, . ,. ', 4,.:, - . .. May-June 1985 Val. XXX No. 3 ". .- - 4.. ', i. Newsstand Date -July WHY ARE HYDRA TUF-LITE KAYAKS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE COMPETITION S.3 ------

We think that is a fair question and it deserves a factual answer. So we won't use a lot of adjectives like good, better, best, wonderful, and terrific. We're going to give you the facts. You will make the decision. 1) TUF-LITE RESIN: All Hydra kayaks are lower. We have faster production equipment made from a revolutionary.5th generation - like maybe twice as fast. So our costs are (Hexene Copolymer) Polyethylene that we call less. And this technologically superior TUF-LITE. As compared to crosslinked poly- machinery means better quality control at all ethylene, TUF-LITE is stiffer (approx. 30•‹/o), stages of the process. You get better price and has more than twice the ability to absorb im- better quality. pact before breaking, and has greater tensile 6) NEW GRAPHICS: Our bold, new color strength and elongation. It enables us to make graphics emphasize Hydra's sleek hull a lighter and stronger boat. But best of all, designs. They are sharp attention grabbers. TUF-LITE is easily REPAIRABLE. Heads will turn when you paddle a HydraTuf- 2) PATENTED FOOTBRACE: Another ex- Lite kayak or canoe. clusive Hydra innovation that is standard 7) THREE WAYS TO BUY: Hydra Tuf-Lite of- equipment on all kayaks is our new footbrace. fers three ways to purchase its boats. You can This unique, one of a kind is designed so that purchase the hull only or you can purchase a boot, sock or bare foot cannot be cut or the hull and complete kit to assemble and snagged on the brace as is possible with not- customize your own boat. Or, you can buy ched models. The Hydra footbrace can be ad- them completely assembled. justed while seated in the cockpit without the 8) HULL DESIGN: Our hulls were designed need to pull on rods or wires. The positive lock by paddlers with impeccable credentials. Tom system doesn't slip under critical conditions Johnson's SwiftTTaurus, Ann Dwyer's Minnow, when you need support the most. And it's and Tom Derrer's 17 foot Sea Kayak are available only on Hydra Tuf-Lite boats. classic designs. They have set standards by 3) COMFORTABLE COCKPIT DESIGN: which other boats will be measured. Hydra has developed an orthopedic cockpit Tom Johnson's Centaur is the most agile and seat that is engineered to ensure maximum responsive hull design in a rotomolded deck- comfort and support. It is easier to enter and ed canoe. It is the best performing C-1 more comfortable to sit in. Its innovative available. Try it. Our C-2 Duet and C-3 are the design prevents unsightly rub lines or wear only rotomolded tandem and triple cockpit patterns from developing on the hull. decked canoes manufactured in America. 4) BACK STRAP: The padded, adjustable The Matador is the hottest, most talked about backband comes as standard equipment on whitewater playboat on the rivers today. Its all kayaks to reduce back fatigue. It helps superior hull design meets every criteria that maintain correct paddling posture. experts and discriminating paddlers want. It's 5) REALISTIC PRICES: Yes, our ~ricesare 12 feet of pure paddling excitement. For a free catalog and more information call 1-800-537-8888 615-522-9902 5061 S. National Dr. - Forks of the River Industrial Park Knoxville, Tennessee 37914 ~~50~15 t&rarcucrc WHITEWATER PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN WHITEWATER AFFILIATION S I- MAY-JUNE 1985 Vol. XXX, No. 3 4 rns P 4 The rn American D Whitewater Affiliation

Board of Directors President Contents: MARGE CLINE 1343 North Portaae 4 Streamflow Forecast - by Keith Thompson ISM-led5 7 Rendevous at the Confluence - by Willy Tom McCloud Lynch 11352 Mobile Estates West Lafayette. IN 47906 11 1985 Whitewater Rodeo Schedule - Rob

Jim Stohlqulsl Lesser PO. Box 291 Buena Vista. CO 81211 13 Joan Hildreth Profile - by Tom Mellers 16 Patching Plastic - by Jim Mallard Mlka Beard 400 No. Walnut 17 ldaho WW Video - by Jerry Johnson Little Rock. AR 72205 18 The Spray Kayak Safety Quiz - Chuck Kelth Thompson Kutscher 1171 N, loth Street Laramie, WY 82070 23 Patient Care on the River - by Les Bechdel Fred Young and Slim Ray 10401 Geneva Drive Roscoe, IL 61073 28 Wetsuits and Drysuits - by Bill and Ann Executrve Drrector Sweeney Charlm Andre 1083 Meridian Ct. 29 Does Your Paddle Fit You? Lexington. KY 40504 31 Book Reviews Conservation Director 33 Product Review Dolafield Dubois Box 4936 Albuquerque. NM 87196

Treasurer Claire Gesalman 6301 Hiiicrest PI. Alexandria. VA 22312

Marketing Risa Shimoda 428 Page Ave. #I1 Atlanta, Georgia 30307 AWA STAFF AWA Jour~l Edltor: Dave McCourtnev. Box 273. Powell Butte. OR 97753 Edrfor-rn-Chrel Racing Edltor: Barb MCK~1167 Millstone Rlver'Rd H~llsboroNJ 08876 Dave McCourtney Regional Edltors: Box 274 Rocky Mtr: Ed Sibert Califomla: Rich Bangs Notlheasl: Mike Rodgers Powell Butte, OR 97753 Idaho: Rob Lesser Mldwest: Fred Young Alaska: Jack Allen (503) 447-6293 Membership Dlreclor: Marge Weaver. 146 N. Brockway. Palatine. IL 60067 Advertising Director: KeithThompson, 1171 N. tOthSt.. Laramie.WY82070, (H) (307)742- 2512. (W) (307) 742-0031 Conservation: Karla Matzke, Bob Patraw Safety: 0 K Goodwin Affiliate Coordinator: Rob Forker. Keith Thompson Ken Homltz Printing Consultant: Jim Muhlhahn P.O. Box 88108 Address Changes and Missing Journals: Contact Peter Skinner. Box 272, Snyder Seattle, WA 98188 Rd.. West Sand Lake, NY 12196, (516) 674-5519 (H) AWA Products: Marge Weaver, 146 N. Brockway, Palatine. IL 60067 Pokr N. Skinner Equipment performance Evaluation: Bob Patraw Box 272. Snyder Rd AWA is published sixtlmes yearly. Singlecopies$1,50ea. Surplus backcopiesand West Sand Lake. NY 12196 other AWA Products are available from AWA. 146 N. Brockway, Palatine, lL60067. 1985 American Whitewater Aftlliation. All rights reserved. Ron Wattor. Idaho State Un~verstty Box 8118 Cover Drawing by Ron Walker Graphics Pocatelio. ID 83209

Vol. XXX, No. 3 -

0

Streamflow Forecasts for the Western Sbtes by Keith Thompson The middle and northern Rocky Mountains, Washington and thesierrasare looking pretty dry this yearand will see below average or barely average runoff thisspring and summer. In contrast, the southern Rockies, Utah and Oregon have been blessed with abundant mountain snowpack, and will likely be experiencing above average runoff. So say the experts after their April 1 snowpack survey of the western states. It seems that central and southern Colorado will again be good for late-season boating, but not as good as last year. New Mexico is now in the midst of a high-water runoff season, and by press time, much of Utah's plentiful snowpack may already be melted. Predictions of spring and summer runoff from mountain snowpack in the western United States are made monthly from January 1 through May 1 by the National Weather Service and the Soil Conservation Service. The predictionsare reported as a percentage of the 20-year average runoff expected to occur if "normal" weather conditions prevail during the runoff period. The table below lists streamflow predictions for a number of floatable western rivers. STREAM FORECAST (Oh of average)

