The Cornwall Recreational Whitewater Club

Well, In an earlier post I said that today was a day to rest after a really busy period. hmmmmm, I suppose that rest does not really imply sleep.
Today Zachary and I completed a project that has been on the table for a bit.
This is the start of our own kayak recycling program!
Just because the boat is badly torn and can not be repaired it does not mean it hs no use!
This spring one of our members did a fine job on his Jackson 4-Fun! A 7 inch tear caused by a rock on a snowy hill…. oh well.
The boat was donated to us for what ever we needed and the spare parts havw come in useful for the club. We even built new thigh braces for an AllStar that was damaged during our youth program
But the best part was building a new bike trailer! With some old wheels, spare aluminum tubing and a bit of time we have put together the best bike trailer available. It will hold your kid, gear or boats when you want to cycle to the put in!
Check it out!

When we get another boat to recycle we will be sure to stretch the imagination a bit further!

Till then, See you on the river!

Robert and Zachary (Emily too!)
www.cornwallwhitewater.com

Well, this weekend has been a spectacular one for us!
Friday night was a CReW evening on the Riviere St-Charles and we were fortunate to have good weather and a couple hours of paddling for the sake of paddling.
Sylvie, Zachary, Emily, Chery,l, Jennifer and I headed out to the river so we could just play. And play we did. Everyone though the best moves that they could and we all got some good rides in. As soon as it got dark we packed up and headed home for a night of rest.

Why rest? Saturday was the 2008 North American and Junior CanAM Freestyle competition on the Ottawa River.
At 5:30 in AM (Saturday morning) we all got up and drove out to Wilderness Tours to get ready to compete. (Man that is way too early for this old guy:)…)
10 miles out from WT our club trailer had a melt down.. The right wheel bearing crapped out and we had to do some quick shuffling of gear to get us there. Sylvie took the trailer and the 2nd car back to Renfrew fro repairs and I took Cheryl, Emily, Zachary and Sean onward to WT.
AS it turned out a couple guys at the four corners store (corner of Story land road and Chenaux) helped her out so we could limp home at the end of the evening Amazing what people will do for a pretty lady in distress! Thanks guys!
Back at WT I took everyone to the WT put in and we headed down to Corner Wave and the competition.
WT, with the help of Matt, Ryan and a group of volunteers and competitors put on a great show. Lots of competitors and categories and plain old fun.
With the exception of myself (worst competitve rides of my life!!!) our CReW Team did great.
Corner wave is not an easy ride and many people were fushed off. But Zachary, Sean, Sylvie (yep she made it back on time with the trailer!!!) Emily and Chryl did well.
The girls held the standings for us and made us proud!
Emily: (All of 10 years old) placed 4th for the day (Canada Cup) and placed 3rd overall in the Junior CanAms!!!
Cheryl: Placed 2nd for the day (Canada Cup) and 1st overall for the Women’s North American Championships! Who hoo!!!!
Sylvie: Placed 3rd for the day (Canada Cup) and 2nd overall for the Women’s North American Championships! Who hoo!!!!
Zachary and Sean both did well and as for me, I guess everyone has bad days… But it was all good and I had a blast.
Between heats Sean, Cheryl and I played in Horshoe right and left side and had a blast there too.
At the end of the day everyone headed back to WT for a banquet and awards.
Joe Kowalski and his group really have an awesome facility and are a fisrt class act. Thanks Joe for making this all available. For 20/person you cna not ask for more. Great competition, great food and an excellent evening at Rafters (WT facility).
Emily also got a special award for being the youngest competitor (and cutest too!)
The ride home was late at night but otherwise uneventful. That is good.
And the sleep was welcome:)
Sunday: September 1st was another early day and we were up at 6 to load all the gear fro the 2008 Youcan go to the following link:http://worldkayakblogs.com/crewkids/

For pictures from the weekends click here: OUR CLUB PICTURES

And as for today: Sleep and recovery. A lot of gear to clean, fix and get ready for the next outings and program events.

See you on the river,

Robert
www.cornwallwhitewater.com

Last Sunday (August 17th) Jennifer Tytula, one of our new CReW members, voluntered to safety boat at the annual Red Cross Triathalon in Cornwall. CReW volunteers every year and this year Jennifer stepped up to the plate for us.
It is a good cause and having boats out there to help the swimmers is definately necessary.
Thanks Jennifer.

