Another solo open boater!

ncdavid · Post by **ncdavid** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:56 pm

My 9-yr old started in the tandem boat when she was very little. She's paddled an open canoe on flatwater some, she's paddled a sit-on-top kayak in whitewater, but yesterday was her first whitewater trip in a solo open boat. If you see her headed toward your eddy, give her plenty of room.

Todhunter · Post by **Todhunter** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:04 pm

Congrats, David - what river?

ezwater · Post by **ezwater** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:44 pm

We saw then future Olympian Adam Clawson handling a c-1 on the Nanty when he was only 9. We were astounded.

ncdavid · Post by **ncdavid** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:50 pm

The Lower Green in North Carolina. Lots of water yesterday. Full release but the water was brown. Must have had some significant rainfall on the upper parts of the drainage.

I think the youngest I've seen paddling the Nantahala well in his own boat was Bradley Mann. I think he was six. Maybe seven. I don't think Rose will paddle the Nantahala solo until she's about 11. Her sister was 13 before I let her paddle it solo.

OC101 · Post by **OC101** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:58 pm

Go, Rose! We're followin' your lead!

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:47 pm

Congrats David. You might need my Bull Dog soon.

2opnboat1 · Post by **2opnboat1** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 12:13 am

sweet congrats

Post by **sbroam** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:03 am

Awesome! My daughter (13) soloed our local run recently but on a SOT kayak. She's been in OC-1 and C-1 on a pond and says she prefers those to kayak. I'm thinking the SF or Zephyr next time...

Wendy · Post by **Wendy** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:05 am

ncdavid · Post by **ncdavid** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:29 am

cheajack wrote:Congrats David. You might need my Bull Dog soon.

Don't want the Bull Dog. Might want to test drive the Skeeter, though. Corinne loves the Spanish Fly. Rose already thinks my Zephyr is hers. Guess I better get good in the Prelude. Or that real pretty Viper C1 sitting on my rack....

kimmieOC1 · Post by **kimmieOC1** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 3:19 am

Hey David, I've got a skeeter here in WNC you borrow.

Post by **sbroam** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:02 am

ncdavid wrote:... Or that real pretty Viper C1 sitting on my rack....

It's not sparkly blue is it?

philcanoe · Post by **philcanoe** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:28 am

My nephews definitely like my S.Fly more than being in their Skeeter's... the initial stability is astonishingly good for those with little to no mass.

Pretty cool BTW... go Rose.

ncdavid · Post by **ncdavid** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:08 pm

sbroam wrote:
ncdavid wrote:... Or that real pretty Viper C1 sitting on my rack....
It's not sparkly blue is it?

Nope. Black tiger stripes over gold in the stern, black tiger stripes over a reddish-purple in the bow.

OC One Blade · Post by **OC One Blade** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 5:26 am

Congrats! I can relate to your joy. My seven year old (turns eight July 4th) took my C-1 down our local run (class I+ with one class II) a couple of weeks ago. No big rapids but a lot of manuevering. He did a great job. I don't know who was more pumped- him or me!

Tip: For a low budget kid's paddle, look in the boating section at Wal-Mart. Attwood makes an emergency boat paddle that is collapsible. The T-grip will collapse all the way down to the throat of the blade and can be set anywhere in between. The blade itself is kid-sized as well being no more than 6" wide. It is 50" at the most when fully extended and is fairly sturdy.

C-Forum

Another solo open boater!

Another solo open boater!

Go dads get them in SFs