ARIZONA Stanislaus R. Colorado R. 138 Tuolumne R. Little Colo. R. 88 Feather R. Gila R. 146 Kings R. Salt R. 143 Merced R. CALIFORNIA Trinity R. American R. 72 Yuba R. Kern R. 72 COLORADO McCloud R. 78 Animas R. 4 Vol. XXX, No. 3 Blue R. adventure travel trips, has announced Clear Creek the newest offering in its list of river Dolores R. adventures around the world: the Alas Gunnison R. Roaring Fork River, on the Indonesian island of Suma- Yampa R. tra in SoutheastAsia.TheAlas joinswith s Arkansas R. such proven SOBEK classics as the I Cache La Poudre R. Zambesi in Zambia, the Omo in Ethi- Conejos R. Eagle R. opia, the Bio-Bio in Chile and Alaska's m Piedra R. Tatshenshini River, all first explored and s South Platte R. commercially available through the + IDAHO California-based international travel m Boise R. m Clearwater R. company. The incredible scenery of Payette R. Gunung Leuser National Park, the larg- Snake R.-Hells Can. est in Southeast Asia, combined with Bruneau R. thrilling whitewater rapids and an ex- Owyhee R. Salmon R. ceptional array of wildlife - including MONTANA rhinoceros, tigers, long-tailed maca- Blackfoot R. ques and the rare large ape of Asia, the Clark Fork R. orangutan - make the "River of the Red Gallatin R. Stillwater R. Ape" a worthy addition to SOBEK's Boulder R. pantheon of river adventures. Flathead R. The Alas springs from the slopes of Madison R. Genung Leuser, Sumatra's second high- Yellowstone R. NEW MEXICO est peak at 12,300 feet, and flows over Rio Chama 200 miles to the equatorial waters of the Rio Grande Indian Ocean. Much of its course is OREGON through Gunung Leuser National Park, Deschutes R. John Day R. the richest orangutan reserve in the McKenzie R. world. The Alas River was first run in Grande Ronde R October, 1984, by a team led by SOBEK Klamath R. founder Richard Bangs, in conjunction Rogue R. UTAH with the Italian explorer Jacopo Maezzi Green R. 103 (first to raft the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, in San Juan R. 156 1973) and PACTO, the Sumatran tour Jordan R. 170 company. Weber R. 127 WASHINGTON "I've never seen a river that had so Skagit R. 92 much to offer," said Bangs, who with Yakima R. 96 SOBEK has made over 30 first descents Wenatchee R. 97 on wild rivers around the world. "We WYOMING Clarks Fk. Yellowstone 80 found a treasure trove of primary rain Laramie R. 83 forest, soaring mountains, plunging Shoshone R. 76 gorges and incredible wildlife. We feel Greys R. 75 privileged to exhume this buried trea- North Platte R. 86 Snake R.-Grand Can. 91 sure, and offer its jewels to the world." The above predictions were excerpted Bangs has recently completed work, from "Water Supply Outlook for the with co-author Christian Kallen (editor Western United States," a monthly of SOBEK's The Adventure Book), on a publication that can be obtained free of full-length book about his wild river charge by writing to: Soil Conservation experience. Titled Rivergods, the new Service, West Technical Center, Room work will be published this fall by Sierra 510, 511 N.W. Broadway, Portland, Club Books, San Francisco. Oregon 97209. SOBEK offers commercial trips down the Alas River beginning April 6, and Sobek Announces continuing throughout the summer and "The River of the fall. Two options will be available: afive- day float through the Fantastique Gorge, Red Ape" a narrow limestone canyon in the na- ANGELS CAMP, CA - SOBEK EXPE- tional park, with departures from Medan, DITIONS, the world's leading outfitterof Indonesia ($499 landlriver cost); and a Vol. XXX, No. 3 13-day Alas River Expedition, which Paddlers are encouraged to register in includes visits to two orangutan re- advance by calling Sherry Spurlin at search and rehabilitation centers and a (704) 488-21 75. Registration fee is $5, longer voyage down the rivers of the which includes a T-shirt and a raffle Alas ($1299 land/river cost, from ticket for a new boat. Registrations will Medan). For more information or to also be accepted the day of the race. reserve space, contact your travel agent Perception, Inc. sponsored a similar or: SOBEK EXPEDITIONS, P.O. Box Citizen's Race in May, in conjunction 333, Angels Camp, CA 95222; (209) 736- with the S-Turn Slalom Race on the 4524. Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Paddlers Invited Another Adventure To Participate In for Travel Leader ANGELS CAMP, CA - Hard on the heels Citizen's Race of its successful first-ever descent of the (LIBERTY, SOUTH CAROLINA) - Pit Alas River in Sumatra, SOBEK Expe- your paddling skills against the nation's ditions of Angels Camp, California, has top-ranked slalom racers at the Citizen's announced plans to tackle no fewer than Race on theNantahalaRiver Friday, July three wild rivers on the tropical African 12. island of Madagascar. Expedition mem- Sponsored by Perception, Inc. and the bers have already been selected, and Nantahala Outdoor Center, the Citizen's plans are well underway for a six-week Race will be held in conjunction with the series of adventures on the unrun rivers of National Whitewater Slalom Champion- Madagascar, to begin in mid-April. ship. Top slalom C-1 and K-1 racers will Madagascar, the world's fourth largest run the Citizen's Race course, setting a island, lies off the coast of Mozambique, pace for all other contestants to match astride the Tropic of Capricorn south of or exceed. the equator. It comprises the central land "The idea behind the Citizen's Race," mass of the Malagasy Republic, and says Perception marketing director, Joe although it has been inhabited for at least Pulliam, "is to provide an exciting, 2,000 years, it still has remote wilderness competitive slalom race for novice and and villages nearly free from Western intermediate paddlers. We're expecting contact. Known as "the Isle of Spice," a very good turnout." Madagascar's agricultural produces in- "The Citizen's Race is a paddler's race clude patchouli, vanilla, vetiver and ylang- instead of a racer's race," says race ylang, all essential crops for the world organizer, Sherry Spurlin of NOC. "It's perfume industry. The round-eyed lemur more for fun, really, than for serious species, forerunners of the moneys and competition." apes of neighboring Africa, also make An awards ceremony Friday evening their home here. will honor both the winners of the The SOBEK expedition, led by SOBEK National Whitewater Slalom Champion- co-founder and vice-president John B. ship and the winners of the Citizen's Yost, will arrive in Antananarivo on April Race. 21, and begin its first river exploration two The Citizen's Race is a grand prix type days later on the lkopa River. Rising on slalom race; so paddler's will be pena- the high plateau of central Madagascar, lized only for missing a gate. Any type the lkopa is a confluent of the Betsiboka, boat will be allowed with the exception and promises to be an exciting run of of racing design boats. Any paddler Class IV-V rapids (on a scale of I-VI), ranked "A" or "B" by the National Slalom possible portages, and tributary water- and Wildwater Committee in the past falls. After approximately ten days on the three years will not be eligible to Ikopa, the expedition moves on to the compete. Mania - pronounced "man-ee-a," but 6 Vol. XXX, No. 3 nonetheless a name of great promise. The arivo, Madagascar's largest city. The Mania will be run for 115 miles from its Betsiboka, like the Mania, flows west off deeply forested headwaters through the high mountains toward the Mozam- palm-fringed gorges to the crocodile- bique Channel, and flows through an infested swamplands near its mouth. agricultural region with a gold mining The final portion of the adventure will past. The Madagascar expedition is be ten to twelve days on the Betsiboka, scheduled to end June3 with return tothe one of the island's major waterways, United States. which is located not far from Antanan- RENDEZVOUS AT THE CONFLUENCE:

Denvor Puhllr LhmryWestPrn ti~storyD~pr The Confluence in the old exploratory days - present site of Denver.

An Urban Boating Exploratory in Downtown Denver by Willy Lynch

On Labor Day Weekend of 1984, a miners came and found signs of gold select group of some of Colorado's best "color" in small placer gold deposits at whitewater boaters completed an ex- the confluence of the South Platte and ploratory decent of the seldom paddled Cherry Creek. That discovery launched Cherry Creek in downtown Denver. the famous Pikes Peak Gold Rush and Although rumours of previous trips had eventually led to the founding of the City been circulated throughout the boating of Denver and the settlement of thestate community, no detailed documentation of Colorado. of Cherry Creek was available and our Cherry Creek is well known because it trip is here reported as an authentic winds its way through the heart of "exploratory". downtown Denver and offers a pleasant Cherry Check is famous for being the escape from the city in a quiet park site of the "Cherry Creek Diggins", the setting. But, unlike the early miners or location where in 1859 adventurous the city joggers, it was the lure of

Vol. XXX, No. 3 L-R Scott Randolph, Andy Corra, and Jeff Parker at the 18th Hole. In the "Wilderness", Cherry Creek, Colo.

~- ~~ undocumented whitewater, not gold or Our put-in was just upstream of the solitude, that brought us together for a town of Glendale and several miles rendezvous at the confluence. below the Cherry Creek Dam and Re- Our crew consisted of seven strong servoir. This put-in gave us about8 miles and experienced whitewater boaters of exploratory boating with ample water from all across Colorado. From Boulder, being. released from the reservoir to came John Jaycox and John Mattson maintain an adequate flow all the way to who had both just returned from a no- the confluence with the South Platte. carry trip through the famous Gore On the maps, Cherry Creek between Canyon of the Colorado River. Also on Glendale and the South Platte looks the trip were three of Colorado's best interesting because it crosses several wildwater kayak racers - Jeff Parker ecological and social/economic habi- from Ft. Collins and Scott Randolph and tats while is quickly falls from the put-in Andy Corra from Glenwood Springs area in Glendale to the take out at the who were in town for the gruelling Labor Confluence. The run starts in the rela- Day Denver Day Whitewater Races. The tively "rural" setting of suburban Glen- local boys on the trip included kayaker dale. After several miles of tree lined Scott Draper and myself, a transplanted banks and quitesurroundings, thecreek D.C. area C-1 paddler. leaves civilization and disappears into a We had near perfect conditionsforthe "wilderness" section through the Den- trip. The weather was just right with ver Country Club. Finally, the creek temperatures in the 80's and not a cloud emerges from the wilderness and cuts in the sky. Water conditions were also its' way through an urban corridor - just about perfect with what appeared to "Hobo Alley" - complete with ten foot be an optimal 400 cfs. high cement walls, through the heart of The shuttle route ran along Cherry Denver's downtown and onto the con- Creek on Speer Boulevard and allowed fluence with the South Platte. us to briefly scout the run on the drive. On the water, we found the rapids and However, several drops were partially or drops on Cherry Creek to be numerous completely hidden from view and we and evenly distributed throughout each exercised extra caution when paddling of the segments of the run, The explora- these blind locations. tory nature of the run and the intense 8 Vol. XXX, No. 3 John Jaycox in Parker's Pipeline. Photo Willy Lynch.

nature of the whitewater lived up to all drop comes within the first few hundred our expectations and the trip was a feet of the put-in in the rural terrains in major success. We highly recommend Glendale. This rapid, now known as this run for anyone passing through "Glendale Falls (or6 Boat Falls) consists Denver with a desire for an urban white- of a single drop of about 5 feet. The falls water adventure. However, the following is most easily run on river left, and al- comments should be kept in mind while though it looks bad from above, the drop running Cherry Creek. is a clean straight shot and is easily With regards to whitewater, the most negotiated. Care should be taken from enjoyable and potentially dangerous this point on down through the Rural

Glendale Falls (or 6 Boat Falls) on Cherry Creek.

Vol. XXX, No. 3 section. Small drops of one to three feet spectators from the Denver Country are common and several complex drops Club). The rapid is near the end of the are found throughout the section. How- wilderness section and develops a nice ever, all are runnable and are easily side-surfing hole and playing wave. Also scouted from the boat. A single metal in the wilderness are several river wide pipeline crosses the creek about mid- low drop with small keeper holes. At the way through this section and can be 400 cfs of our run, these drops were not carried or rolled under. In honor of the of any consequence. But, at signifi- first person to test the roll vs carry cantly higher flows the holes might get technique, the pipeline has been named nasty. "Parker's Pipeline". Below the wilderness section, the Whitewater in the Wilderness section whitewater and the surroundings get a is continuous. However, one rapid made lot rougher. The creek is lined in an 8 a major impression on all of us and was foot high retaining wall to prevent named "The 18th Hole" (after our golfing flooding and along this stretch, several high bridges cross the creek. Under each bridge you can expect to find a good 1-4 foot drop and more than likely a few wine drinking hobos. The most notable of these drops is about 1 mile into Hobo Alley and was named "3-Boat Falls" after the trio of three kayaks which successfully ran the falls together. Below this drop, the gradient picks up quickly and the creek drops down a long sliding board-like rapid near Denver General Hospital. This is one of the longer and potentially dangerous rapids and is aptly named the "Emergency Room". The run ends where the South Platte and Cherry Creek join. The confluence area has been renovated by the City of Denver and the Platte River Greenway Foundations. In addition to the bike paths and green parks, the Greenway Foundation has built boat shoots along the river to bypass the numerous and dangerous low head dams. One such boat shoot exists at Confluence Park just upstream from Cherry Creek and is the site of the Denver Days Whitewater Races. Because of the heavy rains this last August, the South Platte was run- ning at a high 2200 cfs when we reached it and the big waves at the bottom of the shoot as well as the nice wide holes in the shoot were a pleasant way to end our Cherry Creek exploratory. For more information on Colorado's Urban White Waterways (or the famous whitewater of Colorado's High Coun- try), contact: The Colorado White Water Association, 7000 East Arapahoe Road, Author Willy Lynch at Ender Rock, Arkansas River. Englewood, Colorado 80112.