This is what she had to say about it:

Hey Everyone.
So I am not very computer smart and it took me forever to find how to write a blog on here. I think that I did it wrong and I am leaving a comment for Keeners on bus-eater however hope it gets to where it needs to go.
On Sunday Morning bright and early I went out to volunteer for the Red cross triathlon. I will say that this was the first time that I have ever volunteered for an event of any sort. It was interesting. Everyone seemed rushed, lots of people running around in all directions so after I registered I made my way back to my car which was warm and dry and I wasn’t in anyone’s way.
At 8am I made my way down to where the sea Kayakers were. We got our instruction on what they wanted us to do. I got the west side or the course. First event was the Triathlon which was 2 laps. My job was the make sure that people were going in the right direction. Being in a white water kayak it was tuff. I would see guys swimming WAY, WAY off course but none of the other kayakers were going after them. I would have to sprint my boat until I would get to them, then you have to yell like your crazy because they can’t hear you. Once you get there attention I become there buddy and they stick with me until they are back comfortably in the course. I was supposed to stay on the West side however I was all over the map. On the second lap I figured out how to stop the swimmers from crashing into each other. I would sit in the middle so once they see me they move over so there were no collisions.
At about 9am the sprinters started. I was warmed by the other kayakers that they were slower then the Tri athletes. They may be so however they didn’t crash and didn’t so much go off course so I didn’t have to work that hard. I still stayed in the middle of the course but this time I would go about 100M beside each of the packs so that they can watch my boat.
9:15 am lost feeling in my hips. Wish I had one of those large kayaks. And a 10am it was over. All swimmers were out of the water.
It was quit the experience and definitely fun. I did however wish that I was in valley field trying to figure our how to stay on the wave
See you all soon

Jenn

Well, there you have it, rain, swimmers and sore hips. Ahh… the sacrifices we make. Thanks Jenn and we will be there again next year cheering on the swimmers and helping those that need it too.

August 1st through the 3rd saw Sylvie, Emily, Cheryl, Daylan, Pierre, Susan, Doug and I back on the Ottawa river for another fun filled session.
This time around we were joined by Zachary Zwanenburg and Sean Hakvoort who had a weekend off during their 3 week stay with the Keeners at OKS. Sweet, our very own Ottawa River Guides!
Friday evening was a play session on 7/8 hole (or as many call it 7up) as well as some time on Odessey. The river levels are still high for this time of year. Saturday, despite the less than cooperative weather was awesome. Sylvie, Cheryl and Emily stayed at McKoys to play. Susan and Doug enjoyed some flat water paddling together around the various islands in the river. Zachary, Sean Daylan and I took on the main channel. What a blast. The water water was high enough to enjoy a little used route around the Lorne (far right around the island) and this offered and excellent chance for Daylan to learn about lines and how to make your line. He did great.
Waikiki was a blast. Brain Douche was intense and Coliseum was memorable. Big Kahuna was in fine form and gave me a surf to remember. The kids had a whole lot of fun at Lemings leap and the rest of the ride down was just plain old fun. I really enjoy the time that I get to paddle with my son. His progress at keeners is very evident and he is goingto be fun to watch in the coming years. (Just a bit harder for me to follow…..)
Sean and Daylan are also coming around very well. Sean has been learning a lot at Keeners and it shows. (Steven Wright called him “hard core” and the description fit very well!) Daylan just keeps surpirising me. His determination and enthusiasme for the sport is inspiring. Glad he is part of our group.
Sunday was a beautiful day and we all decided to run the Middle Channel together. Susan and Doug got their first river running experience together in the tandem. Good times! Good swims too! :).
Emily got her first really serious beatdown in Butterfly hole! It blew everyone away. She was thrown around like a doll and when she finally flushed she took 4 serious attempts at rolls and finally rolled up on the last attempt. Tears were flowing and her mom gave her the necessary hugs. Everyone else got together to give her the praise she deserved for her perseverance. And it paid off. She got right back in and rode the butterfly wave (on the left) like a pro! I am soooo proud.
Daylan Zach, Cheryl and I had fun running little trickle and of course everyone enjoyed Angels Kiss.
The highlight for me was running WT chute with my son. Sylvie was adamant that Daylan was not allowed to run this one. (Something about the risk of the serious undercuts… Sorry Daylan but I had to agree with her on this one. Next time maybe).
All in all it was great fun.
Wneh we left the mighty Ottawa on Sunday evening everyone learned a bit, smiled a lot and went home satisfied.
FYI: If you want to enjoy the Ottawa and need to stay somewhere reasonable and well located. Check out the Curtis Cabins. They are located just below Odessey and McKoys. You will not be disappointed.

Click here to check out the pics and videos of the weekend.

Well, time to call it a night.

