OCT: Lower James Skills Practice 8/15/12

[JDzielak]

There is a lot of information here so please read this entire post before responding!

What:
The Lower James in Richmond is an excellent river for skills practice. The format of this trip will help the novice paddler that’s capable of running the Lower James pick out and work the “hard moves.” We’ll be identifying alternate lines, play spots, and harder ferry moves. We’ll be catching every eddy, surfing every wave, and generally working the river.

Why:
This trip is as much about helping our membership step up their game as it is about giving the experienced paddlers a chance to give back to the paddling community that helped them get started. The goal of this trip is to provide an environment and a comfort level that encourages members to try new moves, figure out new skills, and have FUN!

When:
August 15, 2012. We’ll be meeting at 14th street takeout no later than 5:30 for a 5:45 shuttle departure.

Who:
We’ll need 3 levels of club participation. 1) Experienced Volunteers to point out and demonstrate the features in the description above. 2) Anyone comfortable on the river to give support and pick up the pieces if necessary (Supporters). 3) Most importantly, club members looking to step up their game on the Lower James (Participants). The participant should be semi-comfortable running the standard lines and have a solid flat water roll to get the most out of this trip. This trip is being offered as a benefit of club membership; novice/intermediate participation is limited to paid dues members. You can find the trip roster HERE updated as I have time.

To further foster a relationship between the experienced volunteers for this trip and the up and coming members of the paddling community; (with Experienced Volunteer permission) a list of all of the volunteer’s contact information will be available to the participants at the takeout.

Please post your intentions in the poll above and introduce yourself in the thread below. Be sure to indicate 1) what type of watercraft you plan to paddle; 2) three skills you would like to practice; 3) your favorite LJ rapid in your introduction. Answering these questions will help me greatly to keep a good ratio of boaters and to pair experienced volunteers with participants that will help them practice the skills they are looking for. Some examples of skills; forward stroke, torso rotation, bow & stern draws, combination strokes, river reading, picking your own lines, front surfing, ferrying, eddy catching, eddy peel outs, advanced ferrying, side surfing, back surfing, flat spinning, enders of all types, attainment, combat rolls, paddling backwards, bracing, and anything else you might want to bring to the table.

Please keep in mind that participation in this informal event is voluntary. While no formal instruction will be given during these paddles participants should feel free to draw on the experience available to them to improve their skills. As with all trips posted on this message board, all participating parties mutually agree there is no assumption of risk or liability on anyone’s part and individuals are responsible for their own safety.

***This OCT is offered by recommendation of the Coastals Board and is being coordinated with support from the Cruise Chair and the Safety and Education Chair.***

[kristen.werefox.long]

I am Kristen Werefox Long. Though following Snoop Lion's brave example, I may soon be Shark Werefox Long.

• 1. I plan to paddle my Pyranha Ammo.
  
  2. I would like to practice anything and everything, though I am particularly bad at (incapable of) bracing and surfing. I don't even know what flat-spinning is.
  
  3. In the spirit of Brick Tamland, I love River.

[Mango]

I be Mango and I am a Supporter.

1. Burn
2. Catching Eddy's, Peel Outs and Staying Upright.
3. Pipeline...

Looking forward to catching every eddy and surfing every hole.

[rvajma]

I am Jeff.
1. Molan(playboat)
2. side surfing, flat spins and rolling the short boat
3. Pipeline

Needs me some skills.

[dpmelton]

Just joined C.C., paddled James many times, but new to class 3+ rapids, would like introduction to this part of the James. Recently paddled upper New River, Wv, class I-III.

1) Native Watercraft - Manta Ray 11
2) Picking correct lines, surfing, advanced techniques.
3) No favorites yet.

[open boater]

I'm openboater, am experienced, paddle an OC1- favorite rapid- Hollywood- will help any open boater find lines, surf waves, ferry and eddy hop

[JDzielak]

Thanks to everyone so far for the interest. I have updated the spreadsheet linked in the top post so far. The columns do not represent boater parings. They are just lists at this point.

[A.Orton]

1. Paddling my Mainstream.

2. I'm game to learn anything and everything! I have never had formal instruction. So I would like to learn what is right and wrong that I am doing.

3. I'm a flat water paddler right now, but want to explore quicker water.

[Giggles]

Hello all, Sejal here and I am an Experienced paddler

1. whitewater K1 - Evo
2. I can assist in giving tips on strokes, reading water, eddy catching, ferrying... just not Advanced play boating skills.
I my self need to work on those skil before I give tips to others.
3. Pipeline...

looking forward to seeing you all out there.

[JDzielak]

So far it looks like we've got a lot more chiefs than indians. Maybe I'll move myself down a couple notches and work on some next level stuff for myself!

[open boater]

Sarah Johnson (OC-1) is coming, perhaps Laura as well. They may be a little late, I've told them I will wait at 14th Street for them to arrive

[gruss]

Hey all, I'm Greg, and just recently started running the lower

1. Wavesport BigEZ
2. Combat rolls, bracing...anything and everything really
3. Still need a few more runs before I pick a favorite

See everyone on the river!

[smbfreewheel]

Shannon Black here
Just started running the lower

1. LL Lil Joe
2. Surfing, Rolling in whitewater , everything else in between
3. Pipeline

[eric]

Eric here...

1) wave sport XXX

2) can help out were needed

3) like picking a favorite child. corner/hollywood section

[tolyho]

1-Jackson FUN

2-Yo Yo.That's what I look like when I use hand paddles. Let me try to chill with those. Looks like I'll be participating as little as I've paddled lately.

3-Eric.. I thought I was your favorite child.. Corner to Below HWood always a hoot

I'll be in on this one FO SHO!!