I am also interested in paddling either Sunday June 30, or Monday July 1. My preference is a later start and leaving my gas guzzler in town, so I'd like to car pool with someone.
Hi Doug,
I'm new on this forum and also relatively new to kayaking, though I now have a boat good for river running or playboating and all the necessary gear (including float bags and a whistle for rescue-requiring situations). I'm definitely interested in doing something (either a river run or hitting up a good playspot) Monday the 1st, and can bring my car (I have a roof rack and lots of cargo space so I can accommodate 2 or more kayakers easily). I can't say it's not a bit of a gas-guzzler itself, but it's pretty reasonable. I'm ok with a later start as well: whatever you think is reasonable.
Skill-wise, I can reliably roll on flat water and usually in the rapids as well, though a few times, in the choppy waters at Bate Island, I have had to swim after a few failed efforts at a roll. Thus, if you're willing to go out on the river with a learner like myself, and can sort of keep an eye on me, I would happily go with you and would be open to your suggestion of a destination. I heard from a friend that Babyface and some of those waves on the upper Ottawa may be low this weekend, but there might be some playspots on the middle channel if we run that... Not sure if you know the situation better. Also, I've only been to the upper Ottawa once, and it was to play on Babyface, so if we have to shuttle for a river run, you'll have to fill me in on the details. If we were just two-three people, I could easily bring a bike in the trunk and lock it up at the take-out to bike back to the car at the end of our run.
I'll check back on the forum periodically, though you can reach me at 613-795-5066 if you want a quick response. I'll be camping out of town most of Saturday and the first half of Sunday, so it's best if we can coordinate something by tomorrow morning
Cheers,
Stefan Wesche
