Volume 48, Issue 3 The Paddler Tattler INSIDE THIS ISSUE (Click items to jump)

Calendar

March Events

ACA Certification

Paddle School

River Cleanups

Lookout Wild Film Festival

Winter Wanderings

Sprains, Strains, and Fractures Ruthie MacLeod crashes through a hole on the Cheoah during the most recent Flatwater Paddlers release. Ice and snow did not keep paddlers from having a blast! & Overnighters Photo Credit: Tony Hill MARCH 2015 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

Mar 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ACA Instructor Outdoor Chattanooga AHA CPR/First Aid Application Deadline Roll Practice @ SAU Class (email)

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Tellico River Cleanup Big Laurel Creek (Into FB9)

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Big Laurel Creek (Into Board Meeting Lookout Wild Film Ocoee Release Begins! FB9) Festival (LWFF) LWFF

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 LWFF Cleanup

Toccoa River Overnighter

29 30 31 Apr 1 2 3 4 Toccoa River Toccoa River Overnighter Overnighter

The Paddler Tattler March 2015 2 March 14th—Tellico River Cleanup March 28th—Hiwassee River 9am. (C). Tellico Ranger Station. Help pick up litter on Cleanup one of our favorite winter rivers. to follow if 9am-1pm. (C). Annual litter picking along the banks weather and water conditions are favorable. Contact of the Hiwassee. Meeting at State Park office, first Mely Taylor: 423-304-0543. More details on page 7. left past the river off Hwy. 411. Boots, long pants, etc., recommended. Trout unlimited will provide March 14th-15th—Big Laurel Creek a free lunch afterwards. Several river-user groups (Into FB9) participating. More details on page 7. This is a 7 mile, class III-IV run that confluences MARCH with the French Broad before Kayaker’s Ledge and March 28th-30th—Toccoa River Frank’s Bell and then down into Hot Springs, NC. Overnighter EVENTS Since it is a bit of a hike for most, we will most likely The Toccoa is a non threatening Class II/III river with be camping out. This trip will be flow and weather gorgeous camp sites. It crosses under the swinging permitting. This is not a training trip and class III-IV bridge for the John Muir Trail and is an easy going paddling skills are required, including a dependable scenic paddle. If you only want to paddle 2 days, combat roll. Contact the trip leader a week prior to you can take out at the end of the second day March 3rd—Outdoor Chattanooga the trip if you are interested in going. where we camp at Sandy Bottoms, or go on the Roll Practice Contact Trip Leader Brandon Koch: 313-505-0718. next day through Party Rock rapid and continuous class II Rapids to the takeout at the lake. If the 7-8 or 8-9pm, (WW). Southern Adventist University March 17th—Board Meeting weather is cold or bad, we will make it a 2 day trip. Hulsey Wellness Center. $2 fee to use the pool, $10 6pm. (C). Outdoor Chattanooga. All members are Contact Carolyn Rand. for non-members for roll practice. For full listing of welcome! Come see what the board does during dates and details, see page 13. our monthly meetings. Enjoy dinner and drinks * * * March 7th—CPR & First Aid Class afterwards. All paddling trips are weather and water dependent. It is 1pm - 5pm. (C). $35. Grace Episcopal Church, 20 March 20th-22nd—Lookout Wild mandatory that trip leaders be notified by phone by the Belvoir Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37411. Come learn Film Festival Wednesday prior to the trip if you plan to attend. This will to save a life! TVCC’s own Alison Bolnick, a certified For details, see page 8. This event is sponsored in allow the trip leader to notify you of any changes made. American Heart Association Instructor, will teach part by TVCC. Most events are detailed on the calendar section of the tvcc club members how to properly perform Rescue website. Breathing, CPR, the use of the AED, and proper March 21st—Ocoee Releases Begin Contact the trip leader for specific training trip meeting First Aid Techniques. This course is accredited by First day of Ocoee Season! Full schedule: times. the American Heart Association and meets the http://www.tva.gov/river/recreation/pdf/sched_ standards for ACA instructor mandatory bi-annual ocoee2.pdf WW = Whitewater S = Sea certification. We’ll go downtown and have dinner C = Club Event afterwards! Contact Mike Shillinger. ON = Overnight Camping