10 Vol. XXX, No. 3 s 1985 WHITEWATER RODEO SCHEDULE =- by Rob Lesser

MAY 19 JUNE 15-16 6 JUNE 29-30 4 Clackamus Whitewater Rodeo, Stanley Whitewater Rodeo, Stan- Animas River Races, Durango, m Estacada, Oregon. It's a one ley, Idaho. The Whitewater rodeo Colorado. Here's another major3 a event show held at one of the idea started here 10 years ago event rodeo in an exciting old most reliable hydraulics in the with the first hole-riding contest West mining town - Durango, West - Bob's Hole on the Clack- on the Salmon River. The setting Colorado. Nancy Wiley promises amus River near Estacada. The at the foot of the Sawtooths in the a lively weekend from the slalom water is usually emerald green as Stanley Basin is the best of any and barbecue on Saturday it flows out of the moss covered event. The slalom runs Saturday through to the wildwater and Cascade Mountains to Portland. afternoon with a short downriver freestyle events on Sunday. It's Hole-Hog Haven! Sunday morning and the free- Video of the events will be shown Jim Hennick - RE1 Portland, style that afternoon. This week- Sunday at the awards ceremony, 1798 Jansen Beach Center, Port- end usually marks the peak of where you can generally kick land, OR 97217 - Phone: (503) central Idaho's runoff so there back and dance your legs into 283-1300 are plenty of rivers to runafterthe exhaustion. The town's setting at Ric Buhr - Santiam White- event. Close at hand are the put- 6,000' in the beautiful San Juan water Outfitters, 8608 Mt. Angel in for the Middle Fork Salmon, mountains is special. The Highway, Mt. Angel, OR 97362 - the Yankee Fork, South Fork Durango-Silvertown narrow phone (503) 845-6719 Payette, the beauties of Redfish gauge railroad is famous Lake and the Sawtooths,and Sun nationwide. So, of course, are the MAY 25-26 Valley to the south. Blackfoot Whitewater Roundup, two jewels of Colorado white- Bozo Cordozo Idaho White- water, the Animas and Pledra Missoula, Montana. Held on the - water Assoc., P.O. Box 2889, Blackfoot River near Roundup canyon runs. It should bea great Ketchum, ID 83340 - phone weekend! Bar, this is the first three event (208) 726-5461 rodeo of the season. A slalom Nancy Wiley - Four Corners Formula Sports - P. 0. Box 673, Marine, P.O. Box 379, Durango, runs on Saturday with the Wild- Sun Valley, ID 83353 - phone CO 81301 - phone (303) 259- water and Freestyle on Sunday. A (208) 726-3194 long standing open canoe race is 3893 held in conjunction with the e- JUNE 22-23 JULY 13-14 vents on Saturday. This is the Gallaln Get Together, Bozeman, Colorado Whitewater Festival, second year for the event in a Montana. This fairly wacky event Buena Vista, Colorado. 1984 was very active paddling community. is a must if it comes off. After two thefirst yearforafull borefestival Judy Reese, 336 S. 6th West#2- years of fighting heavy snows and it took off like a rocket. Missoula, MT 50801 - phone over Memorial Day weekend, it Colorado has always had a (406) 549-2946 wasn't held in '83 & '84. A later strong tradition in slalom and date this year promises better JUNE 1-2 wildwater racing, so Bonny and weatherand possiblyeven higher Wenatchee Whitewater Rodeo, Jim Stohlquist combined the water (not really needed). It's Leavenworth, Washington. In annual Colorado Cup races with held on House Rock section of only its third year, the Wenatchee a 2-day freestyle event and had the Gallatin River between Boze- an instant success. All events Rodeo has quickly become one man and Big Sky, MT only a of the major events in the West. take place on the Arkansas River stones throw from Yellowstone This is in large part due to the near or on the Numbers rapids, Park. Usually there isafun-for-all large, experienced paddling base One through Six. Saturday night giant slalom race of 2 miles on in Seattle. The slalom race on will feature a big video/rnovie Saturday, dancing at Buck's T-4 Saturday is set by Werner Furrer, party in town. And since Buena that night, and a healthy hole- Jr. and aimed at the learning and Vista has been called the Capitol riding/ender contest Sunday af- enjoyment level rather than de- of Colorado Whitewater, expect ternoon. Don't expect a long list some good runs before and after fining the expert's edge. There of prizes, just a rollicking good are social functions Saturday the weekend. It should be a well time in an Old West atmosphere. night, and the downriver and hut organized, prize filled event! Call ahead to confirm it's hap- Bonny & Jim Stohlquist - dog events on Sunday. Tumwater pening. Canyon is just upstream of the Colorado Kayak Supply, P.O. Mike Garcia Northern Lights race site for apres event upper - Box 291, Buena Vista, CO 8121 1 Trading Co., 1627 W. Main Street, level expert runs, Leavenworth is phone (303) 395-2421 Bozeman, MT 59715 - phone Tyrolean styled town for the 1406 I 586-2225 JULY 20-21 skiers in the winter and beckons ' Bozeman Kayak Club -phone climbers to excellent rock walls in the summer. Backpacking in (406 J the North Cascades is also pos- sible after the event. A WA HOSTS Tim Davis - PWS & Wenatchee 2nd Annual Eastern Freestyle Championships Rodeo Committee, 16205 Pacific Black Rlver, Watertown, New York Highway So., Seattle, WA 98188 - THE RIVER FESTIVAL phone (206) 245-9385 Labor Day, August 31, September 1

Vol. XXX, No. 3 11 JULY 6-7 JULY 20-21 JULY 27-28 Salmon Rlver Days, Salmon, Payette Whitewater Roundup, Nugget Whitewater Roundup, Idaho. ldaho has long been Banks, Idaho. This is the crown Gold Hill, Oregon. Held on the nicknamed the Gem State. Well, jewel in the ldaho Whitewater well known Rogue River near here's the second level in the Triple Crown. It's easily one of Medford, Oregon, the Nugget ldaho Whitewater Triple Crown! the biggest and most popular Roundup has been moved to a A bit much you sa?!! You've got events of the year. Held on the later date this year to obtain a to have fun some place.. . so you South Fork of the Payette only an more normal water level for the might as well make it slalom over hour north of Boise, it draws lots hole-riding contest. The flow is the4thof July. It'sa3eventrodeo of spectators and paddlers from dam controlled and warm so plus lots of other festivities throughout the West. The slalom there should be ideal conditions organized by the Salmon course, on slightly pushyclass Ill this year. Saturday there is a Chamber of Commerce. The water, is a rodeo circuit favorite. downriver kayak and inflatables slalom is a gentle one set right in It's held Saturday with the race whose finish line is the downtown which everyone can downriver Sunday morning - freestyle hole. That's caused enjoy. Saturday night has in the this year on a longer course - some excitement at past Round- past been the time for the yearly and the freestyle Sunday ups. The hole-riding is Sunday reincarnation of the LOUNGE afternoon. Saturday night there's with good media coverage PRIMATES in North Fork, ID. a communitywide dance and always on hand. At 1800 cfs it'sa They're a hot group somewhat beer party at Banks. National and great performance hole; at 3500 led by the infamous Brooks local sponsor support is high so cfs it's a down right bruiser. The Montgomery and his steaming the prizes are enticing. Hot Ashland-Medford-Rogue River harmonicas. The downriver and springs, good camping, good boating community is an active freestyle events run Sunday on July weather, and the challeng- one and really behind this event. the Main Salmon near Shoup - ing North Fork of the Payette run And plan ahead to take in a not far from the Corn Creek put- close at hand are additional performance at the Ashland in for the River-of-No-Return run. appeals of the Payette Roundup. Shakespear Festival while you're It's a great place tospend the4th! Rob Lesser - ldaho White- in the area. Brooks Montgomery - Salmon water Association, P.O. Box Chuck Schlumoburger - River Mountain Sports, P.O. Box 1162, Boise, ID 83701 - phone Rogue River Outfitters, 8890 2535, Salmon, ID 83467- phone (208) 343-2167 Rogue River Highway, Grants (208) 756-3285 Pass, OR 97526 - phone (503) 5823101 Jyme Waidler - Southern Oregon Kayak Club, 38 Renault, Medford, OR 97501 - phone (503) 772-1068 AUGUST 3-4 Trinity Whitewater Races, Big Bar, California. Pop-Til-You- Dropcertainlysounds likeagood ender spot, which it is. And it was because of this ideal ender hole on the Trinity River in northern California that a freestylecontest was added to the already sanctioned slalom and downriver races a few years ago and another bonafide rodeo was born. The site is upstream of Big Bar on the Trinity - an area of exteme variety and challenge for any whitewater paddler. This is a part of California known for its rivers, mountains, and logging than anything else. Plan tospend extra days on other super runs in the area. The schedule is similar to the other rodeos, but call ahead for particulars. It's a great way to finish out the rodeo

circuit.- - O.K. Goodwin - World of Whitewater. P. 0. Box 708. Bio Bar, CA 96010 - phone (916 623-6588 Fred Williams - Moonstone Mountaineering, P.O. Box 4206, Arcata, CA 95521 - phone(707) 822-2985

Vol. XXX, No. 3 JOAN HILDRETH SPEAKS FOR HERSELF . by Tom Mellers

Joan Hildreth flows like a river. And on her toes is where Joan stays. A "I babble when I'm nervous," she says. tentative whitewater kayaker when she . "And I still get more nervous than I need began seven years ago, she is today not to before I run a new river. It's that fear of only an accomplished big water boater, the unknown, I guess. I tend to chatter but something of a river dancer. and chirp-ask all kinds of questions. I "When I first started boating, the must drive my paddling companions better paddlers I saw were men. I drew nuts. (Hopefully, they know enough to the conclusion that one had to be ignore me.) The funny thing is, though, physically strong to be good. It was my that I'm fine-and focused-once I'm in problem, really, and it amounted to a my kayak with the sprayskirt on. When sort of love/hate relationship with white- I'm actually doing the thing I've been so water. Kayaking looked like such a fun, nervous about it feels good and right. I exciting thing to do if one were good. get that nice rush. Knowing the pat- But I didn't think I could ever begin to tern-nervousness folowed by those master the sport, because I wasn't a good feelings-helps me deal with fear. hulk. I'm much more confident dealing with "So I avoided boating. The desire was new rivers these days. I wouldn't want to too strong to fight, though, and I kept become too confident, though. A certain getting drawn back in. Talking to more amount of anxiety keeps me on my people and gaining experience, I began toes." to realize that being super-strong wasn't

Joan Hildreth in action. Photo by Bill Hildreth. Vol. XXX, No. 3 necessary. In that respect, I've learned a ed 'unrunnable'for mesuddenly seemed lot from my husband, Bill. He's a strong 'runnable.' I'd begun toassesssituations paddler, but he'ssmooth. It helped me to more analytically. It was a special mo- emulate his style of surfing and hole ment. playing. Roger Belson's smooth style "My first extended river trips-in has also influenced me. (Roger's a Idaho-were exciting, too. We encoun- country doctor in New Hampshire. He tered some problems on the Selway introduced Bill and me to bigger water.) because we were with three rafts, two of I'm not as graceful as I'd like to be yet. which flipped. One rafter was badly But I'm getting there." injured. We chased the rafts and gear. Joan is also getting to a larger number There were tense moments." of demanding rivers. The list of her Even tenser moments occurred two whitewater accomplishments runs from springs ago on Joan's and Bill's first run New Hampshire's Ashuelot and Con- of Section IV of the Chattooga. toocook at flood to West Virginia's "We were with a friend who knew the Gauley and New and Idaho's Salmon river well, but I still have no excuse. We (Middle Fork) and Selway at high levels. were booming and zooming. I was on an Clearly, she loves the rush of big water. adrenaline high. I started taking the river Even more, she relishes psychological too lightly. Before I knew it I was drop- breakthroughs - those pulsing mo- ping sideways over the twelve-foot ments when she's running a drop she ledge at Sock 'em Dog. I don't know if it had previously thought impossible. was because the hydraulic was so pow- "Last year I ran Lower Falls on the erful or my paddle blade so big (I was Swift River (N.H.) for the first time. The using an Iliad at the time, which has too usual put-in for the gorge section is much blade area for someone my size below that. I had never even considered and weight; I'm happier with the Back- running the falls before. But then I lund I use now), but when I went over, I looked it over, it made sense, and I did it. was ripped from my boat in no time flat. I The same piece of water that had seem- recirculated there once, and then flush- m ---

Joan doing a pop-up. Photo by Joe Dwelley.

