C-Forum

As this year's "unofficial" organizer for the armada, I had the pleasure of seeing the ongoing evolution of single-blade gatherings that started 5 1/2 years ago with the gathering of as many "first-timers" to the armada as there were "veteran armadians".

The weekend started off for me with the Davey Hearn clinic that had Bill Reap, Scott Broam, Shawn Reese, Mike Watson, Adam Pearsall, and myself all paddling slalom boats (Adam, Scott), Viper c-1 (me), Acrobat (Mike) and Atoms (Shawn, and Bill). We started at the feeder canal, that has a slalom course, and worked on specific paddling methods--mainly crossing the current (ferrying) and edge control (stern pivots). We spent a lot of time perfecting stern squirts and nailing eddy turns ala slalom-style. After a quick lunch, we proceeded to attain/walk the feeder canal so we could start our Little Falls run. I'll let the other paddlers confess to making the crux climb or taking a walk (I made the climb the WHOLE way in my Viper!). It was great hanging with Davey, but I would imagine to the casual observer that watching us running down the various wave trains that we must have looked like a bunch of ducklings chasing after their parent (as opposed to referencing Davey to a mother duck ). We would chase after Davey as he would make eddy turns then zip on down river to surf a wave then hop in an eddy and wait for us to catch up. He HAD to wait because we were fussing about trying to mimic his moves, flip on an eddy line (or get tripped by the current), roll up and try to paddle to where Davey was waiting. To the uninitiated, Little Falls rapid on the Potomac, at the moderate-high level we paddled, has big water feel with pushy wave trains, boiling water, and swirling currents. The final drop is Little Falls proper and has two main routes: Virginia-side (a tough left-to-right move threading holes and fighting cross currents to avoid getting blown against the middle island; and Maryland-side (basically a straight shot with a REALLY neat haystack that you could ride up and down into the trough, then following the runout as it funnels past the middle island). We took a quick glance from shore, then hopped in our boats and ran the Maryland-side falls pretty cleanly. I say that because as I was running the drop, I saw Scott out of his boat swimming to the side with the other boaters pushing his boat to shore. Apparently, he misunderstood what Davey said about getting to the takeout and thought we were ALL supposed to swim to the rocky shore to get out .

Now, I'm gonna say at this point that we had read Scott Wilkinson's post about the horrible D.C. traffic leaving in the afternoon on Friday, so we ALL agreed early on that we would wrap it up around 2:00 and get on the road. Well, by 3:45, Shawn was in his Cherokee driving down Clara Barton Parkway THE WRONG WAY yelling at us to "get going!" About 10 minutes later, we decided to give chase and went after him by driving down Clara Barton Parkway THE WRONG WAY . Apparently the east-bound lanes of the parkway get closed in the afternoons, so the only way we could get out of there was to drive west-bound in the east-bound lanes, then merge into traffic. Our late departure only added 30 minutes to our driving time (which could have taken MUCH longer considering the MASSIVE volume of D.C. traffic). I led the way, which may not have been a clever decision on our convoy's part, but we arrived at the Craig campground not too terribly late or ill-tempered (except for our southern contigent-read Mike, Scott, and Bill-who swore up and down that they will NEVER drive to Washington D.C EVER again ).

Saturday was just a fun-filled day with me yelling at everybody about making time limits to leave the take-out parking area and get to the putin and then yelling at everybody about needing to proceed downriver. I'll compare organizing this group on a time schedule to herding cats. Others may feel that I was just being a "time keeper nazi" The putin hole gave our group ample opportunity to try out many of our diverse collection of cboats--and there was an AMPLE sampling of cboats to try out (glass Vipers and Acrobats and slalom boats--including Paul Cline and son Jacob in a c-2; and the plastic crowd from Atoms all the way down to Seth Chapelle's boat and the MUCH anticipated Wheelboy !) All-in-all, there were over 20 of us paddling (23?) and everyone just had a great time.