The Paddler Tattler March 2015 3 President’s From the Corner Editor

Now that Paddle School applications are up, have you This past weekend I had the priviledge of running thought about how YOU are going to participate this Bowling Alley for the second time, and the first time at year? non-scrapy level. The company was excellent. Plus it was my first dawn patrol, and there was snow on the ground. Is this the year that you are going to master that skill you have been working for, is this the year you finally It was a beautiful day...to get my butt kicked in Kingpin. feel confident enough to support boat, or is this the It hit my two rolls, but it was very cold. Then a bit further year that you will lead a group of beginners down the down I got flipped again, and thankfully hit the roll. Hiwassee and enjoy seeing their faces when it all starts A Rolling to make sense? When we got to the bottom, I had all intentions of getting out and being done, but after we took a No matter what you decide, 2015 Paddle School is break, I decided to have another go at it. I still put in only as good as the people that make it up. From the below Kingpin, but I got my revenge on that curler! Success! students to the camp crew volunteers, it takes every Significantly better the second time around. TVCC member to make this happen. So get excited, sign up at www.tvccpaddler.com and be ready for another There is so much to be said for the value of laps. We TVCC’s upside-down pool party at the memorable Paddle School! often go back to the same rivers, but time lapses YMCA was a great addition to our between runs and levels change. Depending on our programming this winter. More Paddle School information (including how you can experiences and memories, the rapids may or may not help with the auction) can be found on page 6. look the same, and we may or may not remember the TVCC’s roll practice sessions in December, January, lines. and February were well-attended and appreciated by all who took part. When you take a second (or third, or fourth) lap, you see SYOTR, the same water again. You get to try a new line, you get A special thanks to everyone who volunteered to to look for something different, you get to challenge collect money, keep track of forms, and help clean/ Ashley Teel yourself in a new way. You truly get to grow in your inspect boats—especially our beloved Mr. Dirt Bags, VP (aka Paddle School Coordinator) understanding of the water. Spence Lycan and David Riall, who vacuumed all of the plastic prior to its placement in the pool. Wishing you happy (and warmer) , P.S. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to Official summer roll practice at Harrison Bay will begin contact me at [email protected]! Meryl Stark around Paddle School. Keep an eye out for more Newsletter Editor details.

The Paddler Tattler March 2015 4 So You Wanna be an February ACA Instructor? Happy Hour Happy hour returns to our regularly scheduled programming! Sign up by March 2nd! Rod and Ruthie MacLeod organized the February Happy Hour at Chattanooga Brewing Company on Thursday, Feburary 19th. by Mike Shillinger

TVCC is looking for club members that are willing to step up and become part of the clubs’ outstanding ACA qualified training staff. If you are interested in attending ACA Instructor Qualification in White Water , White Water Canoe, Coastal , Stand Up Paddleboard, and Swift Water Rescue, now is your opportunity to apply for a club scholarship.

Applicants should have experience in the venue in which they are applying and understand the ACA requirements to become fully qualified instructors. The club is willing to invest Have an idea for in you! The board will review all applicants and the Safety a fun TVCC Social & Training Chair will work with the selectees to schedule The deadline for submitting Gathering? It can upcoming training. your application to become be at a bar, or an ACA instructor is fast somewhere else. approaching. Completed Volunteer to plan applications must be emailed the next Happy Hour—it’s easy! to [email protected] Contact Rebecca by March 2nd, or postmarked Hendrix. by February 27th. Click here for the application.

(left) Don Fletcher and Ruthie MacLeod celebrate the completion of instructor training with their class. The Paddler Tattler March 2015 5 Are You Ready for Paddle School?

Your answer had better Sign up online here: We need auction items be a resounding YES! Paddle School Webpage too!

Believe it or not, Paddle School is only three From LaDawn Wolfe, Auctioneer months away! Ashley and her team are hard Extraordinaire: NOTE: Students, Support Boaters, and at work to make sure that TVCC’s flagship The four P’s of Paddle School Auction: Prepare, Instructors all have different applications this event will be as fantastic as ever — the only Present, Plead and Pledge. year. Make sure you fill out the correct one. thing missing is you! As I am preparing for the upcoming 2015 TVCC Paddle School and its much anticipated auction, I must ask a favor from ALL my paddling pals. Next time you’re at one of the many wonderful sponsors Save the Date! who have given so generously to previous PS auctions, INTRODUCE yourself! You represent the May 29th–31st club; you are a face that they will identify with when they make their next donation. This (hopefully) will help when I call, e-mail, plead and harass them for this year’s auction. And if they are positively responsive to your wonderfully appropriate, appreciative ‘thanks’ and pledge to continue their philanthropic endeavors! Let me know! So that I can Carpe Diem and all that! Looking forward to seeing my river relatives!