Vol. XXX, No. 3 ed out-and into the hydraulic at the carries over into all areas of my life. undercut. My boat was there too, at first, Paddling has made me more confident, but it washed out, so I wasn't recirculat- comfortable, happy. And I've met so ing with it. Somehow I was able to grab many wonderful people paddling. The . rock, and that's what saved me. I began camaraderie is special." pulling myself. I was too disoriented to A woman who excels in a male-domi- know whether it was up or down. It nated sport, Joan has faced little hos- turned out to be down. I worked my way tility from the opposite sex. . to the outside and was shot out in a jet "Oh, once in a while I'll run into some along the bottom. I was in there no more guy who makes a big deal about my than 45 seconds. I wasn't hurt at all. gender-one who'll question my ability "I didn't panic. I thought clearly and to run some drop, even though he's tried to the things I'd heard might help never seen me paddle. And I did once me to escape. I was glad I'd told Bill meet a guy who said he'd never 'allow' where the extra car keys were. But I his girlfriend in a boat. But that's rare. worried about whether he knew how Secure, confident people don't act that much I loved him. Then my parents- way. Most men I paddle with encourage this was happening on theiranniversary. me to try new things. They respect my "The experience had a strong impact paddling ability and my ideas about on me. On the one hand, it made me rivers. They enjoy watching me play. more careful. I always look over the They like the idea of seeing acompetent more difficult drops now. And I went to woman on the river. It's true that some of work on my skills. I decided to do the guys may tend to be more sensitive whatever I could to decrease the to me than to theotherguys-asking me chances of anything like that happening if I'm warm enough or offering to help again. On the other hand, I came out of carry my boat. But I'm sure it's not the undercut more confident. Since intended in any negative way." then, nothing has bothered me quite as Joan sees very little, if anything, in a much as it used to." negative way. She speaks glowingly of But then "bothered" is hardly a word her childhood. (Born in Rochester, N.Y., for Joan Hildreth to apply to herself. in 1955, she grew up there with an older "Concerned" would be more apt. Effer- brother and sister.) She describes her vescently emotional, keenly alert, she parents as gentle and thoughtful, sup- cares deeply, in avery particular way, for porting their children in whatever they the people and the world around her. wanted to do. In Joan's case this "I think it's most reasonable for people to just be themselves. Putting on any act is ridiculous, as far as I'm concerned. I always try to see people as individuals- to demonstrate the empathy I feel for them. In regard to kayaking, it's an individual sport and people have to be independent. However, it's a group activity, too. I'm aware of the people I paddle with. I care about them. I feel responsible for them. If I'm with a paddler who seems shaky or nervous, I try to watch him or her closely-to be supportive." Joan's feelings for the river run just as deep. "I regard it as a privilege to be part of a river. The feeling which results from working cooperatively with the current is unbelievable. It gives me a lift that Bill and Joan Hildreth. Vol. XXX, No. 3. 15 amounted to a great deal of support. She Materials needed: contact cement rode a unicycle, played the saxaphone, (Weldwood); Kevlar cloth; blue and pitched on the boy's softball team, yellow epoxy ribbon, which you can get skated, and hiked. "I was definitely most at most drug or hardware stores. at home in and on the water, though." First, contact cement two or three She swam, sailed, and waterskied. layers of Kevlar over the inside of the Today, Joan lives in Bridgewater, boat, covering the hole by two or three Mass., with her husband Bill, who is as inches all around (four to six inches in avid a paddler as she is. ("He's sensi- diameter), just like putting patches in a tive, gentle, sweet, funny, thoughtful, glass boat. Second, do the same thing on intelligent, comfortable with himself, the outside of the boat. secure, independent, genuine, affec- This was the extent of my patches for tionate, and open." I guess she likes awhile, but the outside patches got him.) She has been cruising in a Dancer, scraped off so I tried the epoxy ribbon with which she is reasonably pleased. over the Kevlar on the outside. This Her recent purchase of a Squirt has her worked very well. I found that if I hit a lot quite excited. Hot dogging appeals to of rocks, the epoxy would scrape off, her ("I still have to get better at hand usually leaving the Kevlar intact. All I had surfing and other paddleless stuff"), to do was replace the epoxy before my although she has some reservations next trip. about hot dog contests ("It might take The epoxy ribbon works well for the fun from playing if I knew I was being patching holes in the noses of plastic scored-but I'd like to try it"). She and boats. Just push it into and over the hole, Bill may be on a three week trip-either then cover that with an old tennis ball in Colorado or northern California-as (thank god for tennis balls) and tape that you read this. into place; the water that was getting into A full-time clinical social worker and a your boat will be stopped dramatically. part-time graduatestudent in accouting, Even with the patches you will find that Joan's life on dry land has been rather you can no longer treat your plastic boat full. like a plastic boat, however. I still tried to "I'm planning a major career switch. I do pop-ups in impossible places but had hope to soon be working at W.1.L.D.I to try not to hit as many rocks when W.A.T.E.R.S. (an outdoor center in paddling. Warrensburg, N.Y.) doing marketing, I used a patched-up Mirage for almost a accounting, instructing, trip-leading- year during which time 1 paddled the whatever needs to be done. I want to be upper and lower Gauley, the Blackwater, able to make a career out of something I the middle fork of the Tygart, lower Big love. Work should be fun." Sandy, Rock Creek, Goshen Pass, and The primarydefinition of "career" is "a Little Falls at close to nine feet. course through life." Joan Hildreth Finally I broke down and bought a new already has a career she loves. boat. Jim Mallard PATCHING PLASTIC

I have a Mirage that I've been paddling COCKPIT - Turn OPRNING IN TYL DECK OF A KAYAK OR WUITEWATCR for about four-and-a-half years, and last CANOC IN WUlCU TUI PADDLER SITS. summer I put two holes in the hull under 1 the seat. I couldn't afford to buy a new boat, but I'm too addicted to paddling to stop, so I tried to find a way to patch it up. First I took the boat to Dave Brown. He told me to buy a new boat. I couldn't do that right then, so out of necessity, I figured out my own system for patching plastic boats. Vol. XXX, No. 3 IDAHO WHITEWATER VIDEO I' by Jerry Johnson 1.

Tom climbs out of his boat already same wave. Wasson surfs smoothly with introducing us at Tom and Jerry of no paddle for what seems like forever. cartoon fame. He keeps up a continuous Not much for me to do so I take lots of babble about "how nice to be here ... photos. good weather.. . great water level" and The Milner Gorge is impressive. Huge on and on and on. I slide around and waves and drops for a solid mile. grab my camera. This is going to be a "Hoppy" is so nervous about the big great experience! water he almost falls in at the top. As Idaho boaters Bob Lesser and John soon as he's in the current though the Wasson are joined by Dave Mamby of technique and experience that made the UK and Mick (Hoppy) Hopkinson of him a world class racer shows through. New Zealand for a film project by British Not bad for a guy who hasn't been in a film-maker Leo Dickinson. Rob and boat for two years. I John, both participants on American They all run the gorge two to three r Sportsman and well-known adventure times. Each time is worth a season of paddlers, need little introduction. Dave thrills for me and I get so excited I forget k and Mick were among the first party to to let up on the motor-drive of Rob's run the Dudh Kosi River in Nepal. Mick camera. Let's see - 7 frames per second also ran the Blue Nile in Africa. Leo was - three minutes a run - I'd say I shot a responsible for filming "Canoeing Down half case of film that day. Leo shoots Everest," the film of the Dudh Kosi over 4000 feet. I expedition and the book and documen- That afternoon we're at the hotel and tary "Filming the Impossible." Tom Leo discovers he's lost his Rolex. Tom Whittaker, an ex-patriot Brit and pro- and he paddle up to the surf waves while fessional outdoor educator and myself I wait. I get a ride on a boat and beat are here in the role of production assis- them. Got it! Hmmmmm - search your tants read ("grunts"). At the same time I soul Jerry it would finance a trip to am to record the whole production on Alaska; I look at it and see Everest '75' 35mm film for Rob. inscribed on the back. Hegot it free but it We're on the Murtaugh section of the means quite a bit to him. What's that? Snake River to film some spectacular Yahoo!! I've found a set of scuba tanks. kayak surfing. Then it's off to the Milner Stenciled on them is R LESSER - they Gorge and some of the biggest water in left these and didn't even know it. I ride the West. From there, we go to the North back, tell Leo the time and about the Fork of the Payette and the Ultimate Play tanks. This should be worth a great Wave on the South Fork. dinner guys - it was and in the end my Cameras are mounted on boats, shots conscience was clear. are set up from the shore and Peter After a night in the country bars of McPherson, co-producer and camera- Twin Falls, we head back toSteve Parks' man, floats down through rapids to film house to crash. Parks is colorful (out- three boats surfing from water level. rageous) local bluegrass artist who Peter's a cool dude. We drag a rope way helped explore the Murtaugh section in above the surf waves and while he holds the early 70's. About 3 am we are alerted e on we ferry him out into position - he by a scream and a shout. Parks has lets go and floats through, makes the come home late and backed up over shot and goes back to smoking skinny Hoppy's leg, right over his foot and up cigars and working on his tan (some- his calf. He's not hurt (it's only a Datsun) thing of a rarity in Britain). but he won't dance for awhile. "It The surfing is spectacular. The water wouldn't have been bad except for the is huge and Leo scurries about getting bleeding exhaust pipe in my mouth!" up shots of two and three boaters on the The fun and spills of the Snake give Vol. XXX, No. 3 way to a relaxing but productive day at Later that evening Tom and I return John's house rigging for shots of the from boating on the South Fork to come UPW. We rig a Tyrolean over the river back to a solemn group. The impossible and arrange a seat so the cameraman has happened; 8000 feet of film was sent can be centered over the wave just to Los Angeles for processing, and a inches from the water. The boaters do fork lift truck ran over some of it on the endos, hand surf and dance for the way to the lab. The mood was, tosay the camera. The river is in full flood and the least, not as it had been. More like a wave/hole is easily 4-5 feet high. It's funeral now. incredible to watch the local boys cavort I had only been in the film industry a in it. week but I knew a cue when I saw it. Exit Off to theNorth Fork for "hair boating" Tom and Jerry. "What do you think of - Hound's Tooth, Cruncher and Juicer the Lochsa, Tom?" - all classics drops in a river where the "Right youth, we're gone." rapids seem to form one long rolling - boiling run. I drive while Leo does some POSTSCRIPT "dolly shots" from the top of the truck The film wasn't totally damaged and and we follow the boaters along the only a few shots had to be redone. The river. film was shown as part of a thirteen- episode series on adventure sports for the BBC. Rob saw the show in Britain this spring - American television will probably never air it. I got myself a 8mm camera and a director's hat. Maybe I'll call my first film "Spuds on the Rocks."

Contact Rob Lesser about where to get the video. P.O. Box 1162, Boise, ID 83701. (208) 343-2167, or Gravity Sports (801) 485-3702.

