OCT - Lower James Skills Practice 11/4 @1:00

[JDzielak]

There is a lot of information here so please read this entire post before responding!

What:
The Lower James in Richmond is an excellent river for skills practice. The format of this trip will help the novice paddler that’s capable of running the Lower James pick out and work the “hard moves.” We’ll be identifying alternate lines, play spots, and harder ferry moves. We’ll be catching every eddy, surfing every wave, and generally working the river.

Why:
This trip is as much about helping our membership step up their game as it is about giving the experienced paddlers a chance to give back to the paddling community that helped them get started. The goal of this trip is to provide an environment and a comfort level that encourages members to try new moves, figure out new skills, and have FUN!

When:
November 4, 2012. We’ll be meeting at 14th street takeout no later than 1:00 for a 1:15 shuttle departure.

Who:
We’ll need 3 levels of club participation. 1) Experienced Volunteers to point out and demonstrate the features in the description above. 2) Anyone comfortable on the river to give support and pick up the pieces if necessary (Supporters). 3) Most importantly, club members looking to step up their game on the Lower James (Participants). The participant should be semi-comfortable running the standard lines and have a solid flat water roll to get the most out of this trip. This trip is being offered as a benefit of club membership; novice/intermediate participation is limited to paid dues members. You can find the trip roster HERE updated as I have time.

To further foster a relationship between the experienced volunteers for this trip and the up and coming members of the paddling community; (with Experienced Volunteer permission) a list of all of the volunteer’s contact information will be available to the participants at the takeout.

Please introduce yourself in the thread below. Be sure to indicate 1) Your first and last name; 2) Your level of participation; 3)what type of watercraft you plan to paddle; 4) three skills you would like to practice; 5) your favorite LJ rapid in your introduction. Answering these questions will help me greatly to keep a good ratio of boaters and to pair experienced volunteers with participants that will help them practice the skills they are looking for. Some examples of skills; forward stroke, torso rotation, bow & stern draws, combination strokes, river reading, picking your own lines, front surfing, ferrying, eddy catching, eddy peel outs, advanced ferrying, side surfing, back surfing, flat spinning, enders of all types, attainment, combat rolls, paddling backwards, bracing, and anything else you might want to bring to the table.

Please keep in mind that participation in this informal event is voluntary. While no formal instruction will be given during these paddles participants should feel free to draw on the experience available to them to improve their skills. As with all trips posted on this message board, all participating parties mutually agree there is no assumption of risk or liability on anyone’s part and individuals are responsible for their own safety.

***This OCT is offered by recommendation of the Coastals Board and is being coordinated with support from the Cruise Chair and the Safety and Education Chair.***

[hotBOATERchick]

1) Carrie Hood 2) Participant 3) Pyranhna Stretch 4) eddying, ferrying, and front surfing 5) favorite rapid??? I don't think I have a favorite yet.

[teebo]

Taylor Bohannan
Participant
Wavesport Project X
off side brace, surfing, water reading
Probably hollywood since I havent been able to master it yet

[JDzielak]

Where are all my Richmond regulars? I need some more experienced volunteers to help out with this. I know you guys are going to be paddling anyway. From the feedback from previous events this is certainly fun for all. I can also make a compelling argument for improving your own skills by the reflection needed to share them with others but I'll keep this brief. It looks like the water level should be about 4'. Come one, come all!

[Mango]

Mango
Experienced Supporter
Burn
Hollywood/Pipeline

Sorry for being tardy.

[Paddle Daddy]

Paddle Daddy
Experience Paddler
Likes long walks in the rain, puppies
Will work on trying to stay upright in my kayak

[JDzielak]

Yes... thanks mango and paddle daddy for stepping up to the plate. I also like walks in the rain but i prefer short and mostly to the put-in. I doubt we would be an e-harmony match.

[jdub]

Jdub
Experienced paddler
rev
Pipeline at 8.5'

I'm going to try and make it by one if I can't make it to the take out by 1 i'll meat you at the putin.

John

[RVERRNR]

Bernie
20yr beginner
Fuse 64
all of them

[Amphibious]

James Vonesh
Participant
Boat: Jackson4Fun
Favorite: Hollywood
Skills: boofing; stern squirting; offside recovery; Hollywood scary ferry; reading holes; All around
Note: will update dues for 2012 before Sunday

[Pack]

Jacob Pack
Experienced Paddler
Pyranha Molan
variation at 9 feet

[graystroke]

see you at 1300, willing to help out in any way i can.

[eric]

looks like you got this one covered....i will see you out there and help if needed...


e

[Turbo_D]

I'll be there as well....so if u need anymore help, let me know.

[open boater]

Open boater will be in attendance as a "supporter" with both Sarah & Laura as "participants"