Local River News In the East...
Besides a few exceptional days at the eastern salt-water rapids, it was a long winter of dreaming, planning and withdrawal, but now it’s time to get out and have some fun. A guy named Mark Richard has been for years pushing the limits of Maritime kayaking and he is the organizer of Atlantic Canada’s only whitewater event, the second annual Bang Falls Rodeo, April 5–6 on the Medway River just outside Halifax. The competition is open to C1 and K1 paddlers of all abilities. The $30 registration includes a bar- becue—money well spent for a great time, a fun atmosphere and an excel- lent river. There will be clinics by the pros—last year Dustin Urban came to show us how to throw down. Check out
www.vireo.de…. The Quebec Rodeo Circuit or, as I like to call it, the “Quebec Eight” kicks off with the Level 6 Cup on April 26 at Champlain Rapids between Hull and Ottawa. Organizer Joël Fafard did an excellent job putting all these events together. See his website
www.kayak.qc.ca/rodeo. All events have a registration fee of $20 to $30 and there’s cash and prizes up for grabs. In May the circuit continues with two events that are sure to satis- fy those who love big air and throw- ing ends. The Chambly Rodeo on May 3–4 takes place on a huge green wave. You will likely see the latest big-air moves and maybe the McNasty will be unleashed. The Labelle Rodeo takes place
amidst the beautiful scenery of Mont Tremblant on May 17. The Labelle Rodeo appeals to all abilities with the friendliest hole on the circuit. Stay tuned in June for news of the summer events…. There is an untapped resource of whitewater in Newfoundland. The number of rivers in this province is unbelievable and the creeking and waterfall drops were showcased in the paddling flick AERATED by the likes of Willie Kern and Brandon Knapp. The main spring happening on The Rock is the Piper’s Hole River Rodeo, a two-day event in Swift Current. Date TBA. So Quebecers and Maritimers, send me your news! The rest of you, come join the action and enjoy some maritime lobster.
—Jamie Chapman
east@rapidmag.com
In the Centre of things...
(where else?) a barn. The festival is limited to members of the MWC but new members will be welcomed. You can find out more on the MWC chat board:
wavpaddling.ca/phpBB/…. Closer to (my) home, Wilderness Tours intends to provide kayaker- focused facilities and services on their “Farmhouse B&B” property on Grant’s Settlement Road adjacent to the Main Channel of the Ottawa River. Tentative plans include ren- ovation of existing facilities into a pub, a retail outlet and accommoda- tions. The property isn’t on the river but does have access via a “road allowance” to the pool below the Pushbutton playspot. This should benefit paddlers by a) allowing a play-only run of McCoy’s and the Lorne, b) providing additional choice for accommodations near the river (affordable indoor accommodation— huzzah!) and c) give us all one more place to have one too many without having to drive. It’s hard to argue with that. This column is a forum for local voices (i.e. yours!), so send me your news for the June issue!
—Bryan McKenzie
central@rapidmag.com
In the West
With apologies to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, those paddlers addict- ed to the shindig are in luck. The Manitoba Whitewater Club will be launching the first annual SHINDIG whitewater festival on June 14–15. It will take place at Cook’s Falls on Saturday and then move to the awe- inspiring Sturgeon Falls (incredible surf waves!) for a monster play session on Sunday. There is only one way to get ready for a monster play session: with a monster barbe- cue and a monster party on Saturday night. Like any party worthy of this festival’s name, this takes place in
we deliver adventure.
In the ice-bound prairies, canoe polo started as winter cross-training for whitewater paddlers but has grown to be a year-round calling for many. This winter saw tournaments in Saskatoon, Grande Prairie and Edmonton, the hotbed of Canadian canoe polo and home of the Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers who host a series of tournaments. In
continued p47 2003 Early Summer 45
Adventure Kayak, Canada’s kayak
touring magazine. In your mailbox and online.
www.adventurekayakmag.com
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