THE SPRAY KAYAK SAFETY QUIZ by Chuck Kutscher 1) Your're swimming a rapid with your boat, and you see an unavoidable strainer (a tree emerging from the water) directly ahead. You should a) swim downward as deeply as possible to flush through under- neath b) lift one leg and both arms and climb as high as possible onto the tree c) grasp around the center of your boat with both arms and use it for buoyancy. Vol. XXX, No. 3 2) You've been enjoying the scenery on 7) A swimmer has been submerged fora an easy Class I1 stretch when you considerable time in ice-cold water. You suddenly see a four foot dam only 50 feet consider giving artificial resuscitation. ahead. The current is too swift to allow The longest anyone has ever been under you to get to shore in time, and thereare cold water and successfully revived no eddies. You should without brain damage is a) paddle as close as possible to the a) eight minutes nearest end of the dam, then pad- b) twenty minutes ple hard forward c) forty minutes b) take the drop sideways and reach ANSWERS TO your paddle downstream to catch KAYAK SAFETY QUIZ the flush-through current c) exit your boat immediately to in- The following are the answers to the crease your chances of washing quiz. (We realize, however, that issues through. like these are always subject to debate.) 3) You're leaning on a downstream scull 1) b. as you sit sideways in a hole and A strainer is dangerous because it decide that it's time to move on. can hold a swimmer underwater. You You try reaching the downstream should therefore face the strainer and current and then try to use a com- climb as high as possible onto it. The bination of a scull and a forward (or Ohio State River Resue Manual (yes, backward) stroke to exit out the they do have white water in Ohio) side, but the hole has other ideas. recommends lifting one leg and both How do you get out? arms. a) Use a sweep stroke to face up- 2) a. stream, then peel out as you would If you absolutely cannot avoid going in an eddy over a dam, you should try to paddle b) Exit your boat a'nd use the proper hard forward to punch through the technique for swimming out of a reversal. Being close to either shore hole has two advantages. First, the rever- c) Turn upside down and hold your sal may be broken near the shore. paddle vertically downward to Second, it makes it easier for others catch the flush-through current. to rescue you if you become trapped. 4) You're out of your boat and recircu- 3) c. lating in a nasty hole. You should In a strong hole it will be impossible a) dive deeply just when the current to turn your boat around with a sweep has moved you to the maximum stroke, and you should exit your boat upstream position and swim out only as a last resort. If you cannotexit downstream along the bottom the hole sideways, you should hang b) swim upstream and climb onto the upside down and hold your paddle rock which is creating the hole down deep to catch the downstream c) same as a) but first remove your life current. Ron Watters, author of The jacket to allow you to dive deeper. White-water River Book, observes 5) A person is unconscious and stranded that boaters using this technique on a rock. You decide to swim after the often don't hang down long enough. victim with a safety rope attached. The 4) a. rope should be looped around your The key here is to work with the a) wrist current and not fight against it. Your b) waist goal should be to get into the deep c) chest under your armpits. downstream current and swim with it 6) You toss out your throw bag to a to escape. If this doesn't work, try to swimmer. You should attempt to look for a throw bag thrown from a) land it upstream of the swimmer shore. Removal of your life jacket was b) land it downstream of the swimmer once advocated by some, but the c) hit the swimmer in the head with it. latest thinking is that it probably Vc:. XXX, No. 3 LUGBILL WINS ANOTHER wouldn't help much in a powerful CCAer Jon Lugbill is one of the six hole, and by the time you got out you winners in the 'Search for Champions II' might really need it to keep you sponsored by Wheaties. He will be afloat. featured on the company's cereal boxes 5) c. during the next year. Jon has won three Some authorities recommend never straight World Championships in C-1 trying a rope to a rescuer. If used, it slalom racing, and his total of six gold should be attached in a fashion that medals has not been equalled in the allows the rescuer to escape from it if sport. Chosen out of a field of 1000 necessary. When looped around the athletes in this competition, Jon joins a chest under the armpits, the force on select company - Joe DiMaggio, Ted the rope will act to keep the rescuer's Williams and even Ronald Reagan who head above the water. It's a good idea was Wheaties announcer of the year in whenever working with a rescue rope 1934. ACA, which sponsored Jon, getsa to carry a sharp, securely sheathed nice cash award. knife so that the rope can be cut free if it should become a danger. BIG-TIME RACING 6) c. In using a throw bag, your objectives Jon Lugbill, along with Davey Hearn should be to get it as close as possible and a number of others from this area, is to the swimmer so that he doesn't currently training hard for the US team have to work to get to it and also to trials for the 1985 World Championships make him aware that it's there. Noted in Germany. The wildwater team trials river safety expert, Charlie Wal- will be held on the upper Farmington bridge, recommends trying to hit the River, New Boston, Conn. on April 19- swimmer in the head with the throw 21. The slalom team trials will be run on bag. This achieves both objectives. the man-made course called East Race (To actually hit the swimmer, you in South Bend, Indiana, April 27-28. have to lead him a bit, since he'll be (The Worlds will be run on another man- floating downstream while the bag is made course in Augsburg.) The white- in the air.) Being hit in the head with a water open canoe National Champion- soft throw bag will be the least of the ships will take place on the West River, swimmer's discomforts, particularly Jamaica, Vt., May 11-12. The wildwater since he'll have a helmet on. Worlds will be run at Garmisch, Ger- 7) Due to the lowered metabolism rate, many, and the slalom Worlds at Augs- victims have been known to survive burg, June 13-16. Slalom and wildwater after being submersed under ice-cold Nationals will be heldat Bryson City, NC water for as long as 40 minutes! Such on July 8-1 1, and the poling Nationalsat cold waterconditionsare not unusual New Hope, PA on the Delaware on July in kayaking. Everyone realizes that 13-14. spring runoff comes from freshly For those a bit older who still have a melted snow, but even in the summer few good races left in them, the first the water these days is typically World Masters Games will be staged in released from the bottoms of very August in Toronto, Canada. This is, we deep reservoirs. So artificial resus- gather, largely flatwater, plus marathon citation can work on river victims who racing. Women will be broken into four have been under a long time. And as age groups, from 30-35 to 45-plus, men long as we're on the subject of cold in six age groups, from 35-39 to 60-plus. water, don't forget the wet suit to The Canadians have budgeted over safeguard against one of the biggest $37,000 for the events; there is an entry dangers of kayaking - hypothermia. fee ($20 for the canoeing races). Anyone interested can write World Hdq. Masters Games, PO Box 1985, Postal Section P, Toronto, Canada M5S 2Y7. The actual dates Aug. 9-13.

Vol. XXX, No. 3

Rescuers practice contact rescue durlng a clinic at N.O.C. All photos by Slim Ray.

PATIENT CARE ON THE RIVER by Les Bechdel and Slim Ray "We had put together a good rescue What we failed to do was to instruct and I was congratulating myself as we our patient how to protect himself while neared the end of the evacuation trail. being transported in a litter. When we Then, while sliding the litter over afallen slid him over the log we hadn't noticed tree, he cut his finger and started to go that he was gripping the edge of the i shocky on us. litter. The injury to his finger sent him Our patient had broken his leg in over the threshold of tolerance and he Corkscrew Rapid on the Chattooga. The began losing the stoic control he had ,- rescue was quick and minutes later we been exercising. His respirations be- had him on shore with an air splint in came shallow, he wouldn't respond to place. He was obviously in pain but was our comments and had poor color. He staying in control. We got the emer- was at the point of going into shock. gency backboard and in half an hour With great effort he brought himself were carrying him down the rocky banks back but it was close, too close. We were of the river. lucky and it was another lesson in patient care." Vol. XXX, No. 3 23 Shoulder dislocations are the all-too-common injury for kayakers. This can be reduced by proper paddling techniques. .. If a person is in danger on the river the or have his foot entrapped. He may have most immediate concern is to get them been in that position for some time and out of the water and to safety. At the his actions may be difficult to anticipate. moment of rescue, however, a victim When approaching avictim it is a good becomes a patient, and in this article idea to have a rescue plan in mind. Com- we'll discuss some considerations about municate with the person. Tell them taking care of this victim who is now exactly what you are doing and planning your patient. It is not our intent to cover and what you want them to do. Ask his first aid procedures in detail but we do name. Ask about injuries, "Where does it want to highlight some thoughtson post hurt?" If you are new to the scene ask if rescue care that should concern any there are others in the party/ Try to get rescuer. as much information about the accident and the patient's condition as possible. THE INITIAL CONTACT If the patient is conscious and not A contact rescue is a hands-on ap- responding to your inquiries be proach by the rescuer, and is usually the cautious. only means of rescue for an uncon- If you have witnessed the accident scious victim. There is no rope between and know the patient use their name. Be rescuer and victim. calm and reassuring. Be honest about When making a contact rescue, the the situation, remain positive and try to rescuer must be wary of the conscious inspire trust and confidence. The first victim. He may be in severe pain or have few seconds of interaction may make just had a closer brush with death. A the difference between a patient that distraught victim in the water may make remains cool and one that goes off the a desperate lunge for the rescuer or try deep end. to climb on top of him. As we saw in the opening paragraphs Similarly, a victim may be stranded on of this chapter, a patient's mental con- boulders in mid-stream, pinned in a boat dition is critical and should be moni- Vol. XXX, No. 3 Initial contact with patient is critical. Rescuers practice their skllls in a mock emergency on the Chattooga.

