Bald Eagle Creek. The Canoe Club of Centre County. ~ Currents ~ Included in this issue: Keep an Eye Out by Joyce Furfaro

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Bald Eagle Creek. The Canoe Club of Centre County. ~ Currents ~ Included in this issue: Keep an Eye Out by Joyce Furfaro"

Oswin Waters
5 years ago
Views:

Bald Eagle Creek The Canoe Club of Centre County ~ Currents ~ Volume 4, Issue 3 May 2012 Editors John & Roxanne Parrott Included in this issue: Keep an Eye Out by Joyce Furfaro ***CC of CC outing on

Heritage Association Event PADDLING 101 THE COMPOUND STROKES by Jon Nelson CC of CC: Participated in ClearWater Conservancy Clean-up Day June 7 th --Upcoming Demo Night: Sponsored by TMO Club Videos

1 Bald Eagle Creek The Canoe Club of Centre County ~ Currents ~ Volume 4, Issue 3 May 2012 Editors John & Roxanne Parrott Included in this issue: Keep an Eye Out by Joyce Furfaro ***CC of CC outing on the West Branch of the Susquehanna: May 26 th CC of CC and Sierra Club Moshannon Group: Pine Creek Outing After Hurricane Irene: Paddling in Heberly Run Jamison City PA June 27-July 1: Wooden Canoe Heritage Association Event PADDLING 101 THE COMPOUND STROKES by Jon Nelson CC of CC: Participated in ClearWater Conservancy Clean-up Day June 7 th --Upcoming Demo Night: Sponsored by TMO Club Videos & CC General Members Meeting & Membership report CALENDAR OVERVIEW FOR MAY-JUNE: May 26: CC of CC outing on the West Branch of the Susquehanna Trips planned for every weekend: Volunteer to lead one

NEEDED--CLUB PICNIC COORDINATOR: organize/plan club picnics. One at the start of the season, one midway through the summer, and maybe another in the middle of the summer. Keep an Eye Out By Joyce A.

2 NEEDED--CLUB PICNIC COORDINATOR: organize/plan club picnics. One at the start of the season, one midway through the summer, and maybe another in the middle of the summer. Keep an Eye Out By Joyce A. Furfaro Did you know that we have mink around here? Yeah, I was surprised when I saw my first one along Bald Eagle Creek about two years ago. I ve seen them twice since. You have to be on the lookout and prepared for a brief visual of them they re sneaky, slinky, and low to the ground. A video I wish I had taken of one along the creek can be seen at Typical mink. What to look for Mink are a bit less than 2 feet long, slender, silky, generally dark brown, and move with an long arched back on short legs. They remind me of overgrown ferrets at first glance. They usually travel alone unless it s mating season (January-March). When a mink spots you, it will move toward a den or hiding spot. They are more active after the sun sets, but due to their hearty appetite, they often come out during the day looking for food. Where to look They live near water, which is why they re a good one for paddlers to keep an eye out for. For example, I ve twice seen them just before the I-80 bridge on the Bald Eagle Creek, and the video link above is somewhere along Spring Creek. They can be found near any waterway, be it moving or still, but they hover near the shore where they keep nests (in hollow logs, stumps, or muddy banks with small holes). They are also great swimmers, diving down 15 feet or more, darting through the water using the webbed toes of the back feet. Mink live in most every state in the US. What do these guys eat Mink are carnivorous, and expert hunters. They prefer muskrats and other small mammals, but they are also happy to feast on birds, frogs, and fish, and even small rabbits and turtles. Similar creatures Mink and river otters are easily confused. The mink is considerably smaller (the mink is closer in size to a normal cat, while the otter is about the size of a medium dog), and darker in color. There are other subtle differences, but the size difference is usually the telling factor.

