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Welcome new USCA President Rebecca Davis! News

PPARACANOEARACANOE 20162016 WWENONAHENONAH CCANOESANOES ATAT 5050 OOUTRIGGERUTRIGGER RRACINGACING HHAWAIIANAWAIIAN SSTYLETYLE && MUCHMUCH MOREMORE!!!!!!

Spring 2017 Vol. 50 No. 1

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From the Editor:

Spring is the season of change: the weather is warming, plants are blooming—and are being dusted off and reintroduced to their native habitat! In like manner, Julie and I are intro- Executive Committee ducing a bit of an updated look to Canoe News, President: Rebecca Davis hoping to bring you a top-notch publi- 22940 H Dr S, Homer MI 49245 cation with more color and some cool graphic 517-227-4794 [email protected] stuff. Hopefully you like it. We’re still amateurs,

but we’re learning! Be sure to welcome Rebecca Vice President: Larry Latta Davis as our new USCA President; it’s exciting 1188 Broken Bow Ct, Westerville, OH 43081-3262 614-882-1519 [email protected] to have one of our younger—and faster— members take the helm! Secretary: Joan Theiss 12802 Lake Jovita Blvd, Dade City, FL 33525-8265 Keep paddling strong! 352-588-9877 [email protected]

Steve Treasurer: John Edwards 1929 Arrowhead Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703- 1903 Front Cover: Paracanoe racer Nik Miller. 727-459-6366 [email protected] Photo courtesy of Scott Areman Photography. Back Cover: La Paz Bay, Baja, Mexico. Photo courtesy of Steve Dresselhaus.

————————————————————————— Disclaimer: Opinions and/or advice expressed in this magazine Canoe News by individuals, whether or not they are officers of or delegates Editor: Steven Horney / Asst. Ed: Julie Horney to, the United States Canoe Association, are personal and do 15806 Timberwillow Dr, Huntertown, IN 46748 not necessarily reflect the official position of the United States Canoe Association. Publication by the United States Canoe 260-452-6447 [email protected] Association, whether in print, online, or in any other form, does Advertising: Scott Stenberg not imply endorsement. 3232 Jugg St , Moravia, NY 13118 315-406-4692 [email protected] Canoe News is the official publication of the United States Canoe Association Printing and Distribution: Steve Rosenau 105 Waterford Dr., Mt Holly, NC 28037 Supporting a Five Star Program: 704-483-4130 [email protected] Camping, Camaraderie, , Conservation, and Competition

———————————————————— www.uscanoe.com

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CONTENTS

SPRING 2017

Inside this issue:

View from the Stern 5 The Queen Lili’Uokalani Canoe Race 7 Lore and Bent Shaft 10 Paddler Profile: Calvin Hassel 14 Des Plaines River Stewardship 18 Builder Profile: Mike Cichanowski & Wenonah at 50 21 Paracanoe Women: 2016 (Anja Pierce) 26 Paracanoe Men: 2016 (Nik Miller & Danzig Norberg) 28 & 30 The Other Canoe 33 The Legend of Jean Marie Cardinal 37 USCA Membership Application / Renewal Form 40 USCA Officers, Delegates, Chairs, and Affiliates 41

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VIEW FROM THE STERN

USCA PRESIDENT REBECCA DAVIS

2017 is just one year shy of paddlers- old and new- after a six make a point to try different part- the 50th anniversary of the USCA, month hiatus. The camaraderie of ners, “fight” over who gets to be in and coming out of the cold winter the camp is something you can’t the bow, hone our skills, and laugh months (for those of us in northern find too many other places. There a lot. Its confidence building, as climates) into this new year of pad- are people from all over North many of us don’t spend a lot of dling leaves us filled with giddy hanging out. Nobody is time paddling women’s because we anticipation. Many follow the , there are no commitments are “too slow” or don’t live close American tradition, and travel to for the day after the paddle is over, enough, but once we hit the water for Spring Break… with it doesn’t matter where somebody we realize that the men aren’t too boats, paddles, lifejackets, and finishes. We stop for lunch breaks, much faster, or any more skilled electrolyte powders in tow. swim breaks, and have “points” for and stable. My particular version of taking not-so-great short cuts, or I’m not trying to sell my Florida centers on the Suwannee touching a turtle before it leaps off version of Florida (although please River, a place relatively unknown its sunning log. join us!), but I think it does some to tourists but a hidden gem for We do paddle hard, and really good things to develop our paddlers. It may not boast the pic- people are scouting out potential , and keep us connected. The turesque beauty of some of the partners, but with a whole week of camaraderie, skill training, willing- spring fed to the south, but it paddling in front of us, it’s a ness to change partners, and the provides the opportunity of pad- chance to jump in with people that welcoming of new people, are not dling THREE different rivers with- there wouldn’t be the opportunity always at the forefront during the out ever having to get into the car. to otherwise. At lunch, most of the racing season. It’s not about The State Park doesn’t have room top guys switch partners, giving “sacrificing” every race or training service or high class amenities, but those that are not as fast or experi- day, but really going out and hav- it does have clean bathrooms, hot enced the chance to really go. ing fun on the water, offering help showers, electric hook-ups, and a Maybe the fast guys don’t know where it is needed, cheering on our washer/dryer. What more could a what they are giving to the rest of competitors, and having perspec- girl ask for? the group by doing this, but it real- tive in both triumph and disap- Paddling in Florida is one of ly is one of the appeals of the pointment during the coming sea- th my favorite parts of a season. It’s camp. No partner is too unattaina- son. The challenge for our 50 not the sun, or the whole week that ble for this one week. year is to look ahead and see where I get to spend on the water that We also make a point to do we can reach out to share the joy makes the week so great- although a women’s paddle, which is proba- that paddling brings. those things do help a lot. The best bly my favorite day. With all of part is getting so see all of the other the women paddling together, we

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THE QUEEN LILI’UOKALANI OUTRIGGER CANOE RACE

TOM THOMAS

Roxanne Barton racing OC6 with an all-women’s team at the Catalina race in California. OC6 racing is extremely popular in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific Rim.

Most marathon canoe rac- Pacific islands, but it is growing in The two major outrigger ers are highly familiar with the popularity in inland areas. One races in Hawaii are the Molokai single hull marathon racing ca- notable example of this growth is (or Channel Race) which is a noes we typically use for competi- the recently added OC1 class to 40 mile race from the Island of tion on lakes and rivers. We deal our USCA Nationals. In spite of Molokai to Waikiki Beach on the with rapids, wakes, wind pro- this growth, outrigger canoe rac- Island of Oahu, and the Queen duced waves, and people asking ing remains a relatively unknown Lili'Uokalani Race which is an 18 us “is that a home-made canoe?” sport in the contiguous United mile race along the Kona Coast of But another type of canoe racing States. Head out to the Pacific is- the Big Island of Hawaii. The has captured the fancy of many lands, however, and this all Queen’s Race is billed as the marathon paddlers: outrigger changes: outrigger canoe racing is world’s largest outrigger canoe canoe racing. a major sport in these regions. It race and attracts outstanding is the State Sport of Hawaii and is crews from all over the world.

very popular- and heavily partici- This race was originated in 1972 Outrigger racing is a sport pated in- throughout the Pacific to honor Queen Lili'Uokalani, who primarily associated with ocean Rim. was the last reigning monarch of racing along coastal areas and the

