June 2010

Volume 1, Issue 2
www.packnewsletter.org
to use, support of youth race participation, and anything
else you want to suggest.
From Your BACK of the PACK
Prez
In closing, keep in touch-if we ain’t doin what ya want, let
me know: not saying we’ll do everything you want, but
we’ll listen!
Much happening since our last communication-some
good, some not so good.
Seeya on the water.
First, an apology; if you haven’t heard from us, WE
GOOFED! In our effort to transition to our website and
e-letter, we missed communicating with many of you, so
here is your newsletter, with this request. If you’d be just
as happy with e-mail, and e-newsletters, please DO
NOTHING, if you still want a paper newsletter, please
respond to Jeff or myself and we’ll do it.
Also, since we didn’t talk to you, you may not have paid
your dues. If not, please send to Amy Rankinen. We can
use your money!
By the time you get this, get ready for Tiadaghton,
Loyalsock (State Race), Kids Races that weekend, and a
picnic to boot. Look for details in this issue.
More on the fun side, Cameron County was a great race;
well managed, lots of volunteers, and I have no idea how,
but Baily had great weather as well-may be the first time I
didn’t freeze in Emporium! (Missing my start had nothing
to do with the weather or the race people-I was just busy
talking to some guy on the water)
Wessel race at Otego was great-if you really like 60 mph
headwind gusts! Previously known as the lower 35, this
course was about 22 based on my gps, but Jim Goochie
and I probably added a mile or so with my bad lines! Still
a nice 3 hr tuneup for the 70miler.
We’ve had a lot of feedback on our Pack success and
lack-of to date this year-keep it coming! We hear you and
appreciate the input. I do believe our direction to an eletter is the right thing to do: can eliminate our major
expenses of printing and postage, and allow us to direct
those dollars to some more beneficial uses. Some things
we’re discussing; improved web page( expend some
dollars to do), Portable boat dock for race directors
June 2010
PS: shortest PACK Executive committee meeting in
history; as Jeff passed me in the Lower 35, we scheduled
lunch and adjourned-very productive meeting!
Bob Snook
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
2
2
3
4
4
5
5
6
7
8
9
9
10
12
13
16
16
18
28
29
30
From Your BACK of the PACK Prez
Clinton Ramblings
Calendar of Events
Krapf Spotlight
A Note From Your Assistant Editor, Free
Camping at PACK Weekend
2nd Annual Bricktown Challenge
Red Moshannon Race Death
Race News
Race Reports
Race Reports
May Caption Contest Winner
PACK Training
PACK Membership Form
Loyalsock Flatwater Challenge Form
Tiadaghton Elm Form
Bricktown Challenge Form
WB Susquehanna River Wild Report
Spring Racing with GoPro Camera/YouTube
Race Results
Photo Collage 1
Photo Collage 2
PACK Clinics/C4 Race/Youth Splash
Game/Race Registration
Current Paddler 1
CALENDAR
OF
EVENTS
Updated calendar at http://packnewsletter.org
6/12 & 6/13 - Madrid Canoe Regatta, Madrid,
NY
6/13 - Mantua Creek Race, West Deptford, NJ,
Contact: Glen Green
6/18 - PACK Youth Clinic, C4 Race, Picnic,
Montoursville, PA
6/19 - Tiadaghton Elm Canoe & Kayak Classic,
Jersey Shore, PA, 2010 Registration Form
6/20 - Loyalsock Flatwater Challenge,
Montoursville, PA
6/26 - Great River Adventure, Dalmatia to
Millersburg, PA, contact Jeff Shenberger
6/27 - Schuylkill Canal Race, Phoenixville, PA
7/3 & 7/4 - Lake Placid International, Lake
Placid, NY
7/3 - USCA Aluminum Nationals, Pocohontas,
AR
7/10 & 7/11 - Armond Bassett Memorial Canoe
Race, Rochester, NY
7/10 - Bricktown Challenge, Howard, PA, 2009
Race Video
7/11 - Callicoon Canoe Regatta, Callicoon, NY,
Registration Form, Contact: Tom Freda, 845887-5640
7/11 - Philadelphia Canoe Club Open House
Race, Schuylkill River, contact: Glen Green
7/25 - Endless Mountains Race, Susquehanna
River, PA
7/31 - 2010 Ohio State Canoe & Kayak Marathon
Championships, contact Jake Rabatin (440) 9680118 or Don Maistrois (440) 729-2047, 2010
Registration Form
8/1 - Tuckahoe River Canoe & Kayak Race, NJ
8/10 through 8/15 - 2010 USCA National Canoe
& Kayak Championships, Peshtigo, WI
8/14 - Mayor’s Cup, Hudson-Harlem-East River,
New York City
8/21 - Broadkill River Race, Milton, Delaware
8/29 - Woodbury Creek Race, NJ
8/29 - Standing Stone Challenge, Brad Beckwith,
Towanda, PA, Race Flyer
Clinton Ramblings
Bob Snook
Before someone reminds me, I know this is not a Pa
race, but pretty close for a lot of us. Close enough
that at least seven(7) PACK members have
completed the 70 Miler 20 or more times, led by Jim
Goochie with 31 now, and Ken Gerg with 22 and
counting!
