Canoe Yesterday News Today Winter 2017 Vol. 50 No. 4 USCA INSURANCE AVAILABLE For USCA Club Affiliates, Business Affiliates & Race Sponsors Having a race or cruise? Need Liability and Participant Accident Insurance? Get it from the USCA! A non-profit organization dedicated to serving its members Excellent Coverage & Rates Available For clinics, clubs, river clean-ups, cruises, races, and more Year round club liability coverage Join the USCA and have access to the USCA Insurance Program Go to the USCA Website www.uscanoe.com and click on: USCA Member Benefit – Event Sanctioning & Liability Insurance Please contact USCA President Rebecca Davis for USCA requirements for an event to be sanctioned. Contact: USCA’s Insurance Administrator Brandi M Hallum, Specialty Insurance Consultants, LLC 844-558-5181 [email protected] 2 From the Editor: The 50th Anniversary is a special occasion for almost any event: marriage, employment, years without a cavity, etc. But it’s doubly spe- cial for a volunteer organization based on the love of paddling and racing. This year marks the 50th Anniversary for the USCA, humbly Executive Committee started in the living room of a few enthusiasts President: Rebecca Davis in Indiana in 1967 and taking off in 1968. With 6417 23 Mile Rd, Homer, MI 49245 that in mind we’re dedicating this issue specifi- 517-227-4794 [email protected] cally to the celebration and remembrance of these past 50 years, with a forward look to the Vice President: Larry Latta next 50. In addition we intend to have special 1188 Broken Bow Ct, Westerville, OH 43081- articles and interviews in each of our upcoming 3262 issues this year related to our 50th. 614-882-1519 [email protected] So Celebrate!!! Secretary: Joan Theiss Keep paddling strong! 12802 Lake Jovita Blvd, Dade City, FL 33525- 8265 Steve 352-588-9877 [email protected] Front Cover Treasurer: John Edwards Top Photo: Roxanne (Triebold) Barton (photo cen- 1929 Arrowhead Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, ter) and Beth Schluter (photo right), 1977. FL 33703-1903 Bottom Photo: Briana Fitzgerald at 2016 Nationals, 727-459-6366 [email protected] courtesy of BillAmosPhotography.com Disclaimer: Opinions and/or advice expressed in this maga- ————————————————————————— zine by individuals, whether or not they are officers of or dele- gates to, the United States Canoe Association, are personal Canoe News and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the United States Canoe Association. Publication by the United Editor: Steven Horney/Asst. Ed: Julie Horney States Canoe Association, whether in print, online, or in any 15806 Timberwillow Dr, Huntertown, IN 46748 other form, does not imply endorsement. 260-452-6447 [email protected] Advertising: Scott Stenberg Canoe News is the official publication of the 3232 Jugg St , Moravia, NY 13118 United States Canoe Association 315-406-4692 [email protected] Supporting a Five Star Program: Printing and Distribution: Steve Rosenau Camping, Camaraderie, Cruising, Conservation, 105 Waterford Dr., Mt Holly, NC 28037 and Competition 704-483-4130 [email protected] ———————————————————— www.uscanoe.com 3 CONTENTS WINTER 2017 Inside this issue: View from the Bow 5 Our USCA: A 5-Star Program? 6 Yesterday: Founding Member Bob Stwalley 8 Confessions of a Canoe Racer 11 Breakneck Speed, Drop Dead Gorgeous 15 Adventures on Sugar Creek 22 USCA Old People 24 Life Lessons on the River: My Teammates, My Sons 25 Today: Briana Fitzgerald Paddler Profile 28 USCA Membership Application / Renewal Form 32 50 Years in Photos 33 USCA Officers, Delegates, Chairs, and Affiliates 40 Canoe News Advertising Rates, Policy Notice, Photo Release 42 4 VIEW FROM THE BOW USCA PRESIDENT REBECCA DAVIS Since I was six years old I could do. I have quite a few races have been a stern paddler. Over under my belt, and this was a way three quarters of my life has been to keep it fresh. I trained hard, spent following the paddler in paddled with people who had way front of me, calling switches, and more experience than I did to get learning how to get the most out feedback, and tried my hardest to of my partner. I have loved every relinquish control. I spent many minute of it. It is my comfortable hours adjusting my stroke me- place. I want the control of run- chanics and cadence. It was bru- ning my own boat. Even as a tal. younger paddler, I knew that I By the time I started pad- major race, or maybe racing would be a stern paddler for life. dling with my partner I knew I women’s for the first time ever. It There was no point in spending was ready. We had