7 the Kingdom of Hawaii. She world. (See a video of the Molokai ly a and very intense. In the reigned from January 1891 until Hoe race filmed in live in 1985 by Double Hull Races the ama and the overthrow of the Kingdom two going to: https://youtu.be/ the iako (the arms that attach the years later in 1893. The race is ZgeripgIc2M) ama to the outrigger hull) are re- well attended by crews from Ha- moved from the OC6 . The waii, the US Mainland, , hulls are then catamaraned togeth- The following year (1986) a New Zealand, Australia, , er with two 4 by 4’s and paddled group of marathon women pad- United Kingdom plus other coun- by a 12 person crew. The Double dlers (including Roxanne Barton) tries and Pacific Islands. Hull Race and all the other second put together an OC6 team that day races start and finish by the took 2nd overall in the Molokai Hoe pier and seawall where the swim The Molokai Hoe race was race. These gals were tough as start is for the Ironman World first held in 1952 and is considered heck in their own right and served Championships. This is a fairly a championship race; it is raced by as an inspiration to many female congested place for the large num- some the world’s best crews. The paddlers. These race performanc- ber of Double Hull rigs to start; outrigger paddlers first got a taste es inspired other marathon pad- starts are frequently very wild and of what Marathon/Olympic pad- dlers to race the Molokai Hoe, in- hazardous. Collisions off the start dlers could do in this race when cluding our own past USCA Presi- occasionally occur. A Double Hull the 1980 Olympic Team raced and dent Peter Heed. It also sparked with the 12 person crew weighs had the lead off the start. But a the interest of marathon paddlers well over a ton so a collision can half hour into the race their ama to participate in the Queen’s Race. cause damage to both boats and (the outrigger) broke and they had crew. to stop for over 8 minutes to fix it The Queen’s Race is a fan- by using large rubber bands made tastic race and takes place over the from inner tubes to strap it The main 18 mile race on Labor Day weekend. The main back together. By the time they the first day can be very grueling OC6 race is 18 miles long and ex- were done they were in last place, due to the heat and sometimes the tends between Kailua, Kona, and but pursued the other boats with water can get very choppy with no Pu’uhomua o Honaunau (Point water spraying off the repaired real “bumps” to ride like in the Refuge) National Historical Park. ama. Even with the drag of the Molokai Hoe. The 2016 race was The women’s race is in the morn- repaired ama, they passed all but exceptionally hot and after the ing and starts in Kailua (site of the the team from Tahiti and ended up race I ended up being carried to Ironman World Championships) in 2nd place, only 2 minutes behind the first aid tent and having an IV and finishes at Point Refuge. The the winners. Roland Muhlen, who stuck in my arm. The finish line men’s race is in the afternoon and was a member of this crew, gave can be seen for the last 9 miles of starts at Point Refuge and finishes me a play by play description of the race, so it can become a mind at the pier in Kailua. There may be this race which was filmed by ABC game to keep your concentration up to 150 men’s OC6 crews and Wide World of . Then in and not fixate on “the line doesn’t 150 women’s OC6 crews, making 1985 the “Illinois Brigade” crew of seem to be getting any closer” as the starting lines up to a mile long nine elite marathon paddlers con- you are hammering away in the and creating one heck of a mass sisting of Everett Crozier, Mike heat and in time with the other 5 start! Fries, Kurt Doberstein, Tim paddlers in the boat. We mara- Triebold, Serge Corbin, Jay thon paddlers are not accustomed Mittman, Al Runquist, Joe John- On the second day there are to paddling in the same boat with son, and Bruce Barton came from Double Hull, OC1, OC2 and SUP 5 other paddlers but we always behind to resoundingly win the Races. These are shorter 4 or 5 seem to match-up really well. You race and really shock the outrigger mile long races making them near- have to stay focused to stay in time

8 and not “zone out”. waiian from Honolulu and our 9 person class. Way to go guys, Crew Captain), Jerry Franklin you changed the world’s largest I first paddled this race in from San Diego, California (our premier international outrigger 2005 as part of Everett Crozier’s steersman in seat 6), and me. Our canoe race and gave them a jolt on Great Lakes Brigade crew. Over crew name is “Shaka’s Fossils,” an what marathon paddlers can do! the years since then we’ve assem- appropriate name for us fossilized bled other crews of marathon pad- old goats! We have been “Shaka’s dlers and while paddling as Ever- Fossils” for the last 3 years and After the second day of rac- ett‘s “Great Lakes Brigade” we won have won our age group twice and ing, the race sponsors put on a big our age group 4 times and were came in second once. I hope we luau as part of the awards ceremo- second another year. We also won can kick some butt this year! ny with great food and free beer. the Double Hulls race in our age It doesn’t get any better than that! group a few times as well. Ever- So, if you want to do a great race in ett’s crew was winning before I got Many years ago this race a beautiful area, try the Queen’s involved, so it wasn’t me making was primarily a 9 person race race and have one heck of a racing the difference. It has been great where there were 6 paddlers in the experience. Spend a few extra paddling this race with such mara- boat and 3 in a power chase boat, days and tour around the Big Is- thon paddling standouts as Everett as is done in the Molokai Hoe. land and go to Volcanoes National Crozier, Roland Muhlen, Mike They would switch out paddlers Park. Drive up Mauna Kea and Johnson, Rich Rankinen, Ron Wil- every 20 minutes or so allowing hike up Mauna Loa. If you want to liams, John Casale, Charlie Bruno paddlers to get a rest. That see what the Queen’s Race is all and other outstanding marathon changed about 15 years ago when about, go to https:// paddlers. an elite crew of only 6 marathon www.kaiopua.org/ql-blog.asp and paddlers captained by Everett Cro- click on “Videos” under the Queen zier paddled the race the whole The outrigger paddlers we Lili'Uokalani header and watch way without switching out. They come up against in this race can’t great videos of the 2012 men’s and were the winners of the race in believe we don’t practice together women’s races. Also on this blog their age group in addition to de- all the time in an OC6 and that we are listings for many crews looking feating all the other men’s crews in come out to Hawaii and win our for people to fill seats for the their age group who were paddling age group. About the only time we Queens Race. So if you are inter- with nine man crews! Nine man would get in an OC6 was when we ested in doing the race but don’t crews are normally much faster went to Kona to race this race. want to organize a crew, you could than six man crews where there They ask if we are in large pad- possibly get picked up by one of are no switches in paddlers. There dling clubs and they can’t compre- these crews. You can also put your were complaints but the race rules hend a canoe without an outrigger name on the blog that you are were not broken. The rules said on it. Many have never heard of looking for a crew and possibly get there had to be nine man crews, marathon canoe racing, so we do picked up that way as well. I fol- but didn’t say that the crews actu- our best to educate them. Since lowed the latter method for 2 years ally had to switch out. So, the I’ve been involved, we’ve raced in when we didn’t put a crew together same 6 guys paddled the whole the 60-64 class then up to the old- and got picked up by a crew from race and left the other 3 on the est class of 65+. We are hoping Florida and another from Hawaii. chase boat. As a result, in subse- that they will come up with a 70+ quent years, more crews started Enjoy! class. Our planned crew members racing Iron (only 6 in the crew and (as it now stands) for the 2017 race not switching out) and today, most are all over 70 and consists of Ro- crews race in the Iron Class and land Muhlen, Charlie Bruno, Bob only a small percentage race in the Allen, Shaka Madli (a Native Ha- 9

PADDLE LORE AND BENT SHAFT PADDLES

GLEN F. GREENE WITH RECOGNITION TO JOHN ZIEGLER

Painting of Māori warriors and taua war canoes in 1827 [Photo out of Copyright]

Paddle Lore the tree. Captain James Cook (the mythical homeland in tropi- On the third floor of the brought back these Māori bent- cal Polynesia) in large ocean- American Museum of Natural shaft paddles to while going Waka taua. For long ocean History in New York City in the mapping the complete coastline trips these Waka taua's were out- “Margaret Mead Hall of Pacific of Aotearoa (Māori name for fitted with dual amas and sails, Peoples” there are several an- New Zealand) in 1769 during the but paddling seems to have been tique Māori paddles that were first of his two voyages in which the primary mode of propelling built with a bent shaft. These he circumnavigated the globe. these boats. The Māori tribes- paddles were created by using men were noted to be competent the branch of a tree to form the The Māori settled in New paddlers, able to move their paddle shaft and by hewing the Zealand around A.D. 1280. boats fairly rapidly when they blade from the attached trunk of Māori oral history describes the had their paddle timing down arrival of ancestors from Hawaiki (often aided by singing). It may 10 well be that as competent seamen paddler Swan Boats carved out of The Māori people were a the Māori figured out the ad- a single 100 foot Thakien tree tough bunch. During Captain vantages of a bent shaft paddle, which were raced a thousand Cook's second round-the- possibly by accident. years ago in Siam, and the an- world expedition Captain Tobi- Waka taua are large war cient 110-foot 550 B.C. Chinese as Furneau who commanded a canoes up to 130 feet in length Dragon Boats manned by 100 companion ship, lost some of consisting of a main hull formed paddlers. Note that all these his men during an encounter from a single hollowed-out log "long-boats" have a prominently with the Māori. Captain Fur- along with a carved upright head carved head on the bow and a neau returned directly to Eng- and tailboard (typically carved flowing tail on the stern. Swan land after that encounter, and adorned ornately). The en- Boats and Dragon Boats have while Captain Cook continued boat is usually carved and both historical and religious sym- on with his voyage to try to decorated elaborately as well. bols in addition to being used in find the mainland of Antarcti- They are manned by as many as competition. This is also true of ca. When Captain Cooke 100 paddlers. They were some- the waka taua war canoes. stopped by Hawai'i in 1779 times referred to as waka pītau, during his third round-the- world expedition he was killed which describes the perforated, The Māori long-boats are spiral carving that supports the on a beach by Hawaiian also endowed with a spiritual sta- villagers. carved figurehead in the tauihu tus that endures to this day; (prow). many Māroi tribes have specific The waka taua are of a rituals to determine the use of That’s how the whole thing got similar style to the historic 55- their waka taua. started. The first one I did had Detailed information on about a seven-degree bend in it. I Maori war canoes can be found got down the river with that all at: http:// right. I remember a friend look- www.nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/ ing at me and saying, ‘There’s scholarly/tei-BesCano-t1-body- Jensen with another gimmick..’” d2-d6.html

