Canoe News Vol 37 Issue 4 2004 Nationals 2004 by Gareth Stevens

CANOE NEWS 2004 Nationals Issue 37/4

Left: Io Harberts (MN) paddling in the C1 Woman Master class

2004 Nationals

Volume 37 Issue 4 of 6

CANOE NEWS Courtesy of Will Arts &Tech

The leading news magazine for all paddlers throughout North America

In this issue: The Results & Photos 2004 USCA Canoe and Kayak Nationals 2004 USCA Stock Aluminum Canoe Nationals

plus Barb Bradley on Inflammation Janet Perry on Survival Kits Kolka & Barton on Paddling Technique US $5.95 CAN $6.95

Mike Spencer on the Nationals and John Edwards Jim Mack on Joan & Harold Kevin LeRoy on Waves, Wind, & Ice on a Dim, Dark Night

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Contents

CANOE NEWS

Serving canoers and kayakers

OfÞcial Publication of the

United States Canoe Association Supporting a Five Star program Ćompetition Ćruising Ćonservation Ćamping Ćamaraderie

www.USCAnoe.com

Canoe News

Advertising and Editorial Gareth Stevens, Editor P0 Box 56, Hubertus, WI 53033 Phone: (262) 628-9991 Cell: (262) 853-5453 Email: nawal@ticon.net For advertisements, articles, and photo submissions: — please email Editor for advice on preferred formats.

USCA OfÞcers Executive Director John Edwards 1929 Arrowhead Drive St Petersburg, FL 33703 (727) 522-3348 canoechamp@aol.com

From the President’s Fill-in—Larry Liquori / From the Editor—Gareth Stevens . 4 From the Executive Director—John Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Oscoda Welcomes the USCA—Gareth Stevens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-12 USCA Nationals State Points—Joan Theiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Attendance at Nationals and Membership / Go-Getters—G Stevens / P Thiel 13 Oscoda 2004 USCA Nationals—Articles and Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-53

Sprints—Bill Corrigan, Mike Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-19 Orienteering—Rod Matthews, Mike Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21 National Biathlon Championship—Tom Walton, Mike Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23 Youth Sprints—Mike Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-26 Outrigger “Demos Speak Louder than Words”— Mike Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Kolka and Barton Nationals Paddling Clinic for Youth—Janet Perry . . . . . . . . . . 29-31 Marathon Championships Day 1—Mike Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-39 Marathon Championships Day 2—Mike Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-45 Marathon Championships Day 3—Mike Spencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46-53

John Edwards: Superhero . . . Promoting the Sport—Mike Spencer . . . . . . . 54 Canoeists of the Year: Joan and Harold Theiss—Jim Mack . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Good Sportsmanship Award: Teresa Stout & Ray Quick, Jr—Gareth Stevens 56 USCA Youth EncouragementAward—Gareth Stevens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 USCA Junior Banner Contest—Judy Jeanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Shaun Koos: In it for the Race—Gareth Stevens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Semi-Annual Meeting Highlights—Karen Levitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58-59 USCA’s 2005 Winter Meeting Hotel Details—Chuck Weis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Competition & Tech Inspection Report on the Nationals—Corrigan/Ludwig/Patton 60 2004 USCA Stock Aluminum Canoe Championships—Ray Davis . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Live (with a little luck) and Learn—Kevin LeRoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 The AuSable River Canoe and Cleanup—Paul Komraus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Build Your Own Cheap and Compact Survival Kits, Part One—Janet Perry 64-65 A Natural Approach to Inflammation, Part One—Barb Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Cleanup, Race Schedules, Race Results . . . Business Affiliates . . . . . . . . . 67 USCA Contacts and Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68-69

USCA is Proud to Support:

President Kelly Wypych 338 Onondaga Terrace Syracuse, NY 13207 (315) 423F-9075 kwypych@twcny.rr.com Vice President Jan Streib 609 N Division Bristol, IN 46507 (219) 848-4279 Cekayak@aol.com Secretary Karen Levitt 101 Main St (Apt #17) Keene, NH 03431 (603) 355-8968 Karen_levitt@nmhschool.org Treasurer Marc Lessard 460 Stevens Rd East Thetford, VT 05043 (802) 785-4350 marc.lessard@dartmouth.edu

RIVERS UNLIMITED

From the “President” / From the Editor

From the President’s Fill-In

from upstate NY to Oscoda with their canoe supply trailer. The same goes for John Diller. • The presence of some younger paddlers, many of whom did quite well in both canoe and kayak, was good to see. We urgently need more youth in our sport. • Seeing some of the older paddlers compete and do so well was, well, inspiring. I think Al Widing Sr must be Superman (no, can’t be; I saw Clark Kent and Al at the same place at the same time, so Al must be “Supervet.”) Seeing Mike Fremont racing gamely at 82 (?) really impressed me. The tireless, positive, cheerful, can-do attitudes of the race ofÞcials and volunteers kept the whole event upbeat. Chris Rudolph and her cohorts were really, truly wonderful. They tried hard to please, and succeeded. Tom Walton was a great MC on such short notice. Minuses

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Liquori I’d like to take the liberty of offering my impressions of some of the pluses and minuses of this year’s Nationals. I’m sure the editor welcomes your comments, so if you think I’m crazy and you disagree, say so. If you agree, it wouldn’t hurt to say that as well. Pluses • All the “Welcome USCA” and “Welcome Paddlers” signs all over Oscoda were terriÞc. In so many stores, clerks asked if I were in town for the canoe races, and upon hearing I was, they greeted me and asked how I liked everything. This all left a good, warm/fuzzy feeling. • The AuSable River was beautiful: deep, clean with picturesque scenery along the way. What a wonderful C2 course! The concrete walls for portages were even covered with AstroTurf. Nice touch! I didn’t Þnd the portages at all difÞcult: they must have been easy! • Despite some protestations about how cool it was, the weather was, in fact, perfect for racing. • The boxes of fresh fruit and the bottles of water for competitors were a very welcome feature (deserves two big pluses). • The (unofÞcial) USCA biathlon and its subsequent celebration was a hit, once again — thanks Tom Walton! • The cheering throng at the sprint competitions was uplifting. • The enormous turn-out of locals for the outrigger events (despite some less-than- perfect weather) was a wonderful surprise. It kept John Edwards busy, among many others. • We attracted two professional photographic companies, one still and one video. I guess that says something (positive) about us. • Despite the fact that they probably barely sold enough to cover expenses, it was great to see Jim & June Genkos drive all the way

The C1 course. Going upstream like that was hard on a good many of us heavier paddlers. Maybe next time they can make an easier part of the course for us tubbies (sort of like training wheels for cyclists?). After towing his trailer all that way from upstate NY, Jim Genkos still beat me in C1 Man Senior. (Aren’t you close to 60 yet Jim?) The time delays in getting results after races. Minor glitch so it only rates a half-minus (I never did well in math, so don’t lecture me on the possibility or impossibility of having half a minus.) Having to drive 14+ hours right after competing in C2 (yawn). Next time can we move Oscoda a little closer to NY? Having Al Widing Sr and his partner come in with better time than my partner and me. The new kayak trophy is rather ostentatious, to the point of being garish. Well, I guess the pluses outweighed the minuses again. Another great Nationals. See you in Warren, PA (or sooner, in Reno, NV if you’re a delegate).

From the Editor

The average age of the team determines the team’s age category. Contrary to what is on the website today (www.2005worldmas ters.com) the distances and course are still under revision. The course is likely to be between 1.25 and 2 hours long, deep river. I’m hoping for some upstream and buoy turns. Shallows seem unlikely. More details next issue.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gareth Stevens A few important items: 1. Paula Thiel has a new email address prma@adelphia.net 2. TCRA has new delegate: Erin Magee, PO Box 432, Martindale, TX 78655 (512) 357 6751 quickblade14@hotmail.com 3. Delegates. Urgent! See pages 55 and 59 for Annual Meeting details. USCA’s extra special room rates expire December 17. 4. Membership Renewal. Did you spot the modest notice to the right of this text? Please renew early. (Now would be great). 5. Bill Hill, the Chair of the paddling section of the Edmonton, AB, Canada 2005 World Masters Games visited me this week at my farm in Wisconsin. The dates for the Games are July 23-26, 2005. ICF Kayak, ICF Canoe, Trainer Kayak, Marathon C1 (USCA spec), and Outrigger OC1 - Man and Woman events in all, Marathon C2 (pro spec) - Men, Women and Mixed Outrigger OC6 - Men, Women, Mixed (minimum 3 women) Age categories: 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ Your age on December 31, 2005 determines your age category.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

It’s time to RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP! Quick, please renew now (while you are thinking of it!)

Use the handy addressed envelope that arrived with this magazine, or use the form in the back of this issue and mail your check to Paula Thiel 53 Ross Road Preston CT 06365

From the Executive Director

Outrigger Racing at the USCA Nationals?

constant rain, the added enthusiastic paddlers “shoveling” of water constantly drenching us can be factored into the equation, but Karl and I just about froze to death as we didn’t get a break from the weather and were a little underdressed for the occasion. But nobody ever thought about leaving the event. ( I guess this was “normal” summer weather for them) Even the youngsters got into the act forming last minute teams of their own. Some of them just sat in the canoe just happy to be involved with the whole happening. The host sponsor couldn’t have been more pleased with the citizen sprints. They told me it was the “highlight” of the entire week for them and I would have to agree with them as the feeling was the same for all of the USCA members that helped that night. The outriggers presented the USCA with a way of involving the community directly with racing on a scale that made it both fun and feasible. I hope that future race sponsors take notice of the major impact this part of the program can have towards getting the entire town get involved with the USCA Nationals.

John Edwards, Executive Director, USCA Why should the USCA support outrigger racing at its Nationals? What is it “worth” to the USCA or the host sponsor? Should outriggers be considered only “ocean/large lake going vessels”? Why should someone even bother “dragging” a 45 foot trailer with 2 outrigger boats from Florida to Oscoda, Michigan and back? It must be a “hardship” on the host sponsor to work with the outriggers? I can refute these questions with absolute conviction based on facts. Any reservations or excuses one might have tried to use as their basis for “un-promoting” outriggers have been obliterated in one fell swoop of the sponsors promotion and the paddlers participation.

Part 1: Woodstock? Maybe not! But this event was deÞnitely a “happening” and I thought it apropos that this was on an anniversary weekend for that watershed event. Anyone who has been involved with or participated in something extraordinary knows what the USCA members working this event might have felt on that miserable Thursday night. Something was warming our hearts while the elements were ravaging the outside of our bodies. Watching people ignoring the windy, cold and pouring rain, whooping and hollering, chasing each other around, playing in the lake shore beach and water, left me wondering if they hadn’t left out all the crazies (excuse me “mentally challenged”) in the world. But that was not the case. After a long day of work Oscoda residents showed up to embrace the challenge to grudge matches between different divisions of the same businesses, vendors against vendors, insurance agencies, real-estate agencies, hardware stores, restaurants, Þreman, hospitals, nearby townships, etc. You name it and they were they. All we had to do was to bring the equipment and expertise and watch while they ßogged themselves down the 250 meter course and back. The Race sponsor had organized local teams from ordinary businesses that participated in helping support the USCA’s Nationals. This involved businesses that gave 10% discounts to members by just showing their USCA membership card (Þrst time I ever remember using my membership card to save money). Other businesses donated volunteers, services and products. The response to participate in racing the outrigger canoes was overwhelming. They put together 28 (5 person) teams. We supplied the outrigger canoes, paddles, life preservers, steersman (Karl Vogel and me), starter (Tony Bond) and on shore organizer (including quick and dirty paddling instruction, Guy Flatley). The host supplied the timer, awards etc. The scheduled starting time was 6:00 PM on Thursday evening. We raced 2 boats against each other 14 times on a down and back course using total times for the overall winners. I would say that 90% of the people participating had never raced a canoe in their entire life. The weather was horrible Thursday evening. It started to rain almost continually from about 6:45 to when we Þnished around 8:15. The wind picked up and the temperature starting in the 60’s quickly dropped into the 50’s. I don’t know what the wind chill factor was or how, along with the

Part 2: Championship outrigger sprint day! Changing the outrigger event to the Thursday youth sprint day was deÞnitely a success. The youth sprints concluded around 12:00 which left us time to organize teams participating in the outrigger sprints. We ended up with 11 teams racing. 4 men teams, 3 mixed, 2 women, 2 youth. We had teams put together from the Duluth Outrigger Club, Pennsylvania, Florida Outrigger Outreach, and Canadian/northeast groups. Plenty of time possibilities left on Thursday during that time slot so we have room to expand the number of teams as well as types of classes. All events were done by elapsed times so there were no heats and Þnals. I hope to see some more teams showing up in the future.

Part 3: First Ever USCA marathon outrigger race took place on the Saturday of the Nationals marathon race weekend. We had two boats participate in this event. Against all the nay-sayers’ skepticism they raced up and back a very challenging narrow, swift current, shallow sandbar course that challenged even the staunchest C1 paddler. Both teams had a great time as well as adding to the pleasure of spectator viewing. Having a marathon race on rivers in association with the sprints is just as valid for the outriggers as for the other events. Availability of outriggers in out of the way places can be solved easily if there is justiÞcation for them to make the trip. Having a marathon event makes this well worthwhile. Having it on a river challenges the teams to tactics never needed or seen on open water. Advertising on the side of the outriggers during a race down a river gives sponsors a “ßoating Billboard” that can’t be matched. Everyone takes a hard look at the outriggers so the advertising on them should be taken advantage of by the race host sponsors. Talk it up and lets get more teams participating for next years Warren, PA races. PS. We also had a Wednesday morning outrigger event on Lake Huron in downtown Oscoda that Tony and I ran. The morning was very cold and drizzly to begin with so the “local” participation was sparse. We did end up with 2 mens teams and 2 mixed teams racing. Although the number of locals who showed up was small Chris told me that we had 5 people sign up to be USCA members that were not paddlers. One of them (Robert Daigle) raced again with the Saturday Marathon group. Another argument against “why have outriggers “ at the Nationals down the drain. See you on the water! And please support “all” paddlesport.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

2004 USCA National Canoe and Kayak Championships: Oscoda, MI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gareth Stevens It is hard to imagine a bigger welcome than Oscoda provided for United States Canoe Association paddlers and their families (and their pets) during the week of the USCA National Canoe and Kayak Championships. Moreover, in the midst of a summer that gave Oscoda some pretty lousy weather, the community used their impressive connections to give us a week of great canoeing weather: not too hot, some sun, some overcast. (Bill Tait of that Þne restaurant “Tait’s Bill of Fare” claimed credit for arranging the good weather. Just everyone in the community pitches in to help!) In a town that already co-hosts the oldest marathon canoe race in the country (the Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon), and is the site for other canoe races on the Michigan Canoe Racing Association circuit (the Klondike and the Curley Memorial), you’d think that the volunteer pool and local business support might be a little overpaddled, and look with a jaundiced eye at yet another canoe event! Yet USCA paddlers (who came from all over the United States – and Canada, Australia, too) found a heartwarming outpouring of energy and enthusiasm for their visit.

