The Cornwall Recreational Whitewater Club

CReW and the Fun ‘n’ Friends In The Park Program in Williamstown

CReW — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:08:20 +0000

Yesterday morning (July 2nd), we (Zachary, Emily and I) packed up a few small boats along with the Super Star and Emily got dressed as if she would be paddling, water shoes aside as they were still wet from the day before and she thinks that feels gross!
We brought everything to the local day camp in the village of Williamstown and had a small presentation about what type of kayaking we do, where we paddle, the equipment and who and how we teach. We had a few pictures of Zachary and Emily playing in a small hole in Valleyfield, just to show what kids can do.
We showed them the boats they would use and the one their dads would likely use, they thought the Super Star was huge! Of course, next to the Shooting Star and the Fun 1 ½, it is huge!
I described what Emily was wearing, and somehow, got a lot of questions about the whistle. “What if you are under water and cannot use it” “What if you loose it”.
They did have a few questions about kayaking but mostly, they wanted to sit in the boats; so, I stopped talking and 30 kids lined up behind the boats and they all got a chance to sit in them. The kids were from 6 to 12 years old and many of them preferred to sit in the Super Star, much roomier! We had a few kids stay back at the end of the presentation and go back in the boats, with paddles, pretending to be on the water and asking more questions. Too bad the river right across the street from the park is shallow and very muddy at this time of year, it would be great to actually offer those kids the chance to get in the water. Well, maybe we’ll work on that for the future! One of them was very enthusiastic about kayaking and was telling me all about her own kayaking experience, and her pink and purple boat, it was great! Color is important for little girls!
They all got to go home with a CReW sticker and a “Stay Clear Stay Safe” leaflet from OPG and maybe a little curiosity about the world of kayaking.

Sylvie
www.cornwallwhitewater.com

CReW in Quebec City and The Jacques Cartier River

CReW — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:39:18 +0000

After a super FUN Seaway Valley Throwdown on Saturday (June 21st) we got the club organized for the annual week of rivers in Quebec city!
With a trailer full of boats and a car loaded of familly and friends we were off to Quebec on Sunday morning. The weather for the last couple weeks was rain, rain and more rain so the river levels were sure to please.
Every year CReW invites it’s members to cmoe out with us to Quebec City. Camping is free on the family property and is within 20 minutes of the Jacques Cartier River and Downtown Quebec.
This year our family was joined by Cheryl McGregor and Randy Soutter.
The Jacques Cartier river has something to challenge every level of paddler and as usual it lived up to expectations.
Paddle Day 1 had us paddling the the lower section (Pont-Rouge to Donnacona). The high water level brought out a sweet wave below the “rape a fromage” (cheese grater) and a lot of other nice waves and holes all the way down the river. (3 hour river run). The canyon section of the river is very scenic and worth the trip.
Paddle Day 2 brought us back to thee Jacques Cartier but this time on the “Grand Remous” section. For Sylvie and Cheryl this was their first class 4 run and they stood up to the challenge! Huge fast waves and smaller drops for boofing set the tone for this section. Everyone learned a bit more about scouting and reading rivers.
Sylvie found out that, when it comes to boofing, timing is everything and pitoned a drop. A 7 foot piton in a Punk Rocker does not hurt anything except the nerves and she aced the rest of the run without issues.
Paddle Day 3 took us to Shannon and a really nice little play spot below a class 4/5 section of the Jacues Cartier. Zachary and I ran the river below the first drop (I am getting a bit weak in the knees it seems) and then we all played below. After a 2 hour sesion we were all beat and it was time to head back to camp for a night on the town.
Paddle Day 4 brought us back to the lower section of the Jacques Cartier and this time we were joined by Randy and Emily. This was Emily’s first river run on her own and she did great. Randy came up from Montreal and enjoyed the scenery on the river. This time the water was a lot lower although many features were gone, others came up and everyone had FUN!.

In between rivers we enjoyed evenings together with friends and family.
Zachary anbd Emily practiced in the pool. The stream on the property is full of small trout so that is always fun and Quebec City night life (despite the rain) always comes through. This year Quebec City celebrates 400 years and the streets were full of activities, and life. The “Grand Allee” was closed to traffic and was used by all the pubs as one giant beer tent! How cool is that? That is the evening that we left the kids with the grandparents:)
We even took a day to let the kids be kids. A water park fit the need and we all spent an afternoon playing with kids on the water slides.
Great fun, great rivers, and great friends. That is what CReW is all about!

See you on a river soon!