Roughly scanning the pre-race entries-about 150 for
Mondays 70 Miler, I find about 20 Pa paddlers
scattered across the 16 or so classes. Does show we
have a solid core of serious paddlers, many PACK
members, because not many people attempt this race
without a pretty serious commitment. Believe me,
about at the 35 mile point, you start to think you
should have been committed some place to even
have thought you wanted to do this.However, that
pain subsides and you move on.
On a personal note, the Jim Goochie paddling
machine pulled yours truly to a 4th place finish -20
entered- in the stock endurance class. We started
saying a top 10 wouldn’t be bad, considering a strong
field and no age groups, then after a good start, a
poor hospital portage, some good luck at a log jam
that hung up 3 or 4 leading boats(we got thru), Jim
was thinking top 5, and I’m thinking I’m gonna die!
We held our own, swapped back and forth with
Shawn Burke and Tom Walton, Mass and NH
paddlers, and didn’t make any major mistakes in the
entire race.
Credit also goes to our dedicated pit crew of Pauline,
her daughter, and Karen. Their bottle drops by rope
at Milford and Wells Bridge were perfect and
probably faster than boat pits. We literally didn’t
drop but about a stroke each at those pits, and the
cheers for the pit team were the loudest I heard
anywhere on the river all day! Does help to reenergize you.
I do remember rambling about this race years ago for
the PACK newsletter, and if you haven’t done it, you
may want to consider it. It isn’t all a pro race, lots of
recreational classes, most for canoes, not many
kayaks here; a challenge for sure, but also a lot of
satisfaction to be gained.
Current Paddler 2
PACK OFFICERS
PRESIDENT: BOB SNOOK
(570) 433-3119, BOATERBOB@GUISEMAN.COM
4129 RT. 864 HIGHWAY
MONTOURSVILLE, PA 17754
VICE PRESIDENT: RON KAISER
(570) 327-8106, RKAYAK63@AOL.COM
2865 NORTHWAY RD.
WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701
TREASURER/SECRETARY: AMY RANKINEN
(570) 745-7367, PACKNEWSLETTER@GMAIL.COM
130 MIDDLE RD.
JERSEY SHORE, PA 17740
EDITOR (WEB SITE): JEFF RANKINEN
(570) 745-7367, PACKNEWSLETTER@GMAIL.COM
130 MIDDLE RD.
JERSEY SHORE, PA 17740
ASSISTANT EDITOR (NEWSLETTER): SUSAN WILLIAMS
(610) 405-5008, LADYJUSTICE@EROLS.COM
509 SO. BISHOP AVE.
SECANE, PA 19018
OPERATIONS ADVISOR/HISTORIAN: NORM LUDWIG
(570) 865-6214, NCLUDWIG@KCNET.ORG
2006 W SIDE RD.
JERSEY SHORE, PA 17740
The Krapf Spotlight
This issue highlights the PACK Championship race
weekend. On Friday evening, June 18th, PACK is
sponsoring a youth splash game/race, fun C4 race and
paddling clinic. A picnic for all PACK members is
included. The races and clinic will be held at the Greevy
Boat Launch in Montoursville, PA. Registration for the
races will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Greevy Boat Launch.