Special recognition goes to all our swimmers (Paul and Scott and Bob Gunst and Jim Kelly-Rand and others?). The missing-in-action award goes to the D.C. slalom contingent who were sorely missed on Saturday, mainly because Dave Miller and Scott Wilkinson are the ones solely responsible for starting the armada gatherings. The best-moves award goes to Seth Chapelle with his flat-water loop. The coolest flatwater wheels goes to Adam in his master-cut Acrobat, with honorable mention to Mike W. who also used Adam's Acrobat. I would have to give the longest stern stall to myself for stalling my Viper on its stern for at least 20 seconds at times. The conspicuously missing award goes to the "Longboating" poster who has made much of his knowledge of cboating and posted that he would be bringing his"posse" to this weekend's activities, but was a no-show. Oh, well. Maybe he showed up at the Lower Yough today (Sunday) and paddled with Paul and son. Otherwise, he just may have gone the way of other "mysterious" posters like "t-grippin' dudette (anyone remember that one? ). Boater of the weekend award goes to my wife who stayed ashore to maintain some level of control over our 6-month old labrador puppy and made sure everyone was taken care of with shuttling, boats, and their equipment, plus applying her medical skills where needed.

After quick showers, it was time for our descent into the town of Westernport and our much-anticipated assault on Fox's Pizza! Unfortunately, they were VERY prepared for our frontal assault and had brought in plenty of reinforcements and supplies. We were well received and well fed and well taken care of. Kudos to Fox's Pizza for allowing us back and meeting our food needs. All had a great time catching up on events and sharing embellished tales of hair-raising boating stories, though some did not need embellishment--like anything said about Kalin Pallett in his absence . Kalin, if you read this, we spoke kindly of you and mostly expressed sorrow in missing your awesome presence . Unfortunately, at some point (and after polishing off two beers), I decided to get into an intellectual debate with Paul's son, Jacob (how old is he? 10?), and I ended up having to use my significant size, age, and drunkedness over Jake to just win a few arguments . Well, I guess Jake let me win so I would stop hounding him.

Sunday (today) came rolling around, and so did the rain. So, we struck camp and said our goodbyes. Shawn ran off to run the Cheat (and set up shuttle in 45 minutes ), Brendan and Bob went to do the Shenandoah Staircase section next to Harper's Ferry, Paul and son left to do the Lower Yough, a few others stayed to run the North Branch again, and the rest of us loaded our gear and boats and left for home. By the way, I just want to make it clear to everyone that Adam DID drive to the armada hauling 4 boats on his Audi TT, so awesome shuttle vehicle award goes to "Sir' Adam!

This weekend was wonderful and I really enjoyed meeting new attendees as well as catching up on the lives of familiar veterans. I would really like to see if we can get a fall armada organized, so think about if you can get a group together on a favorite stretch of whitewater and invite us.

KNeal (Neal Fleenor)

The posse was there, I find it hard to believe that you didn't check two 16 foot open boats cruisin' and surfing. Blasted up that hole by the railroad retaining walls, don't know the name. Plenty of people saw us bustin' some moves so come on peeps, lets here some impressions. Even had some c-boaters tell me i was sittin' in the wrong seat! I heartily encourage them to grab a longboat, go ahead and sit old style (stern first, on the front seat) and try to keep up with my lines. Not!

Aye, a good time was had by all! It was great meeting some of the folks that post here that I haven't met before-Longboatin'- you should have identified yourself! I suspect that might be you (and if I recall you were at the Tohickon release last fall too...). Your posse certainly handled your boats with ease, and though it DOES look like fun, I started in a 16' open boat and much prefer my "pointy little death traps" at this point. No bailing (not really an issue on the North Branch perhaps, but come up to the Hudsom some time .)