Robert

Our first Hometown Throwdown went off great!

CReW — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 05:51:11 +0000

The first Hometown Throwdown in the Seaway Valley could not have gone off better!
On Saturday, June 21st, 10 People (many newer paddlers) signed up for the event and, after a short group meeting and explanation of the rules we headed down to the water.
The river has a several options for play (big and small) and so that everyone could play in their comfort zone Sylvie and I asked the competitors where they wanted to play. The answer was a friendly feature called “mini wave” which was well suited for the mostly newer paddlers.
The feature is a gentle wave (great for spins, enders, retendos) followed by a hole (some loop potential and great cartwheels) and a third wave below (spins, ends, wave wheels, rocket moves, etc). If you flushed off one you have the other features to play on.
With enthusiastic cheering from the Judges and a small group of spectators (parents of the paddlers) the paddlers showed our judges what they could do in their kayaks.
We saw many nice spins, a couple clean spins, cartwheels, an almost loop, entry moves, a couple wave wheels, huge smiles, laughter and a whole lot of firsts. Watching a bunch of young kids doing old school paddle twirls, tomahawks showing us their edge control, while maintain a smile was a hoot!

Highlights of the day:
Zachary Hakvoort (11 years old in the Junior Category), got on a wave and surfed for the first time ever!
Adam Hakvoort (16 years old in Mens K1-B) steeping up to compete for the first time and showing us a good surf, a ender and a special mention for the best crash and burn. Getting dragged through shallows upside down is never fun but going through and not getting out of your boat….. well that is determination.
Then we have Emily Zwanenburg (10 years old in Juniors). A nice back deck roll into her first surf and then the smiles It really is all about that. We will watch her down the road.

Matt (17 years old in Mens K1-B), Sean (15 years old in Mens K1-B) and Zachary Z (12 years old in Mens K1-B) pushed each other a bit more each ride and we watched as Matt and Zach pulled ahead with some some attempts at slightly more advanced moves. Matt took a shot at a loop and I am sure he will be nailing them consistently in no time. Zachary pulled of his first multiple end cartwheels and a wave wheel while Sean gave us a nice entry back deck, some spins and the tomahawk [I really do enjoy that:)].

On the women’s side (Womens K1):
Cheryl pulled ahead with lots of great spins and boat control. She even made us laugh by balancing her paddle on the beak of her helmet in a surf.
Tilly (16 years old) and one rally big smile, showed us a nice entry back deck and great surfs. Her sportsmanship was outstanding and worth the mention. She carried Emily’s kayak up the stairs and back to the put in after each ride.
Sylvie, got a break from judging and got to give it a go as well. Smiles and good boat control was the key for her.

Everyone tried something new, learned a bit more and enjoyed the atmosphere of friendly competition.

At the end of the day the scores were as follows:
Men’s K1-B:
Zachary Zwanenburg - 34 points
Matt Orton - 30 points
Sean Hakvoort - 10 points
Adam Hakvoort - 8 points

Women’s K1:
Cheryl MacGregor - 21 points
Tilly Martin - 13 points
Sylvie Lebel - 13 points

Junior:
Emily Zwanenburg - 10 points
Zachary Hakvoort - 7 points

Men’s K1-A:
Robert Zwanenburg - 41 points.

Everyone was really happy with their rides and with the prizes (Smith Optics, Kayak Session, Mountain Khakis as well as CReW, Level 6 and other local business) drawn at the end of the day.

As for myself: I watched a lot of happy kids (big and small) get out and do what they enjoy. What’s more, I got to reward them for their efforts!

We received a lot of comments at the end of the day from paddlers who were hesitant and did not sign up. They enjoyed what they saw and asked when we would hold the next event.
Will we be doing this again? You better believe it. Although the next scheduled event is in September (September 27th), CReW is out in Valleyfield every Friday night and we will be organizing small impromptu competitions throughout the rest of the summer.

Thanks to the folks at World Kayak for helping us make this possible.

See you on the river,

Robert Zwanenburg
www.cornwallwhitewater.com
www.worldkayak.com

Getting Ready for the 1st ever Seaway Valley WK Hometown Throwdown!

CReW — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:01:52 +0000

The last 2 weeks havew been a lot of fun meeting people in Valleyfield and in the area as we gear up for the 1st ever Seaway Valley WK Hometown Throwdown.
Last weekend and this week has seen me and the family out at the whitewater park in Valleyfield letting everyone who will listen know that on June 21st (not that far away now) we are having a mom and pop (John and Jane, or any number of other cute descriptions..) amateur Rodeo.