tored at all times. An insignificant injury chest carry or by grasping their hair or or even a seemingly innocuous remark helmet. ("God, he looks terrible") overheard by the patient may be enough to send him CARDIOPULMONARY into shock. RESUSCITATION (CPR) If the patient is stationary and out of CPR is a proven lifesaving technique immediate danger, the primary concern which every whitewater paddler should is to stabilize his condition so that it know. Possibly the most important doesn't get worse. The emphasis should aspect of CPR is starting it as soon as be on assessing the nature of the pa- possible if the victim is not breathing, tient's injuries and his emotional state. even if it means doing it in the water Do not aggravate the patient's condition when you first make contact. by hasty, unnecessary movement. Your One of the first steps in CPR is toopen initial concern is that the patient is the airway by lifting up on the neck with breathing and not bleeding. one hand and pushing down on the A contact rescue that occurs in the forehead with the other. This tilts the water doesn't offer much time for a head back and may cause the patient to survey of the patient's condition. If the start breathing again on his own. You victim is conscious you can ask about can often do this in the water. c. his injuries. If the victim is unconscious Do not attempt compressions while in and breathing stay on the upstream side the water. Get the patient to the nearest of him and keep his head above water. In hard surface. This could be boulders in heavy water position yourself under the midstream, gear boxes on a loaded raft, patient with his and your feet down- or even the hull of a canoe. Do not spend stream. Hold him in a bear hug while precious moments hauling the victim up keeping his face close to yours. The idea a river embankment if you can find a flat is to provide a little extra buoyancy. place at the water's edge. If you are Once you reach calmer water you can alone initiate one person CPR until help swim the patient to shore using a cross arrives. Vol. XXX, No. 3 After starting CPR keep doing the best HYPOTHERMIA possible job for at least an hour before Hypothermia is the cooling of the attempting to transport the patient, body beyond its ability to maintain a since CPR is difficult to perform effect- constant temperature. Paddlers are ively while moving. In an emergency like mainly concerned with immersion hypo- this you will feel a real sense of urgency thermia caused by cold water flowing to get the patient to an ambulance or around the body, although wind chill hospital. But don't jeopardize the qual- hypothermia can be a factor also. ity of your CPR in a rush to evacuate. If The best way todeal with hypothermia the patient has not responded within an is to prevent it. Wearing the proper hour and medical assistance is not clothing and having the skill to paddle nearby it is unlikely he will survive. the water you've chosen are the first If CPR is successful and the patient steps. Knowing the warning signs of begins to breathe on his own he must be hypothermia is the next (they are de- handled as gently as possible. Rescuers scribed in detail at the end of this must stand by to restart CPR at any time. article). When you recognize thesesigns The patient should be kept warm, you must take action to keep matters treated for shock, and evacuated. Under from worsening. no circumstances should a paddler be Hypothermia affects judgement and allowed back in his boat. If you are coordination and is insidious in its forced to spend the night in the field, the effects. A typical case is the paddlerwho patient's condtion should be continu- swims once and gets cold, then starts ously monitored, preferably by at least missing his roll and swims again and two persons. Any person who has had again, becoming colder and more ex- CPR administered should be admitted to hausted each time until he finally be- a hospital for observation no matter how comes hypothermic. Keep an eye on well they night feel. people after they swim. If it happens Paddlers-should be aware of the again right away and they're shivering, Mammalian Diving Reflex (MDR) phe- it's time to suggest a warmup. nomenon. Sudden immersion into cold What's the best treatment for hypo- water (70 degrees or less) sometimes thermia on the river? In the early stages triggers a nerve response that slows the the patient can walk and that's exactly heart rate and concentrates circulation what he should do. Walking will rewarm between the brain and heart. Bodily him and get away from the probable processes are slowed to a barely dis- cause of hypothermia -the cold water. cernible point: the body is sustained on If possible consider walking out, but the oxygen present in the blood and don't let the patient do it alone. Hypo- tissues at the time of submersion. thermia is notorious for clouding a To an observer the victim may appear person's judgement, and people have dead: he has very slow and shallow gotten lost on simple trails because of it. respirations; weak, slow pulse, fixed and At least one and preferably two people dilated pupils, and clammy, white skin. should accompany the patient. But MDR victims have been revived When walking do not ignore wind without brain damage after being sub- chill, rain and other factors. There have merged for as long as thirty-eight min- been several fatalities where paddlers utes. So don't give up on rescue efforts have tried to walk out in very poor or CPR just because four minutes (the conditions and never made it. If you old standard of "clinical death") have carry basic survival gear including passed. If the victim is young, the water matches it may be better, especially if is cold (less than 70 degrees) and clean, you can find a protected spot, to try to and the submersion time is less than one rewarm the victim there while someone hour, MDR may have occurred and CPR goes for help. should be initiated as soon as possible. Build a fire and if possible get the

26 Vol. XXX, No. 3 CPR practice on the "Resusa-Annie" dummy. CPR qualifications should be renewed at least once a year.

patient into dry clothes or a sleeping This stage of hypothermia can gen- bag. If these aren't available use extra erally be recognized by unconscious- clothing from other members of the ness. Field rewarming then becomes group. Give them a warm, non-alcoholic impractical and the patient must be drink ("snake bite medicine" will only evacuated to a hospital. The limbs make the situation worse). should be left uncovered and the torso This treatment isn't going to work in kept warm. As with CPR, don't give up. the second stage of hypothermia (core People have been revived with a core temperature 95-90 degrees). Hypo- temperature of 64 degrees. thermia becomes critical when the body can't rewarm itself without outside help, SHOULDER DISLOCATIONS even in a dry sleeping bag. One solution Whitewater paddling can cause a at this point is to use body heat from the variety of injuries: broken limbs and other menbers in a "human sandwich". noses, sprains, cuts, and others. One Skin to skin contact is necessary for this type of injury that is very common, to work. Another is to heat moist life particularly among kayakers, is the jackets in front of a fire and wrap them shoulder dislocation. around the patient, exchanging them as A shoulder "dislocates" when the ball they cool. of the upper arm pops out of the socket The more advanced the hypothermia, of the shoulder. It's usually very painful r the less effective field rewarming tech- and under normal circumstances should niques are. In the advanced or third only be "reduced" (put back in place) be stage (body core temperature 90 de- a doctor. grees or less) there is a danger of Shoulder dislocations are frequently cardiac arrest if the patient is suddenly caused by poor paddling technique. A rewarned when thestagnant, chemically typical case is when a paddler extends unbalanced blood from the limbs begins his arm away from his body, rotates it to recirculate. rearward on a brace, turns his head in Vol. XXX. No. 3 the opposite direction and receives a I jarring blow on the paddle. AII paddlers BOAT NOTES: should take the time to learn proper rn Wetsuits e paddling technique and methods of avoiding shoulder dislocations. and Drysuits -I First aid field treatment is to put a sling rn on the arm and then tie aswath bandage By Bill and Ann Sweeney around the body to keep the arm im- mobilized. The patient should be evac- uated, and although they can usually In the preceding article, we discussed walk, they should not be sent out alone, Clothing to combat excessive radiation Pain from a shoulder dislocation can and evaporation cooling. We'll now induce shock. examine the gear which is used to Paddlers venturing into remote areas may want to discuss methods of reduc- Because water is an excellent heat ing a shoulder dislocation with their conductor, a body's cooling rate in doctor. This is especially true of those water is very fast. Obviously protection who have suffered a dislocation in the from immersion cooling is of primary past, since they are more likely to haveit concern to paddlers; even a few minutes. happen again. The longer the shoulder in cold water will reduce body remains "0ut"the harder it is to put back temperature to the point where in. circulation is cut off automatically from Any person involved with outdoor the arms and legs, thus rendering them sports should have some form of first aid Useless in self-help such as swimming, training. Frequently we are in a wilder- clutching a rope or re-entering a kayak. ness setting and engaged in an active The two insulators used to control sport where injury is a distinct possi- immersion cooling are rubber and air bility. Professional help can be hours, combined in the familiar form of blown days, or even weeks away, which means neoprene rubber foam. The material is some training in dealing with medical used to make wet suits and drysuits, emergencies is a must, ~nowi~~the which are the most common means of techniques of patient care and evacua- reducing heat transfer to a manageable tion can make the difference between a level. The main disadvantage of both dry good Story and a tragedy. and wetsuits is that overheating is difficult to control while you are simply This article is adapted from RIVER paddling. Although YOU can add layers RESCUE, by Les Bechdel and Slim Ray, of "air" clothing (see preceding to be published this spring by Appala- ~rticle),you can't remove the neoprene chian Mountain Club, 5 Joy Street, layer and still maintain immersion Boston, MA 02108. protection. The authors are both long time pad- Originally made for divers, both dlers. Les, a former U.S. Slalom cham- wetsuits and dr~suitsarenow produced pion and U.S. Team member, is safety to be worn for surface sports. The chairman for the Dixie Division of the O'Neill Wetsuit Company, which ACA and has been instrumental inthe devotes itself exclusively to surface development of many modern river sports, is the leader in the field in terms rescue systems. In association with the of comfort and fit. The difference Nantahala Outdoor Center he conducts between the two relates to the activity - resuce classes and seminars in the U.S. divers require very little shoulder/arm and Canada. Slim Ray's photographs mobility and a great deal of insulation and articles have appeared in numerous for extended periods of time, whereas outdoor related publications. sailors, skiers, surfers and especially paddlers require tremendous mobility and insulation for only short periods of immersion. A diver's suit starts at 1/4" 28 Vol. XXX, No. 3 thick MINIMUM, whereas a paddler's of nature without removing your life suit is usually '/4" thick MAXIMUM. The jacket or anything else above your waist, thicker the material, the better the and b) you can convert the suit to a insulation, but also, the less flexible it is. milder weather suit by wearing a wetsuit In most drysuits rubber or latex is vest instead of the drysuit top!! used to keep the water out altogether, So, as you can see, neither the air- and you rely on the air trapped inside the layering system nor the wetsuivdrysuit suit to keep you warm long enough for system alone works under all condi- self-rescue. This calls for a loose fit tions. You have to combine them for the under which you wear air-layering very worst conditions and use your clothes for comfort and warmth. Until judgment as to which you will favor in recently, drysuits cost three to five times better conditions. On a warm day on a more than wetsuits; cheap drysuits are difficult, cold river, you would protect now close in price to quality wetsuits, yourself against immersion at all costs; but durability and watertightness are conversely, on a cold day on warm or questionable. The main drawback to easy water, you might concern yourself drysuits is the inability to regulate your mainly with radiation and evaporation. temperature DOWNWARD. The seals at (Bill and Ann Sweeney are the neck, wrists and ankles allow for no proprietors of Boats & Paddles in ventilation whatsoever. This means you Madison, New Jersey.) probably need both a drysuit and a wetsuit. Also, the zipper across the back often needs a second person (or a team!) to help you in and out of your suit! This Does Your Paddle need not necessarily be a disadvantage since it may give you a perfect excuse to Fit You? get to know perfect strangers. A comfortable grip width can usually A wetsuit must fit like a second skin in be determined by holding the paddle order to be effective, not necessarily over your head with both hands. Bend constrictingly tight, but following the your elbows at 90' or a little less, so that contours of your body with no gaps. As your upper arms are approximately water enters, it is trapped between the parallel with your shoulders. With your skin and suitand warmed until it reaches hands in this position there should be body temperatures. A "second skin" that three to five inches between your hand is thick and stiff would restrict mobility, and the blade. so paddlers, who spend very little time As for specific numbers, the following submerged and a lot of time imitating chart might serve as a guide: windmills, compromise with aquite thin, Under 5'3" - 198-200 cm but flexible, "second skin". We've found 5'4"-5'5" - 202 cm that 2mm works well as a basic suit 5'6"-5'7" - 204 cm thickness when used in a layered 5'8"-5'10" - 206 cm neoprene system consisting of a long 5'1 1"-6' - 208 cm john and a jacket or vest. When both are Over 6' - 210 cm worn, the material thickness in the crucial area of the torso is 4mm. A vest This is a very generalguide and is only made of even thicker material can be a recommendation. Personal choices worn without impeding mobility. will vary depending on experience and The one company to combine the strength, and body proportions such as features of the drysuit and wetsuit is torso length, arm length and shoulder O'Neill. They have produced a two- width. piece drysuit made of neoprene that lets Related to the length is the paddle's no water through (like a drysuit) but fits weight: longer paddles weigh more, snugly (like a wetsuit). What we like shorter ones less. Weight in a wooden about this suit is a) you can answer calls paddle isalso related to its layup, i.e.; the