Your Asst VP, Siren of Safety, Swimmer of class 4, BadA*s kayaker-in-training,

LaDawn Wolfe [email protected] The Paddler Tattler March 2015 6 Spring River Cleanups Outdoor Tellico & Hiwassee Chattanooga

by Jim Ledbetter, Conservation Chair HIWASSEE Demo Day

Saturday March 28th is the Hiwassee Cleanup. It is unknown Help keep our favorite rivers beautiful by at this time whether water will be releasing that day for an Save the Date: Saturday, June 20th participating in the upcoming Cleanups on after paddle. , , SUPs, Fishing, the Hiwassee and Tellico. Dragons, and More! From the Forest Service Press Release: TELLICO The event is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service,

On March 14th, join in the Annual Tellico River Cleanup, State Parks, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), 10am–12pm: Specialty Clinics meeting at 9:00 at the Tellico Ranger station. Sign up and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Trout Unlimited, in 12pm–2pm: Open Demos pick up litter bags, snacks and other freebies. Mely Taylor will conjunction with the Springtown Community Support be the TVCC point person and will be organizing a paddle Group cleanup. Event participants will meet at the Ocoee/ The public is invited to join Outdoor Chattanooga and trip afterwards, in the early afternoon, weather permitting. Hiwassee State Park Office at 9:00 am on Saturday. , March Rock/Creek to learn about area resources, businesses She can be reached at (423) 304-0543. The day following is 28th. The office is located on Spring Creek Road just north and clubs related to paddle sports, and to try out a the Annual ALF Race (a totally NON-TVCC Event), so you may of the Hiwassee River and east off Highway 411. The turn off variety of boats ranging from recreational kayaks, to wish to make a weekend of it on the Tellico. from Hwy 411 is signed and is approximately 6 miles north of whitewater boats, surf skis and dragon boats, fishing Benton and 5 miles south of Etowah. kayaks, and more. Several product manufactures and Participants should bring long sleeve shirts, thick local businesses will be offering clinics in the morning leather gloves and wear boots or sturdy shoes for those pre-registered to be followed by an open and safety glasses. Trash bags will be provided. A pubic demo. Experienced paddlers will be there to cookout hosted by Trout Unlimited will be held help you with quick lessons on how to get into your afterwards for participants. boat without tipping and the basic paddling strokes. Personal floatation devices will be made available for The upper Hiwassee River is designated as a State the demo. Attendees have the opportunity to paddle Scenic River and is managed by the Forest Service, each demo boat up to 20 minutes – enough time TVA, TWRA, and Tennessee State Parks. Come help choose your favorite paddle craft that best fits your in making the Hiwassee one of the most beautiful needs, so you can start your adventures on the water. rivers in the southeast. TVCC will be participating in this event. Contact For additional information please contact Bo Deborah Webb plunges Ben Johnson to volunteer. Keep an eye out for more Reynolds at (423) 338-3319. You can make a into a rapid on the information. Middle Tellico. difference! (Photo: Larry Boothby) The Paddler Tattler March 2015 7 All photos courtesy of Lookout Wild Film Festival. Lookout Wild Film Festival March 20-22 by Andy Johns, Festival Director Nichols’ film “River Dreams” will screen Pat Keller and Hunter Nichols to present Sunday with the paddling movies at Lookout Wild Film filmmaker in attendance. Festival. “River Dreams” tells the story of Nichols’ 44-day Whitewater paddler Pat Keller and filmmaker Hunter Nichols solo canoe expedition will be present to present their films at the Lookout Wild Film through Alabama from Festival in Chattanooga March 20-22. Birmingham to the Gulf The festival, which is sponsored in part by TVCC, will screen Mexico. nearly 60 outdoor adventure and conservation films, and also Among the other LWFF host Q&A discussions and after parties with filmmakers and films, many feature athletes including Keller and Nichols. paddling including Keller, fresh off being named Male Paddler of the Year by “Nobody’s River,” an all female paddling expedition through Canoe and Kayak magazine, will attend Friday night March 20 Mongolia, and “Delta Dawn,” a once in a generation trip to the to present “Hanging Spear: Headwaters of the Hudson.” Keller sea down the Colorado River. stars along with Steve Fisher in the 16-minute film, which Tickets are $5 per block of films or $10 for the entire documents their first descent of Hanging Spear Falls in the weekend. Full schedule, trailers, tickets and more information Adirondacks. are available at www.lookoutfilmfestival.org.

The Paddler Tattler March 2015 8 Big South Fork of the Cumberland River — Feb 7th by David McConnell

Sitting here with temperature hovering right around 6 degrees, it’s hard to believe that two weeks ago it was sunny and in the mid 50’s on the Big South Fork. Myself, John (Gunny) Wiser, Aaron Hiscock, and Doug Johnstone ventured north for a run from the confluence to Leatherwood Ford. The level was around 1500 cfs; 3 of us had paddled this same section a few weeks earlier at about 900 cfs and were interested to see what the different level would be like.

