You know we are getting into the paddling season when you see all the great events taking
place around the country. I posted earlier about the Reno white-water extravaganza. Well, for East Coasters, the
Hudson Valley Kayak Symposium is happening on May 20. It’s not
nearly as big as the Reno event, but it happens in the beautiful town of Cold Spring, and if the weather’s nice
the paddling could be superb.
Celebrating Paddling: Reno Festival
A nice article in MSNBC on the upcoming
Reno River Festival, being held in the Biggest Little City in the World
on May 12-15. This is a big deal for whitewater paddlers around the country. It is being held at
a unique whitewater park Reno built two years ago and constructed with more than 7,000 tons of
smooth river boulders. It stretches beyond a mile and is loaded with cool drops, waves, rapids and nasty
holes to force even the best kayakers to pull off a roll. There will be workshops and clinics available so that
newbies can pick up tips from some of the best paddlers around.
Paddling in Lewis and Clarks Footsteps
Lewis and Clark are all the rage these days. It seems I’m always coming upon a new story of
someone retracing their footsteps. I like these stories, but hey, enough is enough. Or is it? Are there things we
haven’t seen or heard yet about these two and their epic journey? Is there a writer out there who captures something a
little bit different about the Missouri? Well, sorta.
Here’s a story about a guy and some buds who kayak the Missouri. Not the whole length mind you, but some 150 miles
of it. And at least he knew how to do it in style. Here’s my favorite line from the piece: “I finished the evening with
a cigar and cognac, listening to the first of Tony’s readings under the stars. Lewis and Clark wish they.” I think old
L&C would have been proud.
Good Paddling
Just thought I’d do a quick post on one of the first really good days of paddling I’ve had
this year. Went out earlier and hooked up with Eric Stiller (pictured) at
Manhattan Kayak for an evening paddle along the Hudson. Man, it was
gorgeous. The light was perfect and the water relatively calm. Very fired up for a rocking paddling season.
Whitewater Festival, Reno Style
If you’re around Reno, NV between the 12th and 15th of this month you might want to check out the annual
Reno River Festival. MSNBC has a
good preview piece on the event which is being held in the
city’s one-half mile downtown whitewater park.
“Whitewater competitions, clinics, displays and demonstrations” will happen during the Festival, while the revitalized
downtown core of Reno itself offers up an interesting array of cafes, restaurants and, of course, casinos.