The youth splash game/race will begin at 6:00 p.m.
followed by the C4 fun race and youth paddling clinic.
The picnic will begin at the conclusion of the C4 race.
The picnic will be held at the Pavilion just downriver
from the Greevy Boat Launch. Other events for the
weekend include the Tiadaghton Elm Canoe & Kayak
Classic on Saturday, June 19, 2010 and the Loyalsock
Flatwater Challenge/PACK State Championship on
Sunday, June 20, 2010. More details can be found on the
PACK website:
http://packnewsletter.org
Use the form on page 30 to register for the PACK
events. Registration will be free for these events.
Current Paddler 3
A Note From Your Assistant
Editor
It has been pointed out to me that the majority of PACK
members are your average paddlers, just regular folks out
to race and have fun. Most of us compete because we
love paddling and enjoy the camaraderie we find at races.
I agree. I know I’m certainly not an elite paddler and will
never be on the national team, I just like to paddle.
PACK is our organization, it’s for the average paddler.
Please help us out by submitting your favorite photos and
commentary on races and paddling in your community.
I’m a southeastern PA paddler, unfamiliar with much of
the western part of the state. Please help me make this
your newsletter by sending me anything you’d like to see
on paddling in your part of the state. Thank you!!!
ladyjustice@erols.com or by regular mail.
FREE PACK MEMBER CAMPING
for the Loyalsock and Tiadaghton weekend! Susan
Williams will host camping racers and their families at her
house, 6 miles from the start of the Loyalsock Flatwater
Challenge. Plenty of lawn space for your tent! We can
have a campfire in the field on Saturday night if you'd
like, bring your own lawn chair. Email
ladyjustice@erols.com or call Susan at 610-405-5008 for
details and directions. All PACK members and their
families are welcome.
2nd Annual Bricktown
Challenge
A family oriented canoe and kayak race to raise money
for the construction of the Bricktown Trail.
Saturday July 10th in Howard, Pennsylvania at the Bald
Eagle State Park Beach
Three Distance Divisions and many classes:
~2 mile youth race 9:00 am start,
~8 mile race 9:00 am start, ~4 mile rec race
Poker run 11:30 am start – poker run winner takes home
an emotion glide kayak!
$25 per boat to enter
Enter both 4 and 8 mile race for $30 – unique first place
prizes
Contact Jamie Walker @ bcwainfo@kcnet.org or
570.660.0382
Race Info http://beechcreekwatershed.com/bricktown.html
Registration Form http://beechcreekwatershed.com/bricktown/registration
form.pdf
Bricktown Trail Brochure –
http://beechcreekwatershed.com/bricktown/brick_tow
n_trail_brochure.pdf
Your Assistant Editor practices portages, getting ready for the
General Clinton 70-Miler
Current Paddler 4
Red Moshannon Race Death
Submitted by Susan Williams
The racing community extends its condolences to the
family of George Lockey of Kylertown. Mr. Lockey died
after an incident at the Red Moshannon Race wherein he
was found floating face down in the water at or near the
finish line. CPR was performed on site, but Mr. Lockey
later died in the hospital. He was 62 years old.
When a paddler dies, much speculation always surrounds
the circumstances. Stroke, heart attack, hypothermia,
entanglement in a skirt, footbraces or other equipment,
and/or any other number of factors that could ultimately
lead to drowning and death are all possible each time we
enter a waterway. From each untimely death we all can
remember several things.
Always check both your physical and mental condition
before paddling. Do not paddle if you are not feeling
“right” about any part of the day. I have DNS’d (Did Not
Start) several races because I was not feeling up to racing
that day. I have also DNF’d (Did Not Finish) for the same
reason. If you race enough races, you will eventually have a
day that is just not your day. There is no shame in arriving
and changing your mind. There is also no shame in
paddling part way through and getting out when you need
to get out. We’ve all done it.
Check your equipment each time you go out. Whether
brand new or tried and true, equipment failures can happen
very randomly. I learned my lesson on Lake Ontario when
our brand new K2 skirts leaked so much water into the
cockpits that we nearly sank a half-mile off shore in 4’
waves. That’s not the time to discover your equipment isn’t
working as it should.