The racing venues were well signposted. And “Welcome Paddlers” signs were EVERYWHERE: see the photos along the tops of the next few pages for a sampling! It was clear to all of us that this is a community is like no other (except maybe Grayling . . . ). EVERYONE knows about paddling (there are canoe races a-plenty hereabouts) and EVERYONE knew about the USCA Nationals.

The USCA thanks all those businesses (listed here) that supported the Community’s great efforts to host the 2004 USCA Nationals Canoe and Kayak Championships: Ace Hardware, (989) 739-2041, http://www.acehardware.com Alcona Canoe Rental, (989) 735-2973, http://www.alconacanoes.com AuSable River Queen Cruises, (989) 739-7351 or (989) 984-0139, http://www.riverqueencruises.com Charter Communications, (989) 739-1481, http://www.chartercom.com Consumers Power, (800) 649-3777, http://www.consumersenergy.com Crusecom Technology Consultants, (989) 739-5070, http://www.crusecom.com Crusecom is a technology consultation Þrm. Crusecom designed the website, registration system, and results postings for the 2004 USCA National Canoe and Kayak Championships hosted in Oscoda, MI. Express Yourself Promotional Products, (989) 739-4658 First Federal of Northern Michigan, (989) 739-2061, http://www.Þrst-federal.com Gary Oil & Propane, (989) 739-9231 Glen’s Market of Oscoda, (989) 739-0090, http://www.glensmarket.com Hart Pontiac/GMC/Buick, (989) 345-2571, http://www.hartbrothersgm.com Huron Community Bank, (989) 739-9125, http://www.bankhcb.com Independent Bank, (989) 739-1148, http://www.independentbank.com ITT Industries, (989) 739-1423, http://www.itt.com Northeast Michigan Credit Unions, (517) 482-1062, http://mcul.org Oscoda Area Schools, (989) 739-2033, http://www.oscodaschools.org Oscoda Carpet & Furniture, (989) 739-0780 Oscoda United Way, (989) 739-3911, http://www.unitedway.org Scott Rudolph Plumbing & Heating, Inc, (989) 739-4040 St Joseph Health System, (989) 362-9375, http://www.sjhsys.org State Farm - Mike Gordon CLU, (989) 739-1466, http://www.statefarm.com Sunrise Title & Escrow Agency, Inc, (989) 739-1727, http://www.landam.com Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Welcomes the USCA

Rod Matthews (down there, front row left) made me laugh with his sign. [“Up All Night” is a watch-phrase for the AuSable Marathon. You see it on t-shirts, bumper stickers, all over, that weekend. Very funny, Rod!]

Above: Oscoda Nationals volunteers: not all of them, but many. 1. Rick Bornemann 2. Dan Gary 3. Chris Lovelace 4. Marcia Koppa 5. Cheryl Derwacter 6. Hiding: can’t identify! 7. Marie Matthews 8. Mary Ellen Morrison-Lovelace 9. Chris Rudolph 10. Lynne Witte 11. Art Cruse 12. Jane Morrison-Snage 13. Martha Morrison-Sarenius 14. Geri Wilfong 15. Rose Mary Nentwig 16. Wayne Koppa 17. Rod Matthews 18. Lisa Hagerman 19. Barbara Onizczak 20. Ron Onizczak 21. Sylvia Curley-Harmon 22. Sam Harmon Photo of volunteers, above © 2004 and courtesy of Will Arts & Tech – available for purchase: see their ad on page 9.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Welcomes the USCA

The Local Volunteers. Folks who have not participated in putting on a one-day canoe race, let alone a massive

six-day multiple-event extravaganza like the USCA Nationals, have little idea how much work is involved, or quite how many people it takes to make it happen. Below is a longer list of volunteers than David Williams (of Will Arts and Tech) could find to squeeze in front of his camera, overpage. It’s probably still not an exhaustive list. Our thanks to every one, on and off the list! Al Dopp Dave Dailey Joyce Dault Margie Kutzera Rick Stemen Al Williams Dave Olpere Jude Bradow Marie Matthews Rod Matthews Babs Berry Dave Ploof Judith Hauca Marilyn Flanagan Rose Mary Nentwig Barb Kennedy Debbie Graham Judy Hope Marilyn Speakman Ryan Matthews Barb Malenfant Dori Dopp Julie Dyer Mark Astrom Rysta Brown Bev Thompson Eric Rickelman Justin GrifÞth Marv Bradow Sam Harmon Bob Kennedy Gene Hauca Justine McLeod Mary Ann Gary Sharon Savin Bruce Barton George Falkenhagen Kathy Killingbeck Matt Hinckley Sherry McLeod Camey Hinckley Geri Wilfong Kelly Karpp Michele Rickelman Stan Orlikowski Carolyn McNichol Hali Greene Lanny Thompson Michelle Keiser Sylvia Curley Harmon Carrie Montgomery Jan Coughlin Linda Ploof Mike Chisolm Tammy Takacs Cheryl Derwacter Jason Franks Linda Stemen Mrs. Williams Tom Brown Chris Lovelace Jeff Kolka Lisa Hagerman Patti Koenig Tom Rudolph Chris Rudolph Jerry Hayslip Loni Smith Patty Dailey Tom Schemanske Connie Astrom Jim Dailey Louise Ross Penn Greene Trina Greene Dan Gary Jim McLeod Lynne Witte Ray Yehl Vance Gary Danny Erikson Jon Webb Marcia Koppa Rex Manning Wayne Koppa Below: The seemingly inexhaustible Chris Rudolph, whose awesome performance organizing and running the Nationals is acknowledged by all the USCA officials who worked with her. We thank you profoundly!

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Below: The seemingly unending collection of USCA trophies, being unpacked and readied in the Warrior Pavilion at Van Etten Lake. Rumors are that we will need TWO semis to haul them to Warren . . .

Oscoda Welcomes the USCA Guy Flatley and son, Jonathon, two of the more than 400 USCA paddlers who came to enjoy the fun of Nationals in Oscoda.

The Local Organizations. Local associations

Photography & Graphic Arts

of many types (and some businesses) provided volunteers – including some of those named on precvious pages. USCA acknowledges and thanks them for their support. Alexander Business Machines Oscoda Home Center American Legion Oscoda Lions American Legion Women’s Oscoda Rotary Auxiliary Oscoda Township DPW Audubon Society (MI Chapter) Oscoda Township Fire Dept AuSable River Canoe Oscoda Township Water Marathon Committee Rescue AuSable River Canoe Oscoda United Methodist Marathon Timing Crew Church CruseCom Oscoda-AuSable Chamber of Habitat for Humanity Commerce McDonald’s of Oscoda Party & Food Center Northeast Land Survey Scotty’s Potties Oscoda Area Schools Travis Sanitation Oscoda F.I.S.H. Van Ettan Lake Association

Sports action photographers specializing in paddle sports. Photos, photo transfers to t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, etc. www.willarts.com photos@willarts.com

David and Lynda Williams

The Photographers. Thanks to David and

Lynda Williams of Will Arts & Tech, to Bruce Myles, to Mark Bialek, to Don Stonehouse, to Tave Lamperez, to Patti Koenig, and not least to Lucy H Moore Stevens, my wife for all the great photographs that bring this report to life.

The Reporter. Way big thanks to Mike Spencer, the Bay City Times sports writer who did such a great job covering the USCA Nationals and who so generously allowed me to use his writings in this issue of Canoe News.

Below: It was great to see the Genkos with their J&J Canoe Supplies tent. The paddlers were highly appreciative of the goodies (nay, essentials) that they had to hand. Thanks for making the effort, effort, Jim and June!

Below: Another vendor who made the effort to come a LONG WAY to set up at USCA Nationals was John Diller, of Savage River Canoes. It’s quite the haul from John’s shop in Maryland. Thanks for coming , John.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Support from Advertisers USCA and Canoe News thank the Oscoda area advertisers featured on these pages for their support of Canoe News and the USCA National Championships and for their warm welcome to the USCA paddlers and their families who traveled from twenty-eight States and two Canadian Provinces for the event. Paddlers: when you return to the beautiful AuSable Valley next year, remember these good folks.

SUBWAY OF OSCODA Norm and Marian Charters 104 Newman Street, East Tawas, MI 48730 • Espresso, Cappuccino/Latte, Gourmet Coffee • Fine Hand Dipped Chocolates and Fudge at a Fine Price • Chocolate Dipped Fresh Fruit • Sugar Free Low Carb Candies Ph/Fax (989) 362 7728

5121 N. US-23 • Oscoda • MI 48750

(989) 739-3770 Monday thru Sunday 10am to 10pm

1-888 362 7729

Fine American, Chinese & Thai Cuisine

Taitʼs Bill of Fare Downtown Oscoda Open for lunch and dinner (989) 739-1518

Geniiʼs FINE FOODS 601 W. Bay Street East Tawas, MI (989) 362-5913 Owners: Toulong & Houa Yang

Geniiʼs FINE FOOD II

518 E. Houghton West Branch, MI (989) 345-9522 Owner: Sam Yang

Family run and owned 1978-2004

Bavarian Bakery and Restaurant

Home of the Famous Smorgasbord Enjoy our beautiful view of the AuSable River

Breakfast - lunch - dinner Lo-carb bread and mufÞns Lo-carb pizza Pizza daily 2pm-7pm Specializing in ethnic pastries & breads

• Breakfast Smorgasbord Daily • Dinner Smorgasbord Daily • Fri & Sat Seafood Buffet • Full Menu Call for daily specials

Take out available Friday nite Þsh fry

700 South Lake (just off the US-23, south of the bridge) Oscoda Also in Pinconning (989) 739 5230 (989) 879-7970

Welcome Canoers Good luck!

Sunday - Thursday 8 to 9 Friday & Saturday 8 to 10

Bavarian Bakery and Restaurant, Inc. 5222 North US-23 • PO Box 375 Oscoda, Michigan 48750 (989) 739-8077 Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

ASK ABOUT OUR PIZZA TAKEOUT

Welcome USCA Paddlers and Families

Welcome USCA Paddlers — and Pets!

Northern Traveler Motel

Year round, 15 units, a/c, cable, HBO, rooms phones Area attractions: • Canoeing • Hiking • Scenic AuSable River • Fishing and Boating • Public Boat Launches • Charter Boat Services • Paddlewheel Boat Trips • Beautiful Lake Huron • Hunting • Snowmobiling • Cross-Country Skiing • Golfing and Mini-golf • Antique and Gift shops

1 (989) 739-9261

Surfside Resort: Motel Rooms to Condos Sandy Wojtas, Manager 6504 North US-23 Oscoda, Michigan 48750 (989) 739-5363 1 (800) 278-5060

www.northerntraveler.com email: rob@northerntraveler.com

www.surfside-condo-resort.com

• In Room Coffee • Queen Beds • Private Beach Access • Wave Runner Rentals • Picnic Tables • Barbecue Grills • Large Boat Parking Area THE PAVLAKS: BILL, ROB, CAROLE, JENNIFER 5493 N US-23, OSCODA, MI 48750

The Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tawas Bay Tourist and Convention Bureau welcome the 2004 USCA Nationals to Oscoda, Michigan! Located 14 miles south of the mouth of the AuSable River on the Lake Huron shoreline, the Tawases offer a variety of lodging and camping accommodations for canoers, their families and supporters. To learn more about the TAWAS area and lodging accommodations, visit our websites or call the number below:

1-800-55-TAWAS

www.tawas.com

Aspen Motor Inn

Oscoda

On the AuSable River, across from the Marathon finish line!

On the beautiful AuSable River at Lake Huron high Now with

ll rooms!

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Dan and enjoyed Carol look forward to welcoming USCA Dan and Carol having USCA paddlers stay with them paddlers, families . . . and their pets to Oscoda for the Klondike this summer and look forward to seeing them again next year Race in March, for the Curley Memorial Canoe Race (the for the Klondike Race in March, the Curley Memorial Race “Pre-Nationals”) and AuSable Marathon in July and for the in mid summer and the AuSable Canoe Marathon in July 2004 USCA Nationals Championships in August!

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Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Support from Advertisers

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Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

USCA Nationals State Points

A Few Statistics

USCA Nationals State Points Results

Attendance at Nationals and Membership

Joan Theiss

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gareth Stevens

Each day of the marathon races, points are awarded to the home state of each US-resident paddler who places in the top ten positions in all but trial or non-USCA events. 50 points for Þrst place, 45 for second place, down to 5 points for 10th place. The state with the highest number of points accumulated for marathon racing becomes the State Point Winner. Points are awarded at both the Canoe & Kayak Nationals and the Stock Aluminum Nationals.

Received wisdom in the USCA has it that “as goes attendance at Nationals, so goes the Membership.” Well, if you don’t count the 180 or so local business folks who Þlled outriggers Thursday evening, Oscoda, MI’s numbers were slightly down on Warren, PA’s (though still pretty strong if you look over the last ten years of Nationals — Hanover, NH being a record-breaking exception). So you’d expect membership to have dropped off this year, a little. Au contraire, mes amis! Membership Chair Paula Thiel reports that basic membership has risen from under 700 last year to well over 800. Paula promises details at the annual Meeting.

State Points Tallies for Oscoda, Michigan (Canoe and Kayak), Portsmouth, VA (Stock Aluminum) and Combined Totals Oscoda Portsmouth Final State Points Tally

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

MI NY WI PA IL MA MN IN NH ME CT AR IA NJ FL MO WA NC CO OH MT NE GA MD UT KS VT VA

3715 1130 865 820 100 565 505 445 380 345 340 300 235 230 225 220 100 220 205 200 90 155 115 105 95 90 75 45 30 30 25 270

Top states over time: Michigan has now won nine times to New York State’s ten. IL, WI, and PA have each won twice. MN, NH, and MA have each won once.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

MI NY PA WI IL MA MN IN NH ME FL CT VA NC AR IA NJ MO WA CO OH MT NE GA MD UT KS VT

Go-getters Final Tally, 2004 New USCA Member Recruitment

3715 1130 920 865 565 505 445 380 345 340 320 300 295 290 235 230 225 220 205 155 115 105 95 90 75 45 30 30

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gareth Stevens 132 brand new members were recruited by existing members for 2004 (October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004). And John Edwards has already recruited a new one for 2005 membership.

New-USCA-member recruitment for 2004 For 2004 (ending Sep 30) Charley Brackett (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Robert Bradford (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Earl Brimeyer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Pam Browning (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Morgan Brunstrom (AZ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Michael Drost (TX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 John Edwards (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Frank Farwell (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Jim Genkos (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Marc Gillespie (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bradley Glass (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Debbie Grogan (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Forest Haines (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Fritz Hansen (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Judy Jeanes (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Mike Johnson (MT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Paul Kane (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bill Kanost (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Rosslyn Kendrick (PQ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Tave Lamperez (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Larry Liquori (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Stephen Lynn (AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Donald Mueggenborg (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Elizabeth O’Connor (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Doug Pennington (MO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Janet Perry (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Priscilla Reinertsen (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Clifton Rickey (AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Thor Ronemus (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Patrick Sawyer (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Gary Simon (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Marion Simpson (VA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Norman Skinner (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bob Spain (TX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Mark Stehlik (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Gareth Stevens (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Paula Thiel (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Karl Vogel (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Jon Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Jan Whitaker (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Special recognition: Canada scored 705 points. Now, if Canada were a state . . . that would put it Þfth, behind Wisconsin!

