016 at River Run
increase in camping and take out fees
River Run will most likely keep operating as River Run with the names on the rafts not changing
and the free river access by the new WT camp ground that was in development last year ... there might not be free river access anymore at that location
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Well then... aren't you full of fun news. lol
Is there an article somewhere? Or is it through contacts only?
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The Executive took part in a video conference with Whitewater Ontario.
That tidbit of info on WT arose when the topic of River Access came up ....
Larry
Well then... aren't you full of fun news. lol
Is there an article somewhere? Or is it through contacts only?
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That is indeed interesting news! It will be interesting to see what change will be made in the next few years.
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St-Hubert is a lot better than Swiss chalet. Swiss Chalet c'est dégueulasse. The big fish always eats the smaller fish. Not to happy on that one.
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The fees are now:
$8 for taking out
$20 for camping
http://www.riverrunrafting.com/paddler-services/
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I heard that Owl bought a stretch of land adjacent to the takeout road off River Run.
Anyone know if there is any truth to that rumour?
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Any chance this is an April Fool's Day joke, Larry? (Please!?!)
=Peter
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Nope, not an April fool's joke.
Day use paddlers will be able to purchase a season's pass for take out access.
http://www.riverrunrafting.com/paddler-services/ (http://www.riverrunrafting.com/paddler-services/)
Any chance this is an April Fool's Day joke, Larry? (Please!?!)
=Peter
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"...and the free river access by the new WT camp ground that was in development last year ... there might not be free river access anymore at that location"
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I missed last year.
Is the WT campground what we call the takeout?
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Yes.
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So the "might" is not clear...
Do we know for sure it isn't free anymore? i.e. should I be buying this season pass day access thing now before it goes up in price? Apparently it gets more expensive if you wait.
Or is this still up in the air?
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I don't like rumor and speculation so I emailed WT asking for clarification on the status of their free takeout. I will post the response when it comes in.
Exactly what information are you privy to Larry, and where did this come from?
Reference: Jeff's Rules for Surviving Life, Rule #9, "Believe what you will, but trust noting you cannot verify or confirm".
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Thanks for doing that Jeff. Looking forward to hearing the response.
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Exactly what information are you privy to Larry, and where did this come from?
From short meeting between club exec and Whitewater Ontario exec a couple weeks ago.
--C.
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Confirmed by Matt McGuire, matt@wildernesstours.com, and passed along at his request:
Sale of RR to WT happened in January 2016. Free takeout on WT property will not be free anymore during rafting season, April 29th till Oct 10th. Takeout will be available free in the off season.
RR fees apply for takeout during rafting season and you should buy a seasons pass now while the price is $65. Jumps to $85 on May 2nd.
Matt also said that we will not have to paddle down to the RR to take out. We can take out at the WT takeout but have to pay at RR.
http://www.riverrunrafting.com/paddler-services/
It is what it is I guess. Thanks for the heads up Larry.
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on-line shopping.... at least the $65 includes the taxes
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Little more info on the reason from Ben Fraser: So I've just had a chat with Joel Seems the problem really isn't road costs as much as liability. Seems there is a few losers in our ranks that have been suing WT in private for personal injuries on property and it's those costs that are driving this fee. Sad that people can't accept responsibility for their own actions and ruin a good thing for all. In light of that I can't really find issue with paying a fee to cover the cost of said losers other than an issue with the losers themselves.
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I take it that's per person. Is there any group rate or family rate?
Adam
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I am going to look into see if they can do something for the club.
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Message posted on Level Six Facebook page:
"Calling all Ottawa River Friends and Paddlers! In recent days, there has been a bit of a backlash towards take out fees being charged to paddlers in order to use a landowner's private land. The discussions have brought to light many different issues with everyone having a stake in the outcome. In order to make sure this "amazing river and community" doesn't lose paddlers, the owner of Level Six (a former raft guide and safety boater on the Ottawa) has pledged that for every 2016 Drytop or 2016 Drysuit purchased from Levelsix.com he will buy you an annual pass to the takeout.
All you need to do after you purchase the qualifying item is email us at Level Six and we will get a pass done in your name and email it to you. Happy Paddling, Happy Spring, Happy People!"
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On a potential positive note, maybe we'll be able to pay for take-out camping at River Run rather than driving all the way to WT...
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I reached out to WT and asked some questions: answer in red
How are the records maintained? Is my name on the season pass and/or a list of names kept at the Gate house
a. It’s like a season pass at a ski hill, you will have a photo on file with your RFID card, which will be scanned, photos will appear on the computer for our staff member in the gate house at River Run.
For paddlers that have purchased a season pass for take out, what is the cost of camping for the night?
Since on the website says
Take out = $8
Take out + Camping = $20
Which would infer that camping per night for season pass holders = $12
Would that be correct?
At this point the camping rates are $20 / night. There is no plan for discounts for season pass holders.
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Well I never got an update on whether they would give the club a discount on passes. But I did here from other clubs and they are apparently not doing any discounts.
Here is a bit of an update from Joel: http://www.kayaksession.com/itv-joel-kowalski-on-ottawa-rivers-take-out-fees/
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the link to the interview is no longer available ... apparently there was a copyright infringement on the photo.
article should return in the future.
I did read it.
Summary:
WT lost a lot of money holding the past few Freestyle events.
Operating cost for roads is high but there no $$$ amount provided
Liability insurance is also costly
Profit margins for their company is thin.
WT keeps on touting how connected they are to the local whitewater community in providing so much ... (that is a bunch of crap)
Larry
Well I never got an update on whether they would give the club a discount on passes. But I did here from other clubs and they are apparently not doing any discounts.
Here is a bit of an update from Joel: http://www.kayaksession.com/itv-joel-kowalski-on-ottawa-rivers-take-out-fees/
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Yeah, maybe they did give back to the "community", but to my knowledge, that is a very small crowd of competitors at the World's. The vast majority received little to no benefit in regards to that portion of the conversation, in fact, many couldn't or decided not to go paddle because of the World's. But I don't think they realize this.
*sigh*
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Yeah, maybe they did give back to the "community", but to my knowledge, that is a very small crowd of competitors at the World's. The vast majority received little to no benefit in regards to that portion of the conversation, in fact, many couldn't or decided not to go paddle because of the World's. But I don't think they realize this.
*sigh*
WT's definition of community is quite small indeed.
Paul
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Has anyone bought a pass yet?
Adam
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I personally will not be buying a pass.
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a few people have --- at least according to the FB threads
As Jon ... I won't buy a pass this year.
Larry
Has anyone bought a pass yet?
Adam
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Yeah, maybe they did give back to the "community", but to my knowledge, that is a very small crowd of competitors at the World's. The vast majority received little to no benefit in regards to that portion of the conversation, in fact, many couldn't or decided not to go paddle because of the World's. But I don't think they realize this.
*sigh*
I completely agree! Garb was very crowded in Aug and early Sept -prime surfing season.
Adam
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WT extends the purchase deadline of the $65 pass -- until May 8th
Pass holders now receive $8 discount on camping fees (as a result of too many customer complaints)