Putting in at the confluence gives you a couple of Class II+ warmup rapids and then you get to the Big 3 about ¾ of a mile into the run. The Big 3 consist of Double Drop, Washing Machine, and the Ell; all Class III+/IV-ish rapids. Double Drop is a fairly straight forward double drop; Washing Machine (above) Doug Johnstone is a slot that drops you into a turbulent hole. The Ell is the in Washing Machine and longest and most complex of the three. It starts off with a (below) Gunny on Canyon Winter Wanderings Rapid on the Big South couple of small ledges then a downstream ferry to far river Fork. (Photos: John Wiser) left hopefully avoiding the curler on the seam of the hole that tries to keep you from getting there. If you make the ferry all the way over past the curler then you just point the bow downstream and ride the wave train out. If you don’t complete the ferry, well, I hope you’ve been going to roll practice.

After the Big 3 don’t relax too much, next up is Oh Sh*t; a solid Class III chute. From here the rapids start to get a little more spaced out. You have time to take in the sights of the Big South Fork. Huge boulders are everywhere along the river, the water is a beautiful emerald green, and in the distance you can see the walls of the gorge steepening for the Canyon section of the run. There are still a couple of rapids to go before we get there though. Honey Creek Rapid is a long series of wave trains with some holes and rocks thrown in the middle of everything just to keep it interesting. You pass by the Hand of God rock on your way to A$$ Kicker,

The Paddler Tattler March 2015 9 another Class III+ chute. Low T (really an excuse for T Grains Bakery) — Feb 14th When you see the vertical wall on your right you’ll know you by Spence Lycan are getting to the Canyon section of the river, the Canyon contains 3 or 4 defined Class III ish rapids separated by Eight giggled down the Tellico, sucking naught but soup. some wave trains and swift moving flat water. One rapid in the middle deserves particular respect, starting off with an Life’s good enrapted in plastics, floating wet and cooled S-move between two holes followed by a wave train. The O through beautiful downtown East Tennessee. & W bridge signals the end of the Canyon with a nice sandy beach on river right just upstream of it that is too inviting to pass up for most. The O & W can also be used as an 1.5 feet and less than frigid temperatures is always fun with alternate takeout although the facilities are much better at friends. Also a good excuse for Tellico Kats. (Meryl Stark) Leatherwood Ford.

After your break at the beach there is a rapid under the bridge that has a pretty good sized wave train in it. From (top middle) Tellico trekkers and a truck tied here on down are 2 miles of mostly flatwater with a couple with tupperware. (Photo: Steve Crowell) of small rapids through in here and there. Takeout at the low (middle) Spence Lycan, John Hubbard, water bridge at Leatherwood Ford and reminisce on your day and Justin White pose pensivley outside of on the Big South Fork. Tellico Grains. (Photo: Steve Crowell)

Gunnys Video of the run: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=q68wWH1qkgU (bottom left) Break time at O&W. (Photo: David McConnell) American Whitewater Page http://www.americanwhitewater. (bottom right) Big, beautiful rocks. org/content/River/detail/id/1719/ (Photo: John Wiser)

The Paddler Tattler March 2015 10 Sprains, Strains, and Fractures...Oh My! First Aid with Larry