If you are wearing a PFD, be sure it fits you and is secured
in the manner it is intended to be secured. Wearing a PFD
that is not zipped or fastened, or wearing one too lose, is
the same as not wearing one at all. Test your PFD for fit
before you need it. The water is getting warm now, so now
is the time to test your gear in a safe environment. Find out
what it feels like to have a loose PFD strung around your
neck, then fit it properly and keep it fitted. It’s hard to put
on or adjust a PFD when you’re unconscious, so check it
now before you need it.
Wear the proper clothing for the water temperatures, not the
air temperatures. This is surely difficult on a 65 or 70-degree
day, but when the water temps are cold you must be dressed
for cold-water swimming. I saw a lot of novice paddlers at the
Cameron County race dressed in shorts and tee shirts.
Race Death (Continued)
It was a warm day but water temps were still in the
30s or 40s. Please dress for the water, not for the
air. We’re all one paddle stroke away from our next
unscheduled swim.
And finally, what I personally take from many of
the paddling deaths is twofold. First, when God
wants you, He knows where to find you and,
second, for me it is better to die while doing
something I love than on I-95 on my way to work.
Get out and paddle as often as you can.
I certainly am not intending to make light of a
tragic death, what I mean to say is please do what
you love, as safely as you can, and enjoy our
beautiful Pennsylvania waterways.
For more Red Mo highlights, go to:
http://alleghenyrivercompetitivepaddlers.sports.of
ficelive.com/RedMo2010.aspx
Race News
Nanticoke Riverfest Canoe & Kayak Race July 10, 2010 (one of your Assistant Editor’s
“Must Do” races!) in Seaford, Delaware. Each year
we have participants from Delaware, Maryland,
Pennsylvania and even Virginia. Contract Alycia
Jefferson alyciajefferson@yahoo.com. or visit
www.nanticokeriverfest.com
Callicoon Canoe and Kayak Regatta - July 11
2010 (one of your Assistant Editor’s “Must Do”
races!) www.callicooncanoeregatta.com, Callicoon,
NY to Skinners Falls, NY on the Upper Delaware
River. Start address: Lander's River Mart, 23 A
Dorrer Drive, Callicoon NY 12723. Finish
address: Lander's Skinners Falls Campgrounds, 40
Skinners Falls West, Narrowsburg, NY 12760.
Shuttle service is provided before the race only.
This race is a fund-raiser for the Delaware Youth
Center in Callicoon. All proceeds benefit the
Youth Center.
Ohio State Canoe and Kayak Marathon
Championship Race - July 31, 2010 (from the
organizer: “ We had quite a turnout last year from
the Keystone State and this area of the river has
water since so close to Lake Erie.”) On the Grand
River in Fairport Harbor, OH.
www.ohiopaddler.com
Current Paddler 5
Race Reports
Cameron County Race Report
(Susan Williams)
A bit of low water certainly did not detract from record
number of entries (almost 200?) in the Cameron County
Race this year. Race conditions were good, there were
clear channels if you could read the river well, and if you
couldn’t read the river well, the race organizer had marked
the channels with tape so that novices would know where
to go. River reading is not always my best subject, so I did
paint a few rocks white with my hull now and then along
the way, but given my history it would almost be wrong of
me not to do so. I had a score to settle with the
Sinnemahoning this year, after destroying my K2 in the
race last year. I had some serious pre-race anxiety both
because of the K2 incident and because I was in my
Delphine, a squirrelly ICF K1 that I was trying to learn
before the General Clinton. The ghosts of my K2 demons
were quite present until I passed the spot where I wrapped
the K2 around a tree, but after that I settled down and
actually enjoyed what I consider to be some of the most
absolutely beautiful scenery that our great Commonwealth
has to offer. The river is always changing, and the views of
the mountains and valley are wildly spectacular. Randy
Bailey does an excellent job of organizing this race, from
the paddlers breakfast, to the shuttle, to the race itself, all
the way through to the amazing hand crafted awards,
dinner, and the raffles. For the scenery alone, this is a
“Must Do” race in my book. I can’t wait for the first
Saturday in April, 2011.
