Flotsam and Jetsam: 10 tips to run a successful river clean-up
Over the years, when Vernon, British Columbia-based Elements Adventure Co. owner/operator Charles Ruechel ran paddling river cleanups, he began to collect more than just trash. He collected a shortlist of invaluable tips that anyone can implement to easily execute their own river clean-up initiative. “A cleanup event can be so much more than just picking up garbage”, says Ruechel. “From the people you meet, to the gorgeous fall paddling, a cleanup event builds connections and relationships that are becoming so vital to protecting our waterways.”
- Let the locals know about it!
Read more: Flotsam and Jetsam: 10 tips to run a successful river clean-up
Canoes aren't Tippy...
The teetering canoe – or how to teach against capsizes
In what situations do people fall out of their canoes most often? On breaking waves? In rock gardens? holes? Don’t think so. Most paddlers don’t get that far. Many don’t make it six meters off the shore.
Your Opinions Count
We have recently started a 'sort of' blog for members to express their opinions on various matters in the canoeing world and the work of RCABC. If you want your opinion published on the website there is a system.
Frankenboat Lives! - By Roger Warnatsch
Pieced together from the remnants of a wrapped and torn Dagger Dimension tandem WW canoe, the Frankenboat was brought back to life as a solo whitewater canoe.
When I was offered the ill fated Dagger Dimension, the repair geek part of me got pretty excited. I knew about the ‘incident’ with the bridge pile but didn’t realize the extent of the tears and cracks, flattened hull and sheared gunwales. It dampened my enthusiasm.
Then came the idea... All I needed to do was to cut 5 feet out of the middle and stick it back together – simple right? Lots of people in my community are interested in solo open canoeing, but not many want to take the plunge and buy one without doing some paddling first. Frankenboat was the answer!
Thumbs up for the River J - By Jim Boyde
Flat or Lakewater paddlers often refer to the River J by another name, the “Goon Stroke.” Maybe this is because they have plenty of time to practice in an empty canoe. Or plenty of room to change critical canoe angles toward intended lines of flow, to avoid obstacles or get to docking sanctuaries.
November Update: MOUNT POLLEY…Through a Paddler's Eyes
Niagra Falls on the east arm of Quesnel Lake
November Update: Mount Polley water sample and fish tissue results
Tuesday, 11 November 2014 from the Williams Lake Tribune.
The latest water samples from Quesnel Lake and Hazeltine Creek are consistent with previous results and water located outside the impact area remains safe to drink.
Read more: November Update: MOUNT POLLEY…Through a Paddler's Eyes
Nanaimo River - Don't Take Access for Granted
With Joni Mitchell on the radio, singing “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone,” we were cruising, last spring, up to the put-in for a run on the Nanaimo River.
The Nanaimo is one of Vancouver Island’s best open-canoe whitewater runs, featuring continual Class II+ to III- rapids. And when the water level is prime, it’s a priority trip on a Sunday afternoon.