The response has been great from paddlers of all ages and skill levels. Lots of interest from folks everywhere.
We have hear a lot of people say ” but I am not that good” and our answer has been really consistent: “Do you like to kayak? Do you like to play? If so then you are as good as it takes to have fun with us on the 21st”, “Come out and have fun and learn a bit along the way too!”
So, we are forecasting an excellent turn out.
We are also hoping to see a lot of younger kids there. A solid cadet class would make my year!
My son is definitely competing and what do ya know, my Daughter Emily has stepped it up too. She will be entering too (It is starting to come together for her now and she should give her brother a run for his money in no time)
So everyone keeps on practicing and I will make a few more rounds to local clubs and businesses to get as many paddlers out as possible.
See you on the river,

Robert

CReW at Quyon: Learning to Boof

CReW — Thu, 29 May 2008 03:27:35 +0000

On Saturday May 24th, Sylvie, Emily Zachary and I woke up to a beautiful morning, had a good breakfast and started loading kayakis on the trailer. Shortly afterwards we were joined by a couple CReW members, Cheryl and Tilly, then off we went on a road trip to Quyon, Quebec for a day of learning to boof! Trick or Treat falls (8 feet) is probably on of the most user friendly falls that I know of and provides a great setting and safe environment to experience your first fall and learn to boof.
The water levels are on their way down and the result there was a great fall that required that you work at least a bit to make the line and it rewarded poor boofs with a short (but most entertaining) beatdown.
For most of our CReW it was the first ever falls. Sylvie, Cheryl and Tilly all got to take their first run at a fall. It was great. Sylvie gave us the best run of the day followed closely by Cheryl and Tilly.
Cheryl certainly gave us a fun show on her first run when her boat was sun around just above the drop and she went over backwards. The yell as she went over was priceless. *The video will be posted soon)
Tilly started off line and the boat (one of the clubs Punk Rocker) made a drumming sound as it glanced of the rocks. No harm done to either paddler or boat!
By the end of the day everyone was able to make the line and finish the drops with smiles on their faces.
Zachary entertained us with some excellent boofs in a shooting star. That boat looks really small coming off the ledge. He also showed us how not to do it. (heh heh). One of his runs ended up with him pencilling in and getting worked pretty hard. The fall was not in a hurry to release the shooting star but he hung in and eventually rolled up and paddled out.
This really is the place to go and learn. Easy access, straight forward line, easy rescues and you can do it over and over again.
Emily took the pictures for the day and enjoyed the sun. I am guessing we will see her out there with us soon enough!
The day ended wtht a great diner hosted by Tilly’s parents!!!

What did I get out of this? A lot of proud moments (Sylvie has really stepped up her paddling and it is showing in all her techniques and Zachary is showing me that he will be leading me soon enough) and a few grey hairs (It is one thing to throw yourself over a horizon line but to being others out, teach them what they need to do this and then encourage them to go over the edge, well that is altogether another thing!)
I had a blast.

I am awaiting my new computer so pictures will be coming…. but not quite yet.
For pics and video go to http://www.dropshots.com/crew

Looking forward to our next Club Outing.

See you on the river,

Robert

Palmer Fest 2008 and CReW

CReW — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:33:43 +0000

This year, just like every year past, Sylvie, Zachary, Emily and I loaded up the car and boat trailer and headed out to Palmer Fest on the Madawaska River at Palmer Rapids.
Of Course, just like every other year, we brought with us a great group of friends from the Cornwall Recreational Whitewater Club. We were joined by Cheryl MacGregor, Sean, Adam and Mary Jane Hakvoort.
Scot MacGregor and the good folks at Rapid Media and The Paddlers Co-Op put together another great event.

