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Another solo open boater!
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:56 pm
by ncdavid
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.
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:04 pm
by Todhunter
Congrats, David - what river?
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:44 pm
by ezwater
We saw then future Olympian Adam Clawson handling a c-1 on the Nanty when he was only 9. We were astounded.
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:50 pm
by ncdavid
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.
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:58 pm
by OC101
Go, Rose! We're followin' your lead!
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:47 pm
by cheajack
Congrats David. You might need my Bull Dog soon.
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 12:13 am
by 2opnboat1
sweet congrats
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:03 am
by sbroam
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...
Go dads get them in SFs
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:05 am
by Wendy
nt
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:29 am
by ncdavid
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....
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 3:19 am
by kimmieOC1
Hey David, I've got a skeeter here in WNC you borrow.
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:02 am
by sbroam
ncdavid wrote:... Or that real pretty Viper C1 sitting on my rack....
It's not sparkly blue is it?
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 11:28 am
by philcanoe
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.
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:08 pm
by ncdavid
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.
Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 5:26 am
by OC One Blade
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.