Gauley Fest was awesome

[billcanoes]

It was great seeing so many cboaters at the Gfest-

Pete, Paul, Will, Martin, Mike, David, Seth, Chris, Bernie , Vic, and open boaters Louie, David and Doug I think that was everyone...

Paul shepherded me down the lower g- on Sat- I didn't think I was ready for it- but I did better than I anticipated and I didnt feel like I shouldnt be there- though there was a little luck involved at PSH.

Thanks Paul-

Also it was great to put names with faces-

[the great gonzo]

Yes, Gauleyfest was awesome, met a lot of people for the first time that I only knew from the board. Our small single blading contingent from Canada (Steve and myself, as well as Duane in a kayak), had a great time, thanks again to Lynne for guiding us down the Upper Yough and for the hospitality and to Taylor (SP?) for guiding us down the Upper Gauley on Saturday.

Friday was my first time on the Upper Yough, we had a great group, Lynne, Roy, Bill and Steve in open boats, myself in the Finkenmeister and Duane as the token kayaker. I was a bit nervous initially, but loosend up quickly and I tried even some of the slightly more challenging lines that Roy pointed out to us.

Saturday we were in a sligtly different group on the Upper Gauley, Taylor, Roy, Bill, Steve, Louie and Matt in open boats, me again in the FM and Duane in the yak. Really great group, had again a great time, and I have a new favorite rapid, Lost Paddle, truely awesome!
No real carnage there, although running Insignificant with a raft right on my tail was a bit tense

On Sunday it was only us three Canadians, another great day, Duane showed us how to cartwheel a Creekboat in the first hole in Insignificant , (he came out OK and paddled the rest of the rapid fine), while Steve put on quite a show at Pillow rock, sidesurfing the very first hole below the stageing eddy and then fearlessly swimming the rest of the rapid while being submerged for most of the time (again, he was OK). They both complained about my lack of providing entertainment.
All in all probably my best paddling weekend ever!

martin a.k.a. The Great Gonzo!

[the great gonzo]

Yes, Gauleyfest was awesome, met a lot of people for the first time that I only knew from the board. Our small single blading contingent from Canada (Steve and myself, as well as Duane in a kayak), had a great time, thanks again to Lynne for guiding us down the Upper Yough and for the hospitality and to Taylor (SP?) for guiding us down the Upper Gauley on Saturday.

Friday was my first time on the Upper Yough, we had a great group, Lynne, Roy, Bill and Steve in open boats, myself in the Finkenmeister and Duane as the token kayaker. I was a bit nervous initially, but loosend up quickly and I tried even some of the slightly more challenging lines that Roy pointed out to us.

Saturday we were in a sligtly different group on the Upper Gauley, Taylor, Roy, Bill, Steve, Louie and Matt in open boats, me again in the FM and Duane in the yak. Really great group, had again a great time, and I have a new favorite rapid, Lost Paddle, truely awesome!
No real carnage there, although running Insignificant with a raft right on my tail was a bit tense

On Sunday it was only us three Canadians, another great day, Duane showed us how to cartwheel a Creekboat in the first hole in Insignificant , (he came out OK and paddled the rest of the rapid fine), while Steve put on quite a show at Pillow rock, sidesurfing the very first hole below the stageing eddy and then fearlessly swimming the rest of the rapid while being submerged for most of the time (again, he was OK). They both complained about my lack of providing entertainment.
All in all probably my best paddling weekend ever!

martin a.k.a. The Great Gonzo!

[ChrisKelly]

Chris Kelly

[Louie]

Glad I got to paddle with you also. Please come to Tennessee.

[the great gonzo]

I sure will come to Tennessee, just don't know when yet, probably early next year when everything is frozen up here.

Let me know if you come up here to Canada, I know a few fun rivers up here, too.

martin a.k.a. The Great Gonzo!