C Boater Winter Training:)

[Sir Adam]

For those of us who's rivers are starting to reserve next springs water in a solid format, a way to keep those legs in C-Boatin' shape:

http://www.madriverrocket.com/

I haven't tried them (yet...hopefully they'll arrive in time for AdkSara, Jo, NZMatt and I to test them out..we'll have to take turns though...), but I did C a program on them last year on PBS and they looked FUN.

Of course, NZMatt's already done a conversion (and I don't know if he's heard of the Mad River Rocket yet...)

[the great gonzo]

Cool !!

One question though, what's the recommended paddle lenght for snow ?

martin

[aldenb]

yes sir, Vermont made!

and best of all, the vice president is "close paddling associate" of mine!

strangely enough, he is NOT a cboater . . .
Alden

[Mike W.]

I use my 57" in water & snow. It would be better to have a MUCH shorter stick in the snow. Even better to use hand paddles.

I've been using an old O'Brian knee-board (the kind you kneel on & pull behind a motor boat) on the hill at the park. Folks laugh, but I can do spins & thier sleds can't!

Here are some photos of me sliding down the hill into the river in my Cascade. It's amazing how fast it is
Go to:
http://photos.yahoo.com/wh20crazy
Then click "Snow".
The video is even better

Mike W.

[NZMatt]

I was planning on posting that picture this week, but it looks like Adam beat me to it

Duct tape doesn't work too well in the snow, but I intend to modify the pedastal slightly (make it about an inch higher for more foot room - OK barefoot but a bit tight with boots) and glue it all together this week.

Some friends of mine have been modifying sleds for the last few years. Then we'll go and try them out at the local ski field late at night after they're done grooming. My friends have also taken them through the trees on steep hillsides and such. Tons of fun. (BTW helmets, elbow pads and other assorted body armor (plus padded seats) is highly recommended!). I've been threatening for some time to make a C1 sled and we were putting some together this weekend, so I did.

The thing rocks! It is actually quite controllable and carves pretty nicely. You can flatspin it either direction too, although catching an edge hurts a lot more than in the water. For steering you lean the sled and use your hands on the snow. No paddle required, but some power paws would probably rock.

Hmmm....not that I needed another outfitting project

[stevebusch]

see you on the hill
they are NOT gonna let you on the lift with THAT

[NZMatt]

Never said I took it to the ski slopes WHILE the lifts were running

[cosmik]

I bought my last kayak (Necky Witch) off the guy or one of the guys that make them. He was really cool and gave me a little CD with some footage of those. They were hucking off some big stuff and throwing some nice backflips and corks and whatnot. Looks like fun, but (un)fortunatly there isn't any snow down here in warm sunny new zealand.
Will