Vol. XXX, No. 3 29 that the shaft carries more of the overall While I do not believe that synthetic weight than the blades. A paddle with paddles are stronger, or less likely to relatively more weight out on the ends break, they are certainly more mainte- feels cumbersome. The shape I am nance free. There is no worry about referring to involves variables far less chipping the finish, no need to re-finish. obvious than just the blade profile. They appear to be more readily avail- Critical to the way a blade feels in the able, especially second hand from folks water is its thickness and the surface who have been paddling more than a shape on both the power and non-power year. But obviously I am not the person faces. Wooden blades, because of the to round out this discussion. way they are usually shaped, flutter less It's possible to buy a paddlefor$29.95. and slice with better control. Finally, I It's also possible to spend $200.00. prefer the flex of a wooden shaft, and Realistically, most quality whitewater prefer the way it feels in my hand, kayak paddles today are in the $110.00 particularly in cold weather paddling. to $150.00 price range. Within that Choosing the correct weight of a range, what you should spend depends paddle is best done by exercising a little on answers to questions such as how common sense. If you weigh 195 Ibs. important is whitewater paddling to and like to play in big holes, buy a stout you? If you're not sure yet, maybe a less paddle. Chances are you can handlethe expensive paddle should be your choice weight. If you weigh 110 Ibs. and until you are sure. It can always serve as wouldn't get within 50 yards of anything a backup later on. You might ask your- vaguely resembling a hole, treat yourself self how often you plan to paddle when to something lighter. Give serious deciding whether to go the extra cost of thought to whether you want to learn to a more durable paddle. And, quite go fast in the gates or whether you want frankly, if and when you swim, do you to spend yourtime cruising and learning hang on to your gear? to hot dog. If your choice is the latter, As is true with most equipment, what your purposes would be better served by an individual prefers depends on what something less likely to break. he is accustomed to. Given a little A quick word on right-hand versus thought, and a little help from more left-hand control. This determines the experienced friends, a reasonable wrist that will control bladeangle. Right- decision will most likely result. What handed people are generally more dex- becomes more important then is getting terous on their right, the opposite is true out there and using that equipment. for the left handed. For this reason it is Whitewater is asport that becomes more usually best to choose your paddle fun and more thrilling the more you according to your natural preference, participate and advance your skills.. right or left. Having decided on length, weight, and I control, the questions remaining are more complex and subjective. For example, should you purchase a wooden paddle or a synthetic one? It is difficult for me to discuss this area without a distinct bias becoming ap- parent. Best that it be declared openly. I prefer a wooden paddle. What I feel that paddles constructed of wood have to offer are: better balance, more desirable blade shape and flex. By balance I mean that the shaft carries more weight out on

Vol. XXX, No. 3 AMC PUBLISHES FIRST graphs have appeared i n CANOE, RlVER RUNNER, CURRENTS, SIERRA, COMPREHENSIVE BOOK BACKPACKER, and other national pub- ON RlVER SAFETY AND lications. Their combined experience, RESCUE river sense, and painstakingly tested river safety and rescue skills are avail- According to Charlie Walbridge, . able now in a convenient format for American Canoeing Association Safety anyone who uses and safeguards the Chairman, "The skill level of theaverage river. paddler today is higher than ever before in all areas but one: the ability to make RlVER RESCUE . Les Bechdel and Slim Ray effective rescues." RlVER RESCUE, ISBN 0-910146-55-1, $9.95 paperback available now from Appalachian 220 pages, 55 line drawings, 125 black Mountain Club Books, was written to fill and white photographs this need. Finally, river runners have a single, Available today from AMC Books, 5 Joy Street, Boston, Massachusetts comprehensive source of information on accident prevention and rescue 02107, Phone 617 -523-0636. techniques on the river. Written by acknowledged whitewater experts Les WHITEWATER HOME Bechdel and Slim Ray, RlVER RESCUE COMPANION, Volume II is an indispensable aid for anyone who by William Nealy spends time On the river. RlVER Menasha Ridge Press, RESCUE is ideal for both self-instruc- Hillsborough, N.C. (1984) tion and for use in teaching programs 168 pages, 8Mx11 lh (softcover), $8.95 with its clear, concise instructions and Have you ever wondered how to get high-quality illustrations of actual munched in a mega-hole and sustain a rescues and river characteristics. shoulder dislocation at the same time? Special chapters are devoted to the Well, you can find out how, and also how needs of rescue professionals and to avoid same in William Nealy's new whitewater outfitters. volume of river wit and wisdom. He has Inside RlVER RESCUE you'll find selected ten rivers from the 'Appala- information on... chian Islands' and rendered them in that reading the river distinctive cartoon style we've seen in self-rescue, ropework, and rescue his previous four volumes. The James, techniques New gorge, and Shenandoah are well trip outfitting and equipment known to all, but fewer have had the organization and leadership opportunity to paddle on the Big South patient care and evacuation Fork or Wilson Creek, and this book CPR, first aid, and hypothermia gives the armchair paddler an idea of Professionals with the country's larg- what he will find. No river guide can est whitewater outfitter, the Nantahala describe every detail of the river, but Outdoor Center, authors Les Bechdel Nealy has admirably rendered the trips and Slim Ray know the value of avoiding and indicated the most likely trouble accidents on the river and what to do if spots, including some tips on how to they happen. Les Bechdel, an NOCvice- successfuIly run some particularly diffi- ,. president, was awarded the American cult spots. Red Cross Certificate of Merit for his The most fun is contained in the first part in the rescue on Chile's Bio-Bio 30 pages, and last 20. He has another River recounted in RlVER RESCUE. 'river trip' story, survival tips (particu- Bechdel's river expertise includes four larly on big, high-flow rivers), the High national slalom championships, five Brace vs. Low Brace Debate, and others. times representing the U.S. in world Mixed in amongst the humor is some championships, and extensive trip lead- serious thought. But beside that, it was ership including the first whitewater interesting to see how often the female descent in Bhutan. Slim Ray, senior paddler comes out on top in this round NOC photographer, has paddled, of whimsicality. Someplace between the taught, and recorded whitewater trips dedication and the final pages of the around the world. His writing and photo- continued on page 36 Vol. XXX. No. 3 Book Reviews

COLD SUMMER WIND CANOECRAFT by Clayton Klein by Ted Moores and Merilyn Mohr Wilderness House Books, Fowlerville, Camden House Publishing, Ltd., Michigan, 48901, (1983) Camden East, Ontario, 5% x 8Y2, b&~photos, $13.95, Canada KOK 1J0, (1983) 260 pages hardbound 150 pages, 8x10%", b&w photos, Kazan, Elk, Thelon, Backs & Coch- drawings, $14.95 rane, the big rivers of the barren grounds Whether you have ever paddled one or in Canada's far north. For most canoe- not, no real canoeist can help but admire ists these are only a dream; some vision the beauty and style of a fine cedar strip concocted in the mind, but to the father canoe. If your admiration becomes and son team of Clayton and Darrell desire, then this is the book for you, for it Klein they became a real life adventure. gives extensive directions for building Paddling over 3,000 miles over a period your own strip/epoxy craft. There is an of several years on different trips, mostly early section on design that explainsthe by themselves in a single aluminum advantages and trade-offs of the various canoe, with a plastic dry box and 2- styles, and this can be of great help if burner Coleman stove they managed to you should have intentions of modifying experience the wilderness at its best and a model. Next is a section consisting of worst. There were warm and sunny days the specifications for seven different when the fish were biting and wildlife designs which, with the aid of paper, close at hand, but seemingly many more pencil and skill, you can transform into days when the ice was thick, the wind hardback forms. Equipping a workshed, strong and cold, and the prime con- a discussion of the woods that can be sideration was survival itself. Interesting used and also thevarious resins, glasses reading for anyone contemplating afar- and plastics is included. The following north expedition, and containing useful chapters give exacting instructions information regarding the rapids, por- which should lead even the clumsiest tages and conditions to be encountered carpenter through the boat building along the rivers mentioned above. In process with little trouble. There are addition there are sprinkled among the many diagrams and photographs which text little tidbits of trivia on weather, aid the explanation and clarify many geology and ecology plus a healthy questions which could be left unan- dose of history. Some 30 pages are de- swered by the text. If you have never voted to the story of the Garry Lake worked with fiberglass, the section Mission. There is a nice little biblio- which describes the application of the graphy for anyone interested in pur- glass/epoxy sandwich to both inside suing additional reading. and outsidesurfaces, thus sealing in the But make no mistake: this is not great wood and greatly strengthening the literature. There is little in the way of a 'monocoque' hull will be of value to you. story line to interest the casual reader Aside from the hull there are other and thewhitewater devotee will find little considerations, some of which are which will arouse his passion. The purely asthetic, which go into the fin- structure is 'wooden', like a third grade ished product, and these are given reader, which perhaps explains why the discussion in the section on fitting out. publisher is a press in the hometown of And lastly, a section on repair of dam- the author. But despite these short- aged wood or fiberglass. comings, give the author the credit due: This book seems to be the complete a man who not only made his canoeing text of strip/epoxy construction, written dreams come true but was able to carry in such a detailed and understandable that interest into print and share his way that it is hard to conceive of away in experiences with others. Cold Summer which it could be improved. This is Wind has limited appeal but at the same probably because it is an elaboration of time has a definite place and worthwhile the manual which used to accompany purpose. continued on page 36 by Tom McCloud Vol. XXX, No. 3 PRODUCT REVIEW HYDRA TUF-LITE

After acquiring Hydra in November of We have a notchless footbrace that 1984 we took some timetothink overthe is designed so it will not cut a bare foot challenge we had ahead of us and or weardown a protective bootie. decided that we needed to do was Our innovative thigh strap system introduce new features that have never features padded straps with a pull-up before been available on kayaks and release system that is quick and canoes. effective. So here is what we have done: We have bright new hull colors with Our hulls are made of a plastic resin bold, eye catching graphics. called TUF-LITE. We liked it enough to So we're back in full swing and under add it to our name. This resin enables us production in our plant in Knoxville, to make our boats stronger, tougher, TN. Please give us a call at 1-800-537- stiffer and lighter than crosslinked 888 and let us answer your questions. polyethylene. And best of all its re- pairable. Vol. XXX, No. 3 33 Dave McCourtney, Keith Thompson asked me to write to you about the meeting that took place between Yellowstone National Park superintendent Ben Clarey and mem- bers of the Beartooth Paddlers Society. After some correspondence between myself and Mr. Clarey a meeting was arranged to discuss the possibility of allowing boating on the rivers of the park. The meeting took place in Billings on Monday the 29th of April. Superin- tendent Barber and assistant Super- intendent Clarey were present as well as eight of our club members. Mr. Barber was very receptive to the idea of allowing boating in the park. He mentioned that there are precedents in other national parks for allowing boat- ing in recent years. New River Gorge and Redwood National Parks were two examples he cited. We mentioned that Hydra Tuf-Lite's we would be interested in anything from class 1 to class 6 water where such use Matador would not conflict with other values of the park. Of course the Yellowstone River was discussed as it has long been The Matador is said to be the hottest, the location of illegal runs and is such a most talked about white water play boat prime example of the tremendous qual- on the rivers today. Because of its ity of the river resource within the park. shorter hull length, twelve feet, this We were advised that a committee of beauty will play in any water you come park employees would be formed to look upon. It is substantially wider than most into the possibilities. We were also boats to offer more 'wet area' for added advised that we would be contacted as stability. Yet this craft gives ample soon as the committee begins its work freedom of movement without the feel- and given an opportunity to express our ing of being cramped. It is at home on views. any water from the East Coast to the I think that superintendent Barbee Pecos. and assistant superintendent Clarey should be applauded for addressing an issue that has for too long been ignored and for approaching the issue with an open mind. I would urge all interested parties to write to the superintendent 1- To The Editor with your comments and suggestions. Dave Mawyer 1717 Mariposa To the Editor: Billings Mt. 59102 I found Doctor Andy Embick's article (406) 245-0086 well-written-too bad it was written for the last century when great white hunt- ers were in vogue. Whit Deschner HCR 88 Box 168 Baker OR 97814