3 Sources: Default.aspx Fergus, C, (2000). Wildlife of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, Stackpole Books. *********Joyce also received a note from former club member, Joann Rose Leonard, about her forthcoming book, The Healer of Fox Hollow [ Tony Award-winning director, Frank Galati [ The Grapes of Wrath, Ragtime ] give the novel high praise: A serpentine narrative that coils and grips and bites. It s moving and funny [an] amazing novel I am speechless! CC of CC President, Joyce Furfaro is trying to put the finishing touches on tentative (due to weather, water levels, and trip cooridinators' every changing plans) paddling and events schedule for this summer. Please let her know if you would be willing to be the Trip Coordinator for any of the following, or if you would like to suggest a completely different creek for one of the weekends below (for which you would be trip coordinator). The goal is to have something lined up for about every weekend. Being trip coordinator on a class 1 waterway basically means that you are the contact person if anyone has questions, you set up the time and place to meet, and you work out the shuttle logistics. You should also have a good idea of who is along for the paddle and keep a head count from time to time. Every paddler is responsible for their own safety (but of course all paddlers on all trips seem to keep an eye out for each other). OK - here are the weekends (totally flexible) and waterways (also flexible) for which we need trip coordinators: May 19 or 20 - Penns Creek (class 1 to 2) June 2 or 3 - Frankstown Branch of the Juniata (class 1 to 2) June 9 or 10 - Little J, below Spruce Creek (class 1) July 21 or 22 - Juniata River, Lewistown to Arch Rock Rd (class 1)

July 28 or 29 - Spring Creek and Bald Eagle Creek (class 1 to 2) August 4 or 5 - Raystown Branch of the Juniata, dam to mouth (class 1) August 11 Prince Galitzin State Park; John and Roxanne Parrott

4 July 28 or 29 - Spring Creek and Bald Eagle Creek (class 1 to 2) August 4 or 5 - Raystown Branch of the Juniata, dam to mouth (class 1) August 11 Prince Galitzin State Park; John and Roxanne Parrott will lead the 2 nd annual picnic and paddle day at the park. Any weekend soon - Spring Creek Canyon. CC of CC Outing on the West Branch of the Susquehanna By Jon Nelson All-Club Trip, May 26, 2012, West Branch Susquehanna Where: West Branch Susquehanna, Rolling Stone Bridge to Karthaus: Class I water (w/ one Class 1+ rapid at Moshannon). About 11 miles. When: May 26, 2012 (make up-date of June 1 if river is too high or too low). Logistics: Meet at Rolling Stone Bridge at 9am or catch the arranged shuttle at the take-out at 9am (see below). Unload and shuttle as many cars as 9:30am. Put-on at 10am. About 4 hours on the river, with several stops along the way for river play & lunch. Lunch break at Moshannon rapid, which is mile 7.5. Take-out around 3pm. BYO at the take-out. What to bring: PFD required; boat and gear; water bottle; lunch or snack; dry bag; string for glasses; suntan lotion; footwear recommended. Cotton clothing discouraged.

5 Helmets required for boats with sprayskirts (bike helmets ok). Flotation recommended if no bulkheads (secured beach balls or milk jugs ok). Absolutely no alcohol on the river. Why: This is a trip for all types of paddlers and craft (canoes, rec boats, whitewater kayaks, inflatables, SUPs), but you should have paddled some on moving water. Trip coordinator will break the group into smaller groups of 4-6 boats, with an experienced point boater. Arranged Shuttle: Meet at 9am at Karthaus. Brian Gilbert (brianpsu@gmail.com) has a trailer that will hold about 5 kayaks (10 ft or less) & gear. His car can also take 3 kayaks or one canoe. Joe Rothrock (joe_sandy70@verizon.netwill) will be driving a truck from the take-out for 3 boats & gear. Give Brian an notice, so he knows how many people or to connect with Brian s convoy from TMO at 8am. Directions to Rolling Stone Put-In & Parking (GPS N , W ; 60 min drive f/ SC) Take I-80 west to X133 (Kylertown); at the bottom of the ramp is a stop light, go straight thru onto Rolling Stone Rd (Pine Street/SR 1011) Take this road about 5 miles to the put-in (don t cross the bridge) Parking on the right-hand side of the road in a gravel lot (river-right downstream side) Put-in is on the other side of the road. Carry down the steep road/path Restroom Facilities None WARNING there is a steep road/path on the left-hand side (upstream side). This is only for vehicles with 4WD and good ground clearance. Do not drive down this road unless you are sure you can get out on your own (... while we all go paddling). Directions to Karthaus Take-out & Parking (GPS N , W ; 60 min drive f/ SC) Take I-80 west to X147 (Snow Shoe); at the bottom of the ramp, turn right and go to the T-intersection Turn left onto Rt 144; go about 6.5 miles to Moshannon town and turn right at the intersection (w/ flashing lights) to stay on Rt 144 Go about 1 mile and turn left at the stop sign onto Rt 876 Go about 7.5 miles; as you near the bottom of the hill, there is an access sign and sharp left turn to the DCNR Canoe Access area & parking (if you cross the river you went too far) Restroom Facilities a porta-potty in okay condition Shuttle Route: Karthaus to Rolling Stone Bridge & Parking (7.5 miles, 15 min) Turn left out the DCNR area and cross the bridge into Karthaus Go 2 blocks and turn left at the sign for Keewaydin (Keewaydin Rd/Main St/SR 1016)

