Ottawa River Armada in July or September

the great gonzo · Post by **the great gonzo** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:38 pm

I am thinking of organizing an informal Ottawa River Armada on either the July (Canada Day/ 4th of July) or the Labour Day long weekend.

Rivers that are nearby and have pretty much guaranteed good water levels are, next to the Main and Middle channels of the Ottawa, the Gatineau (~1.5-2 hours away) and the Rouge (~2.5 -3 hours).
Potential rivers, if levels cooperate, (more likely running, if at all, in early July than in September) are the Petawawa Town Section (~ 45 min) and the McDougall section in Algonquin Park (~2 hours away), as well as the Lower Madawaska (~1-1.5 hours).

if there is enough interest I would try to reserve one of the group campsites at Riverrun, which is located right at one of the takeouts for the Millde and Main channels of the Ottawa. It is also the place where the Martin and Gwyn of Shaggy Designs hang out in the Summer, so there will be demo boats available.

Cheers!

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

PS: The Ottawa and Gatineau are big water and deep, both pool-drop character, with tons of playspots. Both are class 3-4, and all the rapids have easy walks around them.
The town section is (at least at the levels I have run it) a bit harder. The McDougall section of the Petawawa is, if still running, a fun class 3-4 creek in late June or early July.

The lower Madawaska is a class 2-3 run, most likely near minimum runnable level in early July.

msims · Post by **msims** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:46 pm

Next thing we'll hear is Gonzo designing a new boat, made out of high-strength aluminum that will be bomb-proof and tested in a manner similar to automobiles...

Can we call this "Ain't Gonzo-fest?"

I'll hopefully be able to make the July weekend, or parts of it!

Mike.

Post by **PAC** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 4:26 pm

How about the weekend after the 4th? I have that off already!

As for the name of the thing ....how about ..."Totally Gonzo-Fest"! I can just image a T-shirt!

As for the boat .. I already have one of those. It was built in the 50s, weighs a ton and is not quite bomb-proof (slight bent - due to paddler error)! But Martin can pull out a newer design I might be interested!

The darn things last for ever and there is nothing like pulling off an "aluminum rock slide" on the river!

msims · Post by **msims** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:33 pm

He could go into his work after hours and have his boat tested to be bombproof - but that would cut into his paddling time...so my guess is he won't get into boat design!

Here's some local folklore about The Great Gonzo, aka Martin! I do this to entice folks to make the trip

Warning: If you have a sensitive stomach with the "kayaker vs cboater" debate, you probably shouldnt read this thread...

http://www.boatwerks.net/boaterboard/vi ... james+bond

RodeoClown · Post by **RodeoClown** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:27 am

I'm up for either, since I'll be around all summer.

One thought- the Sept. long weekend is when they hold the Ottawa Rodeo. It would be nice to have more than 3 people competing in C-1 for a change

Or, if we were really on it, we'd make them have an OC-1 class too. Anyone? Anyone?

keez · Post by **keez** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:29 pm

Martin,
Great idea, count me in. Labour Day may be best, there's usually less boaters on the rivers by then.
Geoff

the great gonzo · Post by **the great gonzo** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:26 pm

Well, if anyone was looking for me at riverrun or anywhere else on the Ottawa this coming Canada Day long weekend, don't

.
I just learned today that I won't be able to get back from my business trip in time and will therefore be stuck here in Sweden for the weekend (well, at least Sweden is not the worst place to be stuck in...

...).
PAC, in case you still plan on coming to the Ottawa for the weekend after, I am 99% sure that I will be able to make it back for that one and I should get some time off to compensate me for the lost long weekend.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:41 pm

I don't think im around for either if those dates (work/ have plans) but if i have a free day i'll be there!

Post by **PAC** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:11 pm

Martin - thanks for the heads up. Right now its not looking like we would make it anyway - he just has not got in enough paddle time for me to be comfortable with him in bigger water. Working on it but not there... yet. Hate to take him there and then have his paddling buzz shaved - scaring him and such. Maybe next year. Thanks for the invite and offer. Paul C.

PS: If things change I'll let you know - I"D REALLY LIKE TO BE THERE!

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Ottawa River Armada in July or September

What would be your preferred weekend for an Ottawa River Armada?

Ottawa River Armada in July or September

Gonzo-fest