Our bodies are comprised of 206 STRAINS named bones, and almost 700 Strains are the injury of the muscle or its tendon from named skeletal muscles to move overexertion or overextension. The simplest strains usually There are many different classifications of fractures, but them. There are also ligaments cause pain and some loss of function. The worst strains result until the victim gets the ER, all are treated similarly. that connect bones to other bones, in muscle pulled from the bone. Two years ago I ripped my and tendons, that connect muscles right biceps tendon right off the bone in my forearm. I now to bones. Together it all makes up have two surgical scars to show for it, and memories of 12 EXAMINE AND TREAT weeks of serious rehab. what is known as the muscular What are we looking for? We want to know where the skeletal system. FRACTURES deformity, swelling, or pain is to determine where to splint. This means you need to physically examine the victim. Does Anytime we injure this system it Fractures are broken bones. There are different fracture it hurt the person in a specific spot? Do you feel bones falls into one of four categories, classifications, but we are only worried about one thing. grating together? Is there a bone sticking out of the skin? sprains, strains, fractures, and Is the bone sticking out (open fracture), or not (closed This is the kind of stuff we are looking for. You may need to dislocations. We have already talked fracture)? remove clothing so that you can look and feel depending on about the last one (at least when it the location of the injury. It may mean cutting the clothing comes to the shoulder), so now we with scissors or a knife. Trauma shears are cheap, will literally will talk about the other three. WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? cut through a copper penny, and are a must for any first by Larry Boothby For and orthopedist all of this is important, but for us, it really aid kit. Once we look and feel, doesn’t mean that much. If someone gets hurt, and we see a then we need to determine SPRAINS swollen, painful, or deformed arm, leg, ankle, foot, or finger, if there is motor function we are going to treat it like a fracture until proven otherwise. Sprains are the partial tearing of a ligament, caused by the beyond the injury. For We don’t have x-ray eyes so we assume the worst case, and sudden twisting or stretching of a joint beyond its normal example, if I were to break my treat accordingly. The procedure is very simple. We are going range of motion. The most common sprains are ankles and upper arm, you would want to examine the person, splint the injury, and take them to the Trauma knees. to know if I could move and hospital. Nothing more complicated than that. feel my fingers. If not, that Shears means the injury is impacting The Paddler Tattler March 2015 11 the nerves going to my hand. Do the same for the foot if the and prevents further injury. The principles of splinting are splints. As far as I’m concerned every person needs at least injury is to the leg. Have the person move their fingers or fairly simple. I need to immobilize the joints above and below one SAM splint in their first aid kit. With a couple of SAM toes. We are also going to look to make sure blood is flowing the injury. Suppose I break my forearm. I need to immobilize splints and some roller gauze, there is really nothing you can’t beyond the point of injury. Cold, pale fingers or feet could be my wrist and my elbow joints. If I break my femur, then I need immobilize. a very bad sign. One of the easiest ways to check is to lightly to immobilize my hip and my knee. Of course that is the best push on a finger or toe nail. It should get pale when you case. In the woods or on the river, we are going to do the One question I have been asked is what to do if the arm, leg, push on it, then become pink again when you let go. If that best we can, and call it good. hand, foot, finger, etc. is badly deformed or bent at a sharp doesn’t happen then you have a problem with blood flow. angle. Normally we would try and immobilize the injury Time to get moving. What makes a good splint? Just about anything rigid. You can in the position found. This may not be an option, and you use sticks, sleeping pads, trekking poles, even a paddle. You might need to move the arm or leg back into a more natural can secure it with rope, duct tape, bandanas, or cut up shirt. position. We do this by pulling gentle traction on the hand You can even use another extremely as a splint. Tape one leg or foot, and moving the extremely back in line, then splinting SPLINTING to the other, or tape two fingers together. For arm injuries it. That part is really going to hurt. The last time I had to do Once we have determined that there is an injury we have to you will want to use a rigid splint, then sling the arm to that in the field, I gave the guy enough morphine to knock treat it. If there is a bone sticking out, we are going to place a immobilize the shoulder. Slings can be made with triangular out a horse, and he still didn’t like it. It is a last resort, but if dry bandage over the bone end. Then we are going to splint. bandages, or webbing hanging around the neck. You could you have to, grit your teeth and get it done. Finally, if you are Splinting immobilizes the injury which in turn, reduces pain even use the PFD as a sling, or have the person cradle the going to immobilize the hand, you want to put it in what is injured arm with the good arm. All of it works. called a position of function. Place something in the person’s hand that they can grasp, then immobilize it. Once you are For my money, the best, most versatile splint out there is the done with immobilizing the injury, you want to check for SAM splint. These have been around for about 30 years now, motor function and blood flow again. If these are missing, and are really the gold standard for first aid splints. The SAM you will need to adjust your splint. If the person doesn’t splint is made of aluminum with closed cell foam padding. It have motor function, or blood flow to the extremity, that is a can be cut and shaped to immobilize just about any type of serious emergency, and you need to move with purpose to fracture. You can put two or more together to create larger the hospital.

Using a SAM splint to immoblilize a wrist injury while (above) Hip, Knee, and Ankles are immobolized for a keeping the hand in a functional position. fractured femur. (below) Splinting one leg to the other for stability. Several SAM splints in various configurations.