The clinics were great. This year we were fortunate to be able to take clinics taught by people who many of us consider standards in the kayaking game. Billy Harris, Ken Whitting, Carly Harris, Ryan Whetung, Pikey and so many more.
We worked on Flatwater skills, surf skills, hole riding and creek skills all under the watchfull eyes of our instructors.
Cheryl showed us that she has no fear. Carly and Annie pushed her to do new tricks on the water.
Zachary continues to show us all how to be in control.
Sylvie pushed herself and showed us and more importantly herself, what she can really do. I am very proud of her.
Sean took in the lessons and at the end of the weekend his surf and spin skills showed really significant improvement. Way to go Sean.
Adam learned a lot about river reading and getting down the river his way. Awesome. We will be counting on him one day when we run new and exciting rivers.
Mary-Jane: What can we say about someone who does so much for her kids (and for our Club). Thanks for bringing your boys out with us. They are great kids and we enjoy your company, sense of humor and support very much.
And then there was Emily. Emily really turned it on Sunday afternoon. After 3 kids clinics she clearly wanted more. So Sunday afternoon we brought her eith us to Hass and she joined in a womens only clinic! And guess what? She got on and surfed that afternoon!!! Who hoo! I am even more proud than before
As for me, what do I get out of it? More than I can really express: I improved my flat skills (bow stalls and started towards the helix), got rid of a few bad habits (thanks Billy), learned new hole skills (kartwheels thans to Ryan), improved my boof and got to spend time with friends.
Nothing is quite as much fun as watching Zachary get taught (and worked) by Billy and Pikey. They teach him well and ride him hard (10 second surfs is a limit we will continue to impose!:). Watching my wife improve her confidnece and skills under the watchfull eye of the pros. Wow, it makes me smile inside and out. Seeing Emily take it to the next level with so much entusiasm…
Watching from the sidelines as our club members (all students of mine) move on in their kayaking adventures and taking beyond what they learned in my classes.

So is Palmer Fest just about paddling? No it is also about community.
Evenings with fellow paddlers and instructors, newbies to pro’s and everything in between.
Every year we see folks from other areas and our kids hook up with kids they only see once a year. But whether they meet as strangers or as friends from last year, they all leave as friends and the experience is remembered and held close until next year when we do it all over again.

Looking forward to getting out on the river again soon with everyone,

We are taking the club to Qyuon for an intro to waterfalls this mong Saturday. See you there.

Robert
www.cornwallwhitewater.com
www.asag.ca
www.worldkayak.com/seaywayvalley

Finding new playspots close to home!

CReW — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:07:02 +0000

Zachary and I took a drive into Northern New York looking for something new to play in.
From Cornwall, we did not feel like driving as for as Watertown (which is definitely in right now) so we looked at rivers near us. The Salmon river is empty, The Raquette River is going down fast but we came across a little gem of a wave in St-Regis, New York on the St-Regis River directly off hwy 37 and all of 30 minutes from home.

Fast and smooth with a curling shoulder it made for a good couple hours for the 2 of us.

We have not heard of it before so Zachary has decided that it should be named “who da man?”.

A great little wave with no hazards below will make for an excellent place to bring the family or young friends in the future.
Another nice thing is that it is alway there. Early spring, summer and fall.
There is also a chip stand upstream to calm the belly if it starts rumbling!
We will definitely be bringing the family back there.

See you on the river,
Robert

www.cornwallwhitewater.com

CReW: A Saturday at The Wall and our first CReW mini Rodeo

CReW — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:41:30 +0000

Hey,
Saturday, May 3rd turned out to be an awesome day in Ottawa.
The forecasted rain stayed away and although it was windy and cool several CReW members got together at the Champlain Bridge in Ottawa for an afternoon of Surfing, Spinning, and a lot of fun!

Tilly, Zachary, Sean, Cheryl and Emily joined Sylvie and I on the water.

Everyone got an hour before lunch to get warmed up and get it together. We saw lots of good rides and everyone was getting on the wave and spinning, clean spinning and even some roundhouses.

After a short lunch it was time for our CReW mini-rodeo and time for our members to show me their best 3 rides! They all go out with big smiles and despite the pressure of people watching and someone counting (It really is not so easy to get it all together in 45 seconds) everyone did well.
I as proud of each of them as they tried new things, stepped up to new challenges and smiled all the way through.

1st- Zachary: 20 points (The boy is way to serious and we will be working on his smiles!)
2nd- Chery: 15 points (great smile during and after her rides)
3rd- Tilly: 10 points (big wide smiles on and off the water)
4th- Sean: 5 points (too excited to smile)
Emily placed fifth (that is right, little Emily got on the wave and into the hole!!!! She smiled before and a while after. While on the feature she was way focusing on the task. My heart was pounding….)
Sylvie followed up at the back of the pack but blew everyone away in the smiles department all day long!

The top 4 places got to choose from some gifts that we brought along. Lots of cool stickers and a Jackson Kayak Toque) To quote Cheryl (she got the toque): “Sweet!”
Emily got a huge hug from me and her mom (we are so proud) and was rewarded by the cheers form the people watching on shore and she got a cool sticker for her boat for her efforts!

Everyone had a lot of fun and everyone learned something new or improved a skill (surfing, spins, clean spins, roundhouses, blunts and even an entry move).

