river shorties
Whitewater Park in Prairie Dog House The City of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, a prov- ince better known for amber waves of grain than whitewater, is backing away from a whitewater park on the South Saskatchewan River. The project is estimated at $14 million and key supporters in the ToonTown Whitewater Club argue it could be a world-class destination, something Saskatchewan tourism sorely needs. Despite a record capital bud- get for 2008, city council earmarked $30,000 for a $125,000 initial design study, but only if someone else picks up the rest of the tab. It leads us to be- lieve Saskatoon must know something about the future of whitewater parks we don’t.
On the Other Hand… There are lofty plans for a 125-acre water park about 15 miles east of Phoenix, AZ, including a class II-IV whitewater course, a wave pool for surf- ing and boogie boarding and even its own water treatment plant. The project has received massive public and government support despite the logis- tics of providing 100 million gallons of water per year in a region experiencing a 10-year drought. So even with none of the liquid assets of a river like the South Saskatchewan, we are led to believe Arizona must know something about the future of whitewater parks Saskatoon doesn’t.
Celebrating Sawyer with Smokers Sawyer Paddles and Oars is taking a deep breath and sucking it all in as they celebrate 40 years in the fresh air with a tall, cool Smoker beer. In part- nership with their neighbours Caldera Brewing Company of Ashland, Oregon, a limited 20-keg re- lease of Smokers Stout beer—named for Sawyer’s line of oars—has been released to pubs through- out the Rogue Valley and online at
www.caldera-
brewing.com. With the special Caldera taps made from Sawyer Paddle’s scrap ash, bartenders can expect frequent bending, but no breakage.
BA Bans Boats This winter, British Airways joins Air Canada in banning kayaks and paddles onboard its aircraft. In 2006, BA placed restrictions on cargo to just less than 25 kilograms (55 lbs) and 2.5 metres (8.2 feet), both less than most creek boats. Just in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, BA took it a step further, placing an outright ban because they say the awkward shapes are hard to fit through the baggage handling doo-dads. The ban also in- cludes surfboards, hang gliders, pole vaults and javelins. You just can’t have any fun anymore.—NE
WHITEWATER EVENTS Sponsored by
February 7 REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR PREMIERE Toronto, ON
www.rapidmedia.com
February 16–17 OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & TRAVEL SHOW Vancouver, BC
www.outdooradventureshow.ca
February 22–24 OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW Toronto, ON
www.outdooradventureshow.ca
March 7–9 CANOECOPIA Madison, WI
www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia
March 15–16 41st ANNUAL
MISSOURI WHITEWATER CHAMPIONSHIP Fredericktown, MO
www.missouriwhitewater.org
March 14–16 22nd ANNUAL SANTA CRUZ KAYAK SURF FESTIVAL Santa Cruz, CA
www.asudoit.com
More events at
rapidmag.com www.rapidmag.com 19
CANADIAN OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING
colt.bc.ca • 250.286.3122
COLT b r a e e
RAPID
n
s
C 3
i
0
river shorties
t
ra l e y
g
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52