Total

....... 1 ....... 1 . . . . . . 25 ....... 1 . . . . . . 21 ....... 2 ....... 3 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 6 ....... 2 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 2 ....... 3 ....... 3 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 9 ....... 6 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 7 ....... 5 ....... 7 ....... 3 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 1 ....... 1 . . . . . . 69 ....... 1 . . . . . . 67 ....... 4 ....... 6 ....... 1 . . . . . . 40

Remember, a lifetime total of Þfty or more recruits get YOU a lifetime membership.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Tuesday, August 10

Sprints: Adult and Adult/Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Corrigan, Sprint Chair

The sprints at Oscoda were terriÞc. This is due in no small part to the hard work of the Chris Rudolph and her team of Oscoda-area volunteers. Even the weather was good with only a few minutes of rain on Tuesday. At Þrst sight, the race course appeared long to me, but since it was surveyed in with a total station it was probably within a couple of millimeters of perfect! I have said in the past and will say again: putting on the sprint races is as hard a job as putting on all the marathon races. The paddlers owe the volunteers a heartfelt thank you for all the work they did. The good communications during the sprint races allowed the few mistakes to be corrected quickly and seamlessly. Everyone seemed to have good time at both the adult sprints on Tuesday, and the youth sprints on Thursday. Once again thanks to all volunteers who registered racers, made up heat sheets, passed out numbers, started races, timed races and tabulated results. The only thing missing at the sprints this year was Jim Decker’s mood music . . .

Sprints: Adult & Adult/Youth: Results C1 Woman

1 Judy Jeanes (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:51 2 Carrie Montgomery (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:52 3 Holly Reynolds (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:53

C1 Woman Master 1 2 3 4 5

Above: upper: Paddlers prepare or return from their sprint races. That’s Kathy Manizza in the C1, and Eric and Ariel McNett in the C1-come-C2. I don’t recognize the young woman in the foreground nor the kayaker. Above: lower: Tom Walton in his C1 graciously acknowledging (but a small sampling) of his adoring fans.

Colleen Moore (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:47 Karen Simpson (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:50 Cindy McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:51 Kathy Manizza (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:55 Pam Fitzgerald (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:01

Carrie Montgomery

C1 Woman Senior - no entries this year C1 Woman Veteran

1 Priscilla Reinertsen (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:20

C1 Man 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Calvin Hassel (NE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:24 Marc Gillespie (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:25 Eric McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:33 John Edwards (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:35 Joe Johnson (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:35 Ted Farwell (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:36 Matthew Ashton (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:44 Ryan Stephens (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:52 Ben Josefik (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:56 Dave Impens (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:08

Marc Gillespie

C1 Man Master 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Eric McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:31 Randy Bailey (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:34 Guy Flatley (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:38 Steve Martin (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:41 Rocky Caldwell (MO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:43 Doug Pennington (MO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:46 Dave Impens (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:56

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Above and to the right: Crowds by Van Etten Lake enjoy good weather and great paddling at the USCA National Sprint Championships. Botttom right and bottom left: paddlers car-topped their boats to Oscoda from far and wide, from Florida to Washington State, from Arkansas to Maine, from Alberta and Ontario. Immediately below: “Chopper,” the Heeds’ 4-monthold English bulldog: as the Times newspaper in Warren, PA noted last year, paddlers’ dogs form a small but significant part of the race-fan base.

Oscoda Nationals, Tuesday, August 10

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Tuesday, August 10 C1 Man Senior: Heat 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Bruce Byrnes (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:34 Ted Cramer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:34 Charlie Bruno (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:36 Tony Bond (Australia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:37 Larry Liquori (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:39 Robert Mandli (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:44 Rodger Dempster (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:45 Jim Dipelesi (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:48

C1 Man Senior: Heat 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Dick Plumlee (KS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:33 Steve Sleider (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:35 Ralph Vincent (VT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:37 Bill Robinson (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:40 Tom Thomas (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:40 Gareth Stevens (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:41 Tom Walton (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:42 Frank Farwell (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:43

C1 Man Senior: Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Dick Plumlee (KS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:32 Bruce Byrnes (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:34 Steve Sleider (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:37 Charlie Bruno (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:38 Ralph Vincent (VT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:39 Tom Thomas (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:40 Ted Cramer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:42 Bill Robinson (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:42 Gareth Stevens (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:44 Larry Liquori (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:45 Tom Walton (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:57 Tony Bond (Australia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:05

C1 Man Veteran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12

Stan Machacek (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:36 Bob Allen (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:37 Nick Lyesiuk (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:38 Laverne M Young (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:41 Fred Zeien (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:42 Fritz Hansen (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:42 Glen Vandewinckel (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:44 Forest Haines (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:45 Robert Bradford (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:47 Philip Soule (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:50 Dale Newton (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:53 Donald Wescott (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:55 Chuck Baker (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:00

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

C1 Man Veteran Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Stan Machacek (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:39 Bob Allen (MA) (USCA National Champion) . . . 0:02:40 Nick Lyesiuk (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:40 Fred Zeien (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:44 Laverne Young (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:48 Forest Haines (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:48 Fritz Hansen (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:49 Bob Bradford (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:49 Glen Vandewinckel (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:50 Philip Soule (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:53 Don Wescott (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:01 Dale Newton (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:23

C2 Woman/Fledgling I

1 Gareth Faloon (ON) / Joanna Faloon (ON) . . . . . . 0:03:04

C2 Man/Fledgling I

1 Calvin Hassel (NE) / Shannon Hassel (NE) . . . . . . 0:02:39 2 Chad Swander (MI) / Jake Swander (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:02:52 3 Annie Ripton (NY) / Glen Vandewinckel (NY) . . . 0:03:01

C2 Woman/Fledgling II

1 Kenneth Faloon (ON) / Joanna Faloon (ON) . . . . . 0:02:45

C2 Man/Fledgling II 1 2 3 4 5

Calvin Hassel (NE) / Levi Hassel (NE) . . . . . . . . . 0:02:39 Joe Johnson (MI) / Lilly Johnson (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:40 Stan Machacek (ON) / Robert Simpson (ON) . . . . 0:02:50 Josie Swander (MI) / Chad Swander (MI) . . . . . . . 0:02:53 Ray Healey (ON) / Zach Cordick (ON) . . . . . . . . . 0:03:15

C2 Woman/Bantam

1 Cindy McNett (ME) / Ariel McNett (ME) . . . . . . . 0:02:49

C2 Man/Bantam 1 2 3 4

Ariel McNett (ME) / Eric McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . 0:02:41 Rocky Caldwell (MO) / Brock Caldwell (MO) . . . 0:02:45 Joe Johnson (MI) / Alison Johnson (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:02:49 Randy Bailey (PA) / Austin Patton (PA) . . . . . . . . . 0:03:02

C2 Woman/Juvenile

1 Madelen Johnson (MI) / Liz Johnson (MI) . . . . . . . 0:03:02

C2 Man/Juvenile 1 2 3 4

Frank Smutek (MI) / Brad Solak (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:34 Austin Phillips (MO) / Jim Short (MO) . . . . . . . . . 0:02:37 Leslie Ripton (NY) / Glen Vandewinckel (NY) . . . 0:02:54 Randy Boody (MI) / Nicole Boody (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:03:13

Below: Brad Solak and Frank Smutek cross the finishing line to win USCA sprint championship medals in the Man/Juvenile division

Oscoda Nationals, Tuesday, August 10

At 70, Luzerne paddler shows the way . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Frank Smutek has paddled a lot of miles but never made it to the national level. Until Tuesday. Above: Stan Machacek with Bob Allen just behind him, and Fritz Hansen behind Bob, in the C1 Man Veteran final. Machacek won the race. Allen came second and, being American, won the Championship. Nick Lyesiuk (off photo to the left) came third.

The 70-year-old Luzerne, MI paddler hooked up with his grandson Brad Solak of Traverse City, MI in a Þrst of sorts at the United States Canoe Association’s National Canoe & Kayak Championships on Van Etten Lake. Smutek, who still runs a repair shop in Oscoda County, and Solak paddled their way to one of six Michigan wins in the 500meter sprints. They Þnished in 2 minutes, 34 seconds to win the C2 Man/Juvenile event by three seconds over SpringÞeld, MO paddlers Jim Short and his grandson Austin Phillips. “First time in the Nationals,” said Smutek, completing his only race of the day and looking ahead to C1 and C2 Grand Veteran (60-and-over) marathon races on Friday and Sunday. “The Nationals are just all over the place and I’m a family-oriented man. “I don’t paddle with outsiders.” Smutek has made a habit of paddling with his kids, especially daughter Amy Solak and son Bill Smutek.

Above: Calvin Hassel with (right) Shannon Hassel and (left) Levi Hassel winning the C2 Man/Fledgling 1 and C2 Man/Fledgling II races respectively. Below: Ariel McNett with her dad, Eric, winning the C2 Man/Bantam Sprint Championship.

“I brought them up right from the start,” said Smutek, who has completed thirteen grueling Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Marathons and did not Þnish a few others. The veteran paddler, however, likes the long run over the twominute variety that he completed in on opening day of the USCA Nationals. “It was stressful because you have to go hard for that short distance,” said Smutek. “That’s the hard part of any race.” Smutek said he had paddled with his grandson but never in a race. “That’s the Þrst time, but we got in and paddled hard,” said Smutek. “It was fun.” The winning grandfather/grandson combo had to hold off a late kick by the Missourians.

Below: Young Austin Phillips with his youthful grandpa Jim Short cross the line to come second in the C2 Man/Juvenile race (see story to right).

“We were really sweating. We knew they were right beside us,” said Smutek. “And the other man was half my age and I Þgured he might sprint at the end. [Editorial note: that youthful-looking Missourian, Jim Short, chuckled when he heard this. He was then, in fact, 54 , and is now 55. Happy birthday, Jim]. “We wanted to get a one boat lead so he couldn’t catch us. He kicked it in and I kicked it in and we got our boat length back.” Smutek wasn’t the oldest competitor in the sprints today. That distinction went to 80-year-old Earl Baldwin of Orrington, ME. Baldwin came Þfth in a K1 Sea Kayak event. Smutek, who had to drop out of the AuSable Marathon last month due to stomach cramps, will paddle the C1 “short” marathon on Friday and regroup to paddle with Mio’s Al Widing Sr, 79, on Sunday.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Tuesday, August 10

No place like home for Michigan paddlers . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Mo Harwood and Eric Podjaske Þgured the United States Canoe Association’s 2004 Nationals were too close to home to pass up. So the young Grayling, MI paddlers went out Tuesday and did what they do best, stroke-by-stroke. In what turned out the fastest time in the USCA Canoe & Kayak Sprint Championships, the Grayling tandem captured the 500 meter C2 Men (open) race in 2 minutes, 14 seconds. It was the Þrst of six Michigan victories in the 16-state event. It was just enough, too — one second — to beat Grayling’s other up-and-coming duo of Ryan and Rod Halstead and St Petersburg, FL’s John Edwards and Rochester, NY’s Marc Gillespie. “I really thought Ryan and Rod were going to mess with us and then I thought we were all set until I looked over and the other guys crawling up on us,” said Harwood. “We were there, side-by-side right from the start,” said Rod Halstead. “But that’s good competition.” Harwood and Podjaske, river riders by trade, found Van Etten Lake water tougher to tread. “It’s kind of sucky out there, compared to the rivers,” said Harwood. “It was hard. “Some of those guys get out here are used to padding the lake and they’re taking it kind of easy and we’re paddling as hard as we can.” Harwood and Podjaske, who paddled just one sprint, are looking ahead to the weekend and a couple of marathon runs. “This is good competition,” said Harwood. “It’s a lot of different people we don’t see except at the Nationals. It’s pretty neat.” “We were hoping we could beat Mo and Eric and that was our goal, but I didn’t feel like our boat came up to the plane on the water,” said the younger Halstead, Ryan, 17, who later added to his collection of Nationals titles with a victory with Lapeer, MI’s Al Widing, Jr in the C2 Man/Junior event (2:19). Calvin Hassel of Grand Island, NE was a three-event winner, taking the C1 race in 2:24, just ahead of Gillespie (2:25). He also won the C2 Man/Fledgling I race with Þve-year old daughter Shannon (2: 39) and the C2 Man/Fledgling II with son Levi (2:39). “The Nationals have always been my big race,” said Hassel, 40. “And sometimes I’m the only one who represents Nebraska. “There’s actually strategy in the short run. You have to pace yourself and save some punch for the last 50 meters.” Hassel said he likes the family atmosphere of the Nationals, which is trying to added to its aging paddling population. “Michigan is one of the few states that really has it going good for the young guys,” said Hassel. “It’s about the only place.” The Nationals today feature biathlons, orienteering and outrigger six-man demonstration canoes in addition to sprints and marathons. Thursday’s action picks up with youth sprints on Van Etten Lake and Friday starts three days of marathon racing on the AuSable River. “I like the camaraderie,” said Menominee, MI’s Joe Johnson, who has paddled the Nationals since 1977. “You know everybody here.”

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Johnson paddled with his wife Liz and daughters, Alison, 11, and Madelen, 13. “I’m just trying to get my kids involved in something,” said Johnson. And keep the competitive Þres burning. “It’s highly competitive,” said Lynne Witte, a Michigan Canoe Racing Association board member who helped the Oscoda Area Chamber of Commerce bring the Nationals to Oscoda for the Þrst time since the early-1970s. “We think of the AuSable River Marathon as being big. Others think of the Nationals. It’s their focus.” Gillespie, who had also had two second place canoe efforts including one with his 19-year-old daughter Danielle in the C2 mixed, said there’s nothing like paddling in a national championship. He has competed for nearly two decades. “There’s nothing like the feeling of pushing the boat against the water and seeing how fast you can go,” said Gillespie, who resides in Rochester, NY. “Bikers like to go fast on the road, runners like to push through the wind, and we like to push through water. “It’s a feeling of working against some resistance and overcoming it.”

