C-Forum

I've been on the board several years and have been in my barge of a solo tripper just as long. Picked up the Rival towards the end of last year and had a couple chances to paddle it; got my first windowshade that way. I need more seat time in it. I'm way more comfortable/confident in the old boat for obvious reasons, but problem is, I have no idea what my skill level is (in either).

I've been aiming for every eddy I see, attempting a surf wherever possible and lining up with the biggest waves trains I can find (c'mon, it's fun), but lets face it, there isn't much around Cincy, OH outside the rebar infested, engine block laden nuclear waste dump I've been running over and over. There *are* more creeks people run around here (Appalachian foothills) than you'd think, but jumping straight to tree choked flush water seems like a famously bad idea.

I figure this is the year I really want to step it up. I'm putting the finishing touches on the Rival's new outfitting (the YL is not pleased there's a canoe in our dining room), picked up a serviceable drysuit, yadda yadda. I've been to a couple ACA classes, hooked up with the BWA folks this year, plan to make the trek and catch a couple of their pool sessions + their weekend clinic, but beyond that, I'm pretty much adrift. I've run into a few friendly OCers around here, but they're pretty scarce, kinda nomadic and I don't wanna keep bugging the same folks over and over. I'd love to catch ALF, but the schedule makes it neigh impossible this year. Besides, unless I showed up with the tubby tripper (ain't gonna progress that way), I'll probably be swimmin' more than boatin'. NOC would be cool, but that's a real chunk of change. The mortgage waits for no man.

Once I get comfortable with the new outfitting (make sure I can get out), as the Brits say, I wanna Man The F*** Up. What's a fella from SW Ohio to do?

Much thanks,

Phreon

P.S. I need to fess up: I might call it the "Tubby Tripper", but I still love the hades outta that boat.

Give me a call any time you want to go. I am in East KY and I do some slower water, class 2s and 3s, not much above that. WE got some good stuff to learn on down this way. Like the Red River or Elk Creek or if you want to step it up a notch, we can do some creeking or do a lighter section of Russel fork. I do alot of canoeing by myself as i dont really get into free falling down 15 foot waterfalls .
six o six two nine seven four two three four most any night between 6 pm and 10.

What are you to do????? - Stop makin excusess
Want to step it up and learn?
Impossible to make it to ALF?
My foot.

Heck fire, maybe you have to go visit your ailing sister(inlaw?, aunt, fill in the blank....sorry boss - "there just ain't no way around it - its her family you know"). You are~6 hrs away, right? Drive down, boat for 2 days and/or be sick. Those sick days work on Fridays and Mondays.
If you want to step it up, learn stuff, amaze yourself, and add new rivers to your trip log, and get better, come on down. You'll be surrounded by open canoers..........what better way to learn?

Denton

It's called I only get to see my son once a month. Dealing with his mom to change the flight schedule ain't fun... Long story.

Time with the boy trumps all,

Phreon

Well, that one I can understand.



But, this thing runs for 2 (two) weekends..................
The more the merrrier.

You come down any wet weekend and I'm sure the GDI will invite you along.

~Denton

Two? (Maniacal grin)

<Looked at the Walden Ridge page. How'd I miss that one?>

Phreon

Look up Bernie in Dayton and talk to him about some options. If you have not already... there is some serious wisdon in that lad.

If no ALF how about the Armada (NBofP)? There is a club out of Dayton, Columbus and another option is check out TRPC (out of Pittsburgh) for Slip Clinic (Slippery Rock Creek) early June and Turkey Bash (LY) early August. Usually some good instruction can be had there. Paddlers teaching other paddlers.

Heard good things about the week of rivers too.

Just options!