The Paddler Tattler March 2015 12 CONCLUSIONS I realize that is this is a lot of information, and Outdoor Chattanooga honestly, you’re not going to learn this by reading about it. Everybody needs to take some kind of first aid class. For most of us, who are paddling road side, help is readily available. But we have some folks who Roll Practice are out there paddling remote Class V. Some of the creeks in Kirk’s new book are very remote, and if you are going to hike into those places you need to be prepared. That means taking a wilderness medicine class. It means every member of your party having a good first aid kit, and it means having a locator beacon or a “Spot” tracker to call for help. They say fortune favors the bold. I say fortune favors the prepared. In all my years as a firefighter/paramedic, I have never met anyone who woke up and said “I’m going to get hurt today.” It just happens. It happened Fall/Winter Roll and Kayak Skills practice will take place on Hulsey Wellness Center to me when I was alone and had to drag myself to select Tuesdays at Southern Adventist University’s Hulsey 4870 University Drive a hospital in Colorado with a tore up arm, and it can Wellness Center. There are two sessions—7pm and 8pm. Collegedale, TN 37315 happen to any one of you with zero warning. So take Anticipate only being in the water for one session; if it is busy, a class, be prepared, and have fun out there. the pool gets crowded quickly. https://www.southern.edu/wellness/Pages/default.aspx Until next month! For more information, contact Outdoor Chattanooga. • March 3rd 423-643-6888 or [email protected]. • April 7th, 14th

Admission to the pool is $2, and roll class is $10/person for non-members. Non-members must provide their own gear. Outdoor Chattanooga annual membership are $75/individu- al or $125/family. First session is free for new participants. Boats and gear should be dropped off at the door at the back side of the Hulsey Wellness Center, to the right of the track, next to the heating and air units. Outdoor Chattanooga staff will bring your boat to the pool. Your kayak must be clean in order to bring it into the pool.

Note: Southern Adventist’s dress code emphasizes modesty An example of an improvised ankle splint using a and cleanliness. Please wear modest workout and pool sleeping pad and webbing. apparel, including one-piece swimsuits. The Paddler Tattler March 2015 13 Jackson Kayak’s Yoga for Paddlers Shoulders Reach Through Stretch

This article, by Jackson Kayak’s Anna paddler comes up and places their hands on that magic spot Bruno, explains and demonstrates how on your back, right next to your shoulder blades. You know to stretch one of the most important and the one I’m talking about. And yes, I wish there was someone prominent muscles used in kayaking: your there right now too. shoulders. Below is one of my favorite shoulder stretches—It is an easy You can find the original article on the Jackson Kayak blog stretch that even beginners to yoga to do. It doesn’t require here: http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2014/09/12/yoga-for- crazy flexibility, and will help to relieve some of the knots and paddlers-shoulder-reach-through-stretch/ tension in your neck and shoulders, and target that spot in the middle of your back, in-between your shoulder blades by Anna Bruno and your spine.

The mark of a kayaker, more than the beat up hands or a twice broken nose, or even a vocabulary diminished to the adjectives of “brown” “stout” “sick”, would have to be the Allow yourself to rest here, with your shoulder and ear on the shoulders. The broad, muscular, possibly even overdeveloped, mat, before lifting your right hand to the sky. yet with a history of subluxation or dislocation, shoulders. Exhale, allow your left hand to cross under your body, You know what I am talking about, the shoulders that make feeding through the gap between your right arm and right it annoying to squeeze three or four in the back seat on a knee. This will bring your left shoulder, arm and ear to rest on shuttle run, because there is no room for your shoulders, the mat. despite the fact that you could fit one more person into the Inhale, allow your right arm to lift up off the mat, reaching hip space. Kayakers rely on their shoulders. They help drive toward the sky. Take a few deep breaths while holding this and power our paddling, allow us flexibility in our rolls, and position. With each exhale, allow your body to relax, and feel give us something to rest our boats on when we carry them the ground support your shoulder. to and from the river. (see photo on next page) Besides the physical strain on your shoulders during a day Start on all fours, in a table top position. Your hands should paddling, there are the long hours sitting in a car to get to be under your shoulders, with your knees under your hips. For a deeper stretch, you may take your right hand, and bring and from the river, as well as the stress from our daily lives. it to your left hip, coming into a bind. Inhale, allow your left hand to lift up off the mat, and rotate It is only logical that our shoulders bear the brunt of our up toward the sky, opening your chest to the left. Your gaze stress, and can often be stiff and sore coming off the water. To release the stretch, place your right hand back on the mat. follows your hand, looking up towards your fingers. I have seen many a kayaker or raft guide melt when a fellow Lift your left arm and shoulder off the mat, and once more,

The Paddler Tattler March 2015 14 Boats For Sale

Jackson Star, New. Sweet Cheeks & Sweet Feet ­— $600.

WaveSport Diesel 60. New in 2013. Only been used 10-12 times on Hiwassee and Nantahala ­— $600.

stretch your left hand up to the sky, opening your chest to the left.

Come into a bind by placing your right hand on your left hip. Gaze looks up to the sky.