cross Rolling Stone Bridge; parking on downstream side (see above) Here is the link

runnable levels. http://www.americanwhitewater.

6 Go about 3.3 miles and bear left at the stop sign onto Rolling Stone Rd (SR 1011) Go about 3.7 miles and cross Rolling Stone Bridge; parking on downstream side (see above) Here is the link to the AWA "PA rivers", with real time levels (if available) and comparison with runnable levels. CC of CC and Sierra Club Moshannon Group: Pine Creek Outing By Gary Thornbloom Two days and one night on Pine Creek - thanks to Ron & Heidi Johnson!

lives up there and he shuttled these guys around while they were up there.

7 After Hurricane Irene: Paddling in Heberly Run Jamison City PA Here is an interesting video of kayaking in an area I recently hiked - hard to imagine doing this, but I also talked to a guy who lives up there and he shuttled these guys around while they were up there. This is in Sullivan County. The date on it says 8/28/2001 but it's really 8/28/ Gary Thornbloom

8 .

9 PADDLING 101 THE COMPOUND STROKES by Jon Nelson Compound strokes occur when the paddler takes two strokes on the same side of a kayak, usually without taking the blade out of the water. These strokes are used when the objective is to make minor changes in direction (or hold a given line). In contrast, combination strokes occur when the paddler combines two strokes on either side, such as a reverse sweep on the right followed by a forward sweep on the left. Canoeists commonly use compound strokes, such as the basic J-stroke. Introductory books and videos usually focus on each kayak stroke in isolation (forward, sweeps, draws, etc). Compound strokes are a subtle aspect of kayaking, and are rarely discussed or illustrated except in a few books devoted to advanced racing techniques. Getting down a stretch of whitewater is ideally visualized as an invisible track in the water. Staying on track means making small adjustments as water currents act on the boat or to correct for errors of judgment. The route actually taken by the boat depends on three interacting forces: (1) boat speed relative to the water speed; (2) boat angle relative to direction of the main current; and (3) boat trajectory. As explained by Bill Endicott,... angle and trajectory are two different things. The boat can be angled in one direction but actually moving in a different direction [such as] side-slipping to the left, with the bow angled right. For example, when running an unfamiliar stretch of river with a hidden bend, I will set the bow angle toward the inside of the bend (where slower water lies) and adjust my boat speed to allow time to assess any river hazards. The actual trajectory is determined by positioning of the boat. Being out in the main current might allow too little time to react to hazards, so I usually choose a trajectory that is slightly inside of the main current. I don t bomb away or just rely on reaction. So how can you make minor adjustment in boat speed, angle, or trajectory? often the answer is to use compound strokes. This article describes several of the more commonly used compound strokes. Low Brace High Brace. This is the most basic compound stroke. There are many situations where I want to be stable in the water before committing to a stronger stroke, such as a Duffek. I rely on the low brace for stability and then switch quickly to a high brace (by flipping the blade) to get in position for a Duffek. I often use this stroke for exiting an eddy into larger waves or turbulence. I also use this for entry to an eddy when I am tight on the eddy line. A variation is a Low Brace Reverse Sweep. Double-Pump Forwards. Taking two forward strokes on the same side of the boat a double-pump keeps up momentum and pushes the bow toward the opposite side, e.g., two forward strokes on the left will turn the boat to the right. A bow sweep on the left also would turn the boat, but this will slow the boat more and may overdo the turn. Duffek Feather Forward. This compound stroke is often used to set up positioning in an eddy, especially if the paddler wants to make a quick entry and exit. The Duffek draw ends near the boat; the blade is then sliced forward and turned into a forward stoke. All of this is accomplished without taking the blade out of the water. A variation is