probably the will be scary, daunting, and may- time in the bow, because who best race (definitely in the top 5) be even intimidating, but we will would go with me then? of my career thus far. It might get to share the experience with During the 2017 season, I stand to be the best I ever have, other women, and other paddlers. did something I had never even but I will keep working to top it. I We won’t be out there alone. considered in the past. I commit- learned how to be more assertive, 2018 is a good year to ted to racing the Au Sable River how to communicate better, and I challenge ourselves. We can race Canoe Marathon in the bow. I experienced the struggles that my with someone new, check that was nervous that I might not be partners have to endure. It was bucket list race off of the list, strong enough to hold up my end absolutely a positive experience. mentor a fledgling paddler, do a of the bargain, and fizzle out over This year, I hope to spend big C-1 race, try a different end of the later stages of the race. I was some time in each seat, although the boat, or maybe try a new one anxious that I wouldn’t have I will always call the stern home. altogether. We can’t do the same enough experience, or intuition, Racing up front has made me thing year after year and expect and make things more difficult on think about how trying some- to improve. Find the joy of dis- my partner than they needed to thing different can really change covering something new, set be. I was terrified of running to our perspective, and cause us to goals, play, and have fun. Let’s the river, and jumping off of the grow as athletes. It makes me ex- make this the best year yet. dock. cited for the women’s race that is Part of the reason I made happening at the General Clinton this decision is that it was scary Canoe Regatta this Memorial Rebecca for me. I wanted to be chal- Day. Many women will be pad- lenged. I needed to see how I dling bow for the first time in a 5 OUR USCA: A 5-STAR PROGRAM? BOB ALLEN Our USCA. Fifty years fa- of focus for our racing. Our indi- every one of our Nationals. Tom cilitating the organization of mar- vidual focus zones determine our Thomas this year travelled with a athon competition. At our incep- motivation levels for training and friend of his from Indiana to the tion in Indiana, although mara- racing. Gifted athletes might be Maine woods for a week of camp- thon racing was our focus, our motivated to condition and train ing in September: a disastrous "Founding Fathers" adopted a 5- to beat all comers. Mere mortals rainy, windy, boat sinking skir- star program of competition, like myself condition and train to mish on Moosehead Lake; fol- camping, cruising, conservation, be the best we can be, given our lowed by an equally disastrous and camaraderie. How has that genetics. Others may overcome a windy, rainy, drought-infested worked out? How are we to pro- previously sedentary lifestyle, low water scraping trip on the ceed with the non-competition bringing nature into better focus Alagash River. Fun! In the late elements in our sights? along with healthful fitness. All 80s, my son and I teamed up of us do the best we can for the with Ted Kenyon Sr. and Junior shape we are in, and have a joyful on an adventure canoe camping We have to remember that our time. trip to the Lake George, Lake organization was formed with a Champlain, Lake Champlain primary goal of promoting mara- thon competition. The USCA has *Camaraderie: We have great barge canal area. It’s an area full of French and Indian War and no paid staff and our members camaraderie with our fellow pad- Revolutionary War history. A today are obviously focused on dlers. It is important. Judy friend of Tim's joined us in our competition. Our members also Jeans once handed out stickers 18' wood canvas Old Town Guide have work, family, and other non- for our boats with "Camaraderie" boat and we had a great time at- canoeing activities in their lives. written in red letters. Mine is tacking Fort Ticonderoga, Mount Not surprising that the remaining still on Tim's and my 30+ year four stars receive little or no con- old Kevlar Crozier V-1. Canoers Defiance, and Crown Point from the water. One of my first race scious attention from our mem- and kayakers are friendly folks, paddling buddies, Jim Lehman, bership. So, given the meager 24 freely helping fellow paddlers im- and I took a canoe camping ad- hours in each day, it is unrealistic prove .... sometimes getting venture trip each September/ to expect us to be capable of high- passed by those they have helped.