Place your left hand back on the mat, returning to tabletop position, and repeat on the opposite side.

Enjoy! Anna

For both, contact Alison Bolnick: 706-302-2691.

More pictures available upon request.

The Paddler Tattler JanuaryMarch 20152015 15 Overnighters 2015 Calendar March 28th-30th—Toccoa River 3 May 29th-31st—Paddle School Sept 5th—Girl Scout Raft Race Day Trip Register online at tvccpaddler.com. Club meeting with elections to follow. Contact Carolyn Rand. CarolynMRand@ June 14th-21st—Buffalo River in Arkansas Sept 12th-13th—Elk River gmail.com; 423-400-2590 (Week Long) Contact Uwe Zitzow. [email protected]. April 11th-12th—Upper Coosawattee Clear warm water, camping on clean rock bars. Beautiful Sept 26th-28th—Toccoa River 3 Day Trip River (WW) cliffs. Contact Ben Johnson. Contact Carolyn Rand. [email protected]. Whitewater overnight trip; Class II-III for this [email protected]. weekend. Trip Leader: Don Bodley. Contact Sept 27th—Ironman Triathlon Volunteering June 28th—Waterfront Triathlon Carolyn Rand. [email protected]; 423- Volunteering 400-2590 Oct 3rd—TN River Rescue Meet at the GPS Boat Dock at 6:30am. Contact Taylor Contact Jim Ledbetter. [email protected]. April 11th-12th—Lower Coosawattee Watson. [email protected]. Oct 11th-17th—Current River (MO) (Flat) July 11th-12th—Little TN River Weeklong overnighter trip. When not on river, we will be Will be with a GA Paddling Club. Contact Eric Contact Carolyn Rand. [email protected]; at base camp at Big Spring and travel to other lcoations Fleming. 423-400-2590. (Back up plan is TN River Blueway with from there. Contact Gary Petty. [email protected]. April 25th-26th—Talking Rock camping at Pot Point House.) Trip Leader & Contact: Uwe Zitzow. Oct 10th—Ocoee Race July 25th-26th—Rescue Rodeo & Big [email protected]. Oct 25th—Boo Run (Ocoee) Brother/Big Sister Rafting May 10th-15th—Cahaba River in Camping at Hiwassee Outfitters between these two Nov 14th-15th—Etowah River Alabama events. Contact Jim Ledbetter. [email protected]. Contact Jamie Wendt. [email protected]. Contact Buddy Wise. [email protected]; Aug 9th—Sports Barn Triathlon 205-672-9025 Dec 27th-Jan 1st—Weeklong Florida Trip Contact Taylor Watson. [email protected]. Canoes, Sea Kayaks, and anything that floats. Travel May 16th-17th—TN River Blueway time not included in dates. Contact Pat Carver. Aug 11th-20th—Boundary Waters Contact Carolyn Rand. CarolynMRand@ [email protected]. Contact Ed Parks. [email protected]; 423-400-9530 gmail.com; 423-400-2590 NOTE: Andrew Bosley has applied for Smith River Aug 15th-16th—Lake Jocassee May 23rd-25th—Big South Fork 3 permits sometime this summer. Carolyn will post dates if Crystal Clear lake with waterfalls. The outfitter takes Day Trip we get the permit. your gear to the campsite on an island, so you don’t Memorial Day Weekend. Trip Leader: have to carry it in your boat. Trip Leader: Jim Warner. Don Bodley. Contact Carolyn Rand. [email protected]. [email protected]; 423-400-2590 The Paddler Tattler March 2015 16 Flatwater Paddlers 2015 Calendar