10 a closed-face Bow Draw Forward, which is dubbed the C-Stroke in the U.S., and is used for small radius turns in the current where the objective is to maintain speed. Forward -- Stern Draw. Taking a forward stroke past the hip means the paddler is in a position to use a compound stroke that ends in a stern draw. For example, a forward stroke on the right tends to drive the bow to the left and a stern draw on the right brings the bow back toward the right. A common use of this stroke is a ferry-glide where the paddler wants to maintain a given angle relative to the current. In other situations, such as crossing an eddy, a strong forward stroke is carried well past the hip and ends in a rudder at the stern. The objective is to offset the turn caused by the eddy and keep the boat on its downstream invisible track. Stern Pry Stern Draw Stern Sweep. This is the compound stroke to use when front-surfing a smaller wave or hole. The objective is to get on upstream face of the wave and carve back and forth. Ferry out until you are on the face and angle the boat toward one end of the wave. Put the boat on its downstream edge (i.e., lean downstream) and adjust the angle using small stern prys and draws on the upstream side. Too much angle will shoot you out the opposite end and too little will bury the bow. When you reach the end, use a stern sweep to push the bow back toward the starting point. Now lean downstream again and use an upstream pry/draw to carve toward the starting point. Boat positioning is aided by shifting the center of gravity by leaning forward or backwards to keep the bow down or up. This video illustrates the basic ideas: High-Brace Rudder Stern Draw (the gliding draw ). The gliding draw is now taught as an alternative to the Duffek stroke. It is basically a high-brace rudder that ends using a stern draw. It can be used for entry to an eddy or exit from an eddy. A video for entry is here: and for exit here: There are other compound strokes that use braces, draws, sweeps, and rudders as well as forward and reverse strokes. Experiment first on easy water and see if compound strokes don t add significantly to your paddling efficiency and fun on the water.

Resources: A few advanced books on slalom racing technique discuss several of these strokes and variations.

com/icf/worldclasscanoeing/development/canoeing- Books-Online/Canoe-Slalom-E-Book.

Wilson, and John and Roxanne Parrott participated in ClearWater Conservancy s watershed clean-up day on April 21 st.

11 Resources: A few advanced books on slalom racing technique discuss several of these strokes and variations. An on-line resource is Chapter 3 of Bill Endicott s, Canoe Slalom E-Book: Books-Online/Canoe-Slalom-E-Book.html ClearWater Conservancy: Watershed Cleanup Day Joyce Furfaro, John Lynch, Diane Henderson, Hector Correa, and Nancy Eberly, Claudia Wilson, and John and Roxanne Parrott participated in ClearWater Conservancy s watershed clean-up day on April 21 st. The eight volunteers broke into three groups, with Joyce, John, and Claudia tackling the water between McVoy Dam and Milesburg. Diane, Hector, and Nancy volunteered to clean up Spring Creek between TMO and McVoy Dam. John and Roxanne tackled Spring Creek in Bellefonte to TMO.

Hector took river left and Nancy river right while Diane paddled back and forth relieving the other of the full bags and larger pieces of debris.

12 Hector took river left and Nancy river right while Diane paddled back and forth relieving the other of the full bags and larger pieces of debris. While cleaning up a campsite, Nancy and Diane met Jason Detar, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Area Fisheries biologist for Spring Creek. He thanked them for volunteering as he had last year. In roughly 2 hours, the trio collected 8 bags and numerous large items - some interesting things were a folding chair, aluminum siding, a large engine filter and other engine parts. Joyce paddled back to McVoy Dam to leave trash filling her canoe accumulated by that trio in a short distance after taking off. When they pulled out at Mileburg, Joyce, John, and Claudi had beach balls and various other remnants of play, as well as fishing items, and bags full of styrofoam cups and other trash collected along the way. John and Roxanne quickly identified the rusty remnants of a bicycle, as well as fishing buckets, a large plastic trash can caught in a strainer, and bags and bags of styrofoam cups and other trash. The eight met up in Milesburg about 11 am for a final picture before heading off to the group picnic and/or other activities for the day. Upcoming Demo Night Planned: Sponsored by Tussey Mountain Outfitters June 7th at 7 pm: Bald Eagle State Park Beach