I doubt that Gene Jensen copied the idea of a bent-shaft Contemporary Paddling paddle from the Māori culture, In canoe but who knows, Gene may have been a world scholar as he was racing circles it is commonly un- clearly a man of many talents. derstood that Gene Jensen came More than likely though, Gene up with the concept of using a probably developed the concept bent-shaft paddle for racing ca- of a bent-shaft paddle on his noes in 1971. In interview by own. Whatever the case, Gene Jensen was the person who Chuck Weis in 1993, Gene Jensen brought worldwide attention to said, “I decided, well, maybe the the concept of a bent-shaft pad- best thing to do is bend that shaft dle. These more efficient, ergo- A waka taua displayed at the back a little so that the blade nomic paddles have become in- Otago Museum, Dunedin, New Zealand creasingly popular with recrea- comes in at the beginning of the [Photo released under the GNU Free tional paddlers and canoe racers. Documentation License] stroke rather than further back. They have even been reintro-

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Some have taken the bent shaft time in the military. Tom Estes concept a little further in the said the military used ‘hut’ col- quest for optimum ergonom- umn right, hut; left flank, ‘hut’ ics: paddle shafts sometimes during marches. When Jensen incorporate multiple bends. and Estes raced in in Brad Gillespie claims to have 1949 not one person said a word originated the double angle during their switches, except paddle. (See http:// them. After Gene and Tom won gillespiepaddles.com/ the 1949 Canoe Classique, “The About.aspx for more info.) next year in 1950 in Quebec, it was ‘Hut, hut…hut, hut, hut!’ by duced to outrigger paddlers in everyone.” (Past USCA Presi- P o l y n e s i a . dent, Peter Heed, recalled that

George Walsh from Maine, the

great champion, was In addition to paddle and credited with bringing “hut” canoe concepts, Gene Jensen was switch signal to New England.) involved with innovating the call “Hut!” to signal switching of sides The signal “hut” then went Māori bent-shaft paddles - American Mu- worldwide. In 1960 when I first seum of Natural History [Photo by John while paddling a canoe. In that Ziegler] same interview with Chuck Weis started racing aluminum canoes in 1993, Gene said that in 1949 in the Boy Scouts while growing dition of saying “hut” continues his canoe partner, Tom Estes, up in Michigan, we used “hut” as today among most C-2 paddlers. came up with the canoe switch a signal to switch sides. This tra- signal “hut” from Estes’ service

Te Toki-a-Tāpiri is one of the last of the traditional waka taua (war canoes) remaining from the 1800s. It is 25 meters long and car- ried up to 100 people. It was built around 1836 for Te Waaka Tarakau of the Ngāti Kahungunu tribe. Before it was completed it was presented to Te Waaka Perohuka of Rongowhakaata who, along with others from his tribe, carved the prow, the sternpost, and the thwarts. From here it passed through the guardianship of the Ngāpuhi people, then Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Whātua, until it ended up in the hands of the government. It is now on display in the Auckland War Memorial Museum. [From the New Zealand Government website: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/waka-canoes ]

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Māori bent-shaft paddles received by Captain Cook 12 Octo- Modern day bent-shaft paddle [Photo from the 2016 ber 1769 - American Museum of Natural History. The shaft is Zaveral Racing Equipment catalog] a branch of a tree and the blade was carved out of the trunk connected to the branch. http://tinyurl.com/guyeqma [Photo by John Ziegler]

“Eugene Jensen (1928 - 2004) was a renown canoe racing com- petitor (he won the Shawinigan Interna- tional Classic four times) and was a “foremost designer of racing hulls - his Jen- sen-designed canoes have dominated both professional and rec- reational marathon racing for years.” (Canoe Jour- nal 1997)

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PADDLER PROFILE: CALVIN HASSEL

BY STEVEN HORNEY

competition opened up a whole new world that was fascinating to me. At my first Nationals I raced in the Fledglings kid’s race after racing C2 men’s with my father. I also raced Junior Cruising. I was 14 at the time. One memory that sticks out in particular from my first Nation- als was watching the finish of the C1 race. C1 was just starting to get popular at the time, and watching the race really sparked my interest in C1 (my prior ex- perience was all in tandem boats), which is what I primarily race now. It was good to see the depth and capabilities of all the paddlers from all over the coun- try. I remember watching Bruce Barton win in C1 that year. Calvin Hassel & Lynn Capen paddling C2 Mixed at the 1999 USCA Nationals. CN: With your interest in C1 racing sparked, did you immedi- CN: Calvin – you’re well known west Canoe Association held a ately set out to become a top among USCA paddlers and ca- circuit of events in Nebraska dog? noe racers across this nation as and Kansas. I did my first race one of the most accomplished in 1974 at the age of 10. I pad- Calvin: I enjoyed paddling, but canoe racers in North America. dled in this area for a few years, I didn’t train seriously for a How did you get your start in but in 1978 I went to my first while. It took me some time to paddling? Nationals. This was one of the become fast. Every year I would races that had the biggest im- step up my training and I kept Calvin: I’m a native of Nebras- improving little by little. In ka, and I’ve always lived in pact on me; I had only raced small races in my own area pri- 1984, my first year out of Jun- Grand Island, near the Platte iors, I set my goal on a top 10 River. My family got involved in or to that, so being at the Na- tionals and seeing the level of finish in the C1 Men's class and canoe racing in 1970. The Mid- ended up 7th. I kept improving 14

won 54 open class titles: C-1 Man 24 times,C-2 Mixed 16 times and C-2 Men 14 times. CN: Nebraska is not currently thought of as a hot-bed of canoe racing. How do you train to keep in such top shape? Calvin: Living in Nebraska definitely makes it more chal- lenging to stay competitive. It requires significant travel to all the major races, and I have to train by myself. There are no Calvin Hassel & Bob McDowell at the 1994 Clinton. other racers that live in my area. after that point and finally broke win the 3 days of Nationals for High intensity workouts are dif- into the top 3 in 1987. In 1989 I the first time in 1991. Al and I ficult without the benefit of won the C1 Open Class at Na- are the only two men to have ac- training with other paddlers. tionals; I won C1 Man and then complished this; Al did it 3 One bonus for my training is liv- won C2 Man teamed up with times and I did it 11 times. I’ve ing near the Platte River; it’s a Bruce Barton. It was a great ex- now competed in the Nationals sand bottom river and very shal- perience to race with Bruce at 38 years in a row, and it is still low, with a moderate amount of that point; he was a top paddler the main race I focus on. I have current. It’s a tough river to go when I was growing up. Nation- als pretty much peaked in the late 80’s and early 90’s for depth and level of competition, so it was quite an honor to win in that era. The 90’s were my best decade for paddling; I was very consistent at Nationals, and managed 23 Open Class wins in a row. My challenge became to win the 3 days of National races (C1 Man, C2 Man, and C2 Mixed). In 1985 Al Rudquist was the first guy to win all 3; he was one of the top racers in the 80’s and 90s. Al gave me some technique comments in 1987 that really helped me move up Calvin Hassel (stern) with father George Hassel (bow) at the 1983 Mississippi to another level. I managed to Classic. 15

Serge Corbin there. It was quite exciting to paddle against such top talent. I used to do other types of racing as well, including dragon and outrig- ger racing (mostly OC6 along with a few OC1 races). Greg Barton had an OC6 team out of CA; I raced OC6 with him peri- odically. I also did a few races in Hawaii and Tahiti. Other rac- ing I’ve done includes compet- ing in 2 World Championships held in Yueyang, China and in Notting- Calvin Hassel ahead of Serge Corbin at the 2001 Canton. ham, England. I also tried racing in Thailand. Alt- fast on; you have to pop the boat and the Classique in Quebec 9 hough I’ve owned a for constantly. This makes it a very times. The C-1 Pro Race at Can- years, I’ve never raced . I good training river and a great ton NY is also one of my favor- have an Olympic K1, but never workout—as long as there’s ites. It is one of the few races competed in it. There were no enough water. I paddle a lot of where many of the top kayak races in my part of the hours for my primary training. and US paddlers all race C-1. I country in the past. Our winters are cold but we used to love competing against rarely have a lot of snow. At least one of the 4 channels on my river is usually open so I can paddle almost year round. I al- so lift weights, run for cross- training, and cross-country ski when we have snow CN: In which other major races have you competed outside of the USCA Nationals? Calvin: I have competed in over 800 races, so I have been to a lot of different places thru the years. I have 33 finishes in Triple Crown races; 20 finishes in the General Clinton (held in NY in May); I’ve paddled the Ju- ly Au Sable race in MI 4 times, Calvin Hassel, Steve Rankinin, & Serge Corbin at the 1998 Canton.

