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Post by Tom Connelly on May 22, 2017 8:04:26 GMT -5
Date: May 20-21, 2017 River: Top Gauley on Saturday, Cherry (Rhodod Park to Gauley) on Sunday Level: TG was 11.6, Cherry was 7" Coordinator: Tom Connelly-lead instructor, Harry Netzer - assistant instructor, Dustin Johnson - safety boater Participants: Tim Broughton, Tony Daniel, Woody Davis, Bill Neiman, and Brad Blunt Comments:The clinic went very well. We all met and camped at Summit Lake Campground, just east of Richwood for the weekend. On Saturday, we spent 1.5 hours with land-based discussion, then broke for lunch and to set up shuttle for the Top Gauley. At the put-in, we worked about an hour on some simple rescue skills and tuning up our paddling strokes and maneuvers. We then set off down the river. We worked every eddy, wave, and current jet we could - practicing eddy turns, peel outs, ferries, surfing, etc. 3-1/2 hours for the 4-1/2 miles pretty much took its toll on most of us and we were ready for the take-out. Woody went and got some hamburger, hot dogs, and fixin's for a great cookout and feast back at the campground. (right after the 30-minute downpour). Sunday morning, Dustin reported that the Cherry had come up to 7" - a really nice level for instruction on the Cherry. At 9 am, we all headed to Rhodo park and ran shuttle down to the confluence. Again, we worked and played every feature we could find. In addition to continuing to work on the basic skills, we also worked on slowing down through the rapids, using the features to help your moves and breaking down longer rapids into manageable bites. We spent 3-1/2 hours on the 3-1/2 mile section. And, again, we were all pretty beat! I think the clinic went great, overall. No injuries or incidents and a LOT of learning going on. All of the participants dug in and gave it their all. For pics of the clinic (compliments of Dustin), see this thread: wvwaforum.proboards.com/post/29403/thread
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2017 8:44:50 GMT -5
It sounds like a great clinic and that everyone "left no eddy unturned". Thanks to you and Harry for making it happen and to Dustin for being the safety boater and photographer. Having the Cherry come up for Sunday must have been a special treat. Congratulations to all who participated.
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Post by Woody Davis on May 22, 2017 9:25:01 GMT -5
Learning environment was great .. instructors were also great demonstrators .. what a fun weekend..
My evaluation paper was drenched.. I will look for one that I can download
Thanks !!
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Harry Netzer
WVWA FORUM GUEST
WVWA Member 2011-2023
Posts: 810
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Post by Harry Netzer on May 22, 2017 11:38:23 GMT -5
We couldn't have had a clinic without participants, so I'd like to thank those that signed up and came out. Everyone gave it their all, and by the end of the day Sunday, I saw improvements with technique and timing. Keep working on your skills, and they will continue to improve.
Thanks to Dustin for coming out and being a safety boater and providing good advice as well.
Please fill out the evaluation critique so Tom and I can improve our clinic.
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Post by Tim Broughton on May 23, 2017 8:19:49 GMT -5
I really enjoyed my time spent at the clinic and greatly benefited from it. I'm continually blown away that ppl like Tom, Harry, and Dustin (and others like TonyD on other trips) are willing to give away a weekend to try to pass along their skill to less experienced paddlers. Waiting for a T-rescue in an eddy isn't something that I was prepared to do before the clinic. Saturday was immensely beneficial and I'd both do it again and recommend it to others. I had ran Saturday's section once before and thought it over too soon, not so this time; I was beatdown and ready for the takeout when we finally got there. The tendinitis monster threatened to come out from under the bed and eat my elbows again, so I begged off Sunday's run. A disappointment to me, and perhaps a puzzlement to others, but definitely the right call for me. My new Zen should arrive next week and I can't wait to get in it. Thanks again to Tom, Harry, and Dustin.
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Matt Tucker
WVWA FORUM GUEST
Former WVWA Member 2013-2018
Posts: 973
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Post by Matt Tucker on May 23, 2017 9:24:26 GMT -5
Sounds like a great success. Stoked folks are getting out there.
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Post by Cliff Beck on May 23, 2017 12:54:57 GMT -5
What a great time it appeared to be - wish I could have been there. Look forward to next year. Tim in a new boat, Bill I bet had airbags, Woody paddling like a pro, Tony paddling with his former beginners, it all looked good.
Tom, Harry, Dustin, thank you for helping us aspiring whatevers.
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Post by Bill Niemann on May 30, 2017 9:40:15 GMT -5
I sent my course evaluation to Tom and Harry but here just wanted to say THANKS to both those guys and Dustin for their time and efforts in making this clinic happen. I'll echo Tim's comment above about my admiration for people who are willing to give back--good for kayaking and also what makes the world go 'round!
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