13 Video library. We are setting up a video library of kayaking and canoeing films for instruction and entertainment. The videos will be kept at board member Joe Rothrock s house; to borrow a video, members will pay a $20 deposit that will be returned when the video is returned. If you have any videos you d like to donate, or have suggestions for titles to purchase, please let Joyce know. CCCC has acquired 4 videos produced by Kent Ford at Performance Video (at a special reduced club rate). These will be available for rental at club meetings and more generally through Joe Rothrock. Here is the list: 1) "All About Kayaking" -- this is a general video that covers all aspects of kayaking for newbies; it would be good for Paddling 101-type programs. (60 min) 2) "Whitewater Self-Defense" -- an excellent video on fundamental safety problems and rescue techniques; award winning. 3) "The Kayak Roll" -- Ford's instructional video for rolling; the video that popularized the C-to- C roll. (55 min) 4) "The River Runner's Edge" -- a good video for the beginning whitewater boater; also covers rolling and safety. (104 min) 5) "Breakthur! & Kayaker's Edge" -- this is a 2-part video; the Edge is similar to River Runner (but shorter); it would be a good video for a program on whitewater paddling (58 min). The Breakthru is more advanced instruction for the intermediate and expert boater. Membership Report: CCofCC ended 2011 with 80 household memberships, with a total of 168 members when spouses and other household paddlers are included. A bonus for CCofCC members: ACA [American Canoe Association] membership is discounted for CcofCC members. Annual dues are $40 per family rather than $60. For an indivdiual membership, it is $30 rather than $40 [$25 if you are a student or senior citizen]. There is an introductory rate for six months of just $15. See more about ACA at: The Canoe Club of Centre County is a non-profit (301(C)(7)) group of paddlers of all ages, paddling skills, and paddling preferences. We are a Paddle America Club of the American Canoe Association. Club benefits include the CCofCC listserv access, web page forums access, trip and event notifications, a newsletter (Currents) and discounts at local retailers. We hope to have several indoor and outdoor gatherings, picnics, and parties this year, as well as paddling safety and rolling sessions.

14 The CCofCC membership year runs from January through December. To those who have already renewed their membership for the current year thank you! For those who have not yet renewed their membership but have already completed a membership application and waiver form, you only need to send your 2012 dues (payable to the CCofCC) to PO Box 62, Lemont, PA, Annual dues are $20 per household. Applications are available from our website at There is a PayPal button on the web page. Currents is published for our members who are encouraged to contribute any noteworthy items prior to the next publication. If you ve been on a paddling trip outside the area, or outside the norm, or even inside the area and inside the norm; if you have photos, or found a nice video to share; if you have news to pass on regarding paddling in PA, or of upcoming events; if you have poems or a few lines of wisdom or an advertisement please your Currents contributions to roxparrott@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit all articles submitted Canoe Club of Centre County officers and board members: President Joyce Furfaro Vice President Brian Gilbert Secretary Susan Hamburger Treasurer David Eggler Board Members Ed Bowman, Sarah Edge, Lynne Heritage, Helena Kotala, Jon Nelson, Joe Rothrock, Gary Thornbloom

Little Juniata. The Canoe Club of Centre County. ~ Currents ~ Included in this issue: Keep an Eye Out by Joyce Furfaro. Kayaking 101: July 10 th

Little Juniata. The Canoe Club of Centre County. ~ Currents ~ Included in this issue: Keep an Eye Out by Joyce Furfaro. Kayaking 101: July 10 th Little Juniata The Canoe Club of Centre County ~ Currents ~ Volume 4, Issue 6 JUNE 2012 Editors John & Roxanne Parrott Included in this issue: Keep an Eye Out by Joyce Furfaro Kayaking 101: July 10 th