C2 Woman/Junior - no entries this year C2 Man/Junior 1 2 3 4 5

Ryan Halstead (MI) / Al Widing Jr. (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:02:19 Guy Flatley (CT) / Jonathon Flatley (CT) . . . . . . . 0:02:26 Cody Brown (AR) / Dick Plumlee (KS) . . . . . . . . . 0:02:29 Tracy Cramer (IA) / Ted Cramer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:43 Randy Boody (MI) / Jessica Pyne (MI) . . . . . . . . . 0:03:51

C2 Women

1 Pam Fitzgerald (NY) / Joanna Faloon (CAN) . . . . 0:02:32 2 Karen Levitt (NH) / Kathy Manizza (CT) . . . . . . . 0:02:36 (USCA National Champions) 3 Danielle Gillespie (NY) / Holly Reynolds (NY) . . 0:02:38 4 Kaitlyn McElroy (ME) / Priscilla Reinertsen (NH) 0:02:43 5 Lisa Cordick (ON) / Judy Jeanes (PA) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:51 6 Nicole Boody (MI) / Jessica Pyne (MI) . . . . . . . . . 0:03:46

C2 Women Master

1 Cindy McNett (ME) / Colleen Moore (ME) . . . . . . 0:02:29 2 Karen Simpson (ON) / Lynne Witte (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:02:41

C2 Women Senior - no entries this year C2 Women Veteran - no entries this year C2 Men 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Mo Harwood (MI) / Erich Podjaske (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:02:14 Ryan Halstead (MI) / Rod Halstead (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:02:15 John Edwards (FL) / Marc Gillespie (NY) . . . . . . . 0:02:15 Guy Flatley (CT) / Jonathon Flatley (CT) . . . . . . . 0:02:28 Frank Farwell (WI) / Ted Farwell (WI) . . . . . . . . . 0:02:31 David Buckley (IL) / Ben Josefik (IL) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:32 Nicholas M. Josefik (IL) / Ryan Stephens (IL) . . . . 0:02:33

C2 Men Master

1 Randy Bailey (PA) / Steve Martin (PA) . . . . . . . . . 0:02:21 2 Mark McDaniel (NY) / Bill Robinson (NY) . . . . . . 0:02:31

C2 Men Senior 1 2 3 4 5

Bruce Byrnes (MI) / Dick Plumlee (KS) . . . . . . . . 0:02:23 Charlie Bruno (PA) / Ted Cramer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:25 Jim Dipelesi (NY) / Larry Liquori (NY) . . . . . . . . . 0:02:25 Joe Johnson (MI) / Ev Crozier (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:32 Philip Soule (ME) / Ralph Vincent (VT) . . . . . . . . 0:02:32

Oscoda Nationals, Tuesday, August 10 Pam Fitzgerald and Joanna Faloon winning the C2 Women sprint race. Faloon being Canadian, the US National title went to Karen Levitt and Kathy Manizza.

C2 Men Veteran

1 Nick Lyesiuk (MA) / Stan Machacek (ON) . . . . . . 0:02:26 2 Bob Allen (MA) / Mike Johnson (MT) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:27 (USCA National Champions) 3 Glen Vandewinckel (NY) / Forest Haines (MI) . . . 0:02:32 4 Dale Newton (MI) / Laverne Young (FL) . . . . . . . . 0:02:35 5 Philip Soule (ME) / Don Wescott (ME) . . . . . . . . . 0:02:41 6 Ron Raynak (MI) / Ron Hohman (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:46

C2 Mixed

Karen Levitt and Kathy Manizza catching Holly Reynolds and Danielle Gillespie to win the C2 Women sprint title.

1 John Edwards (FL) / Joanna Faloon (ON) . . . . . . . 0:02:19 2 Marc Gillespie (NY) / Danielle Gillespie (NY) . . . 0:02:19 (USCA National Champions) 3 Eric McNett (ME) / Cindy McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . 0:02:21 4 Randy Bailey (PA) / Holly Reynolds (NY) . . . . . . 0:02:27 5 Judy Jeanes (PA) / Ted Cramer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:29 6 Liz Johnson (MI) / Joe Johnson (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:33 7 Ray Thiel (CT) / Kaitlyn McElroy (MA) . . . . . . . . 0:02:34 8 Karen Levitt (NH) / Tom Walton (NH) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:35 9 Ray Healey (ON) / Lisa Cordick (ON) . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:01 10 Randy Boody (MI) / Nicole Boody (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:03:26

C2 Mixed Master

1 Karen Simpson (ON) / Stan Machacek (ON) . . . . . 0:02:29 2 Kathy Manizza (CT) / Tom Thomas (IN) . . . . . . . 0:02:35 (USCA National Champions) 3 Robert Bradford (MI) / Priscilla Reinersten (NH) . 0:02:38 4 Pam Fitzgerald (NY) / Nick Lyesiuk (MA) . . . . . . 0:02:40 5 Pat Richardson (MI) / Forest Haines (MI) . . . . . . . 0:02:51

K1 Unlimited Woman

1 Kaitlyn McElroy (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:23 2 Ann Debrouwer (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:03 Colleen Moore and Cindy McNett winning the C2 Women Master sprint title.

K1 Unlimited Man 1 2 3 4 5

Craig Impens (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:05 Ron Kaiser (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:13 John D. Redos (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:21 Mike Lesnik (MT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:23 Mike Simoes (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:05:40

K1 Downriver Woman - no entries this year K1 Downriver Man 1 2 3 4 5 6

Craig Impens (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:10 Marc Gillespie (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:14 Ryan Stephens (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:15 Ron Kaiser (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:22 Michael Simoes (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:37 Nicholas M. Josefik (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:49

K1 Touring Woman Craig Impens leading Marc Gillespie and Ryan Stephens to win the K1 Downriver Man sprint title.

1 Ann Debrouwer (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:47 2 Pam Fitzgerald (NY) (USCA National Champion)0:03:18

K1 Touring Man

1 Maks Zupan (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:28 2 Tim Frantz (PA) (USCA National Champions) . . 0:02:47

K1 Sea Kayak Woman - no entries this year K1 Sea Kayak Man 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Steven A. Rosenau (NC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:16 Gary A. Ballina (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:31 John D. Redos (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:32 Robert Mandli (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:37 Earl Baldwin (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:57 Ben Josefik (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:07 Jim McDonald (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:25

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Wednesday, August 11

Orienteering on the AuSable . . . . Rod Matthews, Course Designer and Race Director Volunteering to head up the canoe orienteering competition, I had no idea what to expect. With no real experience in canoe orienteering, I knew I would have a great challenge trying to accomplish a course worthy of the USCA Nationals. My Þrst hurdle in this challenge was actually acquiring a good map of the lower AuSable River valley, the river itself, the dam impoundments, and nearby lakes, so I could lay out a good course for the competitors. After several boating and paddle trips, I made the decision to place the orienteering venue on the AuSable River, between Foote Dam and Lake Huron. I spent hours and several trips up and down the river trying to map all the possible landings, to use with the control points, the locations where each competitor punches a card to prove they have found the checkpoint. These must appear on the course map competitors receive. Feeling I would need more input setting up this course, I recruited a friend, Bob Kennedy, who volunteered his time to help me. Now that the newly formed “team” had experience with school children and land orienteering with Boy Scouts, we set about acquiring information on canoe orienteering to aid us in developing a course. That was both a challenge and an enjoyable exercise, as it turned out.

Above: Joe Webb studies the map at the start of the orienteering competition, Wednesday, while his partner, Brad Solak readies the boat. Volunteers Marie Matthews and Chris Lovelace stand close by (with Connie Astrom and JD Hock back by the car). Below: Max Rimer and orienteering partner Stephanie Solak set off from the bank. Those C1 paddlers in the background are Porky Baker and Paul Dyka. Photos courtesy and ©2004 Marcia Rimer

Our course would consist of 16 control points and let the competitors enjoy about six miles of the AuSable River. There were areas where portaging would be an allowable option, to shorten paddling, around ox bows. Competitors could also take advantage of foot trails beside the river’s edge to shorten their paddle time. This meant the paddlers could get to some control points without having to move their canoe. The competition went well with the Þrst Þnishers coming in around 2 hours 30 minutes. The last, rained upon, cold paddlers, Þnished close to 4 hours 15 minutes. Competitors liked the course, though some said it was LONG. We had a great turn out for this event with 16 canoes or kayaks starting the race. One team pulled out because a hole in their canoe was letting in water too fast to manage. Another boat pulled out after Þnding 8 checkpoints, deciding that was good enough for them! The Þnish was close with the Þrst canoe only about Þve minutes ahead of the Þrst kayak. Although a long course, most competitors got out of their boats with smiles on their faces, and glad they had Þnished the course.

Below: Thoroughly wet after a three hour orienteering adventure which incorporated two unscheduled swims, Ryan Halstead and Melinda Rimer had a good time nonetheless in the USCA Orienteering Championships, where they came 4th in the C2 Mixed division.

Thanks for the opportunity to help with all the racing and competition the USCA brought to our community, Oscoda. Till we meet again, paddle hard!

Running Start Leads to Nationals Canoe Title . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer JJ Coté and Aims Coney ran away with the USCA National Orienteering Championship title — again. The Massachusetts paddlers used a rather unorthodox start-

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Wednesday, August 11 to-Þnish routine Wednesday to win their fourth consecutive title in the United States Canoe Association Canoe & Kayak Championship. The defending C2 Men champs carried their canoe for about a mile down River Road before launching on the AuSable River. The overland dash not only saved time for the champs, it covered their major weakness — paddling in a boat.

no idea what he was getting into. He just registered the day before while watching the canoe and kayak sprints. “I have an adventure race this weekend and I thought why not work on navigating for an hour or two and took four,” said Mielock, who was 10th in 3:32.46. “But I enjoyed it. “I’m sure I could have taken some more portages to cut off time, but not with this old heavy boat.”

“We have a controversial reputation of carrying the boat more compared to other people here,” said Coté. “The bottom line is that we’re just not good in paddling. Novice children could beat us.”

Grayling, MI’s Ryan Halstead, 17, and Horton, MI’s Melinda Rimer, 19, took an unexpected dip twice — once downstream and once upstream just before the Þnish. They wound up sixth in 3:04.03.

Coté, of Lunenburg, MA and Coney, of Stow, MA Þnished their most grueling Nationals orienteering course in 2 hours, 31 minutes and 25 seconds. It was nearly Þve minutes faster than the 62-year-old kayaker from West Billings, MT who took second place.

“It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be,” said Halstead. “And we must have hit something twice.” “We fought some, but survived,” said Rimer, Halstead’s girlfriend.

Mike Lesnik, in his Þrst orienteering effort on water, paddled almost all 12 miles of the river in his unlimited kayak.

Coté and Coney saved their best sprint for last. After hitting the last checkpoint, they stayed on land and snuck up behind the Þnish line to win.

“It was fun,” said Lesnik, who did some dry land orienteering about 30 years ago. “Map reading ... I’ve got the basic skills for that.

“The kayaker was just moving way faster than we were,” said Coté . “So we went back on the roads.”

“And about half the controls were real easy to see. I scratched bottom a couple of times and had to push myself off and it cost me a little time.” Lesnik said he also out-smarted himself and lost at least the margin of victory. He scouted the river a day earlier practicing for the K1 marathon on Friday, and thought he knew where the control point was. Instead it was hidden near an apple tree. “I was hoping to get the long-time champs,” said Lesnik. “But I thought it would be hanging on a dead snake up in the backwater and I paddled right by it because I was watching the shoreline and didn’t see it and I went too far.” Two of the 16 teams entered did not Þnish. Rod Matthews, who designed the difÞcult course, had racers start in two minute intervals and in different directions. Racers were given their maps 30 seconds before launching. “It had challenges in it,” said Matthews. “But it’s open for open-minded people. “You have to have the skills to read a map, and there were options for portaging and shortening up their distances.” Coté and Coney may have been the slowest team out there but they were crafty. From the start, they were the only ones running on land. Everyone else put their paddles in the water. “We just thought it might be quicker than going upstream and Þghting the current,” said Coté . “Those guys win most of the races,” said Matthews. “They’ve been studying aerial photos and maps for months. As soon as they knew it was on the river, they probably mapped out three different choices. “They knew what they were going to do long before the race started.” Some competitors like Kevin Mielock of East Tawas, MI had

“The USCA will change the rules,” said Bob Kennedy, an orienteering race ofÞcial. “The intent for the race is for it to be canoe orienteering and this has become more of a run for them.”

Orienteering Championship Results: C1 Woman - no entrants C1 Man 1 Dan Miernicki (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:49:41

C2 Junior Women - no entrants C2 Junior Men 1 Brad Solak (MI) / Joe Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dnf

C2 Women - no entrants C2 Men 1 Aims Coney (MA) / JJ Coté (MA) . . . . . . . . . . 2:31:25 2 Gary A Ballina (PA) / Earl Brimeyer (IA) . . . . 3:10:43 3 Martin Garry (IL) / David Buckley (IL) . . . . . . 3:25:49

C2 Mixed 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Dawn Morrison (IL) / Nick Josefik (IL) . . . . . . 2:45:15 Tammy Cox (IL) / Ben Josefik (IL) . . . . . . . . . 2:49:16 Pat Gardiner (MI) / Thomas Gardiner (MI) . . . 2:59:24 Melinda Rimer (MI) / Ryan Halstead (MI) . . . . 3:04:03 Lisa Cordick (ON) / Ray Healey (ON) . . . . . . . 3:11:15 Melissa Pennington (MO) / Doug Pennington (MO) 4:06:06 Stephanie Solak (MI) / Max Rimer (MI) . . . . . . . . . dnf

K1 Downriver Woman - no entrants K1 Downriver Man 1 Michael Simoes (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:22:05 2 Kevin Mielock (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:32:46

K1 Sea Kayak Woman - no entrants K1 Sea Kayak Man 1 Mike Lesnik (MT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:36:12 2 Earl Baldwin Jr (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:16:34

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Wednesday, August 11

Line up for the start of the 2004 National Biathlon Championship

The 2004 National Biathlon Championship

Iron Man

A Fun “unofÞcial” Race Event at USCA Championships

1 2 3 4 5

Zakk Havens (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:20:19 Joe Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:20:54 Jay Skinner (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:21:54 Nick Lyesiuk (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:23:06 Ted Matthews (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:25:41

3k run, 3k paddle, + a 100 yard sprint portage to Þnish

Iron Woman

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Walton

1 Janet Perry (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:25:59

The 2004 NBC enjoyed record-breaking participation on the shores of Van Etten Lake in Oscoda, MI Wednesday, August 11, 2004. Thirty-two athletes, from all over the US, participated in this fourth edition of the NBC. “Most gratifying, for me, was the local participation,” said race director Tom Walton. “Lyle Schultz, a local high school (and currently collegiate) Cross Country Harrier, ran away from the Þeld in the 3k portion of the run/paddle event.” Schultz and his teammate, Cassie Webb, garnered second place in the Mixed (two-person) “Tin” Division. The fan support of adoring friends and family were treated to fast action that played out on a circular running and paddling course. “Two young female running phenoms impressed the athletes and the crowd,” said Walton. Ariel McNett, from the state of Maine, and Kaitlyn McElroy, from Massachusetts, ran strongly.” Walton, from New Hampshire, and his partner, John Redos, from New Jersey, posted the fastest time of the day with 0:18:34. Terms: Iron classes - runners and paddlers, one and the same Tin classes - separate runners and paddlers

1 2 3 4 5

Iron Man Master

Steve Sleider (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:20:36 Peter Heed (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:21:50 Ralph Vincent (VT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:22:06 Ed Sharp (VA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:23:47 Phil Soule (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:25:52