Keystone Canoe Regatta Race Report
(Susan Williams)
13 miles of Class I whitewater the first Saturday in May.
Where else would I be but on the Schuylkill River
careening wildly in an ICF K1 while screaming for my
mommy? Ok, so it wasn’t that bad, but there were spots
where I might have said a cussword or two as I laid down
a brace. Another of my favorite races for the scenery, the
Keystone Race is a great family event. Many Girl Scouts
compete here and, as always, I end up passing some of
them while coming under any of the six historic bridges
that dominate this course. Scores of cheering fans scream
as you go by. I say “you” because they don’t cheer for me.
They cheer wildly for the Girl Scouts. One of these times
Keystone Canoe Regatta Race Report
(Continued)
times I’m going to have to remember to bring my own
fans to this race. Generally I make the fans laugh as I
go by, because they’re screaming “Go Molly” or “Go
Melissa” or some other girl’s name, and I yell, “I’m
not Melissa, I’m Susan!” This race brings out a lot of
colorful recreational boats, and it’s a beautiful sight as
you round the soft bends and see them all before you,
the paddlers enjoying the day and the extraordinary
Schuylkill River as it was meant to be enjoyed. Oh,
and for your western PA paddlers, “Schuylkill” is
pronounced like “School-kill,” “Kill” means waterway,
creek, or stream in Dutch. My favorite Dutch named
river? The Murderkill in Delaware of course.
Northbrook Challenge Race Report
(Susan Williams)
Ah, my nemesis, twisty winding technical water in an
ICF K1. During the race I swam twice due to
recreational canoe pile-ups on the turns. It’s all part of
racing. Given that it was an unseasonably warm 90degree day the first Sunday in May, I actually enjoyed
the swims. This race has a Le Man’s type start, where
you stand on shore with your boat and the officials
release you in ten second intervals to run down into
the water and take off. For those of us (me) who
cannot run with a boat down an embankment to the
water, get in, and start paddling in less than ten
seconds, the start is rather interesting as you try to
avoid getting run over by the more competent
paddlers putting their boats in the water much more
efficiently and quickly. Once on the water, it is a sea of
all kinds of canoes, each trying to squeeze at once
through narrow, torturous openings among the rocks
and trees. Not the best place for a non-recreational
boat, but those of us getting ready for the General
Clinton do it anyway, as the Brandywine River in this
9 mile section is very much like the Swamp at the
Clinton. This is another family event, the first Sunday
in May, with Girl Scouts heavily featured as well as
parent-child teams. I love seeing the children compete,
who knows which one may grow up to be the next
Greg Barton or Serge Corbin?!
Current Paddler 6
Race Reports
Ed Wessel’s Lower 35 Race Report
(Susan Williams)
Sustained 25mph winds, with officially recorded gusts
between 40 and 50mph (not a typo) made this a
horrendous race for the paddlers on May 8th. I learned a
lesson about pride and stupidity in this race. The
Susquehanna was rockin’ and rollin’, with wind driven
waves rolling as high as two feet in areas that are normally
glass smooth flat. We started upstream in the Susquehanna
in Otego, NY, rounded a buoy and came back
downstream. As I passed the starting line, I contemplated
getting out. The normally flat Otego suckwaters were a
mass of whitecaps. I said to myself that I didn’t drive 5
hours to race just 6 miles, so I kept going. Mistake number
one. Mistake number two was not getting out at Wells
Bridge three miles and two swims later. I paddle my K1
with a wing blade. The wing was acting like, surprise, a
wing. Each wind gust that hit it, lifted my blade in the air,
causing the blade in the water to knife under the boat,
causing me to rapidly flip over and swim. Pride did not
allow me to get out at Wells Bridge, just 9 miles into the
race. Stupidity kept me going. But I wasn’t learning what I
was supposed to be learning here, which was what the
river was like for the lower half of the General Clinton
course. I couldn’t tell where the rapids began or ended
because the wind had the entire river whipped into a mass
of whitewater. After two long cold swims in deep water, I
started using poor judgment in taking the turns. I was
rapidly getting cold and exhausted. At one point I was
coming through some shallows and a wind gust hit, it was
so hard that my boat slid backwards in the current. I
couldn’t keep the boat upright. I needed to get out and
prayed that I’d soon see the town of Unadilla, where I
knew I had my best chance of finding a Good Samaritan
to get me back to my van in Sidney. Guardian angels were
with me as I saw a man and his son along the banks.