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tionals. My wife and kids have- n’t continued the tradition, how- ever, so it’s pretty much just me at the moment. CN: Any final comments you’d like to make about your canoe racing? Calvin: Paddling is a really Greg Barton, Calvin Hassel, & Bob Rapant at the 1993 USCA Nationals. neat sport. It’s too bad the numbers aren’t where they were CN: With such a high level of That type of boat works well in the 80’s and 90’s. It has giv- competition and quite a vast ex- with my paddling technique. en me the opportunity to travel to many unique places and to perience, have you had any is- CN: Has your family continued sues with injuries? compete in a lot of challenging in your competitive paddling races. I’ve met a lot of interest- Calvin: I’ve had the “usual” tradition? ing paddlers thru the years and injuries: primarily some back Calvin: Paddling was a family would love to see more people and shoulder problems. Noth- thing when I grew up. I raced getting involved in such a terrif- ing that has required surgery with my dad, mom, sister, cous- ic sport! but stuff that has bothered me ins, etc. I paddled with my wife CN: Thank you so much for for a while at various times. I’ve quite a few years before we had usually been able to paddle your time. You’re an inspiration kids and then my kids paddled to canoe racers everywhere! through it. These days I really with me in the sprints at Na- enjoy paddling and training. Now I’m at the age where I am focusing on just maintaining as much of my speed as I can. I pick a few big races to go to eve- ry year, the Nationals and a few others, but with all the travel required I have to limit myself. I try to paddle enough to stay competitive. Paddling is a great way to keep in shape. CN: Do you switch boats often, looking for the “optimum” set- up? Calvin: I’ve paddled a similar design for the last 25 years. I raced a Crozier J200 for a num- ber of years, then switched to the Crozier J203 in the late 90’s. Calvin Hassel (in yellow shirt) at the 1989 Shawinigan.

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DES PLAINES RIVER STEWARDSHIP

PAUL KLONOWSKI

Potentially unknown to rie State Canoeists, a Boy Scout’s er & body panels, a length of most Des Plaines River Canoe Eagle Scout Project, and a volun- chain link fence, a hypodermic Marathon participants, the Lake teer we borrowed from McHenry syringe (with no needle), an un- County (Illinois) Forest Preserve County Conservation District’s used condom (still in its package), District has a group of volunteers Education Volunteer corps. The an Adirondack chair, the trunk lid who have been dedicated to combined efforts for 2016 result- from an old car, a live fish on an cleaning up the Des Plaines River ed in the collection and removal abandoned troll line (we released in Lake County, for the last 15 of an estimated 6170 pounds of the fish), most of a Big Tri- years -although we’ve also been trash from the river and its flood cycle, a sign post, 2 (empty) known to cross jurisdictional bor- plains, including one of our big- moonshine jugs, a large highway ders and do some cleanup work in gest single-day trash hauls ever, sign, a STOP sign, a 30 gallon oil Cook County as well. Watersheds estimated at 1400 pounds! All tank, a broken blue sink (which don’t recognize human-made told, we logged 1382 hours of matched the blue toilet taken out boundaries. volunteer time, which is a record year for us! In 2016, this crew held more than 75 work days involving Trash items of interest in- 30 active regular volunteers and clude: a wading pool, a large 53 “one-timers,” including people tradesman’s style truck rack, 2 from two corporate groups, Prai- wood duck houses, a truck bump-

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a few years back), a broken green ies, 2 pallets, more truck parts, a In addition, we collected toilet, a trash can (it was handy), large picnic cooler bucket, a pile 52 of various sizes, and cut a “lunch ” site behind Liberty of slate shingles, an unusable through or did some maintenance Auto City, bones from what we , a small roll of car- trimming on 41 log jams. We also think was a horse, parts of a blue pet, a 55-gallon trash barrel, 3 or identified one old dump site that pickup truck, a hub cap from a De 4 deck chairs, a 1000-gallon fuel will require LCFP Operations to Soto automobile, a couch, the re- tank, a 12 foot section of culvert, clean up: it contains at least 20 mains of a cardboard boat, an in- 2 dead chickens, and 23 coconuts! truck tires and several large truck flatable raft, a fresh bag of grocer- parts, half-buried in the banks of Half Day Pits, in Lincolnshire. On December 30th, we found an old dump site in the Gurnee area that we’ll clean up after the ground thaws.

The crown jewel for the year was the final removal of the remains of the 1948 Chevy pickup truck, in the Gurnee area. Eight- een Boy Scouts & Scouters can move a lot of heavy stuff, very quickly…

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2017 is off to a grand start with ten (10) new volunteers lined up for this year, so far! If you are in the area, we welcome all the help All photo credits go to Rob Ratz, we can get… by the way. He's the only one in the group who remembers to

bring his camera... thus, he's Should we have a USCA never in any of the pictures. pk Cleanup Day?

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BUILDER PROFILE: MIKE CICHANOWSKI & WENONAH AT 50

BY STEVEN HORNEY

With the celebration of CN: Congratulations Mike on in Jr. High and High School, in- Wenonah’s 50th Anniversary this the 50th Anniversary of the cluding paddling. Also, my Dad year, it seemed like an optimum founding of Wenonah Canoes! had an old aluminum canoe we time to interview Mike Cichan- It’s great to touch base with you took out frequently for some pad- owski - the owner and founder of and to find out more about the dling fun. One of my earliest Wenonah Canoes, the largest beginnings of this iconic compa- paddle racing memories involves manufacturer of Kevlar canoes in ny. How did you get your start a race that was put on by the Boy the world. Wenonah has long into paddling, and ultimately into Scouts in my town of Winona, had close ties with the USCA, building canoes and other water- MN. The Boy Scouts had a canoe with many of their racing designs craft? race using 6 man teams, run as a coming from the fertile minds Mike: I was a Boy Scout with two scouts pad- and experienced hands of accom- dling the tandem canoe in each of throughout most of my youth, plished USCA racers. and I did a lot of Boy Scout stuff the 3 legs, switching out at each 21 leg change (this was a 3-day / 75 house in town to do the work so I feedback and further refine the mile long race). I was always wouldn’t be doing fiberglass work designs. I also got to be good looking for ways to improve the in my mom’s house (she took a friends with Ev Crozier, another speed of our boats in these races, dim view of such things). Rent on noted canoe designer/builder so we made some big wooden the warehouse was $75/month, who designed some excellent paddles with my Dad in an effort but when urban renewal began to boats for us as well. to get a jump on the competition. focus on our town my space was CN: a successful busi- After this I began making in danger of being displaced. I ness is known to be a time- wooden boats, trying to improve was urged to talk to the Small absorbing activity. Were you able boat performance over that alu- Business Administration to see if to stay active in canoe racing as minum canoe. Then I began to I could obtain a loan to build my you built Wenonah Canoes? experiment with fiberglass. My business on another property. I borrowed $50,000 (while still in Mike: As my daughters got older first attempt at a fiberglass canoe we started sponsoring an Explor- involved making a mold of one of college) and bought my first piece er post that really became a canoe the wooden pleasure boats I built of property and built the first building of Wenonah Canoes. I racing club. We competed in lots while in High School (that boat, think the bank was more sur- of races all over the U.S.A. With by the way, still hangs in our my older daughter we were the Winona County Historical Society prised than I was that the SBA loan was approved! first USCA Nationals adult-youth Museum). Eventually I produced champions with a girl as the a rough mold and made some With the new building we youth. My younger daughter was rough fiberglass boats. 4 friends were doing anything we could do the youngest to ever win it. We and I took the first two boats we out of fiberglass to pay the mort- made special “whale tail” boats to finished on a 500 mile canoe trip gage. In order to expand the help with the balance. I raced all retracing an old fur trading route business I began establishing a the divisions through the years in through Wisconsin. We planned dealer network, which took a long the USCA races, and I particularly to load the boats on an old car, time, but eventually the dealer loved C1 racing. I’ve raced outrig- and then try and sell it before the network paid off. We started out gers and dragon boats in places start of our trip. We sold the car building a couple of models of like Africa and Hawaii (including for $75 and then started our trip pleasure canoes. I was really en- racing the Molokai Hoe race 7 or back home with 3 people in one joying canoe racing, and during 8 times). I was part of some OC6 boat and two in the other. Amaz- some of those races I got to know teams with many noted Marathon ingly, the trip went off according Gene Jensen. Gene was not a paddlers; we didn’t know what we to plan, starting in Michigan and conventional boat designer, but were doing early on in the OC6 finishing in Minnesota. At the he had a very good feel for things races, but we improved signifi- time I was bagging groceries, and that made a boat perform well. cantly over time until we became despite my pleas my boss would- Gene and I had a very good rela- pretty good. n’t let me off work for this trip, so tionship for decades, and Gene I quit my job. That’s the last time designed a lot of very good boats CN: How much of Wenonah’s I ever worked for anyone else. for us – racing, tripping, and product line is currently dedicat- ed to racing boats? And how did I started making boats and pleasure. Gene was a deep think- er and remarkable builder; he Wenonah get involved in building selling them, doing repairs, and kayaks and other watercraft? doing odd jobs in fiberglass to could build a wooden boat in a make ends meet while I was in week or so. After building a boat Mike: We still make racing college. I rented an old ware- Gene would have friends and boats, but only 1 or two a week. competitors test it so he could get 22

