The Alamo City Rivermen Babbler Issue MMCCLXXIV March 2008 The monthly newsletter of the Alamo City Rivermen Paddling the fine line between geek and Bubba. Next Meeting March 12, 2008, Hungry Horse Rest., 12333 West Avenue, near the intersection with Rhapsody. 6:30 to 9:00. Club Officers Temporary President Gig Hafernick gibguy76 at yahoo dot com Vice President Kathy Cusick kmcusick at juno dot com Sec./Treas. Marie Searight mariejs at satx dot rr dot com 830-625-0604 Newsletter Mailings Marie Searight mariejs at satx dot rr dot com 830-625-0604 Editor Kenneth Bennight klbennight at yahoo dot com 210-826-7071 (looking for a replacement editor) Dues 2008 dues are due, unless you joined in the last quarter of 2007. Please send a check to Alamo City Rivermen Canoe Club, P.O. Box 171194, San Antonio, Texas 78217. Dues are $15 to receive the newsletter by email; $25 to receive it by Postal Service. Program for March Meeting Michelle and Ben Kvanli will speak at the Alamo City Rivermen Meeting on March 12 about Springsfest and their numerous coming Adventure Trips and courses offered at their Facility in San Marcos, Texas. Ben and Michelle Kvanli are of co-founders of the Power Olympic Outdoor Center in San Marcos, which is based off of the non-profit Red River Racing Team. The center provides quality instruction and helps facilitate a variety of programs within the Paddlesports Community. Ben Kvanli competed in the 1996 Olympic Games in Men's Whitewater Kayak and has been part of US Kayak Marathon Team three times. Both Michelle and Ben Kvanli are currently competing for spots on the US Whitewater Team. Ben Kvanli has his sights set on making the 2008 Olympic Team and representing the United States in Beijing. Springsfest 2008 April 4-6 at Rio Vista Falls Park, San Marcos, Texas Come out to join us for this year s Second Annual Springsfest at Rio Vista Park! We are so excited to have this event once again. We will be bringing together paddling enthusiasts, competitors, and the City of San Marcos to promote Canoeing and Kayaking in San Marcos! (Continued, next page) Page 1 of 8 Pages
March 12, 2008 Monthly Meet & Greet Upcoming Events Hungry Horse Rest., 12333 West Avenue, near Rhapsody. 6:30 to 9:00 March 14-16, 2008 Lower Llano, near Mason Randy Hohlaus, 493-7058, hohlaus at prodigy dot net April 4-6, 2008 Springsfest, San Marcos 512-203-0093, michellekvanli at mac dot com April 9, 2008 Monthly Meet & Greet Hungry Horse Rest., 12333 West Avenue, near Rhapsody. 6:30 to 9:00 April 10-11, 2008 2008 Texas Water & Recreation Summit see related article April 12-13, 2008 Hidalgo Falls Gib Hafernick, gibguy76 at yahoo dot com April 19, 2008 May 11-16, 2008 May 14, 2008 June 2-7, 2008 July 28-August 9, 2008 Earth Day, Woodlawn Lake?? Buffalo River, Arkansas Monthly Meet & Greet Green River, Desolation and Gray Canyons, Utah Big Salmon and Yukon Rivers in the Yukon (trip full) George Lackey, 15maggie15 at suddenlink dot net, 325-944-0175. Hungry Horse Rest., 12333 West Avenue, near Rhapsody. 6:30 to 9:00 George Lackey, 15maggie15 at suddenlink dot net, 325-944-0175. George Lackey, 15maggie15 at suddenlink dot net, 325-944-0175. (Springsfest, continued) Do you want get started boating, or brush up on some skills that may have gotten a bit rusty during the winter! Springsfest has short courses designed to get you on the water and have the most fun. Courses include: Never-ever paddler, Kayak 101, Canoe 101, Beginning Whitewater, Intermediate Whitewater, Rolling, Freestyle Canoe, Freestyle Whitewater, Sea Kayaking, Kayak and Canoe Fishing, and many more! We will have junior boater classes as well and an introduction to the Junior Olympic racing program through the local Red River Racing! Are you looking to get out of town? We will have several presentations on amazing places where you can get wet with Red River Racing and on your own: vacation destinations such as Mexico and Canada, as well as beautiful Texas rivers! Do you want to get that river permit you always wanted? Do you need to brush up on Texas river laws? Then our presentations are for you! Do you need to find that perfect boat? Is it time for something new this season? Don t miss all of the boat demos at Springsfest. We will have local boat dealers with all kind of boats and equipment for you to try before you buy. You will also have the benefit of their extensive industry knowledge to help guide you to your new best friend! Are you ready to try your hand at some fun competitions at Rio Vista Falls! There will truly be something for everyone! The polo tournament returns at the base of the San Marcos River Pub, while the freestyle rodeo, and Sladeo will be down on the Page 2 of 8 Pages