Tin Men (two-person)

1 Tom Walton (NH) / John Redos (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . 0:18:34 2 Matt Gary (MI) / Cash Krajnik (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:21:16

Tin Women

1 Priscilla Reinertsen (NH) / Karen Levitt (NH) . . . . 0:22:34

Tin Mixed 1 2 3 4 5

Kaitlyn McElroy (MA) / Ray Thiel (CT) . . . . . . . . 0:19:55 Cassie Webb (MI) / Lyle Schultz (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:20:12 Ariel McNett (ME) / Eric McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . . 0:20:23 Miranda Robinson (NY) / Jon Santor (NY) . . . . . . 0:21:22 David Lewis (PA) / Judy Jeanes (PA) / Jackson the Dog (PA) 0:26:43

Tin Men Master

1 Larry Liquori (NY) / Jim Dipelesi (NY) . . . . . . . . . 0:21:38 2 Jerry Celmer (MI) / Roger Markert (MI) . . . . . . . . 0:25:35

Top Ten Overall 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tom Walton (NH) / John Redos (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . 0:18:34 Kaitlyn McElroy (MA) / Ray Thiel (CT) . . . . . . . . 0:19:55 Cassie Webb (MI) / Lyle Schultz (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:20:12 Zakk Havens (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:20:19 Ariel McNett (ME) / Eric McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . . 0:20:23 Steve Sleider (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:20:36 Joe Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:20:54 Matt Gary (MI) / Cash Krajnik (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:21:16 Miranda Robinson (NY) / Jon Santor (NY) . . . . . . 0:21:22 Larry Liquori (NY) / Jim Dipelesi (NY) . . . . . . . . . 0:21:38

Left: The blur: Lyle Schultz. Above: Kaitlyn McElroy just ahead of Tom Walton. Right: Ray Thiel and Kaitlyn McElroy finish up the paddling section in their victorious Tin Mixed division race

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Wednesday, August 11

Walton, Redos pair up for Biathlon Championship . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Tom Walton set up the biathlon course for the United States Canoe Racing Association Nationals Wednesday evening at Van Etten Lake. Then the 55-year-old Contoocook, NH athlete ran and did his part, and then watched as his partner John Redos from Phillipsburg, NJ did the rest in a kayak on the second day of the USCA Canoe & Kayak Championships. The pair completed the 3K run and 3K paddle in 18 mins, 34 secs, almost 90 seconds faster than any of the 26 other competitors. “It wasn’t bad, but there were a lot of weeds,” said Redos, catching his breath after dominating the second half of the event. “If I grabbed a weed, I had to be careful.” Redos said water course around several buoys two times didn’t feel like more than two kilometers. “It’s fun, but it’s also an all-out sprint and I don’t breathe this hard in a marathon,” said Redos, who competed in sprints on Tuesday and plans to race marathons on the weekend. Redos was also quick to credit his teammate. “Tom did the hard work,” said Redos. “I had the easy job. I didn’t want to let him down.” Walton, who organized the course, applauded each and every one to the Þnish line. “They all did a great job,” said Walton. Walton, who has set up the biathlons for four years and run them, said it’s not an easy event to do. “It’s really the sum total of two events and I know I couldn’t have run any faster,” said Walton. “The most difÞcult thing about a biathlon is transitioning.

Left: All manner of canoes and kaykakers, canoers and kayakers, turned out for Tom Walton’s National Biathlon Championship. That’s no surprise. It’s a lot of fun. Pictured above is the transition stage from running to paddling. Jay Skinner of Warren, PA in his kayak heads out just ahead of Oscodans Cash Crajnik and Matt Gary. Heading into the water behind them, with his C1, is fellow Michigander Joe Webb. Photo © 2004 and courtesy of Will Arts & Tech – available for purchase: see their ad on page 9.

“It’s getting the blood where you need it. If you run as hard as you can and you jump into the boat, you have to get the blood back up into your chest and back.” Eleven individuals did the biathlon solo. Sixteen others shared duties with partners. Eric McNett, of Topsham, ME shared the event with his 12-yearold daughter Ariel. They Þnished fourth in the mixed division. “I run a little bit at home,” said Ariel, who started the race and then turned it over to her dad who paddled a canoe the rest of the race. “It was fun.” “I think Ariel had the hard part,” said Eric, who tried to take a shortcut by running along the shoreline before jumping out of his boat. Unfortunately there was a big drop-off and he lost his balance and time. “Some shortcut!” said McNett. “But when I got it going, I passed four or Þve boats. It was still huge fun.” Earlier in the day, paddling enthusiasts got a chance to participate in Outrigger Canoe demonstrations: OC6 (six-person) and OC1. “Outrigger is just one way to get more families out,” said John Edwards, executive director of the USCA. Edwards brought up two boats from St Petersburg, FL “People think they are big water boats, but they’re good for a team sport or for club-building. You can put parents and kids in this boat and they can all race together. It’s seldom families get a chance to do something like that.”

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Thursday, August 12

Youth Sprints . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Ryan Halstead and Max Rimer subscribed to the break but didn’t bend principle Thursday during the United States Canoe Association Nationals on Van Etten Lake. The Michigan junior canoers teamed up for a C2 victory in the Canoe & Kayak Championships despite Rimer breaking a paddle early in the 500-meter sprint. While Rimer, 16, of Horton, MI was examining his broken paddle, Halstead had to quickly get back in his boat and repeat the routine in the C1 Junior sprint. The winning effort included another paddle break for Halstead, a 17year-old Grayling, MI canoeing phenom. “It was a hard day,” said Halstead, who added two Nationals titles to his rapidly growing collection. “Yesterday the orienteering took a lot out of me, and then to paddle almost back-to-back races, it’s really tough. “I’m tired, but that’s what makes tough paddlers.” The broken paddle, that’s just part of racing, Halstead said. “I just got pinched between boats,” said Halstead. “It was no biggie.” Rimer agreed, although he’s never seen a paddle with three breaks before, yet alone had to use it. “I’ve hit other competitors’ bows before, but never broke a paddle that big,” said Rimer. “I only hit their bow once and I got three holes in it! “The boat behind us came up and got a little too close and hit my paddle.” Although Rimer didn’t have time to grab an extra paddle in the boat, he didn’t need one as Michigan’s Zakk Havens and Connecticut’s John Flatley and Georgians Joe Carillo and David Cohen caught, but could not pass them. “I was hurting a bit and I thought they were going to pass us and we’d be in trouble,” said Rimer. “But they didn’t.” “We’ve never raced a canoe before,” said Carillo, an Olympic kayaker in training. “We were just trying to get the boat straight for the Þrst part, and then gave it all we had.” Halstead, who won the C1 event in 2 minutes, 42 seconds, and Rimer Þnished the team race in 2:31, one tick better than their competitors. The two wins were among 10 for Michigan paddlers during the 17 different sprint events. Homer, MI’s Rebecca Barton, 14, took the C1 Juvenile Woman 500 sprint (3:13) by a whopping 46 seconds. “It wasn’t that hard,” said Barton. “I thought at least one girl would be close, but there was no competition really.” Newaygo, MI’s Nicole Boody, who went for an unexpected dip in the 500 but got back up and Þnished (10:37), regrouped to win the C2 Juvenile Woman event with Fairport, NY’s Kendra Schirmuhly. “I got rammed in the C1 race and I tipped over,” said Boody, a four-time Nationals competitor. “But I didn’t care as long as I Þnished it.” Hubbard Lake, MI’s Joe Webb, who teamed up with Traverse City’s Brad Solak for the C2 juvenile man title (2:44), nearly gave Michigan two more victories. But he got beat in a photo Þnish by SpringÞeld, MO’s Austin Phillips in the C1 event and

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Above: The C2 Junior sprint with, far left, Joe Carillo and David Cohen, and on the right, Max Rimer with Ryan Halstead (who won the event) abreast of Jonathon Flatley and Zakk Havens.

Above: Ryan Halstead ahead of Jon Santor in the C1 Junior Championship

Above: Joe Webb and Brad Solak paddling in the C2 Juvenile Male class. Below: Chad Cannon (in front) and his brother Owen Cannon who came, respectively, first and third in the C1 Fledgling 1 race.

Oscoda Nationals, Thursday, August 12

Above: Jon Santor and Miranda Robinson a length and a half ahead of Brad Solak and Rebecca Barton (3rd) in the C2 Mixed Youth Open race, which they won by four seconds over Joe Webb and Cassie Webb (2nd).

Above: Miranda Robinson and Cassie Webb decisively winning the C2 Junior Women sprint title.

fell just short with sister Cassie (2:41) in the mixed open race to New Yorkers Miranda Robinson and Jon Santor (2:37). “When the race started, I was sitting there thinking Joe is going to be fast and kick it up when he gets half way,” said Phillips, 15. “But I picked it up at the end and it was a heckuva sprint.” “I really don’t know what happened,” said Joe Webb. “I thought I could get him.” Cassie Webb, 17, teamed up with Robinson to win the C2 Junior Woman race (2:50). Cassie then lost the individual junior battle to Robinson (3:04-3:13). “Cassie gave me a run for the money in two races and then helped me in another,” said Robinson, who posted three wins on the day. The Nationals sprint events drew very few girls and Robinson and Webb didn’t know why. “There were a lot more last year,” said Robinson. “We must have scared them away.” Cassie Webb noted there were a few missing, but it didn’t matter. She was glad to be racing her Þrst Nationals in her backyard. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Cassie Webb. “It’s really cool to be on home water.” OfÞcials for the USCA and Michigan Canoe Racing Association, which ran the races, said Thursday’s sprints were competitive, but mostly fun. Especially for some Þrst-time racers, like Lauren McNett, of Topsham, ME. “Lauren almost started with the C2 paddlers until her father called out to her,” said Lynne Witte, an MCRA race ofÞcial. “She didn’t know the difference. The older they get, the more competitive they are. But for the younger kids, it really doesn’t matter. This is an introduction to canoeing. It’s supposed to be fun.” Wausau, WI’s Peter Limberg, a C2 Bantam champ, agreed. “I could care less if I won or lost,” said Limberg, who teamed up with fellow Wausau, WI native Ben Hugus for a victory. “We come to Nationals every year to meet our friends.”

C1 Fledgling I 1 2 3 4 Above right: Zachary Cordick (chasing Joshua Fridstrom hard) in the C1 Fledgling II sprint. Josh is in the photo on the left. Below: The fabulous Fridstroms: Josh and Jennifer, with four medals apiece. These two were part of the awesome crew for Gareth Stevens and Al DuBois in the AuSable River Canoe Marathon a couple of weeks earlier.

Chad Cannon (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:39.5 Claire Stout (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:42.8 Owen Cannon (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03:19.3 Annie Ripton (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04:02.1

C1 Fledgling II 1 2 3 4

Joshua Fridstrom (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:06.0 Zach Cordick (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:10.2 Lauren McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:25.2 Robert Simpson-Spook (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:29.6

C1 Bantam 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ben Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:01:26 Mark Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:01:52 Madelen Johnson (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:01:55 Courtney Miller (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:01:59 Austin Patton (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:00 Peter Limberg (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:05 Jennifer Fridstrom (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:05 Cody Jenkins (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:09 Kelton Jenkins (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:15 Ariel McNett (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:18

C1 Juvenile Female

1 Rebecca Barton (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:13 2 Kendra Schirmuhly (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:59 All photos on this page © 2004 and courtesy of Will Arts & Tech – available for purchase: see their ad on page 9.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Thursday, August 12 3 Gail Kowsky (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:09 4 Leslie Ripton (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:36 5 Nicole Boody (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:10:37

C1 Juvenile Male

1 Austin Phillips (MO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:51 2 Joe Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:51

C1 Junior Woman

1 Miranda Robinson (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:04 2 Cassie Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:13 3 Tracy Cramer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:19

C1 Junior Man 1 2 3 4 5 6

Ryan Halstead (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:42 Jonathon Santor (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:44 Zakk Havens (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:47 Jonathon Flatley (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:49 Cody Brown (AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:55 Ben Diller (MD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:02

Above: Left to right, C1 Junior Women: Miranda Robinson, Cassie Webb, and Tracy Cramer

C2 Fledgling I

1 Chad Cannon (MI) / Owen Cannon (MI) . . . . . . . . 02:25.1 2 Gareth Faloon (ON) / Annie Ripton (NY) . . . . . . . 03:22.2

C2 Fledgling II

1 Kenneth Faloon (ON) / Josh Fridstrom (MI) . . . . . 0:01:59 2 Zach Cordick (ON) / Robert Simpson (ON) . . . . . . 0:02:31 3 Gareth Faloon (ON) / Claire Stout (PA) . . . . . . . . . 0:04:25

C2 Bantam 1 2 3 4 5 6

Peter Limberg (WI) / Ben Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . . 01:29.3 Cale Tuszynski (MI) / Bradan Tuszynski (MI) . . . . 01:35.7 Mark Hugus (WI) / Madelen Johnson (MI) . . . . . . 01:42.0 Jennifer Fridstrom (MI) / Joshua Fridstom (MI) . . 01:49.1 Cody Jenkins (OH) / Kelton Jenkins (OH) . . . . . . . 01:50.9 Matt Wojciechowski (MI) / Patrick Tallman (MI) . 01:56.0

C2 Juvenile Female

Above: Annie Ripton and Gareth Faloon in C2 Fledgling I Below: Decisively winning the C2 Bantam championship, Peter Limberg and Ben Hugus, half a second from the finishing line.

1 Nicole Boody (MI) / Kendra Schirmuhly (NY) . . . 0:03:29 2 Leslie Ripton (NY) / Jenn Fridstrom (MI) . . . . . . . 0:04:33

C2 Juvenile Male

1 Brad Solak (MI) / Joe Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:44

C2 Junior Women

1 Miranda Robinson (NY) / Cassie Webb (MI) . . . . . 0:02:50 2 Tracy Cramer (IA) / Jennifer Pennington (MO) . . . 0:03:14

C2 Junior Man 1 2 3 4 5

Ryan Halstead (MI) / Max Rimer (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:31 Zakk Havens (MI) / John Flatley (CT) . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:32 Joseph Carillo (GA) / David Cohen (GA) . . . . . . . 0:02:32 Ben Diller (MD) / Steve Diller (MD) . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:50 Cody Brown (AR) / Austin Phillips (MO) . . . . . . . 0:10:47

C2 Mixed Youth Open 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Miranda Robinson (NY) / Jon Santor (NY) . . . . . . 0:02:37 Joe Webb (MI) / Cassie Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:41 Rebecca Barton (MI) / Brad Solak (MI) . . . . . . . . . 0:02:44 Cody Brown (AR) / Jenn Pennington (MO) . . . . . . 0:03:02 Tracy Cramer (IA) / Max Rimer (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:04 Nicole Boody (MI) / Ben Diller (MD) . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:07 Leslie Ripton (NY) / Ken Faloon (ON) . . . . . . . . . 0:04:08

Below: The two kayak participants in the Youth Sprints day. To the left (in this composite photo) is Austin Patton, and to the right is Gail Kowsky.