As for me, I enjoyed watching kids be kids on the water, helping them improve when and where I could and yeah, getting out and playing in my boat too!

This is a great group that I enjoy paddling with. Thanks to all for coming out to play.

We will definitely be doing it again soon.

Robert Zwanenburg
www.conrwallwhitewater.com
www.worldkayak.com/seawayvalley

2008 Level 6 Rodeo and festival was awesome!

CReW — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:19:47 +0000

The 2008 Level Six Rodeo and river festival held at Bates Island (Champlain Bridge) in Ottawa was a huge success. The weather, water level helped Level 6 and their volunteers put on a fun paddling weekend for the paddlers and spectators.
Lots of people came out to watch and the photographers were all over the place too!
Friends hooking up together to do what they love.

Saturday morning started with the amateur paddlers. CReW members came out and put in a good showing.
Zachary Zwanenburg: 1st place Junior Mens. (stepping it up with a roundhouse and a donkey flip)
Tilly Martin: 2nd place Junior Womens.
Cheryl McGregor: 4th place Womens.
Robert Zwanenburg: 2nd place Masters.

CReW members then got in the volunteer mode and worked the barbecue grill keeping the paddlers and visitors fed with hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks.

The pro categories were really exciting. Everyone was in awe watching them throw helixes, airscrews, donkeyflips, loops, airblunts, backstabs and more!

The CReW members and their families came back to the Zwanenburg home in Ottawa to enjoy a nice meal together and get ton know each other a bit more off the water.
Even the younger members enjoyed spending time with those of us who compete in “masters” categories
The awards in the evening were fun too. Great prizes, good company and a few good drinks as well.

Sunday saw us all back at Champlain enjoying the wave and the clinics offered by volunteers and pros.
Billy Harris did a great job getting our members boats tweaked for their personal fit.
Billy’s adjustments were the key to Cheryl’s success and now she is surfing and spinning!
Mat Hamilton took a bunch of paddlers out on the water to get them surfing or improve their technique.
MEC held a boat clinic and we learned a bit about health issues including protecting your ears, nose and eyes, as well as prevention against tendinitis.

Billy also gave an old guy (me) some a good pointer for my donkey flip and what do you know, it worked! who hooo!

A big thanks to Mat Hamilton who spent time with Emily (my 10 year old daughter) to get her surfing, and a few tips to get Zachary blunting and Sylvie surfing. Time well spent and it worked out for all of them!!!
A final strong tip from Billy gave Emily the extra little tip to get her on the wave (my heart was thumping but off she went!).
Lot’s of smiles and cheering from everyone!

What I enjoyed most about the event: A feeling of family and community!
Amateurs, weekend warriors, pro’s, and families sharing their sport, their knowledge and enthusiasm and looking out for each other.

There are not a lot of places where I would totally entrust the well being of my family to others.
Billy, Carly, Matt and many others have earned that status. thanks.

Thanks Tyler and the gang at Level 6 for making this possible and supporting our program as well!
For sure CReW will be there again with more paddlers, volunteers and competitors next year!

see you on the river soon,

Robert Zwanenburg
www.conrwallwhitewater.com

The Seaway Valleys First Movie Premier Wowed the locals in Williamstown.

CReW — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:26:47 +0000

Despite the Montreal Canadian first game of the NHL Playoffs, Jack’s Pub in Williamstown had a good turnout for the showing of the Green River Race and Night Of The Living Donkey.

On Thursday, April 10th, I got my family together, picked up a selection of Jackson kayaks and headed out to Jack’s Pub (a whole half mile from the house…) with our evening movie selection : The Green River Race and Night Of The Living Donkey.

After setting up and a few stressful moments wondering if the NHL series was going to kill us, our guests started rolling in. By 7:30 we had enough folks in the door (CReW Club members, a few came from the Valleyfield Area, and a few curious locals).

Drinks were ordered, a few meals as well and the Green River Race began.

The movie is excellent. The images are beautiful and the paddling is intense. The paddlers in the group appreciated the technical difficulty and the non paddlers were just in awe!

After a brief intermission and some minor tech glitches the second movie was run. Night Of The Living Donkey has an appeal to the young people in the crowd! We lost the older viewers and non-paddlers but the rest of them enjoyed the selection of play moves and big drops that were shown as well as the fun between paddlers. Heck, even Hee Haw Jones made his impact!

Everyone had a good time and the only question left is when do we do it again. The answer? Sit tight there is more to come.

See you all out on the river and at the next World Kayak Movie Premier in the Seaway Valley Region.