“How are you doing,” he asked. “Not so good,” I
answered. “You don’t look so good,” he replied. “Can I
bribe you with a case of beer or good cold hard American
cash to take me to my car?” I asked, adding quickly as he
looked quizzically at my boat, as if to say how am I going
to transport that thing, “I’ll leave my boat right here and
come back for it.” So with about 8 miles to go in the race,
Ed Wessel’s Lower 35 Race Report
(Continued)
I DNF’d and was thankful to call it a day with my
only injuries being my foolish pride and a whole lot
of bruises on my legs and inner arms from
swimming. Lesson learned, when conditions look like
they’re not good early on, get out sooner rather than
later. I won’t ever wait that long again to get help
when I need it. I wasn’t the only DNF, and my hat
goes off to all those who managed to finish. The best
thing about this race, it’s sponsored by Michelob, and
yes, that means it’s free flowing at the end of the race.
After racing in 50mph wind gusts, we all earned it.
General Clinton Race Report
(Susan Williams)
The last time I did the 70 was in 2008, the notorious
low water year. God and Mother Nature have a sense
of humor, since they decided I should pick up right
where I left off with another very low water year this
year. The Clinton weekend offers something for
everyone. There are youth races, generation gap
races, relay races, and shorter “sprint” races (12 and
18 miles) for those not insane enough to do the 70.
This year I finished the 70 with my worst time ever,
12:37:28. I was sick as a dog with a bad cold and
could barely breathe, and somewhere around
Portlandville I was bitten by a deer fly on my left
hand. By the time I got over Goodyear Portage my
hand was swollen quite considerably and I was feeling
rather nauseous, reactions to the bite. The heat, about
90 degrees, didn’t help any either. Nonetheless, I was
determined to make it to Bainbridge. This was my 3rd
70 finish and I’m already thinking about next year.
There is something highly addictive about this race.
The camaraderie both on and off the water, the
excitement of the twisty swamp, the Colliersville
switchbacks, and even the Otego suckwaters each
hold their challenges and allure. For me it’s a mental
game, since I’m alone for most of the race, proboats
having passed me before Goodyear and I don’t
generally catch anyone until Unadilla. I ran a good
technical race despite my slow time. Or maybe
because I was so slow I had time to run a good
technical race? Either way, I genuinely enjoyed
Current Paddler 7
General Clinton Race Report
(Continued)
myself this year. I was DFL (dead swearword last) in
the pro kayak division, but I am the first woman to
ever do the 70 in an ICF K1. While anyone who
manages the 70 is very admirable, I personally think
that those who do it ironman solo, the kayaks and the
C1s, are particularly special (or maybe upon reflection
that should be “spechul”?) because it is not just
physical stamina that is required to compete solo, but
a peace with one’s own mind. I’ve been a breast
cancer survivor since 1999. I do the 70 to remind
myself that I’m alive. And the fact that the General
Clinton takes place on Memorial Day does not escape
me either. Many soldiers died so that I can have the
freedom to chase my dream 70 miles down the
Susquehanna. Thank you Veterans. For next year,
does anyone know a good rain dance?
May Caption Contest Winner
Caption contest from the last newsletter photo of
Judy Jeanes and Teresa Stout from the USCA
Winter Meeting:
Best caption goes to Dana Leet: “Teresa - KENNY
GERG moonlighting as a Chippendale?? JudyWOW!! I didn't know he could move like that.”
Current Paddler 8
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Current Paddler 9
Current Paddler 10
Current Paddler 11
Current Paddler 12
Current Paddler 13
Current Paddler 14
Current Paddler 15
West Branch Susquehanna River Wild
Canoe/Kayak Race
Ken Gerg
Two great races, regrettably on the same day and you can’t go to both!