Most of the market is in pleasure our composite canoes and kayaks could have 9 in your party but on- and tripping boats these days. are vacuum bagged now. ly 3 boats. With the Minnesota We found the kayak market was We also make roto-molded III a 9-person party and their really taking off so we started canoes and canoes (T- gear fit conveniently into 3 boats. making touring kayaks as well. I Formex – identical to Royalex - is The Minnesota IV was initially bought Current Designs out of now available and we’re building intended to be a “war canoe” for and ran the op- with it again). Before Royalex what used to be called war canoe eration in Canada for 5 years be- was taken off the market a few racing, but it’s become very popu- fore bringing it into the US. We years ago we were the biggest lar for C4 racing. also now make SUP’s. One of my producers of Royalex canoes in We sell to dealers (both former race friends in Hawaii the world. Our Current Designs large and small), camps, universi- (Todd Bradley) started making business builds composite kayaks ties, and anyone who wants to SUP’s and asked us to make long of fiberglass and Kevlar, as well paddle. We ship a lot overseas, paddles for him. We were the on- as rotomolded kayaks (plastic with full containers going to ly ones making long paddles for a kayaks). We run our ovens 20 many countries. The Boy Scouts while, but now there are some- hours a day and employ around buy a lot; there is a Boy Scout ca- thing like 80 manufacturers. I 100 people. Most of our boats are noe camp in Ely, MN that has bought Todd’s business and now still built in the USA; we do have roughly 250 Kevlar tripping ca- we have an extensive line of some mid-priced recreational noes. The Boy Scout Jamboree SUP’s called C4 Waterman. With kayaks made overseas. site out east has over 200 of our that addition we now cover 3 kayaks. markets: canoes, kayaks, and We made a few OC1’s and SUP’s. OC2’s, but the demand is limited We still produce some locally. Years ago I build a boat Kevlar ICF canoes, but nearly all Wenonah produces boats with Greg Barton called the go to England now. In the U.S. in a variety of materials as well. Speedster – a fast, tippy this class has gone away. Kevlar canoes are 90% of our that predated the current line of business. We were one of the CN: You’ve obviously been very Epic skis. The surf ski market is successful in the boat building first builders of Kevlar canoes in really elevated from where it was the 70’s (along with Mad River business. To what do you attrib- years ago, with a broad variety of ute your success? and Sawyer). We are pretty much skis for all levels. Our current the only ones really mass produc- surf ski, the Ignite, is a good fit- Mike: The Boy Scouts instilled ing Kevlar canoes at the present ness boat that almost anyone can in me a love for the outdoors and time. Racers want – in this order paddle. the confidence to do things. I am - the best design in the world, suf- a Distinguished Eagle Scout. ficient strength and stiffness to The tripping side of the Scouting also helped develop my hold that design, and lightness. canoe business is really going interest in paddling. I describe The greatest challenge in learning strong. Our canoes are very pop- myself as “Born to Paddle.” I still to produce light, strong compo- ular in the Boundary Waters and paddle a lot these days, primarily site canoes was learning to get the in the Adirondack, valued be- to keep fit. I also cross-country foam core molded in right. We cause of their light weight, pad- ski – I’ve skied the Birkebeiner dling efficiency, and load carrying started using weights, water bags, (the largest cross-country ski and then vacuum bagging. Back ability. The Minnesota III came marathon race in North America) then this was very new. All of about because the Boundary Wa- 39 years in a row, and I’ve done ters came out with a rule that you over 30 ski in Europe.

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The USCA has been really Wenonah Canoe, Current Designs pivotal to my success: the USCA Kayaks, and C4 Waterman. led me into greater involvement CN: Thank you for your time, in racing, and the racing circuits Mike. Wenonah has a lot of im- brought me into contact with pressive achievements from the many who have been instrumen- last 50 years, and by all accounts tal in the success of Wenonah. it looks like a bright future for the Racing is like running a business; next 50! you have to be internally tough to overcome all the obstacles and to hang in the long, hard slog to win. CN: What do you see as the big- gest challenges facing Wenonah these days, and what do you see for the future? Mike Cichanowski with the original Wenonah Canoe Mike: One of the biggest chal- lenges we see is getting kids out in boats. Youth involvement is way down in our current era. We just sold boats to a city trying a boat sharing program in an effort get people out on the water. Small dealers are struggling these days. Used boats are everywhere and are easy to buy. For the future we’re always trying new things, new materials, and looking at new boat designs. It’s both challenging and exciting! For updates on some of the new things happening with Wenonah, C1 1982 USCA Nationals L to R: Mike Cichanowski Angus Morison Mike check out our Facebook pages for Johnson Terry Kent, & 1982 Campion Bruce Barton

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PARACANOE WOMEN: 2016

ANJA PIERCE

2016 was my toughest year three times a day. Morning and nutrition right, writing grants, of training and competition yet. evening sessions were spent and napping! From the time I returned from increasing cardiovascular fitness the “Eventos Teste” in Rio de on the bike, hand cycle, or kayak Even though I consulted a Janeiro, Brazil in September of ergometer once outside paddling lot of books and coaches, I still 2015, I trained harder than I ever became unreasonable. My lunch managed to make plenty of have and made sacrifices on the hour was spent lifting weights mistakes. I ignored a bilateral home and work front to focus all and I religiously followed a elbow tendinitis, masking the my resources and all my energy training program that progressed pain by taking anti - on this one goal: the Paralympic from low weight with high inflammatories on a daily basis. I Games 2016. Instead of going repetitions to explosive lifting trained mostly alone and only back to work full time I chose to with heavy weights in its last took time off from training when reduce my work load to part phase of training. The rest of the the weather forced my hand, not time in order to go to the gym time was spent getting the my when the training plan called for

26 a day of rest. Last, but not least, I locally with whom Debbie Page, and with no daily training spent too little time preparing for (the US Paracanoe head coach) regimen, no World the race mentally. and I stayed which made our Championship to prepare for or early arrival in very training and racing at Lake Placid When team trials arrived in efficient; it also provided some to look forward to, it felt strongly April, I was both relieved and focused pre-race training on the empty and “wasted”. discouraged. Relieved because it water. But winning, which would provide an opportunity to included crossing the finish line It was a God-send for my measure where I stood but also before Kelly, remained elusive - low-spirited self when an discouraged because I felt in two weeks she had gotten a lot invitation from our Duisburg unprepared with only minimal faster and I had slowed down hosts arrived to invite me to water time compared to any prior some. Being soundly defeated compete in the Porquerollaise: a World Championship preparation and trying to accept that loss 65km open ocean race off the I had ever performed in the past. graciously, taking stock of the coast of France. Within hours of Despite great conditions, I came accomplishments of four years of accepting the invitation, I had my in second in the KL-3 race (in V- racing and training and flight booked back to Europe and 1, I again raced unopposed) but I reflecting on the experience are found new excitement and felt confident that the difference still on-going challenges. It was motivation to go out and train - between Kelly Allen and me was no consolation that I placed third and ignore my screaming elbows not beyond reach if I trained in the VL-3 race, a non-medal again. Racing in a V-6 with a harder and got some more water direct final (due to low number of team of 9 men and women was a time. participants). novel experience but one that gave me inspiration to formulate Back in Rochester, it felt With my mind in a fog, and new paddling goals and a vision like the shortest two weeks before the elbow tendinitis full blown, I for more challenges to come. it was time to pack for Germany. headed back to work to finish out Rather than contemplating Duisburg: take-two. Familiar the school year as a pediatric retirement from the paddle sport, with the race venue from Worlds physical therapist. The beginning I see myself transitioning to long in 2013, I knew some paddlers of the summer arrived too quickly distance team races and hope to serve the Para-canoe sport as support staff and medical classifier.

I remain deeply grateful for all the support I have received over the years from the USCA which has enabled me to develop my paddling skills, connect to people in the paddling world, and represent the US in World Championship races.