Vol. XXX, No. 3 AWA AFFILIATES

Adlrondack Mt. Club Schenectady Clinton River Canoe School KCCNY C/O Ken Robbins 23705 Audrey C/O Phyllis Horowitz 21 Beechwood Dr. Warren, MI 48091 PO. Box 329 Burnt Hills, NY 12027 Phonecia, NY 12464 Coastal Canoeists, Inc. Allegheny Canoe Club P.O. Box 566 Keel-Hauler Canoe Club C/O Walt Pilewski Richmond, VA 23204 P.O. Box 30094 . 755 W. Spring St. Titusville, PA 16354 Colorado Whltewater Assoc. 7600 Kennebec Sewer Runners Antioch Kayak Club E. Arapahoe Englewood. CO 801 12 C/OPaul Reinstein C/O Karl Mahle RFD #l. Box 5240 P.E. Dept. Antioch College Dragonfly Designs Skowhegan, ME 04976 Yellow Spring. OH 45387 Box 468T Geyserville, CA 95441 Keyston Raft and Kayak Adv. Appalachian Mt. Club Box 1486 Connecticut Chapter Eastern Montana College Valdez, AK 99686 C/O Richard Ploski Outdoor Program 29 Hardwick Rd. c/o Mark Polakoff. Box 570 Ledyard Canoe Club Forestville. CT 06010 Billings. MT 59101 Dartmouth College Hanover. NH 03755 Appalachian Mt. Club Explorer Post 2001 NY-NO. J Chap., Canoe Comm. C/O James A. Hasse 64 Lower Columbia Canoe Club % Braley, Lupine Way 11627 So. Arbor Dr. 40210 Stirling, NJ 07980 Box Houston, TX 77089 Portland, OR 97240 Ashvllle YMCA Kayak Club Explorer Post 999 Mason-Dixon Canoe Cruisers C/O Charles Hines C/O R. Steve Thomas. Jr C/ORon Shanholtz 30 Woodfin St. 3509 W. Colonial Dr. 222 Pheasant Trail Ashville, NC 28801 Hopewell. VA 23860 Hagerstown.- MD 21740-. Beartooth Paddler's Society Farmington Hills P&R Canoe & Meramec River Canoe Club C/O Keith Thompson Kayak 1171 N. 10 St. Earl C. S~ffle C/O David Justus 26 Lake Rd. Laramie, WY 82070 31555 Eleven Mile Rd. Fenton. MO 63026 Farmington Hills. MI 48018 Beartooth Paddler's Society Merrimack Valley Paddlers C/O Michael Maxwell Foothill Canoe Club 4440 C/O James Jackson Toyon Dr. PO Box 10664 F.S. 38 Billings. MT 59106 Beebe Lane Greenville, SC 29603 Merrirnack, NH 03054 Birmingham Canoe Club Furman, Dr. Richard Metropolitan Canoe Box 957 702 State Farm Rd. & Kayak Club Birmingham, AL 35201 Boone, NC 28607 C/O N.A. Payne Boat Busters Anonymous G.L.O.P. Box 1868 2961 Hemingway Ave. C/O James Tibensky Brooklyn, NY 11202 St. Paul, MN 55119 1510 Lombard Ave. Minnesota Canoe Assoc., Inc. Buck Ridge Ski Club Berwyn, ILL 60402 Box 14207 University Station C/O Jay E. Bradbury Minneapolis. MN 55414 1024 Carolyn Dr. Georgia Canoeing Assoc. West Chester. PA 19380 PO Box 7023 Monocacy Canoe Club Atlanta, ~~30357 Box 1083 Canoe Club Of Gr. Harrisburg Hoosier Canoe Club Frederick. MD 21701 C/O Walt Sieger 2747 C/O Jerry Schoditsch N. 4th St. 6418 Monoco Canoe Club, Inc. Harrisburg. PA 171 10 Bramshaw Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46220 C/O Tom Buckard Canoe Crulsers Assoc. of 456 Steuben Ave. Greater Washington, D.C. Inc. ldaho Alpine Club Forked River, NJ 08731 P.O. Box 572 P.O. Box 2885 Arlington. VA 22216 ldaho Falls, ldaho 83401 National Org. River Sports C/OMary McCurdy, Ed. Castillo, Larry ldaho State University Box 6847 2224 S.W. 24 St. Outdoor Prog. Colorado Springs. CO 80934 C/O Ron Watters Miami. Fla. 33145 New Waves Kayak Club Box 81 18 ISU Chicago Whltewater Association 83209 Smith, Morgan Pocatello, ID 2644 Bonnie Brae C/O Marge Cline Casper, WY 82601 1343 No. Portage ldaho Whitewater Assoc. Palantine, IL 60067 C/O Rob Lesser MO~IOCOCanoe Club, Inc. 1812 N. 21st C/O Tom Buckard Boise, ID 83702 301 Oakdale St. Toms River. NJ 08757 Vol. XXX, No. 3 35 AWA AFFILIATES ...2 Niagara Gorge Kayak Club Telluride Navy Wanda Canoe Club C/O Douglas Bushnell P.O. Box 888- C/O F. Trautmann P.O. Box 157 Station B Telluride. CO 81435 15 Beveridge Rd. Buffalo, NY 14222 Mahwah. NJ 07430 -I Northern Arizona Paddlers Club Tenn Valley Canoe Club Wasatch Min. Club Box 11125- C/O James Roll C/OKayaking Dir. P.O. Box 1224 Chattanooga, TN 37401 3155 Highland Dr. Flagstaff, AZ 86002 Tennessee Valley Authority Salt Lake City, UT 84106 Northern New York Paddlers Forestry L~brary Washington Kayak Club Box 228 Norris, TN 37828 P.O. Box 24264 Schenectady, NY 12308 Texas Whitewater Assoc. Seattle, WA 98124 Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers Box 5429 Wild-Water Rafting Club Austin, TX 78763 C/O Alan Roberts Box 1523 Box 826, Wellington St. Toledo River Gang York, PA 17405-1523 Colchester, VT 05446 C/O Jim Hock Willamette Kayak & Canoe Club 320 Cyril St. P.O. Box 1062 Ozark Wilderness Waterways Toledo, OH Corvallis. OR 97331 Club - - P.O. Box 16032 Triad River Runners Wilmington Trail Club Kansas City, MO 6411 2 912 Bellview St. Box 1184 C/O Glenn Creamer Wilmington. DE 19899 Outdoor Adventure Club Winston-Salem, NC 27103 C/O Rodman D. Joblove Z.C.P.F. and C.K.C. 2845 Liberty Ellerton Rd U of M Outdoor Prog. C/ORobert W. Smith Dayton, OH 45418 U. of Montana. UC 164 10422 Tomkinson Dr. Missoula. MT 5981 2 Scotts. MI 49088 Penobscot Paddle &Chowder Soc. U-Wisconsin Hoofers Club C/OAdrion Humphreys C/O Mike Sklavos 20 Forest Ave. 329N. Jackson #3 Orono, ME 04473 Janesville, WI 53545 HELP! Philadelphia Canoe Club Upper Delaware NS & RR AWA is involved in 4900 R~dgeAve. Box C 5 FERC Proceedings Philadelphia. PA 19128 Narrowsburg. NY 12764 to save the Moose and Raw Strength & Courage Kayake Valdez Alpine Club Black Rivers. Legal Jerry Gluck C/OAndrew Embick MD 1230 Astro Dr. #B2022 P.O. Box 1889 work and not working Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6165 Valdez, AK 99686 costs $! Help us help Redwood Paddlers WIMPS you by sending a C/OJohn Farison C/OBill Wang check to: 6794 Clara Lane 66 Statt Rd. Save Rivers Forestville. CA 95436 AWA Rochester. NY 14624 Project Rutgers Univ. Outdoor CI. W-PAFB Outdoor P.O. Box 231 C/O AWA Treasurer Adventurers Club 6301 Hillcrest Place C/ORobert Markley C/O.Rod D. Jablove New Brunswick, NJ 08903 2845 Licerty-Ellerton Rd. Alexandria, VA 22312. Remember AWA Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter Dayton, OH 45418 C/ODavid Kim donations are tax 3309 Oxford Lane deductible. San Jose. CA 95117

continued from page 31 continued from page 32 river dictionary Nealy finds a way to the Bear Mountain canoe kits, and SO abuse almost every type of paddler but has been through the test of use by doesn't pick out one for special insult. many amateur builders. He maintains an even keel by being an by Tom McCloud equal opportunity offender. There is a lot of good information in W.H.C., volume II, and if you've enjoyed William Nealy's previous books, then you'll love this one. by Tom McCloud

Vol. XXX, No. 3 BUYER'S GUIDE - € WHOLE RIVER CATALOG s Access to Gear b THE WHOLE RIVER CATALOG, published three times a year in AMERICAN WHITEWATER, A is an AWA servicedesigned to link up ourreaders with the best and mostconvenientsourcesof = boating supply, instruction, and general whitewater paraphenalia. Prices for a full year's participation in the catalog range from only $40 to $90, depending on type of listing. If you know a supplier who would like toappear in the WHOLE RIVER CATALOG, just send the firm's name and address to AWA, Whole River Catalog, 146 N. Brockway, Palatine, IL 60067 and request further details.

BOAT MFGRS. BLADE & ACCESSORY MFGR. 1. Hydra 5061 S. National Dr. Knoxville, Tn 37914 VOYAGEUR'S LTD.- 1-800-537-8888 Waterproof Storage 81 Flotation Bags Hydra rotomolded kayaks and whitewater accessories. for Canoeing Kayaking 2. David E. Brown Sailing Hunting Great Falls Canoe and Kayak Repair Box 409 9328 Old Court House Road Vienna, VA 22180 Gardner, KN 66030 (913) 764-7755 r

7. Whetstone Photography Hwv. 76. Box 85 *?P ~oigcreek, SC 29658 mitchell 'D MITCHELL PADDLES, INC. Quality River Gear by Mail I CANAAN, N.H. 03741 Write For Free Catalog I 230 Penllyn Pike 1215) 3. Mitchell Paddles 1 Penllyn, PA 19422 646-5034 Canaan, NH 03741, (603) 523-7004 The best wooden paddles & whitewater accessories. 4. Natural Designs 4849 W. Marginal Way S.W. RETAIL SALES Seattle, WA 98106. (206) 935-3998 9. Boulder Whitewater Supply OUTRAGE Playboats, POLARIS Sea Kayaks. 2510 N. 47th St., Boulder, CO 80301 Free booklet. Specializing in sales & instruction in kayaks & RETAIL SALES canoes. 10. Canoe House 520 S. Greenbay Ave., Gillette, WI 54124 Retail sales of canoes, kayaks & outdoor equipment. 11. Canoes Etc. 630 E. Polk. Morton, IL 61550 Canoe and Kayak sales: lona- line accessories 12. Clavey Equipment 30 Pamarion Way, Unit M. Novato. CA 94947 (415) 883-8826 Top quality rafting equipment and rentals. Free product newsletter.

Ann 8 Bill Sweeney Expert Instruction Canoes, Kayaks, Accessories Sales, Rentals, Repairs 2009 S. Main Street Moscow, Id Mail Order 208-882-2383 8384 1 PO Box 441, Madison, NJ 07940 201 -635-6593 I Showroom: 55 Passaic Ave., Florham Park, NJ 07932 I Quality mail order river supplies.

AWA Journal NON-PROFIT BULK RATE 146 N. Brockwav Permit No. 9 Palatine, IL 60067 West Sand Lake NY 12196 Address Correction and Forwarding Requested