C-Forum

There has been some discussion as of late about plans or the lack of which by the paddlers about this years Nationals. It looks as though there may be some people flying while their boats are being trailered out to Cali. Have you guys heard anything from the Northeastern crowd yet? Is the Keech forum down permanently, and have Sam and Connie officially taken the oath of office? John have you retired as you like to rumor?

Craig

Craig,
I hope to be able to fly out if someone trailers out a boat to use. But for me anyway, plans are still being planned. Maybe go, maybe no. Sonny had previously indicated that his 8 boat trailer was available to be hauled out but we have no volunteer at this time to haul it. Ray has been very iffy about such a long trip as has Kaz. If all the top guns from NE don't go, it will open up a real ribbon race, but will you truly appreciate being champion without our competition. We'll see what spring brings. Something will hopefully break the ice and get things going. I have emailed Keech about the status of his forum. Sam and Connie are now our co chairs but I myself have not heard from them. Maybe its time for all of us Slalom Reps to get in touch with each other. I certainly know who I want to get in "touch" with and I'm sorry, it isn't you Craig. But hopefully we can get the ACA OCSC forum back up and do all our flaming where it belongs. This forum is for the good of the sport and I for one want to keep it that way. A little humour though is a good thing.
BTW - in a -50 windchill a dog's pee will freeze before it hits the ground. I witnessed it this morning.
Pat

If folks want it, I will include it here on CBoats. I can also include an off-topic forum for discussions and flamings...it's our community, I just help facilitate it-LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WANT! post here, e-mail, or PM.

"Sir" Adam

Is it me Pat?
Craig, I'm probably going to the event. I'll be hauling a 6 boat trailer with room for 10 or 12 boats total. I'm not retired just yet.
Adam, are you proposing that a "O.C. slalom chat forum" could exist here?
JKaz

John,
I was speaking of current OCSC reps and you, my fast clean friend, are a former At-Large rep. Who were the Large ones you represented? Everyone says bigger is better. Meanwhile I'm getting small on my cardiac diet. I'll float higher and paddle faster with the same effort. What are you going to charge for a coast to coast haul. I can package a boat and get it to Sacremento for about $100 by common carrier but I have to pick it up there and return it for shipping. Or paymore and have it go to Rudkin himself. I'm sure you're more aware of shipping than I am. But you're taking a chance with a trucker who has little respect for a carbon/kevlar masterpiece. I know you would care for it. Maybe you and Ray can caravan again. After the Colorado trip and the fun my trailer gave him, I personally don't see him going but he's got a new truck now and Sonny's trailer is smaller. We'll talk at the pre superbowl fest in Concord next weekend, right. I've e-mailed Keech and if he can resurrect the forum on the ACA OCSC site that is where it should be, but I thank you Adam for your offer. As John and Craig will attest, there have been some rather embarassing political and just plain mean postings on that forum over its existence and I for one would want to keep it there, although perhaps the shining example of this forum would keep that in check. I await Keech's response. Craig thank you for breaking the ice as I put it. Time to feed the fire and read my new issue of Paddler.
Pat

so guys, which California river is the race going to be at -- and when?
Alden

I'd be happy to host it here, and moderate it (if some of you would be able to help...) if you need a place to "house" it. The "race" section of the site will be improved anyway-click on "Home" then "Slalom / Race info" (not linked from the Forum yet...I'll get on that) to see what's there now. Most of the ideas came from Roy Hunter...if there's other info to include let me know....

If it can go back to it's "old" home, that's fine-I'm just offering help if you need it, as creating another discussion section here is VERY easy, and I'm enjoying watching this community grow and include discussions from all C discliplines.

I definately don't want to see some of the flaming letters and comments that have occured via the email forum on this board. Most of the flames where based on rule changes and I think we are about done with that nonsense. I also believe there where some hatchet's buried this past year here in Wausau. I know there are still a few grudges, but they are adults and if they want to air dirty laundry they should do it somewhere else.

Kaz and Pat I hope you are able to go. It should be a riot. I am on the fence with the construction of a new home, etc.

I hope some group is getting set to bid for the race for '05. With our new open date change, we could surely see some more interesting venues. (Texas, Bama, Missri or ?? and on real rivers to boot) The people of Wausau are ready to hold it again anytime they loved the race and the maturity of the paddlers...kudos!

Craig

Craig,
We (the New England Paddlers who attend Sonny Hunt's Saturday and stay Party) will talk at length this weekend about hosting it on the Dead at Poplar Falls in 2005. Clayton Cole, the National DR Chairman is trying hard to have 4 disciplines hold "Nationals" simultaneously in Maine. Slalom, DR, Poling and Sailing. Hopefully with interaction between all groups. However, he wants the NE slalom crew to step in and run the race. We need to get commitments etc. The National ACA Office has already given their blessing and even posted it it the previous Paddler on their newspage. Remember-a bid has not yet been officially given to our committee yet and we have yet to set up. I think this would be a good thing but we need to get the people committed and going and then submit a bid and follow our procedures for bid awarding. Perhaps you can assist me in writing the proposal as you submitted yours for last years Nationals.
Pat

Craig
The Dead is a "real" river. In case you didn't know. It comes complete with blackflies, poison ivy and class IV roads for setting shuttles. Your truck will be at home.
Pat

I'm going to start buying stock in bug repellant tomorrow.

How about the Cascade Falls site? We'll have to break it in next year in the NESS race for sure.

Sorry, but I came to the conclusion that T-Ville was not reliable enough to do a summer race. It's too sensitive to water levels, and I'm too allergic to poison ivy.

Pat and NEasterner's. Yeah I was at the dead.... John set a great course in a spot that wasn't easy, Clayton kept things going, the general store probably never sold so much beer, deet and flannel. The pizza parlor had great pies. It was a "unique" and shall we say "logistically challenging" location. I seem to remember Kaz gettin' beat, but that's what happen's when you are running your fanny off, and sitting in a kwanza hut most of the day. Personally I would be happy to come back to New England, but would prefer to see a location that we haven't been to, and on a river that doesn't have to wait for the water to get there too long if it isn't already rippin'. Pat I would be happy to even co-heckle with you again... and hopefully there will be another "gate 17" to keep spectators' and racer's on the edge of their seats.

Craig

Kaz... wanna' tell us the moose on the trail story again?... eeek!

Hehe, the moose story eh? Well after my 4th day of working at the slalom site, an irate momma grouse chased me for a while on the trail to the race start. That was one mean mutha. I continued working on pullstrings and wires for a few hours. As I walked up the bank through a stand of 200 yr old cedar trees to get another spool fo wire, there was this big-ole-bull-butt-moose covered with moss and other green stuff standing right next to where I left the spool of wire. After we sized each up and our eyes finally met, we both let out a snort and ran in opposite directions. It seemed like our "meeting" lasted 5 minutes, but it probably was more like 5 seconds. Did you ever ride a bull moose? Me neither.
JKaz

come on John!!!.... the story we all heard was that you bushwhacked through a stand of "100" year old cedars... sprung onto the trail and found an immensely large bull moose standing on the trail quietly sniffing wild flowers... you ripped off your shirt and "flexed" at him and said "don't mess up my wires and pull strings punk!!!", you then gave a threatening pose "in his face" and the moose scampered away like a scorn cat.... how humuliating for the poor, poor moose...

That moose has not bred since.

Neither have I.