See you on the river somewhere soon,

Robert

www.cornwallwhitewater.com

Well, Robert usually writes on this blog and he is always saying how nice it would be if others posted as well so here I am writing about this past weekend on the Ottawa river.
It was so much fun! Upon arrival on Friday evening, we were all eager to go paddling except Emily so her and I went for a walk with our friend’s dog while everyone else went paddling which was fine with me, it was late and our gear would be dry and warm the next morning!
Saturday morning, we played at McCoy’s rapids and Emily got some surf in on “mini baby face” and our beginner friend, Martin, was doing well too, a bit of swimming but he was enjoying trying to get on the wave. A few of us decided to thread the needle (Robert, Cheryl, Tilly and I). I went last, I like to watch first and work up the courage to go too. They all did very well and then it was my turn. Well, I don’t know what happened but I flipped just before Phil’s and got upside down in it and got worked pretty good, ended up swimming! I did try to hold on to my paddle while I wet exited but no success there, we found all of my stuff including some foam I had stuffed under my seat but had not glued down yet. Will do that before I go back. The swim was not too bad (I really don’t like swimming) I am working on my courage to try again next weekend!
On the Saturday afternoon, we ran the middle channel under the guidance of Tilly, she had just finished three weeks at Keeners and was a very good guide! Emily (10) ran her second river in her kayaking career and after telling me she was sooooo tired just after leaving McCoy’s, she paddled very well and enjoyed her ride down. We looked at Iron ring and Little Trickle and watched some people go through them. Robert and Cheryl got to help on a boat rescue too.
We all had a lot of fun surfing at Angel’s Kiss, had to convince Emily to get on but then, we couldn’t get her off the wave! Even got three girls surfing at the same time. Martin even got a surf in but then broke his paddle and, we of course did not have a spare, we have been talking about getting a set of hand paddles just for that purpose but keep procrastinating so, Robert and I took turns going down the rest of the river with only one blade. We were getting pretty good by the end. I have to admit that Robert ran the rapids and I did only some of the flat parts.

We looked at Garvin’s chute and a few considered running but we all walked in the end. After talking to our son Zachary who is at Keeners at this time, Robert might very well run it next weekend!
It was such a nice afternoon, there was 10 of us, our biggest group so far for our club outings.
On Saturday night, we got a visit from Zachary and Sean that are staying at Keeners and Robert, Cheryl and Daylon went for a short paddle with them. They seem to be having a lot of fun at Keeners!
Sunday, we were all a bit slower to start but had a very good time at McCoy’s and Robert, Tilly, Cheryl and Daylon went to Wai-ki-ki.
We finished packing just in time before a huge thunderstorm hit and stopped by keeners to say good bye to the boys and got drenched just getting back to the car. We laughed as Emily slipped and slid to the car and Cheryl did a nice slide too trying to recover a lost shoe although I missed it. It was an entertaining and humid drive home.
Thank you Cheryl, Tilly, Martin, Pierre, Lee, Marise, Daylon For joining Robert Emily and I this weekend, you made the weekend that much more fun!
You can look at the pictures and videos on the CReW website.
We already miss Tilly and are looking forward to her return from Norway and she hasn’t left yet.
I am looking forward to our next weekend on the Ottawa!
This week will go by so fast, we have Billy and Carly staying with us, they will be helping us with the kids at tomorrow evening’s youth program and then teaching in Valleyfield.

Well, that’s enough writing!
Talk to you later!
Sylvie

Tilly Martin is one of tough little girl!
We have enjoyed paddling with Tilly throughout the winter and spring. She has competed at Chambly and Level 6 and now she is at Keeners for her second year and it is great to see how she has improved.

Here is here latest post from the keener bog:

My first week:
Hello this is Tilly, now keener for the second time. I am happy, I am pumped up, and I am ready. I arrived last weekend, and I just had a very good week, spent here on the Ottawa River with all of the keeners.
My first day, I ran the Middle Channel; seeing this channel with the water level higher than I had ever seen was crazy! The rapids I remembered as being small and moderately easy were now surprising me with big waves and very fun lines!
The second day, I ran the Main Channel. Now, THAT was big! The epic wave Buss Eater is in, and it is better than I could just imagine. We ran the rest of the river; and I got the biggest beat down I had in a long time; through the Death Ledge on the rapid Coliseum. It was definitely one of the scariest moments yet, but it was definitely reassuring to see the keeners immediately coming to my help, gathering my paddle and my boat and bringing me safely to shore so I could catch a breath. It was very comforting to realize that all the keeners will help you, give you advice, and make you laugh…
And today, I surfed Buss Eater!!! It was the coolest thing ever! It was bouncy, intimidating, scary but so thrilling and addictive; I just want to do it over and over again!
Here’s my favorite picture of my surf on Bussy:

With the encouragements of the keeners, the support of the coaches and the best waves on the river, getting up in the morning isn’t as hard as it should be, despite all the soar muscles and the comfort of your bed compared to the wet gear waiting for you to put on.
In conclusion, I am just so happy to be back at keeners, catching up with some old friends, meeting some new and just so exited to learn and paddle every day!
I’ll keep you knowing what I’ve been up too,
This is Tilly.
(This was typed Thursday, July 3rd)

Want to see more of what the keeners do? Check out the Keener Blogspot: http://www.okskeener.blogspot.com/

Tilly we are proud of you!