I'll humbly accept my awards and add a few others:
LEW and Lil'D-Lowest volume boat at the armada (though it didn't make it in the water...and I dont' blame them!!)
Mike W.-Most facinated with Metal Flake
KNeal-Best Stern Squirts overall (and longest, yes) Also, most rolls
Longest Boats: Longboatin's posse (say 'hi' next time guys!)
Mike W.-Best Boat Stall THROUGH Robin's Nest
BillCanoes- Shared boat the most (well, it WAS the Wheelboy)
SBroam- graceful pivot terns at the feeder canal (other than Davey, of course
Seth-looking smooth in the hole..and that flat water loop...WOW.
David-also looking very smooth in the hole...were you BORN in that Wheelboy or something?
PAC and Jacob-honorable mention for giving the longboatin' crowd a run for their money on the boat length award
Brendan and Gunst-most *interesting* breakfast conversation

It was great Cing everyone again this year...I'll post when the summer Hudson Armada is going on...hopefully I'll C a few of you then...if not, till next year!

The Armada was awesome!

Thanks KNeal for the use of the Atom on Fri and the cozy lodging. It was awesome to meet everyone. After trying an acrobat I realized I didn't need to try a groove, thanks for bringing it anyway Adam. I guess it worked out well that it rained Sat night so no one stayed up too late.

The North Branch was awesome. I had a little swim. I thought I was done with that, but I guess I need to be more patient and ensure I set up properly.

My kayaking buddy summed up the weekend, he said "the boating community in general is a tight knit group, but it's amazing to see a group who is even closer with so many skilled paddlers." I agree whole heartedly, the majority of the people on this board are avid boaters who promote the sport. Everyone is quick to share advice and equipment, and we are blessed to have so many people with years of experience.

Thanks to all who attended who made the weekend so outstanding.

Bill Reap

I had a great time - was glad to see all those I'd met before and to meet the new folks. A couple of times during what seemed to be interminable stretches of road I questioned whether the drive was worth it. Well, it certainly was.

I'd write more, but it's back to the land of cubicles where no time off goes unpunished. However, this week's punishment of lengthy meetings with consultants does seem cruel and unusual...

Scott

ps - to make a minor correction for KNeal - I didn't say I'd never drive to DC again, not that I am anxious to, what I did was to call my wife and give her the good news that we would never move to DC.

Boy, it sure sounded like a great weekend. Hopefully I'll eventually make one of these. It sure would be a dream to get to try out all those boats! Kneal, I'm thinking I want a Viper...you'll probably be bored with yours soon eh
Was there a Taureau there to test drive? What were the feelings on the Wheelboy from those who got to play in one?
Did the clinic with Davey go well enough that that might be a repeat next year?
Thanks for all the reports!
Mike

Great trip- somehow my name was missing among those swimmers that Kneal listed and I want to be sure to own up to my mistakes- I did swim on the NB but did a self rescue that was so quick that I almost went undetected ( right Shaun? ) In fact, I also decided to swim on Sunday at Harpers Ferry- my blade hit a shallow rock, got knocked out of my hand and I proceeded to study the geologic formations of the Stairsteps of the Shenandoah- impressive I must say. Mike and Bob were great help in tracking down my paddle and laughing at my efforts to get my self back into the boat.

We did have a great day on the Yough on Friday- Bob broke his paddle at swimmers, and he was lucky to catch the last group of rafts on the river to borrow a blade- as it turned out we were the only hard boaters on the river at the time- wonderful to look up and downstream and see NO ONE- NO RAFTS!!

Great weather, great campsite (Marshal- I need to pay up for site 75), great water and a great group of folks to hang out with.

I agree. It was a great trip. It was also nice to put faces to online names.

Thanks to Neal for organizing it, and bringing my spray jacket.

Thanks to Adam for hosting this site that facilitates such great events and discussions.

Thanks to PAC for showing me the sneak route at Robin's Nest. I'm not afriad to admit to being chicken. Those who saw my swim will understand.

Hope to paddle with everyone again next year, if not before.

- Paul

Just got back an hour ago so tis a llate post.

I had a great time with all that were there. Neal thanks for the nudge to shore after my late day swim. Adam thanks for the turn in the Wheelboy. I felt comfortable in the saddle, it is a stable boat. It would be fun to have another boat, but I'm still enjoying my Viper and it should last me another couple of years. Mike and Adam, your Acrobats were pretty cool, I wish I could fit in one. Though running those wave trains looked like a lot of work.
Friday I had the opportunity to shred the Upper Yough. I don't know that I will ever hard boat it. The river was'nt as pushy as I imagined, but the holes and rock gardens that preceded every drop and slot move made it quite intimidating.