The Schuylkill River and the Susquehanna are always on the same
date (May 1, 2010). In one way it is a
“paddlers plus” as they are on opposite ends of the state and attract
paddlers accordingly. For years I paddled the “sure kill” and enjoyed
it immensely. Then, about 9 years ago, the West Branch of the
Susquehanna started and since it was only an hour from home it
became my new destination.
The “West Branch of the Susquehanna River Wild Canoe & Kayak
Race” is a 10 mile run starting at the Rolling Stone Bridge and
finishing in Karthus. In between the start and finish there is a fair
amount of semi tricky water not the least of which is an area known as
Moshannon Falls. Not really a falls, but Class II white water. Not to
worry, however, as it can be run virtually straight through - no turns in
the middle – actually kind of fun! It does, however, wake you up and
get your undivided attention. It occurs at approximately the 5.2 mile
mark (about one half way) into the race.
In 2009 I was lucky enough to capture Paul Gruber as a partner and
we had a great run in a Minnesota II. This year he was back with his
daughter Miranda and they ran it in a decked cruiser with Miranda in
control of the stern. As always, she did a great job although she did
complain a little about not being able to see around Daddy (her bow
person). This is a race that you want to “see around” your bow person
as tricky water presents itself rather quickly and all through the race.
This year (2010) I convinced a local girl that she was up to the
challenge and she convinced her teenage son to accompany us and
paddle a kayak she acquired for him the day before the race! All is
well that ends well and we had a great day. Paddled the race in a big
old aluminum and for most of the event we were cruising at 7 MPH
giving you some appreciation for the speed of the water (at least this
year).
Gen Olivett and I finished 3rd in the Long Rec Class in about an hour
and 33 minutes, her son Tony Olivett in his first real test made it
through all the heavy stuff, missed most of the rocks and came in only
12 minutes behind us.
The fastest boat on the water was the dynamic duo of Steve Martin
and Scott Jacobs. Sorry I don’t have a report on all the rest of the
canoes and kayaks.
Big thanks to Linda Kay for the instruction/help in getting “newbe”
Tony ready for his kayak run.
Great water, great river, (not just a boring flat water paddle) - a really
fun event. Put it on your schedule for next year. If the water is right
(as it was this year) you may enjoy the experience.
Current Paddler 16
Spring Racing with GoPro
Camera/YouTube
by Jeff Rankinen (GoPro Dealer)
After a difficult 4th place finish at the April 17th USPP
C2 Pro race, my brother Steve had doubts about racing
the 70 miler. At the USPP race, Al Shaver mentioned
he was doing the 70 miler in the C1 class. Steve
suggested I do the 70 miler with Al. Al had his heart
set on doing the 70 C1, but word got out I may need a
partner. The week before the Wessels 35 miler, I got a
message from Lee Barnett from Michigan that he was
looking for a partner. As I was considering that option,
I was also figuring out a partner for the 35 miler. Amy
called Marc Gillespie the Friday before the race and it
so happened that Gary Krapf was having dinner with
him. Gary was planning on racing C1. Gary agreed to
race C2 Pro with me instead of C1. Gary and I had a
great race and finished 4th just behind Mike and Ben
Schlimmer. You can watch our start on YouTube. All
my race videos can be viewed at my YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/user/jrankinen
I called Lee Barnett and we made a quick decision to
race the 70 miler. Lee arrived early Saturday morning
and we met in Oneonta for our first practice. Amy and
Lee’s wife Angie hit it off and had a great time the rest
of the weekend. Lee and I matched well. On Monday
morning, Lee and I made final preparations with our
pit crew, and made our way to the start. I made a
camera mount that flexed backwards in case of hitting
a branch. I used my new High Definition GoPro
camera. The start went well and we were about sixth at
the pontoon boat turn around and about the same off
the lake. The video came out great and the first ten
minutes can be viewed on YouTube. We followed
Kyle Kiser and Matt Rudnidsky to the portage and
after putting back in, we came up alongside them
quickly. Lee and I kept going and moved up to the next
team, Brad Gross and Cameron McClean. We kept
moving up and by Milford we were in second place. It
was pretty hard to believe we were going so well. At
Portlandville, before Goodyear Lake, two teams broke
away, Shane Lynch/Matt Rimer and Matt
Meersman/Josh Sheldon. So it was now a race for 4th
with Mike Vincent and Ivan English. For the second
half of the race, we remained in that position. At
Unadilla, we agreed with Mike and Ivan that we
should be “gentlemen-like” until we picked a spot to
sprint for the finish. So we picked an orange buoy a
hundred yards from the finish and started sprinting. We
lost that sprint and finished 5th. Overall we had an
amazing race. Lee and I worked great together. Our pit
crew, Amy, Angie and Joey were also amazing. Lee
took an additional two unplanned pits and both went
perfectly.
