SW


two exciting weekends at the ottawa kayak school...


OTTAWAKAYAK RODEO AT MCCOY CHUTE


novice paddlers don’t have the skill and under- standing of boat control to offer valuable feed- back. We would typically get tester input like: “spins good”, “wide”, and “slow”. Which could describe almost any kayak design released in the last five years. —Ed


Big Air Contender Missing I meant to write this months ago, but I forgot. I was just flipping through the pages of a back issue when I found a letter to the editor regard- ing an inflatable kayak at Canadian Tire. A note from Rapid said to watch out for the inflatable in the Big Air Shootout. Well, I was pumped to see someone launch themselves off Gary and Strano's ramp in a rubber boat, but you must have forgotten. You have got to include this in an upcoming issue. What a great cover shot. Maybe a tandem attempt! Let me know so I can watch for the issue.


Thanks for the note. You’re right, we dropped the ball on this one. Look for a big water review of the 11-foot Sevylor tandem canoe in the Spring 2005 issue. It just arrived by Purolator. —Ed.


SEPT 4•5•6 2004


Stefani’s Book Review I'm Stefani Van Wijk and I'm an 11-year-old girl who loves to read. I'm in grade six, and I wanted to let you know about a good whitewa- ter book I just read. If you haven't already writ- ten about it, here is a little thingy I wrote on the book. I hope you have room in your magazine to include this:


CHAMPIONSHIPS SEPT 10•11•12 2004


CANADA CUP NATIONAL


THE GARBERATOR


Call for Information Accommodations Available


ottawakayak.com


Wilderness Tours 1-800-267-9166


www.wildernesstours.com 8 // www.rapidmag.com


The Raging River: I really enjoyed this book, because it was exciting and adventurous. I could relate to a lot of it, but I think you'd still love it if you didn't have a clue on kayaking. Pam Withers wrote this amazing story, about a fourteen-year-old boy whose father had just left the family. He found it hard to train for the Nationals as well as earning enough money for him and his family. Jake worked as a camp slave at Sam's Adventure Tours, he was finally promoted to come along on a trip down the rag- ing river of the Cattibone. Everything bad that could happen, happened. What are they going to do now? Find out by reading Raging River by Pam Withers!


Bourbon, and one for my friend I just read your article, “Riverboat Insider”,


Ryan Ellis


from the Spring 2004 issue and I have one point to contest. Your article implies that bourbon is not smooth and something one can only “slug back”. While most American whiskey and some bourbon is swill, I have to inform you that there are many very smooth bourbons on the market. In case you are not aware, bourbon is whiskey but with distinction. There are six criteria that a whiskey must meet during the production process to be considered bourbon. I suggest sampling some of the small batch bourbons such as Knob Creek or Basil Hayden. Personally I enjoy Eagle Rare (17 year) and Evan Williams single barrel. Although bourbon distinguishes itself from other whiskey, it's not to say that all bourbon is good or that whiskey not deemed bourbon is bad. So next time you're pondering and procrasti- nating writing an introduction perhaps you'll be swirling ice cubes around in your bourbon glass... and I'll try sipping some rye in the meantime.


Can’t touch this I just started whitewater kayaking at the end of last year. I was really interested in all the cool moves and excitement that comes with kayak- ing. But, it is a lot harder than it looks. So I went out and bought a couple of magazines. Rapid happened to be one of them and I would just like to say no one touches you in the magazine business. You guys put out a killer magazine. I have learned so much from your publication.


Mike Sawatsky Beamsville, Ontario


Coping Advice For Whiners Great magazine! I love the article about the


Isuzu Trooper; I say run the Trooper until it falls apart then buy the Chevy Colorado. As for the whiners who get offended by mag-


Sincerely, Your Young Friend, Stefani Van Wijk Ottawa, Ontario


Medical Kit Needed A couple years back Rapid had an article listing a suggested medical kit for kayakers that fits into a Nalgene bottle. I can't seem to get this article from your archives. Can you send it to me?


We’ve had so many requests for this article, it seemed worth a reprint. See page 22—Ed.


azine articles, what a bunch of wusses. That's the problem now-a-days everyone gets offend- ed. Grow up! They need to just let it go. Life is too short!


Smiles last longer than attitude I really appreciated Ben Aylsworth's article


Terry Ewanochko Email


[“Big Air, Bigger Attitude,” Rapid online V6I3] in the last issue of Rapid. As a former world cup half pipe and freestyle snowboard competitor converted to whitewater boating, one of the biggest draws to this wonderful sport was the friendly smiles, helpful hints, and kind encour- agements given by the awesome boaters on the river.


I was happy to let go of the huge "rock star" attitudes (even though no one will ever know


Jason Himick McKenzie River, Oregon


Robbie Thibodeau, Jr. Kenduskeag, Maine


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