beautiful Rio Vista Falls! On Sunday, come join us for a fun slalom race that will double as our Texas Junior Olympic Qualifier! The local Junior s from the Red River Racing Team will be showing us how it s done, while they secure their spots to compete this summer in Wausau, Wisconsin. Cheer on local Olympic Hopefuls Ben Kvanli and Mark Poindexter as they prepare for Olympic Team Trials! With something for everyone, Springsfest is not to be missed. Come enjoy the warm, welcoming waters of the San Marcos River and get your paddling season off to a great start! Sincerely, Ben & Michelle Kvanli Red River Racing Team, 512.203.0093, michellekvanli at mac dot com SSPRING BBREAK TRIP ON THE LLANO RRIVER Everyone is invited to join us on a Spring Break trip below the bluffs on the sparkling Llano River, while there is still some water to float, on a stretch I have long wanted to do. I have reserved a group campsite at Llano River Camping for Friday night, March 14 and Saturday night, March 15 as a base. This campsite will be shaded, have a few picnic tables, and possibly a fire ring. There should be access to restrooms and showers. We may be able to have a controlled ground fire for telling story telling and lies, but we will have to follow the owner's direction on this. It may be on a bluff, but we will have vehicle access and will have access to the river, about 50 yards away. Boats can be carried to the river and parked on the sand bar below. Directions: On IH 10, take exit 456 from Junction. Head north on 83/377 about 3/4 of a mile. Highway 377 will veer right off of 83, heading right toward London (Texas!). About 8 miles down 377, you will see County Road 314 (CR 314). Turn right and 1.3 miles down the county road you will see the campground entrance. Since this is a drive up campground, I won't be planning a community meal as such. If you have a folding table, I would recommend bringing it so we can have a place to set two burner stoves. If you have a two burner, please bring it; I will bring mine and make it available. We may not need it if we have too many of these, but let me know. I will probably be cooking steaks. Of course, we will have the stoves set up for a famous Riverman breakfast (everyone shares everything!). I'm still mulling whether there will be a beverage program, which would entail a minimal charge. There is a two night minimum charge per person, but right now it looks like the total will be about $12 total for camping, whether you stay one night or two. Its your choice, but everyone will be assessed the same regardless. If you just want to come for the day and not camp, there may or may not be a separate fee for you. I will confirm, but it may be $15 per boat to launch. If you are camping, launching is free. It s probably cheaper if you camp. I will confirm these charges the last week before the trip. Also bring money for a driver's shuttle for each day. Saturday, we will float from their private access at Mason Crossing down to the campground, about 9 miles. Sunday we will float from the campground down to Yates crossing, about 7 miles. I expect we might get ready to start the shuttle about 9:30 am or so on Saturday, if you are coming in that day. Plan for lunches on the river. That's about it. I will need to get a head count to let them know, so let me know as soon as you can, with your email address and phone number in case of extreme conditions. See you on the river. Randy Hohlaus, 210/493-7058 Page 3 of 8 Pages
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Volunteers Needed After many years of service, Marie Searight would like to pass on the responsibilities of treasurer. And Ken Bennight would like to pass on the responsibility of newsletter editor. Please give thought to stepping up to one of these roles. Page 7 of 8 Pages
Alamo City Rivermen Membership Application Name: Address: Email: Home Telephone: Business Telephone: The Alamo City Rivermen try to keep their activities safe, but risk is inherent in water sports. We cannot and do not guarantee safety. The Alamo City Rivermen disclaim liability for accidental injury or death in any sponsored event. As a condition of membership and participation in club sponsored events, I release, acquit, and forever discharge the Alamo City Rivermen and its officers, agents, and members from all liability arising out of or relating to a sponsored event, even if negligence of the club or its officers, agents, or members is a cause, and even if I die or am injured This release includes not only actual paddle trips but also all other club events and driving or riding to and from club events. Date: Signature: Signature: Membership dues are the same for an individual or a family. As a member of the Alamo City Rivermen, you are automatically entitled to our monthly newsletter and subscription to our email list. Details on these benefits are available in our newsletter. I prefer to receive the newsletter: (Please circle the one you choose) Dues if newsletter sent by email $15.00 Dues if newsletter sent USPS $20.00 (Note: Newsletter copying and mailing has been our biggest expense; using email frees up money for other activities, including our website.) Mail this completed form, together with a check, to: Alamo City Rivermen Canoe Club P.O. Box 171194 San Antonio, Texas 78217 Page 8 of 8 Pages