Anja Pierce

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PARACANOE MEN: 2016

NIK MILLER

Thank you to Jan and the -30 minutes for warm up and cool wards I would often go to the lo- USCA for your support during the down. I would then have to get cal Y and use their sauna. Then it 2016 racing season. The support my body situated in the prosthetic was off for the house where I helped me in training full time at and back in the boat for the high would cook dinner/lunch for the Lake Lanier. I spent 30 hours a intensity interval training following day, shower and usually week on the water, and 12 hours a workout that took up the rest of fall asleep before the room be- week in the gym. The rest of the the morning. From there I would came dark once the lights were time I had to continue on with the eat some food as I made my way turned off. During the months of rest of life’s chores. to the gym for strength training. I February and March I spent time My routine was to wake up would travel to the place I've been in Florida training where I had a and travel to the training facility staying and unpack my wet similar training routine. The one clothes, pack new paddling benefit was consistent weather which was 25-35 minutes away. I would then get in the boat for the clothes, shower, eat, and try to get and I was not driving the 2 hours first session which would average a bit of rest before I then headed a day like I had to in Lanier. 40 minutes with an additional 20 to the club for afternoon training that lasted from 4-6pm. After- 28

them that it is and I have different musculature, possible to but I am not different. I train, I achieve your race, I compete, I have a healthy dreams with a mind and body thanks to the little support. I discipline. want the world Now that I have a founda- to know that tion in paddling, I look forward to paddling has building on that foundation with helped turn my focus on helping other paddlers life around after while I race towards the 2020 a devastating in- Paralympics. jury. I have got- ten into great Change is inevitable, growth is shape; I have a optional. Racing on the US team healthy mind has helped me embrace the and body. I was change and grow to become the able to carry over person I am today. my military dis- cipline from the Thanks again for your help and Marnie Corps support. Racing for the US is a huge and racing is a great outlet for honor and a way for me to give me. I also have mobility on the back to those who have supported water. I am “able” and I no longer Nik Miller me over the years. I also do it to see myself as disabled. I have a Photos courtesy of Scott Areman help motivate people and show unique set up in the boat for me, Photography

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PARACANOE MEN: 2016

JAN WHITAKER / DANZIG NORBERG

Jan: 2016 was an exciting While kayak was the focus of the 2016 ICF Paracanoe World year for Paracanoe, both abroad and the Paracanoe world in 2016, there Championships. After a few days of in the United States. were some national team spots to be acclimation, it was time to race. First earned in the “va’a” discipline, where up to race for the Americans was Twenty-two year old, Danzig the focus was on 2020 and the possi- Danzig Norberg in the KL2 men's “Ziggy” Norberg placed first in the ble inclusion of va’a in the Paralym- heats. Norberg, despite some me- KL2 classification and second overall pic Games in Tokyo. Coming in third chanical issues in his heat, was also in USA Canoe/Kayak Paracanoe overall and first in the VL2 category able to get through into a semi-final Team Trials. In his second trials was Danzig Norberg. With a time of round but was unable to advance to since moving across the country 58.562, he became one of only a few finals this time around. from Minnesota to Washington State athletes who earned the top spot in in order to train year round, Norberg Soon it was time for the va’a both disciplines at trials. continued his growing success with a athletes to showcase their skills on personal best time of :56.213. This With Trials over, the eight the world stage. Each athlete, while was his best time yet in the kayak athletes who comprised the US Na- likely disappointed by their disci- and the first time he claimed the tional Team went home and made pline’s exclusion from Rio, was KL2 national team spot since World the final preparations before going hopeful that their continued Championships in 2012. to Duisburg, Germany to compete at dedication would lead to its

30 inclusion in the 2020 Games in canoe. I would be sorely remiss if I USCA for their support of Paracanoe Tokyo, Japan. didn’t extend a sincere thanks to the in the United States. organizations and people who have Competing In the category of helped elevate this sport to where it VL2 men, it was up to Danzig Norb- is today. In particular, a big thank erg to shake off a harrowing experi- you goes out to Jan Whitaker and ence in the kayak and move on to his bread and butter, the va’a. In 2015, Norberg fought his way to a win in the semifinals and a 7th place finish in the final. He was able to improve on this result in Duisburg, winning the semi-final for the second consec- utive year and moving up to a 6th place in the finish. Danzig Norberg is certainly one of the young American paddlers to watch. Only three and a half seconds from the bronze medal position, he is on the cusp of being one of the elite athletes in his catego- ry in the world.

Danzig: The 2016 ICF Para- canoe World Championships were a great success. When all was said and done, Kelly Allen, Alana Nichols, and Ann Yoshida were able claim their spots to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Although no med- als were won, they all represented well in the inaugural Games for the sport. Now the focus turns to 2020 and Tokyo. With the impending in- clusion of va’a into the Paralympic program and the rising profile of Paracanoe as a Paralympic sport, it is safe to say that we can expect even more success in the years to come. 2016 was probably one of the most exciting years in the history of para-

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Hosts of the 2016 USCA Marathon Nationals!

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THE OTHER

REBECCA DAVIS

as each team must pick their start time based on when they will hit the tidal portion of the Thames 17 miles before the finish line. Of course for me this sounded like an irresistible adventure. Unfortu- nately for my husband Mike, who often gets dragged into my crazy schemes, the DW sounded like a cold, wet, long paddle when we had little boat time for the year, and a logistical nightmare with which he would inevitably have up -close and personal experience. Mike and I decided to do the DW about one year before we made it to the starting line. We met four British paddlers: James Prowse, Shirine Voller, Mike Thornton, and Mark Peterson at training camp in Florida in March of 2015. After learning about the DW I decided it was something we would have to do. Looking ahead to 2016, Easter weekend was in March which fit perfectly into our already full Marathon Canoe Rac- ing Schedule. We would have two months to recover between the DW and our next long race, the General Clinton Canoe Regat- Sometimes I decide some- non-stop over 77 , down a ta. Once we decided to race, it thing sounds really fun, and I just , a river, and onto the tidal was all about figuring out how to have to do it. The Devizes to section of the Thames, finishing get there and how to make the Westminster Canoe Race (DW) is beneath Big Ben in , most of our trip. a 125 mile race where teams race UK. The race is run as a time trial,