K1 Downriver Junior Woman

1 Gail Kowsky (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:43

K1 Downriver Junior Man

1 Austin Patton (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:39

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Thursday, August 12

Demos speak louder than words . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer And with seating for up to six paddlers, ofÞcials for the United States Canoe Assocation’s Nationals turned competitive outrigger canoeing into a demonstration spectator sport on one hut. “Think of an outrigger as a 400-pound, big canoe,” said New England outrigger paddler Guy Flatley, of Connecticut. “The key is for everybody to be in sync to make it go. “I had a lighter paddle so I was going a little quicker than some of the others in the boat.” Competitors and non-competitors were given a chance to jump in the boat with experts steering for a trial run on Van Etten Lake. One night, even families and friends of local sponsors St. Joseph Health System, Land American Transnation, Independent Bank, CruseCom Technology Consultants and North East Michigan Credit Unions Marketing Alliance and other businesses got a chance to demonstrate their skills. In all, 28 community teams splashed their way around Van Etten Lake. State Farm Insurance won the heated battled over Ace Hardware, posting a winning time of 2 minutes, 59 seconds. “It was really neat to get the kids out there and paddling,” said Flatley. “I think everybody in this town got in one and had fun.” St. Joseph Health System, the Nationals’ Presenting Sponsor, had 11 teams. The Tawas City hospital group used the demo racing event as a team-building concept. Its Hippa Billing team, an allwomen’s team with an average age over 40, was third overall in 3:10. “It was a real thrill,” said Mike Kapusta, communication and outreach services director whose team Þnished somewhere in the back of the Þeld but was pleased that the junior outreach team, the No. 1 all-kids team, Þnished ahead of them in 18th (3:45.1). “The folks were excited and ßying around here for at least two or three days after the event. “It was a very successful team building experience. One of the best we’ve had in the health system in a long time.” In addition to the demos, there were two teams in outrigger marathon on the AuSable River. One captained by Australia’s Tony Bond Þnished in 1 hour, 48 minutes and 15 seconds. The other, captained by Ron Deters, of Duluth, MN Þnished in 1:48.39. In sprint competitions held on Van Etten Lake, there were two six-person teams, four single-man racers and three single-woman competitors. The United States Canoe Association sanctions outrigger races, but during Nationals the competition is somewhat laid-back as the more competitive paddlers opt for canoe or kayak, single- or two-person races. John Edwards, USCA’s executive director, for example, brought in two boats for the event. The boats were named Kaua’i and Silver Barracudas. “We were a little disappointed,” said Tave Lamperez, USCA Nationals coordinator. “We were hoping full teams would come prepared, but we had only two teams in the marathon. We’re going to have to re-evaluate.” Lamperez said the sprints drew more interest, partly because they were held on deeper water and because they were held on day devoted mostly to youth sprints race. “The sprints seem to be a little more popular than the marathon

version,” said Lamperez. “Outriggers like being on big, lake water.” “It’s a neat way to expose groups of people to outriggers,” said Ron Deters, who put together a team that Þnished second in the marathon event. “It’s a little harder to steer and timing is imperative.” Deters said his canoe club in the Duluth-Superior area is just getting going in the outrigger races. “The good thing is that anybody — good paddlers and new paddlers — can get in the same boat,” said Deters. “And in some of the older boats, you can get two or three kids can just sit on the back of a seat so they don’t take up a paddler’s position.” Deters said racing in the bigger boat can be tricky. “It’s like a Þre engine, you have to keep Þne-tuning,” said Deters. Because the paddlers are spread out over a long distance than in smaller canoes, communication is harder. “It’s hard to talk with the wind and waves and It’s easy to miss the hut,” said Deters. “So we’ll usually have somebody toward the middle will call huts. “Everybody that hears the hut yells, ‘Ho!’ on the next stroke. That way we can be sure that everyone hears the command — and then they all switch.”

Sponsors Event 500 Outrigger Sponsors Canoe Race Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:02:59 Ace Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:08 Hippa Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:10 Truley Yours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:11 Charter Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:16 SJHS Admin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:18 Oscoda Fire Dept. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:19 Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:26 Hostice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:30 ITT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:31 Ausable Townshp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:32 First Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:33 Odd Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:34 Oscoda Twnshp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:36 Crusecom Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:41 Crusecom Tech Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:43 Homecare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:45 Jr. Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03:45.1 Nemicuma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:52 Independence Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:03:54 St. Joseph Communication Outreach . . . . . . . . . 0:03:58 St. Joseph Med. Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:03 St. Joseph HR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:03 St. Joseph Cardiac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:04 United Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:06 OCC Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:13 Oscoda Area Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:20 St. Joseph Physical Spec., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:04:42

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

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Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Paddling Clinic, Thursday, August 12

Kolka and Barton Nationals Paddling Clinic For Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet Perry Shortly after the youth sprints events on Thursday evening, Jeff Kolka and Bruce Barton offered paddling pointers to youth paddlers. The site of the lessons was 100 yards from headquarters, in a small, white, powerless pavilion on the beach of the lake. The vehicles spilled into the roads and onto the adjacent Þeld at the site. A casual observer might believe that Kolka and Barton were swamped with youth eager for paddling wisdom from two of the best. That wasn’t the case. The cars had transported local business groups to the outrigger sprints. The teachers shifted their feet, shoved their hands deep into their pockets, and shrugged off the unseasonably chilled damp, muttering amiably as darkening clouds rolled slowly towards us across the lake. Nearby, kitted out for some serious racing, yet Þlling with rainwater, a 3x27 carbon Þber canoe lay forlornly in the grass. The scheduled start time came and went. Bruce stomped the ground, Jeff hopped from one foot to the other, it drizzled. No kids. The men waited patiently. Their only payment for the trouble of being there was knowing they might make paddling less mysterious to another generation. If they didn’t wait, they’d go home empty-handed. Roxanne Barton arrived, warmth and cheerfulness emanating from her as it always does. She’s wife to Bruce, daughter to June and Augie Triebold, sister to Tim, aunt to the ubiquitous Andy). “Thought I’d see if I could learn a pointer or two about how to paddle better,” she joked — but only by half. Most of the best paddlers in the world are this self-effacing. Anything can happen during a race, especially if it’s over two hours long; so, even the best paddlers know they can lose. It’s only the non-racers who truly believe the best marathon paddling are gods. If this year taught us anything, the lesson was that all marathon paddlers are only mortal. Ten minutes past the start time, two young people and their parents dripped in with the rain. As soon as they could, they huddled closely on the picnic benches for warmth. Bruce began. He went through a list of topics he and Jeff would cover. First, they’d go over good stroke technique. Second, they would talk about what made a good workout plan for the entire year. Third, they would discuss partnering. Bruce discussed the phases of a good forward stroke. He sat down on the edge of a bench and demonstrated the phases with a bentshaft carbon paddle – catch, power phase and recovery. Bruce went over the details of each phase. First, the catch (when your paddle Þrst enters the water): good reach of the blade forward with proper body rotation, a clean entry with a powerful commitment to the catch. Second, the power phase: strongly following through on the catch by rotating your body so that the boat is propelled forward (instead of the blade just sucking water). Three, a clean exit at the hip and recovery to the catch. Jeff mentioned that the most noticeable ßaw in stroke technique in 80% of paddlers is not doing a clean exit. Most pull out late, causing drag.

“Either they pull out too far back, they pull out with a little j-stroke, or they lift water. Those things put a little brake on forward glide. You want to avoid that. The best way to correct it is to pull the paddle blade clean out when your hand reaches your knee.” Another less frequent ßaw that Jeff and Bruce mentioned was to fail to commit to the catch. As Jeff described it, “You should about pull yourself out of your seat on the catch — putting all your weight on that handle right on the catch. You’re not pulling your paddle through the water, you’re pulling your boat past your blade. So, you’re planting that blade and moving the canoe forward.” Bruce went over the phases several times as another two kids and their parents Þltered into the pavilion. Jeff kept delivering the details so that all the kids got the same advantages. Bruce then asked for questions with precisely the same patient but real interest at the end of each delivery. It was clear the two men wanted the kids to learn something. Even though the students were late, they were not out of luck. Questions came up about details of stroke technique. A parent asserted that the draw was different, as it’s a stern steering stroke. Jeff pointed out that all the strokes should have a clean entry, a committed power phase, a clean exit and an efÞcient recovery. Moreover, “Uh, for steering I don’t use the draw as much as some people do. I use a little push…like a very shallow-angled sweep on the stern. That seems to work best for me, especially when you’re paddling on the same side for a curve on the bank or you’re riding wake and you need a correction, or you’re doing buoy turns. “In any stroke, though, you need to have the same quality technique to be really effective. You shouldn’t be sloppy with any.” He considered this, looked at Bruce, and Bruce nodded. Jeff continued, “We should say that any marathon paddler should do every stroke well; but we usually use four: the forward stroke, the sweep, the draw, and the [bow or stern] rudder.” Add to this the crossbow rudder, a stroke used often by Minnesotan paddlers and other pockets of paddlers all over the country, and you have a great collection of strokes for more than just races. Thus, by 20 minutes into the clinic, the attending young people had more information than most — merely about stroke phases! Next, Bruce asked the little team what they did during the winter. The activities listed were diverse. Bruce approved all of the following: dancing, cross-country (track), skiing, swimming, basketball, ice-skating, hockey, other team sports (where they played and didn’t sit on the bench). Bruce thought these were great, because, “If you paddle for six months of the year, and then sit around for six months of the year, you’ll do OK in paddling, but you won’t make the jump [in other words, see any improvement in your performance].” Jeff, an avid off-canoe-season basketball player, added, “All those sports keep you Þt, also it’s training that contributes to canoeing.” “For instance, you might think that cheerleading can’t contribute, or that dance seems to have no relation to paddling,” Bruce continued, “But, they both have to perform gymnastic moves, which need great core muscle training.” One of the parents asked which weights to use, and which might be destructive for children from age 9 to the end of their teens. Bruce replied, “There are many ways to lift weights,” and proceeded to encourage people to understand various “non-weighted” callisthenic exercises as weight training.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Paddling Clinic, Thursday, August 12 Therefore, he included pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and Pilates regimens as power conditioning, because these exercises make you lift the your own body weight. According to Jeff and Bruce, if a kid is weight-lifting, he or she should use the same caution as an adult to guard against injury. Train with a partner or coach, start and build slowly, and use repetitions to mark your improvement. Thus, lifting a 100 lb weight once is less effective in the long term than lifting a 20 lb weight 5 times, or doing other repetition exercises. A common repetition set is an 8/10/12 set. This is where you do a move, such as a bicep curl, 8 times, then rest half to a full minute, then do 10 lifts, then rest, then do 12 lifts. You know you need more weight (usually at 1 to 3 lb increments is OK) when you Þnish the 12 section without feeling that you may not make the last 8 counts. Weight training has to be a challenge to effect improved strength. One of the adults used the word “conditioning” to mean “weighttraining”. The men corrected this by stating that aerobic training, weight training and technique training are all conditioning. All forms of training condition your body to perform physical tasks at improving levels of strength, cardiovascular capacity and skill. Winter training carries into summer training, Bruce says, “You should maintain a slight bit of weight training over the summer paddling season, say two times a week or so, to be sure you maintain your strength. Next, Bruce and Jeff talked about how to train through the canoe season. They advised starting the season with longer, easier paddles with very short intervals. This was to build endurance while working on stroke technique. Going easy helped set your stroke and get coordinated with your partner; the interval was to test your technique at fast speeds. Bruce also advised one speciÞc goal in every race, “You’ve gotta be the fastest canoe sometime during any race. This gives you the feel of being the Þrst, and reinforces that you can be Þrst as long as you have the will to do it. At this point, questions were encouraged — mostly to warm up the students. Q. Do we need to choose between kayak, canoe, outrigger or voyageur paddling? A. From Bruce, “Try all of it! It’s all paddling. Any paddling will help you improve your paddling. The reason you see people staying in one kind of paddling is mainly because there is only so much time to train. If you want to be the best in any of them, of course you’ll choose, but that doesn’t mean you have to do only one kind of paddling for ever.” Q. (From a parent) How many strokes should you take on each side when you’re canoeing? A. Both Bruce and Jeff: A good guide is from 7 to 12 strokes in a C2, or 3 to 4 in a C1. Be careful to steer the canoe properly in the direction you need to go. Lots of things affect the number of strokes — wind, the curves in the river, the trim of your weight in the canoe, water movement, waves, and wake-riding. Sometimes you may need to do things to keep you and/or your partner from getting tired, like paddling on the same side, one partner steering off the line to even out the strokes on each side, or using strokes besides just the forward stroke to steer. The main thing is to do what’s needed to keep the boat moving well. Q. What is “cavitating”? (Bruce used this word earlier to describe

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

how to know if you have a poor stroke technique at either the catch or the exit phase.) A. “Cavitation” is when your paddle enters the water so that it pulls down air, causing a sucking and making a “plop”. It means you’re not moving the canoe as well as you could. Instead, you’re just moving water. Q. (Again, a parent) The best wake to ride is the stern wake, right? A. Both Jeff and Bruce: Riding a wake is always good if you can rest while you do it, even if you need different skills to make it work. There are bow, stern and side wakes to ride. BOW WAKE: A bow wake is the wake off the bow of a canoe or kayak. To ride it you are usually in front of and to the side the wakemaking canoe, with the wake just under or behind your bow seat, under the second half of the canoe, or under or behind your stern seat. Sometimes you get a nice bow wake in shallow water even if you’re way out ahead of the boat that’s following you, too. You’re pulling both canoes along, but you’re getting a ride, too. STERN WAKE: A stern wake is off the stern of the canoe or kayak in front of you, it can be a big wave sometimes, or just a little dip. If you get your bow as close as you can to the stern of that canoe you’re following, it can feel like you’re getting a downhill ride. However, if that team picks up and you’re in shallows, you have to go hard to keep the wake, and if you fall even a little way off of it, you’ll have an uphill battle that feels like a hard sprint (it’s like paddling in thick mud, while dragging a piano). SIDE WAKE: A side wake can be any of several small waves off the middle of a canoe or kayak which you’re riding side-by-side, nearly nose-to-nose. It’s a great way to ride, especially if you’re the middle boat in a pack of three, because you get to ride TWO wakes! But you’d better steer well because the other boats seldom have the same speed or angle as you or as compared with each other — so pay attention! You have to be close enough to get the wake under the middle of your canoe, not so close that the wake pulls you into crashing with the canoe you’re riding. Also, you need to be careful not to ride too