Current Paddler 17
Race Results, Red Moshannon, March 27, 2010
Current Paddler 18
Race Results, Red Moshannon, March 27, 2010 (Continued)
Current Paddler 19
Race Results, Red Moshannon, March 27, 2010 (Continued)
Current Paddler 20
Race Results, Cameron County Canoe & Kayak Classic, April 3, 2010
Current Paddler 21
Race Results, Cameron County Canoe & Kayak Classic, April 3, 2010 (Continued)
Current Paddler 22
Race Results, Ridgway Triathlon, April 24, 2010
Current Paddler 23
Race Results, Wayne County Canoe Classic, April 25, 2010
•Open: Daniel Harmon (1:10:38), Bruce Coddington & Rich Hall (1:10:52), Ron Bomberger
(1:12:28), John Dunkleberger (1:15: 59), Robert Dunkleberger (1:19:06), and John Dixon
(1:26:21).
•Women’s Short: Kay & Raynell Bates (1:23:48), Kate Haggerty & Katie Hessling Hicks
(1:36:01), Courtney Krajkovich & Lauren Cook (1:40:43), Christy Grandjean & Erin Quane
(1:42:57).
•Mixed Short: Charles Bruno & Linda Myers (1:15:19), Tom & Kate Freda (1:19:42), Brian &
Stephanie Grandjean (1:20:32), Jack Burcher & Bonnie Beers (1:20:34), Amanda & Cliff
(1:32:14), Bruce Grandjean & Mary Beth Quane (1:34:59), Spencer & Briana DeNoie
(1:35:38), Tara & Brendan Quane (1:54:25), Rick Kulacinsky & Katie O’Neill (1:59:00),
Patrick & Julie Farley (1:59:26), Bridget O’Neill & Patrck Milos (1:59:51).
•Men’s Solo Kayak: Bill Litz (1:19:23), Andrew Augustine (1:21:23), John Fotusky (1:23:11),
Roger Claw (1:23:14), Daniel Peters (1:24:01), Kris Erickson (1:27:30), Jerry Theobald
(1:31:08), Robert Kinsman (1:31:30), Michael Schuman (1:32:00), Donny Wasylyk (1:33:17),
Clyde Myers (1:34:15), Tom Pender (1:36:46).
•Men’s Solo Canoe: John Koenig (1:18:05), John Finnen (1:19:03), Thomas Maher (1:40:34).
•Men’s Short: Adam Carter & Josh Posilikin (1:32:31), John Krajkovich & David Cook
(1:55:27).
•Women’s Solo: Jamie Maher (1:27:26), Rebecca Erickson (1:28:09), Brit Benton Vitz
(1:30:15), Tara Korb (1:40:51), Jessica Fenton (1:41:32), Linda Dexter (1:44:36).
•Parent/Child: Bob & Curtis Bates (1:17:52).
•Junior/High School: Carley Bates & Cody Fredo (1:25:40)
Current Paddler 24
Race Results, Bloody Run Canoe Classic, May 8, 2010
Current Paddler 25
Race Results, Upper West Branch Triathlon, May 15, 2010
Current Paddler 26
Race Results
Current Paddler 27
Current Paddler 28
Current Paddler 29
Current Paddler 30
Amy Rankinen
130 Middle Rd
Jersey Shore, PA 17740-9168
BUILD RATE
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO.
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ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Other Paddling Websites: New York Marathon Canoe Racing Association
(http://www.nymcra.org/) and United States Canoe Association (http://www.uscanoe.com/).
Current Paddler 31