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We spent some time talking We arrived in London on a would paddle with us and give us to our American friends who had Friday just over a week before the pointers on strategy and portag- done the race before, gleaning any race, and immediately drove to ing. We got fast enough to almost information we could. Neil Weis- pick up our canoe from Richard. stay with them on the take outs ner-Hanks told us to really prac- Upon arriving at the Canoe and and put-ins, but we were worried tice the portages, and Mike Vin- Kayak Store we found a brand new that having to get in and out so cent told us to take a good light boat waiting for us! This was far many times would really wear on and do a time trial upon arrival in more than we were expecting, and us. Mike and I decided we would the UK in order to figure out our we were nervous about putting the run all of the portages that were start time. Mike and I both paddle first scratch on it (something that close together, instead of getting quite a bit year round, but Michi- would be inevitable during a 125 in and out multiple times. With gan winters suit Nordic skiing mile canoe race. ) Another concern our ski training we were confident much better than paddling, so we was getting the boat set up for that our legs would hold for the did our usual ski program all win- Mike (6'3" and solidly built) and additional running and that it ter hoping that the conditioning me (5'5" and girlish) with a 50 lb.+ wouldn’t cause us too much extra would serve us well. We were a weight difference. Mike always fatigue. In a meeting with our little concerned about the boat sta- paddles the bow, and I always support crew, we made the deci- bility, since we had never even paddle the stern, so switching sion to set our projected pace just paddled a Wenonah Mach 1 be- ends to make the boat work for ahead of the canoe record. It fore. My parents (Bruce and our weight difference wasn't really looked like the wind and rain was Roxanne Barton) have an ICF C-2 an option. We decided to move the going to be against us, so we didn't we could practice in, but it wasn't stern seat back about 10 inches, know if we would be able to hold stable enough to use all winter and which allowed us to finally get the pace but it gave us the oppor- definitely didn't feel stable enough stern heavy - a must for such a tunity to do it. to race for 20 hours. Finally we long race. As we weren’t supposed We were so excited to get were able to track down a Weno- to glue or otherwise permanently started when the race day finally nah in Michigan to try for a day affix anything to the boat, moving arrived. Neither one of us had and that settled our fears about the seat back was probably not done a C-2 time trial race before, boat stability. Now we had to find what Richard wanted, but after so we didn't know how we should one to race! much deliberation we decided it feel before the start. We decided was worth the risk and we would Neil helped us get into con- to prepare like any other long race, pay for the damage our new seat- tact with Richard Bennett from warming up by running for 10 ing had caused if necessary. the Canoe and Kayak Store, and he minutes. After we felt loosened up graciously offered to loan us a boat The week before the race we got our tracker and took off. for the race. The biggest questions involved getting the boat set up, Unlike most of the other about our race had been resolved, scouting the course, and learning teams in the race, we were looking so we bought our tickets and con- how to . Nick Prowse and forward to the longer stretches tacted James, Shirine, and Mike to Alan took time out of their days to with no portages. The first 14 let them know we were going to shuttle us around the Thames Riv- miles flew by and even though it make the race. They had already er and the Kennet-Avon Canal in was windy and rainy, we knew decided to be the core of our sup- order to help us prepare. After that we were moving well. Both of port crew. With the addition of scouting about 35 miles of the us were surprised at the number Sue Prowse, Laura Thornton, and course we realized we weren't go- of teams we caught before the first Alan Farrance we were in the best ing to remember most of the por- portage, and by the number of ca- of care. tages; we would just have think on nal boats that were travelling in our feet. James, Mike, and Shirine 34 the rain. In the first hour our sup- came in with a kayak that decided feel even better and we found out port crew told us that we were al- to run all seven portages. This that we were still a few minutes ready 5 minutes ahead of our goal would show how much we were ahead of our projected pace. We relaxed, although fully giving up by putting in after each pace. Getting on the Thames felt aware that we would need that lock. The kayakers had been able more like paddling at home and time on the portages. to outrun us on the single portages we had fun looking for the next up until that point, but the tow- portage ahead (now spaced every Hitting the first portage, we path was so muddy that we were 30 to 60 minutes of paddling.) were ready to get into the meat of able to gain by paddling. the race. We started off trying to After another 10 portages, run hard and then realized there Once we hit Newbury, we we started to feel the dis- was too much mud. We couldn't knew that the portages would be tance. Our paddling muscles hurt get any traction and we fought less often. We felt that we had and our hands were sore from car- hard to stay on our feet. The sec- passed the most difficult part of rying the boat. We shouldered the ond and third locks were close, so the course. We had a few bad por- boat on the rest of the portag- we ran them as one portage. It tages at dusk before figuring out es. At about this point we started was awful. The run felt long, hard, what setting to run our light on, catching a lot of teams. This was and unsustainable. I didn't worry but most of this part of the race encouraging on the water but it made the portaging really slow. We had to wait sometimes a few minutes to put in. On top of our fatigue we felt that the record was beginning to get out of reach. Each portage was wasting pre- cious minutes and for the first time we dropped behind our pro- jected pace. Our crew kept cheer- ing us on, encouraging us to keep pushing. When we got to Ted- dington, the final lock, we could feel the dawn coming. Our crew was there to tell us that we hit the portage 2 minutes ahead of sched- ule- about 7 minutes ahead of the record! We also learned that there were only 10 boats ahead of us and Mike and Rebecca enduring the challenge of a muddy portage. they challenged us to cross the fin- ish line first. about how long we had to paddle, was uneventful. It seemed like in Even through all of the but I felt how daunting the portag- no time at all we were in Reading pain, we were able to rally and es could really be. Upon getting and the rain had finally stopped! push hard by the first 3 back into the boat Mike and I We decided to stop at Dread- teams. The surroundings started agreed we would paddle between nought—the only “unnecessary” to look like a city and we were every lock, no matter how short portage (where the race officials scanning the horizon for the Lon- the run to save energy. When we have a check point as the boats don Eye, even though it was still hit the Crofton flight (a stretch of 7 enter the Thames) - to change into early. Our support team lined up portages in under a mile), we warm, dry clothes. This made us 35 on the side, cheering and telling us again. The race was fantastic and was better than I could have imag- "only an hour to the finish!" and the people were even bet- ined. "you are still on pace to break the ter. Trying something new is rare- record!” The last hour is always ly what we expect, but this one the hardest mentally, and we Mike and Rebecca Davis in London with Big Ben at 7:00 a.m. rounded a corner into a tough headwind. As the waves started to build, the finish felt a million miles away. Fortunately it was on- ly the one straightaway that had such a tough wind and we had made it through. We had worked all the way up to the 4th finishing team, and made a pass. They were a fast kayak and were hanging on to our wave. We really decided to push and finally saw the London Eye. Our support team was stand- ing upstream of the bridge, shout- ing that we were going to “smash” the record. It was then a sprint for the bridge and then through the finish line. Elated, Mike managed to find a little more and we dropped the kayak. We crossed the line 4th, in a time of 18 hours, 23 minutes, and 48 seconds, good for the record, first C2, and 3rd place overall. up the steps was euphoric. Sue directed Mike and me to stand in front of Big Ben for our finish picture. We came to realize later that she post- ed a video on Facebook waiting at the finish line, explaining that if we crossed the line before Big Ben showed ten past seven we would have the record. Our finish line picture shows Big Ben at seven o'clock. We were able to enjoy our last days in the UK by celebrating our great finish and Mike's birth- day. It was a whirlwind week we will never forget and we can't wait to head back and try it all 36

THE LEGEND OF JEAN MARIE CARDINAL

EARL BRIMEYER

Jean Marie Cardinal may pneumonia and other illnesses. Spanish & French Fort. Even be the greatest unknown canoe- It has been recorded that in the more amazing is the fact that ist to live in Dubuque, Iowa! winter the family traveled to St. most Voyagers did not travel at Historical records from the time Louis for a warmer climate and night because the river was too of the Revolutionary War are better medical care. dangerous! Jean’s warning gave sketchy, but research by author Returning with his grow- the Fort a chance to prepare for John Tigges, determined that ing family to the Dubuque area the attack, permitting 29 regu- Jean Marie was the only to mine lead and trap, Jean re- lar troops and 281 citizens to re- “Iowan” killed in the Revolu- ceived a warning that the British pel an attack by a 1500 man tionary War. fort in Prairie was recruiting Na- British & Native American Al- Jean and his partner Ti- tive American allies and plan- lied force. However, when the bot were trappers that originally ning to march down the West British Soldiers and their allies worked the trap lines out of bank of the river to claim the were defeated at the Fort at St. what is now Prairie Du Chien, land for Britain then choke it off Louis, Jean Marie was captured Wisconsin. At that time the Brit- as a supply line for the Ameri- by the British and later shot try- ish claimed the eastern shore of cans. They were also planning ing to escape. the Mississippi and all its terri- to attack Spanish settlements. Jean Marie Cardinal tory. Jean Marie and Tibot Jean Marie Cardinal suspected could be thought of as a true killed Abraham Lansing and his that if he was captured he would “Paul Revere” of Canoers! son, British subjects who had be hung for the murder of the hired Jean and his partner as British trapper. “Even more amazing is guides, in an argument appar- At the news of all of this ently over poaching furs from coming down river, Jean Marie the fact that most Voy- their trap line. packed up his canoe immediate- agers did not travel at Jean Marie paddled ly told his wife and family to fol- night because the river downriver to Dubuque Area low him down river as soon as was too dangerous!” with his Native American wife they were able. The historical and 3 daughters and a sickly record has Jean showing up Looks like canoe paddling son. He settled in Dubuque, three days later in St Louis filing has come a long way since started a farm, and besides trap- a deed for farm land. 1783! ping, also mined lead. From here the legend This period in his life ap- continues that Jean Marie pad- peared to be most prosperous dled his canoe 280 miles to St. See you in Dubuque! except that his son was prone to Louis in 3 days and warned the

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Mark your Calendar!

Event Dates

 Thursday, August 10th: Youth Sprints, Adult/Youth Sprints, and Paracanoe Sprints.

 Friday, August 11th: K1 , C2 Mixed, and C2 Junior/Adult Junior Short Course.

 Saturday, August 12th: C1 Woman, K1 ICF, K1 Unlimited Woman, OC1 Man, C2 Men, and K2 Men. C1 Woman Jr, K1 Woman Jr and C2 Men Junior on the short course. C4 Unlimited trial event in the afternoon.

 Sunday, August 13th: C1 Man, C1 Stock Man, K1 Unlimited Man, OC1 Woman, C2 Women, and K2 Women. C2Woman Jr, K1 Man Jr, C1 Man Jr, and SUP Unlimited on the short course.

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Thank you for your service to the USCA Peter Heed! See you again when the weather is a little warmer, eh?