Paddling Clinic, Thursday, August 12 [on a downstream buoy], or across the stream above the buoy [on an upstream buoy], so that your bow is right on the buoy by the time you’ve turned. Q. Cross-bow or bow rudder? A. Both: Both work well. Bruce: Make sure your paddle shaft is perpendicular to the water surface, though, and that your blade is planted all the way in the water. Commit to it, but don’t stick your blade onto the boat itself, or in you go. [Roxanne: And you become the buoy.] Keep your blade away from the bow of the boat. Q. (Another parent): What’s the best marathon paddling strategy? A. Both: The strategy that wins! But really… Jeff: In every race, you should always do what you can to increase your partner’s power and energy on the water. Try to really make sure your stroke matches, and that you don’t create drag. Bruce: You also want to keep the power going all the way through that stroke, there shouldn’t be more power at the catch and less when you exit. Keep that stroke going all the way and out of the water before you start your follow through. Another thing is that you really need to sprint at the start. Make sure you’re set up to go well at the start of any race and you have a chance to make any effort during the race mean something.

far away from the side wake because it can shove you right off all the wakes. Q. How far is too far, and how close is too close? A. Jeff: Too close is banging into the other boat. Bruce: Too far is falling off their wake. Q. How can you tell? A. Both, simultaneously: You have to feel it. Jeff: There’s no better way to say it, because if the water level changes, the distance between you should change. If there are waves, the distance changes again; wind, it changes once more. If you’re on the inside or outside of a curve, the distance changes again, and again. Aside, by Roxanne: And, if your boat isn’t trim, you can forget it. Q. Is there an etiquette to follow when you’re wake-riding, about who leads the direction of the pack? A. Jeff: You’d like to think so, wouldn’t you? [Everyone laughs. What Jeff means is that we should all try to be courteous in life, period; but in the heat of battle, it’s hard to know what’s going on in anyone’s boat, let alone what’s happening in their head, or whether they’re just losing it mentally or physically. The best you can do is try to forgive them their idiocy if they seem discourteous. You won’t always succeed, either, so they’ll have to forgive you for that.] Q. Is there a speciÞc way to do buoy turns? A. Both: No, honestly. One good pointer to keep in mind is when you’re in fast current and the buoy is in the mainstream, you want to be sure to go past the upstream side of an upstream buoy and get the canoe turned before the current pushes you sideways and downstream. Same thing with a downstream buoy in fast current. You want to start the turn upstream of the buoy so that by the time you get around it, you’re not pushed very far downstream. Otherwise, make sure you’re a little away from the buoy, about a boat length, before you start your turn, and try not to do the rudder too soon. Usually, you can start the rudder in dead water about 10 to 20 feet away from the buoy, so that you are already going upstream

Jeff: If you have a bad start, you’re already behind. Q. (Parent, again) Shouldn’t you always get on the line with someone fast? A. Bruce: You should try to get on the line with a team that you know you can run well with — a pair who will start smooth and clean. If you don’t know who’s out there, watch them during the warm-up. Are they tippy and uncertain? Go somewhere else. Do they look like they can manage their canoe well? Join them.

On partnering, both men reiterated that each partner should do all they can to make the canoe go forward swiftly without any hangups. Both emphasized that communication before and during the race was important when it contributed to forward motion. Fighting in your own boat was an issue quickly set aside by the reminder that forward motion is all that matters. Regrets over who your partner is, whether one of you muffed the last turn or who was wrong about the way round the last island make you slow. The Þnal call for questions went into the glooming night. The chill air settled into our bones as we wracked our overfull skulls, but we couldn’t pull out anything through the tangles of new stuff. So, a question from one hungry teen to another dispatched all unsolved paddling puzzles, “Where do you want to eat?” “Well,” Jeff asked Bruce, inclining his head at the canoe, “Guess we should put ’er up, eh?” Did the young people who attended learn from this lecture? They all nodded. Would they go to another? They nodded again. Would they like anything about it to be different? “The weather,” said a shivering young lady. We all nodded. Some drenched outrigger team cheered madly in the distance — to get their blood moving, no doubt. All of us marathoners faded into the night — hypothermia shaking us to the marrow, but enlightened quite a lot through the warm generosity of our teachers. Janet Perry, a regular contributor to Canoe News, hopes she lives long enough to learn much more about marathon paddling — at least enough to be Þrst once during every race.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Friday, August 13

Marathon Championships, Day 1

Andy Triebold holding off Steve Rankinen (almost off photo, left), with Calvin Hassel Hassel,, then Marc Gillespie chasing all three hard.

K1 ICF (Man, Man Master) K2 ICF Women K1 Unlimited (Woman, Man) K1 Touring (Woman, Man) K1 Sea Kayak (Woman, Man) K1 Rec Kayak (Woman, Man) (Trial) C2 Women (through Grand Veteran) C1 Man (through Grand Veteran) C2 Standard Women, Women Master C2 Junior Women C2 Junior Men

Steve Rankinen

The Fastest Solos in the Midwest . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Mike Herbert broke off half the rudder in his kayak early into the marathon race Friday, but the 43-year-old from Arkansas still kept his wits about him to steer his way to victory. “I was having a hard time steering,” said Herbert, a three-time Olympic ßatwater paddler who hit a log a little more than half way upstream to the turn around buoy. “It was rough steering, but I hung in there.” Andy Triebold of Spring Arbor, MI played a game of follow the leader in his canoe, only he was the leading man from start to Þnish and didn’t let anyone catch him. “Usually you have an upstream and a downstream plan. Lead upstream and on the way down ride somebody else, It’s just easier,” said Triebold, last month’s Weyerhaeuser AuSable Marathon champ. “But I had a little lead and I just Þgured I’d keep going.” Herbert and Triebold captured two of the main marathon events for me in the United States Canoe Association Nationals. The Canoe & Kayak Maarathon Championships were held on the AuSable River, starting and Þnishing at the Mill Street Bridge. “I don’t normally race in these shallow conditions,” said Herbert, of Rogers, AR who Þnished the kayak event in 1 hour, 44 minutes and 24 seconds. “I mostly paddle on the lakes. “The course was challenging and I had this rudder thing going.” “He lucked out this time,” said Herbert’s wife.

Calvin Hassel

Marc Gillespie

“It could have gone either way being boat No. 13 on Friday the 13th. That’s testing fate.” Second place kayaker Steve Corlew, a Grayling, MI native now living in Gainesville, GA as a member of Olympic development Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club, thought he could catch Herbert but all he got was weeds.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Friday, August 13

“I had a chance to get him and I was kind of gaining,” said the 23year-old Corlew, who Þnished in 1:44.56. “But it was pretty weedy and I had to get out and get my weeds off. It was a difÞcult decision, but I was getting tired and needed a break.” Corlew, who grew up on the AuSable River, came home after a getting a week off from training. “It felt like paddling a marathon, it seemed like I paddled all night,” said Corlew. [Editorial note: when Michigan paddlers say “marathon” without further qualiÞcation, they almost always mean the AuSable River Marathon, as in this case] In the C1 Man race, Triebold, the defending USCA National champ, held off a number of good paddlers for his second straight canoe title. He Þnished in 1:52.33, nearly a minute ahead any of the 25 racers. “There was a lot of good competition, but I wasn’t really sure what to do in this race,” said Triebold. “It’s always easier being in front going upstream because you don’t have to worry about the other boats.” Nebraska’s Calvin Hassel was second in 1:53.22, followed by Pennsylvania’s Steve Rankinen (1:55.34), New York’s Marc Gillespie (1:56.14) and Grayling, MI’s Jeff Kolka (1:56.27). “Andy is just moving better and better,” said Hassel, who trailed by a lot at the turn around buoy. It just seems that he’s going faster and I’m going slower. I didn’t really Þgure I had a chance at all. But I worked really hard and cuts some corners to gain any thing and it was just too much.”

Above: The K1 ICF Man Championship in fierce contention. Steve Corlew leads Mike Herbert at this point in the race. In third place is John DePalma (he finished sixth) and Joseph Carrillo, who finished seventh, in fourth place here. Photo © 2004 and courtesy of Will Arts & Tech – available for purchase: see their ad on page 9.

Kolka, who had his eight-year AuSable Marathon streak snapped by Triebold last month, didn’t have a jump on the shorter marathon course. “I didn’t have a good start,” said Kolka. And then I caught the pack just as they were going hard again.”

K1 ICF Man 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Mike Herbert (AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:44:24 Steve Corlew (GA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:44:56 Jason Quagliata (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:46:56 Robert Hartman (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:47:53 Patrick Sawyer (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:49:47 John DePalma (GA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:56:56 Joseph Carrillo (GA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00:17 David Cohen (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:04:53 Bob Terbush (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:51:55

K1 ICF Man Master 1 2 3 4

Bill Baker (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:53:46 Ken Cooper (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00:59 Steven Smith (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:03:12 Shaun Koos (WA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:03:12+?

K2 ICF Women - no entries this year K1 Unlimited Woman

1 Pam Browning (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:10:54

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Friday, August 13 Left to right, Ron Deters, Deters, Craig Impens Impens,, and Brian Heath battle for first three places in the K1 Unlimited division, while Shaun Koos, Koos, far right, comes up on the inside, having started late in the K1 Unlimited division — or was it all a dream? was he still in the K1 ICF division after all? — a story in itself . . . see p 57 for the gory details . . .

K1 Unlimited Man

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

K1 Touring Woman

K1 Recreational Woman (Trial)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4

Craig Impens (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:54:34 Ron Deters (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:54:58 Brian Heath (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:55:53 John D Redos (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:57:12 Ron Kaiser (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00:14 Mike Lesnik (MT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:03:07 John Abrahams (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:05:45 Douglas Bushnell (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:13:24 Elizabeth O’Connor (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:17:58 Veronica Luth (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:34:41 Linda Buffa (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:37:52 Ann Debrouwer (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:40:46

K1 Touring Man 1 2 3 4

Bob Dean (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:01:49 Sean Linskey (UT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:21:26 Bill Rothwell (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:00 Brian Banninger (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:42:05

K1 Sea Kayak Woman

1 Sonja M Gilman (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:28:54 2 Margaret Cipolla (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:57:46

K1 Sea Kayak Man 1 2 3 4 5 6

Steve Peterson (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:19 Tom Cannon (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:21 Steven A Rosenau (NC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:10:29 James Goochee (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:19:02 Guy L Gilman (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:19:38 Gary A Ballina (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:21:34

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Karl Vogel (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:22:33 Dennis Charney (MD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:25:44 Brent Ernsberger (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:25:44 Matt D Ivans (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:26:11 William Skinner (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:26:56 Jerry Patton (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:29:11 Jake Haugevik (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:31:20 Alex Wait (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:35:47 Earl Baldwin Jr (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:40:03

1 Diane Becker (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:10:46

K1 Recreational Man (Trial)

1 Jerry Celmer Jr (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:02:19

C1 Man 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Andy Triebold (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:52:33 Calvin Hassel (NE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:53:22 Steve Rankinen (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:55:34 Marc Gillespie (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:56:14 Jeff Kolka (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:56:27 Jeff Kassuba (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:57:03 Bill Torongo (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:58:03 John Edwards (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:59:05 Bruce Barton (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:59:06 Matt Streib (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:59:10 Jon Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00:43 Jason Larsen (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:03:16 Matthew Ashton (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:04:38 Joe Manns (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:05:54 Jon Davies (AB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:06:53 Dragan Olajdzija (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:08

Oscoda Nationals, Friday, August 13 Elizabeth O’Connor

Bob Dean

Veronica Luth

Sonja Gilman

John Redos

Steve Peterson staying ahead of Tom Cannon

Diane Becker

Earl Baldwin

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Friday, August 13 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Casey Rickey (AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:53 Kevin LeRoy (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:11:00 Sean Casey (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:26:41 Thomas Ackemyer (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:49 Ben Josefik (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:51 PC Randolph (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:30:04 Adam Fridstrom (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:34:46 David Buckley (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:36:59

Rick Joy Joy,, with a solid lead from early in the race.

C1 Man Master 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Rick Joy (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:58:50 Clark Kent (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:59:59 Allen Limberg (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00:29 John Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:01:12 Thomas Trudgeon (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:01:19 Kai Hansen (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:02:08 Eric McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:05:21 Dan Gary (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:06:05 Randy Bailey (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:09:29 Steve Martin (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:09:36 Dan Mechlenburg (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:09:45 Rocky Caldwell (MO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:10:09 Jack Kangas (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:13:03 Don Stoneman (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:15:17 Guy Flatley (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:16:36 Allen Duckworth (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:16:47 Jim J Anderson (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:17:16 Rodney Robinson (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:18:13 Wayne Gregory (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:19:18 Ray Bauer (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:19:43 Thomas Mason (NE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:21:50 Jon Thompson (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:23:31 Richard Gillings (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:24:15 David Borgemoen (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:26:29 Dave Impens (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:52 Bill Corrigan (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:35:09 Randy Boody (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:02:11

John Hugus, Hugus, Eric McNett McNett,, and Clark Kent.

Clark Kent Kent,, with Al limberg chasing hard.

C1 Man Senior

1 Joe Johnson (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:04:24 2 Bill Schmitz (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:04:25 3 Paul Dyka (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:04:32 4 Bruce Byrnes (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:05:04 5 Dick Plumlee (KS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:05:35 6 Gord Cole (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:07:32 7 John Hollands (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:23 8 Steve Sleider (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:31 9 Tom Thomas (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:44 10 Ted Cramer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:10:08 11 Dan Cruser (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:10:46 12 Tom Walton (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:11:12 13 Charlie Bruno (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:11:47 14 John Aufmuth (VT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:13:19 15 Bill Kanost (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:13:20 16 Bill Robinson (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:13:49 17 Gareth Stevens (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:14:57 18 Jim Dipelesi (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:14:58 19 Ralph Vincent (VT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:17:10 20 Jim Genkos (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:17:45 21 Larry Liquori (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:18:10 22 Tony Bond (Australia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:19:46 23 Robert Mandli (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:20:17 24 Rodger Dempster (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:21:21 25 Frank Farwell (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:24:09

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Joe Johnson and Bill Schmitz.

Oscoda Nationals, Friday, August 13 26 27 28 29

Racing

Canoes

• High quality, high performance, custom-built racing canoes • The latest space-age technology • Extremely lightweight, stiff, durable lay-ups

Crozier Racing Canoes W2079 Highway 64 Marinette, WI 54143

Bill Hill (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:42 Terry Pontius (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:28:27 Ivan Paladi (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:32:28 Jack Wait (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:56:45

C1 Man Veteran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Bob Allen (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:09:41 Nick Lyesiuk (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:09:51 Richard Rankinen (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:10:20 Robert Bradford (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:11:17 Michael Johnson (MT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:12:16 Fritz Hansen (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:12:40 Stan Machacek (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:14:08 Bob Fisher (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:15:51 Laverne Young (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:15:57 Forest Haines (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:19:04 Ralph Scofield (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:19:19 Glen Vandewinckel (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:20:56 Fred Zeien (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:21:38 Ed Sharp (VA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:23:11 Norman Staniszewski (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:24:20 Laszlo Botos (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:25:01 Earl Brimeyer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:47 John Stover (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:28:34 Philip Soule (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:29:04 Peter Colas (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:29:13 Chuck Baker (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:40:17

Bob Allen Allen,, on his way to becoming C1 Man Veteran Champion.