Note our new name! We are June 6th. Graysville to Camp Jordan. (C), (S). Eric. Camping. OAR. Don. now the Flatwater Paddlers, in June 14th-21st. Buffalo River, Arkansas. Ben. Sept 6th. Wolftever Creek. Eric. order to be more inclusive of Canoes, Rec Boats, Sit-on-tops, June 20th. Wolftever to Demo Day at Harrison Sept 12th-13th. Elk River Overnighter. (C), (S). SUPs, and any other calm-water Bay. Eric. Uwe. crafts. June 27th. North Chick and Lock Through. Sept 19th. Harrison Bay North. Eric. Eric. Oct 3rd. TN River Rescue. Jim. March 28th. Harrison Islands. Eric. June 28th. Waterfront Triathlon Support. Taylor. 0ct 10th. 10 mile TN River Swim support boaters. We’ll meet at 10 am at the Tyner ramp and July 11th. Ocoee #1 Dam to Two Rivers (S). Karah. paddle over to the islands where Harrison Campground. (C), (S). Eric. used to be before it had to be removed Oct 10th. TVCC Ocoee Whitewater Race. when they built the Chickamauga Dam July 25th. TN Riverpark Cookout and sunset Oct 17th-18th. TN River Gorge Overnighter. (S). and flooded the area. We’ll do a walk on paddle. (S). Eric. Ben. the island where there are still artifacts to July 26th. Big Brother/Big Sister Raft Trip be found before TVA raises the water level Oct 24th. Hales Bar. Eric. Support. Hiwassee River. (C), (S). Jim. in the spring. 3 hour trip. If interested email Nov 7th. South Chick, Sterchi Farm. Eric. me by 4 pm Thursday (26th) and check Aug 8th. Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. Eric. your email that night for directions etc. Nov 14th-15th. Etowah River Overnighter. (C), Aug 9th. Dam Triathlon Support Boaters. Taylor. (S). Jamie. April 11th-12th. Coosawattee River, GA. Aug 15th. West Chick, Reeds Road to Dietz Road, Day or camping. (C). Eric. Dec 12th. Club Christmas Party. GA. (C), (S). Eric. April 25th. Chickamauga to Reeds Rd, Dec 27th-Jan 1st. Annual Florida Trip. Aug 15th-16th. Lake Jocassee, SC. Overnighter. GA. (C),(S). Eric. Richard. May 2nd. Sale Creek. Eric. Aug 22nd. Cookout and sunset paddle to Bat All dates and places are subject to change. All paddles are May 16th. Soddy Creek. Eric. Cave. Eric. in Tennessee unless otherwise noted. Check your email the night before a trip for any changes. All paddles are rain or May 23rd. Oostanaula River, GA. (C), Sept 5th. Girl Scout Raft Race Support Boaters. shine. (S). Eric. Lower Hiwassee. (C), (S). Taylor. C = Indicates Current, but no more than Class I Rapids. Sept 5th. TVCC Meeting, Elections, and S = Indicates a one-way trip requiring a Shuttle. May 29th-31st. Paddle School. The Paddler Tattler March 2015 17 TVCC Yahoo Group The Paddler Tattler is the monthly publication of the Tennessee All club members are invited to join the club’s Our Mission Valley Canoe Club. online paddling forum. The Yahoo Group is a great place to find out about paddling trips in The Tennessee Valley Canoe Club brings together those interested in , The Paddler Tattler invites submissions of addition to those posted in the newsletter, post kayaking, and related activities; increases the knowledge, safety, and appreciation articles, trip reports, videos, and any other pictures and trip reports of your latest adventures, of paddle sports for those who are interested; and supports conservation and news or information of interest to the paddling or just find someone to go paddle with. preservation of recreational waterways. community. The only requirement for the forum is active Submit an electronic copy no later than the Membership is open to persons of all ages. Both families and singles are welcome. membership in the club. To join, go to http:// 20th of each month to the newsletter editor by groups.yahoo.com/group/tvcc/ and click on emailing [email protected]. Submissions The club’s activities include: “Join This Group”. Please be patient and allow a may be edited. • Whitewater & flat water kayak and canoe training few days for the page administrator to respond • Whitewater & flat water river trips for all skill levels and accept your membership. Send an email Past issues of the Paddler Tattler can be accessed to the group moderator at tvcc-subscribe@ online at: • Water safety & rescue training yahoogroups.com with your name. See you on http://tinyurl.com/tvccpastnewsletters. • Extended canoe & camping trips the river! • Annual & monthly meetings Flatwater Email List • Community service The TVCC Flatwater Paddlers use an email contact list to send out information about upcoming Tennessee Valley Canoe Club events. To be added to this list, please send P.O. Box 11582 an email the TVCC Sea Kayak Cruise Master at Chattanooga, TN 37401 2014-2015 Officers [email protected]. www.tvccpaddler.com President Secretary Safety Chair Cruisemaster III, Overnight Don Fletcher John Hubbard Mike Shillinger Paddling Group [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Carolyn Rand Ben Johnson Vice President Newsletter Editor Public Relations Chair [email protected] Ashley Teel Meryl Stark Katie LaRue [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cruisemaster IV, Non- Paddling Assistant Vice President Webmaster Cruisemaster I, Class II/III Jen Maxwell & Rebecca Hendrix LaDawn Wolfe Teri Zur Spence “Dogpaddle” Lycan [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cruisemaster V, Flatwater Treasurer River Conservation Chair Cruisemaster II, Class III/IV Eric Fleming Debby McRae Jim Ledbetter Brandon Koch [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] The Paddler Tattler March 2015 18