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USCA 2015 Nationals State Point Results

Points are awarded to the state of each marathon participant in the championship events down to the 10th place. Points start with 1st place = 50 points; 2nd place = 45 points; 3rd place = 40 points, continue to 10th place which re- ceives 5 points. Each team member receives the same number of points. Non-US paddlers who participant at Na- tionals are not included in the state points count, but are recorded as a matter of interest. The winning state for the second year in a row was Pennsylvania with a total number of 3550 points. New York was 2000 points behind at 1550 and Michigan had 955. The remaining 21 states plus the non-US participants from Canada are listed below. AR - 850 MA - 665 OH – 510 IN - 405 FL - 390 NH - 305 VA - 305 WI - 245 IL - 195 NC - 175 CT - 155 VT - 125 NE - 100 ME - 90 CO - 50 MO - 50 MD - 50 NJ - 40 SC - 40 TX - 35 IA - 25 Non-US Points totaled 435 New Brunswick - 50 Ontario – 385

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USCA 2017

List of Officers, Board of Directors (Delegates), & Committee Chairs

USCA Officers 603-209-2299; [email protected] Penn-Jersey Division/USCA Karen Pleasant Executive Committee Charlie Bruno 574 Bernardston Rd, Greenfield, MA 01301 President & Chair: 2124 James Way, Saylorsburg, PA 18353 413-522-8222; [email protected] Rebecca Davis 610-381-3780, [email protected] Joe Shaw Vice President: Ken Gerg 27 Old North Road PO Box 104, Worthington, MA 01098 Larry Latta PO Box 247, Emporium, PA 15834 413-537-8821; [email protected] Secretary: 814-486-1691; [email protected] Paula Thiel Joan Theiss Dale Glover 487 Wylie School Road, Voluntown, CT 06384 Treasurer: 171 Cindy Ave, Montgomery, PA 17752 860-564-2443; [email protected] John Edwards 570-547-2635; [email protected] Ray Thiel Executive Director Glen Green 487 Wylie School Road, Voluntown, CT 06384 Vacant 312 Duff Ave, Wenonah, NJ 08090 860-564-2443; [email protected] 856-468-0036; [email protected] Dave Thomas Delegates Norm Ludwig 96 Main Street, Northfield, MA 01360 2006 West Side Road, Jersey Shore, PA 17740 413-522-8494; [email protected] Past President (570) 865-6214; [email protected] Pacific Division (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA) Peter Heed Non-Organized Regional Divisions Morgan Brunstrom 581 West Street, Keene, NH 03431 3011 Bennett Dr, Bellingham WA 98225 603-209-2299 [email protected] East South Central Division (AL, KY, MS, TN) 360-756-1312

Organized State & Regional Divisions Fred Tuttle South Atlantic Division 101 Gano Ave. Apt. 1, Georgetown, KY 40324 (DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV) Florida Division/USCA 270-993-3999; [email protected] Lynne McDuffie Tim Dodge [email protected] 4118 Alpine Dr ,Gainesville, FL 32605 East North Central Division (IL, MI, WI) William McDuffie 352-318-5877; [email protected] Roxanne Barton 410 Cockman Rd, Robbins, NC 27325 Lloyd Reeves 6201 23 1/2 Mile Rd , Homer, MI 49245 910-948-3238; [email protected] 125 Eagles Nest Lane, Crescent City, FL 32112 517-568-3702 [email protected]

805-441-7463; [email protected] Derek Diget West North Central Division 131 S Berkley St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD) Indiana Division/USCA 269-343-5150; [email protected] Earl Brimeyer Steve Horney Wally Werderich 2595 Rhomberg Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001-1445 15806 Timber Willow Dr, Huntertown, IN 46748 486 Sunflower Ct, Yorkville, IL 60560 563-583-6345; [email protected] 260-452-6447; [email protected] 630-675-4137; [email protected] Doug Pennington Lynne Witte 1735 County Rd 241, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 New York Division/USCA 58 Union St, Mt Clemens, MI 48043 573-785-0471; [email protected] Dave Donner 586-201-5695; [email protected] 4883 Harlem Rd, Amherst, NY 14226 West South Central Division (AR, LA, OK, TX) Mountain Division 716-839-4307; [email protected] Joy Emshoff Larry Liquori (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY) 803 Arroweye Trail, Austin, TX 78733-1806 79 Locust Drive, Kings Park, NY 11754 Lynn Capen 512-626-3471; [email protected] 631-406-6918; [email protected] 685 Sugarloaf Mountain Rd, Boulder, CO 80302 Bob Spain Phoebe Reese 303-444-0187; [email protected] 803 Arroweye Tr, Austin, TX 78733 254 East St, Oneonta, NY 13820 512-263-2751; [email protected] New England Division 607-435-9921; [email protected] Don Walls (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) +1 Delegate yet to be named 9 Bunker Hill Ln, Russellville, AR 72802 Robert Allen 479-280-1319; [email protected] Ohio Division/USCA 687 Montgomery Rd, Westfield, MA 01085 William (Bill) Corrigan 413-568-8832; [email protected] Non-US Regional Division 5888 E. Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241 Dan Baumert 318 Kenduskeag Road, Levant, ME 04456 513-530-9249; [email protected] Joanna Faloon 207-249-9238; [email protected] Norm Skinner 64 Ryeburn Dr, , Ontario Canada K1V 2H5 Tricia Heed 4055 Red Bud Rd, Dresden, OH 43821 613-822-9847; [email protected] 581 West Street, Keene, NH 03431 740-754-1213; [email protected]

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Affiliated Club Delegates for 2016 Special Appointments Symmes Creek Restoration Committee Florida Competition Paddlers Association Harry Mayenchein USCA Marathon Coordinator to USACK Marathon Kathy Edwards; St. Petersburg, FL Chesapeake, OH Committee -Kaitlyn McElroy 727-522-3348; [email protected] [email protected] Michigan Canoe Racing Association Texas Outrigger Canoe Club Business Affiliates Chris Hewitt; Lansing, MI Kristen Woolard Shoreacres, TX 989-751-4324; [email protected] Bike Bug, LLC [email protected] New England Canoe & Kayak Racing Assn Mike Schneider Westfield River Watershed Association Priscilla Reinertsen; Contoocook, NH Houston, TX Francis Siska 603-746-6491; [email protected] [email protected] Westfield, MA New York Marathon Canoe Racing Assn Global Paddlesports [email protected] Scott Stenberg, Moravia, NY Russell Adams

315-406-4692; [email protected] Houston, TX North Carolina Canoe Racing Association [email protected] Steve Rosenau; Mt. Holly, NC Great Hollow Nature Preserve 704-483-4130; [email protected] John Foley Pennsylvania Assn of and New Fairfield, CT Jerry Patton; Port Allegany, PA [email protected] 814-642-9161 Paddle Florida, Inc. St Charles Canoe Club Bill Richards Ben Josefik; Dwight, IL Gainesville, FL 815-584-9694; [email protected] [email protected] Texas Canoe & Kayak Racing Association Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc Chris Stevenson; Houston, TX Terri Pratt 713-320-2408; [email protected] Winston-Salem, NC [email protected] Standing Committees for 2016 Adaptive Paddling – Jan Whitaker Club Affiliates Auditing – Larry Latta Barton Cup (Sub-ctee, Youth Activities) - Pam Fitz- Dubuque Dragon Boat Association gerald & Teresa Stout Earl Brimeyer Bylaws Review - Harold Theiss Dubuque, IA Camaraderie – Open [email protected] Camping/Cruising - Bob Allen Dubuque Watersport Club Competition – Norm Ludwig Earl Brimeyer Competition / Dragon Boat - Robert McNamara Dubuque, IA Competition / Kayak – Ron Kaiser & Lloyd Reeves [email protected] Explore Kentucky Initiative Competition / Nationals Awards – Barbara Walls Gerry James Competition / – Stephen Miller Frankfort, KY Competition / Outrigger Canoe – Hype Mattingly [email protected] Competition / Adult Sprints – John Edwards Florida Paddling Trails Association Competition / Youth Sprints - Lloyd Reeves Debra Akin Competition / Standup Paddleboard - Lloyd Reeves Gainesville, FL Competition / Swan Boat - Glen Green [email protected] Conservation - Open Freestyle Group Education - Lynne Witte Charlie Wilson Historian - Joan Theiss Saranac Lake, NY Instruction Certification – Open [email protected] Insurance Oversight- Joan Theiss & Scott Stenberg Friends of the Great Swamp International - John Edwards Laurie Wallace Marketing – Open Pawling, NY Membership – Harold Theiss [email protected] Merchandise Sales – Open Island Paddlers 777 Nationals Coordinator - Don Walls David Donner Nominating – Amherst, NY Publications – Steven Horney [email protected] Photo/Video Image Use New England Kayak Publicity & PR – Open Consent and Release Safety – Glen Green Chris Howie Technical Inspection – Bill Corrigan Rockland, MA USCA Bylaws/Rules/Regulations Review & Over- [email protected] Participation in or attendance at events sponsored sight – Joan Theiss River City Paddlers by the USCA constitutes voluntary consent of the USCA/ IC F Grants – Priscilla Reinertsen Peter Rudnick participant or attendee to be photographed, filmed, Youth Activities – Pam Fitzgerald & Teresa Stout Folsom, CA or videotaped for use by the USCA in all media [email protected] Webmaster- Larry Latta venues, including the World Wide Web, without

Women’s Interest – Open further notice or compensation.

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Help Keep USCA Growing United States Canoe Association, Inc. 12802 Lake Jovita Blvd Your 2016 Membership has expired Dade City, FL 33525-8265 unless your mailing label says member 2017. If not 2017 then This is your last issue!!! Join now for 2017 and Don’t miss any issues of Canoe News

Ask your friends to join or renew now too. Do so online at www.uscanoe.com or fill out the form in this issue and mail with check payable to the USCA to:

Harold Theiss, Membership Chair, 12802 Lake Jovita Blvd. Dade City, FL 33525

Change of: address, email, or phone number? Questions? Contact: Harold Theiss, (above address) Phone 352-588-9877 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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