Topic: CdB's Newcomers' Day Saturday, June 16th

[ChristianG]

I will be there!

Based on my predictions (and this: http://www.shaggydesigns.com/gauge/ottawa.htm), the level should be around 10 on the Owl gauge on Saturday. Which means that McCoy's rapid is still relatively easy: Phil's hole is still growing from its little kitty version at 20 to its biggest at 5. The Horseshoe starts to appear however, so remember to drive right for the tongue below Corner Wave. The rest of the middle channel is friendly. Lower No-Name should be a nice roller-coaster running the center line, with no stress since Upper No-Name will be easy!

--C.

EDIT: weather will cooperate, with Sun and 28 Celsius. Bring sun screen and plan on practice rolling to refresh!

[ChristianG]

CdB's Newcomers' Day

When: Saturday, June 16th
Where: Ottawa River's beginner friendly Middle Channel. Many safe lines or alternate lines and of course, all rapids can be scouted and walked!
Why: To meet your new paddling buddies and do what we love best.... PADDLING!!!!
How: More experienced CdB Paddlers will paddle along and be available with helpful hints and advice about the river.

Meet time: 10:00 AM
Meet place:  River Run - Upper gate house.  There is an access fee ~ $12/person and a waiver for the year that needs to be completed

Rather than provide long winded directions which nobody reads … here's a link to a map
https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=205353621598577759867.00044d9c08124f718929b&msa=0&ll=45.710974,-76.727486&spn=0.154149,0.363579

River Run is the take out …. more on that later.

For car-pooling purposes and being creatures of habit, people have the option to meet-up at 8:30 am at the Eagleson Park and Ride which is located at Eagleson Rd. and Hwy 417. http://www.octranspo1.com/routes/park_and_ride

Bring drinking water for the day and a snack or lunch, since we usually stop somewhere along the river.

As for safety equipment bring:
-- your boat with flotation, helmet, sprayskirt and paddle
-- lifejacket (PFD), whistle and throwbag
-- clothing appropriate to the air and water temperature, river booties or other kind of shoes.
which is a condensed version paraphrased from the safety thread on the forum.

At River Run a shuttle needs to be set up so all the paddlers, boats and paddling gear gets to the OWL put in (which is also marked on the map). Remaining at the take out are dry clothes and a sufficient number of cars for the drivers at the end of the day to fetch the cars. Usually somebody steps up to be the shuttle nazi.

More information on shuttling can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/4823356341/Shuttle%20for%20dummies/10153694420126342/

Usually at this event, we have a large flotilla of boats on the river. Once everybody is geared up and ready to go, we will gather in the bay before heading off down the river. That will provide a chance for introductions and to give some safety guidelines. In the past, the last person was left behind ... don't be that person. It's really difficult to keep track of everybody, so the best approach is to travel down the river in small groups as part of larger entourage.

Newcomer's day is also a couple days prior to the deadline for renewing your 2018 membership, so make sure to renew if you haven't already!

There will be a BBQ occurring back in Ottawa in the evening. Tibor Dej has been very nice to offer his backyard for this event, his house is at 162 Windhurst Dr.

The Ottawa Middle and Main channel are run many times during the paddling season.
 
We hope to see current, past and new members at this event!


Regards,

The Executive.