Well got to get ready for work

till next
Jim

I arrived home Monday at 8PM and this is my first opportunity to post. I had a fun time at my first N branch Armada. I enjoyed meeting a lot of folks who I knew only from posts on this board.

The river was fun so after a leisurely start on Sunday morning LEW and I went back and ran the first part again. We also went up and took a walk along the banks of the Savage.

I hope my Zoom provided a little entertainment even if it's not a C1.
It would be great if a lot of you come up for the Hudson Armada.

My dear...I loved the Zoom. I believe I'm going to make it my next boat. I was amazed how little water it held after rolling it which itself was easy to do. What an edge, tho! It's gonna take some time to get as comfortable with it as I am in the Shaman. Once I get my electric bilg pump back from Rapidrunnerbilge and working properly it'll be perfect for the Zoom.

My only other concern is that because of virtually no initial stability, I won't be able to sit up on a thwart to get recirculation going in my knees during the flat sections.

Oh, yes...I enjoyed meeting all you single bladers at my first armada. I hope to get to the Hudson and there should be a Southern Armada someday.

It was really fun to paddle with so many C's. There aren't many of us around here. Thanks KNeil for keeping us all together.
I'm sorry I wasn't ready to take the Oxygen down the North Branch yet, it would have been interesting to see Seth try to loop her!
Mike W. deserves additional recognition for his ride in the Zoom, having the determination to switch hands on the paddle and roll up after a couple of failures on his right ,sure brought out the cheers.

Longbaotin, I did notice you guys and was very impressed with your skills. My first thought was to suggest that you switch seats, but after watching you for a few minutes it was obvious that you were onto something. I used to paddle a 17' Old Town Tripper solo, I guess I should have tried the stern seat when I had it.

Al: The Zoom has plenty of initial stability, it just happens to be when the boat is on an edge.

It was great to meet everyone, I hope you all can make it up for the Hudson. We will certainly return the visit for a Southern Armada.

Enjoyed my first Armada, although my knees didn't. I'll have to paddle C on more trips so that they go completely numb and won't bother me. It was good to finally put names and faces together and I liked my short experience in the Wheelboy. Thanks Adam for letting me try it. I'm looking forward to when PAC gets around to buying one and I can try it again. Good job to the organizers.

Happy paddling,

Natalie

As usual a good time - It nice seeing old faces and new ones as well – not mention new boats! We missed the DC Race Crew since they are always a pleasure to watch coming down the river. Next year guys (and ladies) – right!
Jacob now “knows” the river and that he is the intellectual equal of both KNeal and Brinks (Neal’s dog)! Thanks to Big Al he now also “knows” there is a section on the NBofP called “FoFo Your Pants” (and no the language filter is not on).
Thanks to D I don’t have to listen to Al muttering “…where were the open boats…” under his breath next time we paddle. He even looked good in purple and I think he’s going to go for one!
As for boats:
Wheel Boy – Darn I want one! Stable, relatively fast and very comfortable, oh and did I note it was stable! I’d like a chance to take it down some III+ and into some nice size features to really get a feel for it! Even with a slack a$$ spray skirt I have a very favorable first impression. Any chance one showing up at the Lower Yough one of these days (Hint - in place of the Leigh)? Now I’m even getting pressure from Natalie to buy one too!
Acrobat – twitchy but fun. Downside is my skirt didn’t fit it so well either. So just when I figured out where I could get the boat to “bite” the seam for me it bit me in the you-know-where! Actually, the release water really wasn’t all that cold….once I got out of it! But alias I am waiting with betted breath for the Mav’s début since I know a squirt C is in my future. Mike and Adam were having too much fun!
Zoom – Found the sides a bit high but I figured out how to keep from smashing my figures relatively quickly (pain is a good teacher). It’s been a while since I’ve been in an open boat but found the Zoom relatively fast, with questionable primary stability (would take a run or two to dial into that - no problem), but very good secondary stability (which is what I like in a boat). It was also really easy to roll – particularly under pressure (non-combat but peer pressure - from everyone watching right after I just swam out of the Acrobat).
Buchland (JB) paddles – I brought 4 C1 sticks with me. One was mine, a spoon blade – which I like very much. 2 of which were demo-ed with one sold (Enjoy Walt). Jacob also got a chance to use his new (to him) rebuilt woody K paddle (Hand me down re-built from the Chappell clan) and only smacked his dad in the face once with it. Ah the joys of C2ing with a 10 year old!
As always it was good to see everyone although I didn’t get a chance to chat with everyone as much as I wanted too! It was nice to hear that my poor direction was not held against me. Paul and is getting the hang of C1ing and it was nice to see Natalie out of the K and in the C. Adam you definitely have the coolest shuttle vehicle (mostly due to the diverse quiver of boats tied on top) although I’m not sure how it would have held up on the Cheat / Big Sandy shuttle!
I’m sorry I didn’t get you a check for site support – keep your eyes open for the one in the mail – along with a CD of Armada photos (which proves that Scott is almost as bad of a photographer as I am – water on the lens issues ). Shawn’s the man when it comes to a site mate. Came back form dinner to find a nice fire going and woke up to strong coffee in the AM. Who ever brought the ice cream back to the camp ground gets bonus points for the event! Kudos from my wife and kids to Scott for the Ginger Ale –most of which is already gone!

