Your article implies that bourbon is not smooth and something one can only slug back. While most American whiskey and some bourbon is swill, there are many very smooth bourbons. I suggest sampling some small-batch bourbons such as Knob Creek or Basil Hayden. Next time you’re procrastinating writing an intro- duction perhaps you’ll be swirling ice cubes around in fine bourbon. Jason Himick, McKenzie, Oregon, Fall 2004
With attitudes like Alysworth’s on the river, who wouldn’t stay away? It is hypocritical and abhorrent for a magazine to publish such blatant sexism. Rapid seems to be having an identity complex: on the one hand it is trying to promote the sport of paddling, by advo- cating safe boating practices, first aid train- ing, boater etiquette, all of which amounts to developing some kind of paddler com- munity. On the other hand, it caters to the schoolyard-boys-club-masturbate-in-your- kayak-rah-rah-chicks-are-for-draping-on- my-kayak-do-you-have-the-uncut-version- of-Gush-heh-heh-heh-etc attitude that bigots like Aylsworth espouse.
Jennifer Deck, Peterborough, Ontario, Early Summer 2001
Ben refers to Quebecers as “grizzly lumber- jacks wielding chainsaws in one hand and a cigarette, a can of Labatt 50 and a family-sized poutine in the other.” And he expects when he barks a question at them they will be helpful? I have two suggestions, learn some basic French river lingo or scout the river on your own. Casey Kennedy, Gaspe, Quebec, Summer 2004
As a creative and innovative writer, Aylsworth pushes the limits, as we all should do in life. An artist extraordinaire, he combines his writing, video and paddling in the same style—chal- lenging us in every aspect to challenge ourselves in our paddling and for the reasons we paddle.
Douglas Shinobu, Toronto, Ontario, Early Summer 2001
I’m writing about your hiring of the editor for Rapid. I am a whitewater paddler and I can borrow a dictionary from my girlfriend’s mother. It’s the Tesaurus that’s causing me a problem. Nobody I know paddles one of those anymore. Besides, it couldn’t be better than my Mad River ME. Slim Pickens, Tennessee, Spring 2007
By giving space to Eric Gagnon and continued editorial space to Jeff Jackson, Rapid demon- strates that it understands that which is essen- tial. All the sprayskirts, drytops, glossy photos and slick marketing will mean absolutely noth- ing when the last of the rivers has been sold. Don Karn, Lac Blue Sea, Quebec, Summer 2003
classic lines
> 2005 “I was the only one to run the falls… so we got some locals who knew how to use dynamite and blew the edge off it.”
—Heinz Poenn, “Gull River’s Strong Undercurrents,” Early Summer
> 2006 “We brought mud wrestling back simply because it was the biggest attraction. We didn’t plan it that way, but who were we kidding, this is the
[Ottawa] Valley.” —Joey Hitchins, “River Palooza,” Spring
“Any man who questions why women’s boats are a good thing is either married or gay.”
—Rapid Staff, “Whitewater’s All-Time 50 Best,” Early Summer
“I walked down to the bonfire and saw bongos, guitars and some dude drumming on a blue barrel while others danced crazy naked dances. Festivals are like extended family reunions—we know we’re all somehow related but we’re too busy
having fun to figure out exactly how.” —Scott MacGregor, “Connected People,” Summer
“Working on the river would be like putting a big piece of pie on the table
and just looking at it.” —Vince Dupont, Paddler Profile, Fall
> 2007 “The guidebooks said it was unrunnable, everyone said it was unrunnable. Then I thought…what
else could they be wrong about.” —Dave ‘Psycho’ Simpson about Gorilla, Green River, “Greatest Descents,” Spring
“It doesn’t matter so much on your age, but how much skill you have on the river.”
—11-year-old Aliesha Greve, Paddler Profile, Summer
“The ground is a very solid thing and when it comes toward you at terminal velocity, you tend to get a bit freaked out.”
—Jez Blanchard, “Peer Pressure,” Fall
“When I sit back and think of all that has happened I have to pinch myself. It’s become what I expected in my
wildest dreams.” —Seth Warren, “Squeaky Wheels – Oil and Water Project,” Early Summer
www.rapidmag.com 35
For a complete tour schedule, check out
www.reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com COMING SOON.
RAPID
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