Finally, I have a VERY loud neon green folding chair (trimmed in neon blue) that was left at the camp site! The wife took one look at it when I got home and said I hope that “THAT” is someone else’s! If you are willing to fess up that it is yours I will be most willing to get it back too you!

What a great weekend The clinic was fun, Davey gave me a bunch of stuff to work on. Little falls was a hoot Glad I got to paddle it as I intend to NEVER drive in Washington ever again Just to clarify, Scott had a clean run at Little Falls. It was that ultra-nasty eddy-line at the bottom that got him.

Kudoes to MShelton for the campground. GREAT showers

Now we know. KNeal was hollering about the time all day just so he could get back to the campground & take a shower before going to Fox's

A big thanks to Bill for bringing the Wheelboy. It's a neat little boat.

Also a big thanks (I think) to Sir Adam for bringing the Master Cut Acrobat. I didn't realize that a different chop of the same boat would make such a difference in performance Although I can occasionally get a few ugly cartwheels in my 1/2" cut, I was able to clean the stern in the Master Cut I haven't been this excited about a boat in a looong time, but at my weight it would be strickly for park & play

Thanks for my awards. Honorable mention to me after Sir Adam's cartwheels puts me in very good company. He can throw down end after end, Irish Whipping that Acro Although his boat is cut more my size
I confess, I am quite fascinated by metal-flake, alpha-jewel in particular
So you liked my line through Robin's Nest? That was fun I can only hope that it looked 1/2 as good as it felt.

I thought Seth looked neat when he was bouncing on that bow-stall Then he up & LOOPS on FLATWATER That was indeed the hottest trick of the day.

I have to give a close 2nd on boat loaning to Li'l D. A bunch of folks tried her Zoom. I had fun in it I had heard that the dimples were for your paddle, but the photo that Adam got of me clearly shows that it's a perfect place for your lower arm when trying to turn the boat. For those who think the Zoom is unstable, try an Acrobat or better yet, try a wildwater C-1 You'll feel like fishing from the Zoom after that

Thanks to Adam for taking pictures. I was too busy playing & gave him my camera. I posted one of everyone that I have pictures of. I have more than one photo of some, no photos of a bunch. If you want your photo (soft or hard copy) let me know & I'll get it to you. See them here: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/wh20crazy ... /my_photos

Brendan, Bob & I had fun on the Staircase section of the Shenandoah on Suday. It was barely high enough for glass. With another 6" - 1' we all agreed that it would have been thumpin'. It's neat when nobody in the group has paddled the river before & you can't find the take-out from the river