Ph: (715) 735-9763 Fax: (715) 735-5460 E-mail: erccrc@cybrzn.com Dick Plumlee Plumlee,, John Hollands, Hollands, and Tom Walton. Canadian Gord Cole was third at this point, ahead of Dick.

Nick Lyesiuk Lyesiuk,, followed by Mike Johnson and Fritz Hansen. Charlie Bruno followed by Steve Sleider Sleider,, Dan Cruser, Cruser, John Aufmuth,, and Paul Dyka Aufmuth Dyka,, who at this early point in the race was in twelfth position, due to entanglements with other boats at the upstream start. He came back strongly and finished third.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Friday, August 13 C1 Man Grand Veteran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Frank Smutek, Smutek, on his way to being C1 Man Grand Veteran Champion.

Frank Smutek (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:21:10 Allan D DuBois (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:21:58 Ed Hahn (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:23:03 Al Widing, Sr (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:23:12 Dale Newton (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:26:45 Donald Wescott (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:06 Bradley Glass (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:26 Don Mueggenborg (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:37:59 Thor Ronemus (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:39:22 Mike Fremont (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:51:13 Robert Gillings (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:59:44

Senior canoe race championship goes to youngster — age 70 . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Frank Smutek got out of his C1 Friday afternoon in Þne shape after winning the marathon in his Þrst Nationals competition. There was no high-Þving, however, for the 70-year-old Luzerne paddler. He’s conserving energy for Sunday’s two-man marathon with 79-year-old Al Widing, Sr of Mio. “I felt good out there,” said Smutek, who won a C2 sprint earlier in the week with his grandson. “Racing today is actually good for me. If you wait too long, you kind of stiffen up.” Today, Smutek sprinted ahead from the start of a grueling AuSable River course that started upstream, looped beyond a buoy after Whirlpool Landing and returned to the start at the Mill Street Bridge, Oscoda in 2 hours, 21 minutes and 10 seconds. “I got out in front and set a pace and said to myself, ‘If I can hold it, I can win,’” said Smutek. “I thought some of these guys were sprinters and I didn’t want them to get close to me in a pack and ride the wake. When I got to the railroad trestle and I didn’t stop, I knew then they ain’t going to touch me now.” Smutek won by 48 seconds over 70-year-old Al DuBois, of Cottage Grove, MN, and 70-year-old Ed Hahn, of Geneva, IL. He savored the moment, which included a loud round of applause. “I got a fan club,” said Smutek. “You get that when you get old.” His Sunday partner, Widing, was fourth in 2:23.21. “It’s hard on us guys that don’t weigh anything,” said Widing. “The boat sits on top of the water like a cork and with that wind, you can’t control the boat.” Widing has paddled more than 30 Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Marathons, a 120-mile non-stop race from Grayling to Oscoda. On Sunday, he’ll have a younger guy leading the way in the front of his boat. “I’ll be in front,” said Smutek. “Al has seniority. I let him sit in the back.”

Ed Hahn and Al DuBois.

Al Widing, Sr.

Miranda Robinson (bow) and Cassie Webb

C2 Women Competitive Across the Ages . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Carrie Montgomery knew the AuSable River better than anyone in the C2 Women marathon Friday. But the 34-year-old Oscoda woman and partner Lynn Capen, of Boulder, CO just couldn’t hold on to the advantage in the United States Canoe Association’s Nationals. Montgomery lost to her niece Mandy Trudgeon, a Grayling native, and Connie Cannon, of Homer.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Friday, August 13 Connie Cannon (bow) (bow) and Mandy Trudgeon.

Joanna Faloon (bow) and Beth Schluter.

“I live in Oscoda and it’s a huge advantage,” said Montgomery. “Connie and Mandy make a strong team together so we knew they could catch up sometime. It was a matter of holding them off and we didn’t do it. They were the stronger team.” Cannon, 43, wasn’t so sure that was the case after her team trailed at the start in the backwaters of Cooke Dam. “I can’t go that fast and it took us a while to catch them because Carrie knows every log in the river and knows where to go,” said Cannon. “But once we caught them, we switched leading backand-forth. If either one of us won, it would have been Þne. We were just hoping the other team wouldn’t win.” That other team — 60-year-old Beth Schluter, of Oconomowoc, WI and 49-year-old Joanna Faloon, of Ottawa, ON — came on strong in the 15-team women’s Þeld and took Þrst, 12 seconds in front of Montgomery and Capen in the Þrst of three consecutive days of marathon racing. Cannon and Trudgeon Þnished in 2 hours, 58 minutes and 29 seconds. Schluter and Faloon, who won the C2 Women Master (40-and-over) race, Þnished in 2:59.01. “The young squirts beat us,” said Schluter. “But we had a very good race with all the boats. “We didn’t get Carrie and Lynn until just around the bend, it was that close. And I didn’t think we were going to get them. We took a little different line and had a little better water in one spot and were able to catch them.” Schluter, who has paddled a lot of Nationals, enjoyed competing on the AuSable for the Þrst time. “This is one of the nicest courses for the variety of the river, the cleanliness, spectacular scenery and the technical aspect,” said Schluter. “The two portages — you can leave out. “But it’s a necessity and it was better for me than I thought.”

C2 Junior Women

1 Miranda Robinson (NY) / Cassie Webb (MI) . . . . . 1:07:21 2 Nicole Boody (MI) / Kendra Schirmuhly (MI) . . . . 1:28:52

C2 Junior Men 1 2 3 4 5 6

Jonathon Flatley (CT) / Jon Santor (NY) . . . . . . . . 0:58:14 Ryan Halstead (MI) / Max Rimer (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 0:59:53 Cody Brown (AR) / Austin Phillips (MO) . . . . . . . 1:00:37 Bradley Solak (MI) / Joe Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . 1:05:55 Ben Hugus (WI) / Peter Limberg (WI) . . . . . . . . . . 1:23:41 Mark Hugus (WI) / Madelen Johnson (MI) . . . . . . 1:23:52

C2 Women 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Connie Cannon (MI) / Mandy Trudgeon (IN) . . . . 2:58:29 Carrie Montgomery (MI) / Lynn Capen (CO) . . . . 2:59:13 Deighen Blakely (AB) / Stephanie Larsen (MN) . . 3:01:26 Karen Levitt (NH) / Kathy Manizza (CT) . . . . . . . 3:03:20 Deb Bauer (WA) / Amy Solak (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:03:55 Danielle Gillespie (NY) / Holly Reynolds (NY) . . 3:11:45 Pam Fitzgerald (NY) / Kaitlyn McElroy (MA) . . . 3:15:34 Judy Jeanes (PA) / Teresa Stout (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . 3:25:25

C2 Women Master

1 Beth Schluter (WI) / Joanna Faloon (ON) . . . . . . . 2:59:01 2 Colleen Moore (ME) / Cindy McNett (ME) . . . . . . 3:02:31 (USCA National Champions) 3 Debbie Perry (MI) / Barb Bradley (WI) . . . . . . . . . 3:03:48 4 Io Harberts (MN) / Kate Ellis (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:06:29 5 Karen Simpson (ON) / Liz Loek (ON) . . . . . . . . . . 3:10:44

C2 Women Senior

1 Tricia Heed (NH) / Priscilla Reinertsen . . . . . . . . . 3:22:23

C2 Standard Women Master

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Saturday, August 14

Marathon Championships, Day 2

Putting in at Cooke Dam Pond for the C2 Mixed events.

C2 Man/Junior, Woman/Junior C2 Mixed, Mixed Master K1 Downriver Man, Woman C2 Standard Mixed K2 (non-ICF) Men K2 (non-ICF) Women C2 Man/Youth, Woman/Youth C2 ICF Men, Women C2 Mixed Junior K1 ICF Man Junior, Woman Junior Barton Series OC1 Man, Woman (Trials) OC2 Men, Women, Mixed (Trials) OC6 Men, Woman, Mixed (Trials)

The C2 Mixed start at Cooke Dam.

C2 Woman/Junior 1 Judy Jeanes (PA) / Jon Santor (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:06:56

C2 Man/Junior 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Joe Webb (bow) and John Webb.

Ryan Halstead (MI) / Al Widing Jr. (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:52:49 Jon Webb (MI) / Joe Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:55:30 Alex Klinkhamer (MI) / Daniel Klinkhamer (MI) . 2:57:42 Steve McAllister (IA) / Travis McAllister (IA) . . . 3:02:11 Miranda Robinson (NY) / Rodney Robinson (NY) 3:04:17 Ed Sharp (VA) / Zakk Havens (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:11:41 Tracy Cramer (IA) / Ted Cramer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . . 3:12:07 Travis Heed (NH) / Peter Heed (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . 3:17:50 Jacob Prout (MI) / Martin Prout (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . 3:20:37 Blaine Limberg (WI) / Dave Borgemoen (WI) . . . . 3:27:49

C2 Mixed 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Calvin Hassel (NE) / Lynn Capen (CO) . . . . . . . . . 2:45:44 Deb Bauer (WA) / Andy Triebold (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 2:46:09 Joanna Faloon (ON) / John Edwards (FL) . . . . . . . 2:48:43 Mo Harwood (MI) / Mandy Trudgeon (MI) . . . . . . 2:49:45 Danielle Gillespie (NY) / Marc Gillespie (NY) . . . 2:51:26 Carrie Montgomery (MI) / Jeff Kassuba (MI) . . . . 2:51:49 Deighen Blakely (AB) / Jon Davies (AB) . . . . . . . 2:52:14 Amy Solak (MI) / Matt Rimer (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:52:32 Io Harberts (MN) / Brett Arenz (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:52:46 Kate Ellis (MN) / Devin Arenz (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:52:49 Anne Manns (MN) / Joe Manns (MN) . . . . . . . . . . 2:54:54 Liz Loek (ON) / Dragan Oladjdzija (ON) . . . . . . . . 2:58:12 Stephanie Larsen (MN) / Jason Larsen (MN) . . . . . 2:58:24 Holly Reynolds (NY) / Jason Quagliata (NY) . . . . 2:58:51 Kaitlyn McElroy (ME) / Ray Thiel (CT) . . . . . . . . 3:08:47 Veronica Luth (IL) / Gareth Stevens (WI) . . . . . . . 3:09:55 Mindy Lee Bennett (MI) / Rick Gillings (MI) . . . . 3:27:25

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Brett Arenz and Joe Manns slide their boats down the Foote Dam portage as partners Io Harberts and Ann Manns,, respectively, run the slope. Manns

Oscoda Nationals, Saturday, August 14 Calvin Hassel and Lynn Capen.

Hassel/Capen and Torongo/ Manizza for Mixed C2 Titles and a Clean Sweep for Michigan in C2 Man/Junior . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer

Andy Triebold and Deb Bauer.

Nebraska’s Calvin Hassel picked up a big marathon win for the road Saturday. Grayling’s Ryan Halstead got one, too, but the 17-year-old paddler will get back in the boat today looking for one more national title. Hassel, 40, is heading back to his home in Grand Island after winning his fourth national title this week in the United States Canoe Association Canoe & Kayak Championships. Hassel and Lynn Capen, 50, of Colorado, defended their mixed open canoe title with a come-from-behind victory over Michigan’s Andy Triebold and Washington’s Deb Bauer in two hours, 45 minutes and 44 seconds. “We do it every year,” said Hassel. “But it’s getting harder because neither one of us have much paddling going on in our areas. “We get together for local races but always come back for nationals because it’s a big mixed race.” Halstead also picked up his fourth national title in a Þve-day span, winning for the second time with Lapeer’s Al Widing Jr., 61, in the stern. The pair won the man/junior marathon in 2:52.49. “We took right off,” said Halstead, a Grayling High senior. “It was one of the best starts I’ve ever had, actually. We led all the way and I feel pretty fortunate about that.”

Matt Rimer and Amy Solak.

Jason Larsen and Stephanie Larsen.

Marc Gillespie and Danielle Gillespie.

Gareth Stevens and Veronica Luth.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Saturday, August 14 Four other marathon titles were won Saturday in events that started at Cooke Dam and wound up at the Mill Street Bridge in Oscoda. Winners were: Roscommon, MI’s Bill Torongo and Hartford, CT’s Kathy Manizza, C2 Mixed Master (40-and-over), 2:50.44; Mendenhall, PA’s Judy Jeanes and Plattsburgh, NY’s Jon Santor, C2 Woman/Junior, 3:06.56; Gilbertsville, NY’s Herm Botzow and Topsham, ME’s Colleen Moore, C2 Standard Mixed, 3:13.27; and Florida’s Karl Vogel (Tarpon Springs) and Bob Dean (Moore Haven), K2 (non-ICF) Men, 2:58.25. Hassel, who took two Þrsts with his kids and grabbed one in the solo sprints, is heading back today a tired, but happy man. “I like this course,” said Hassel. “I’ve done the Harry Curley race and this is the same. “It’s a diverse course. You get the deep water and the river section.” It was in the river portion, after Foote Dam that Hassel and Capen got back in the race. They were down at least eight lengths after the Þnal portage. They caught the leaders near Three Pipes. “We Þnally got them about a mile and half out,” said Hassel. “There was a big shallow corner where we got around them.” Halstead, who has also won an junior individual and team sprint, had the time of his life in the C2 Man/Junior marathon. Halstead and Hassel beat out Hubbard Lake, MI’s Jon Webb and son Joe, who Þnished nearly three minutes back in 2:55.30.

Bill Torongo and Kathy Manizza.

Al Limberg and Barb Bradley.

C2 Mixed Master 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Kathy Manizza (CT) / Bill Torongo (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:50:44 Tom Cannon (MI) / Connie Cannon (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:51:12 Barb Bradley (WI) / Allen Limberg (WI) . . . . . . . . 2:51:47 Joe Johnson (MI) / Beth Schluter (WI) . . . . . . . . . . 2:52:16 Debbie Perry (MI) / Joseph Seifert (MI) . . . . . . . . . 2:52:55 Cindy McNett (ME) / Eric McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . 2:54:11 Stan Machacek (ON) / Karen Simpson (ON) . . . . . 2:56:47 John Casale (MA) / Chris Schmidt (MA) . . . . . . . . 2:57:18 Jim Larsen (MI) / Lynne Witte (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:58:36 Jim Bauer (WA) / Alison Scott (WA) . . . . . . . . . . . 3:00:09 Pam Fitzgerald (NY) / Bill Robinson (NY) . . . . . . 3:08:08 Priscilla Reinertsen (NH) / Tom Walton (NH) . . . . 3:08:08 William Van Haren (WI) / Cheryl Lucey (MI) . . . . 3:08:14 Gwyn Hayman (ON) / Bob Vincent (ON) . . . . . . . 3:09:00 Tave Lamperez (IL) / Janet Perry (IL) . . . . . . . . . . 3:09:05 Steve Roseneau (NC) / Pam Browning (MA) . . . . . 3:12:45 Forest Haines (MI) / Pat Richardson (MI) . . . . . . . 3:18:18 Ed Hahn (IL) / Jennie Quill (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:22:40 Laverne Young (FL) / Levonia Young (FL) . . . . . . 3:28:03 Alice Newlon (OH) / Norm Skinner (OH) . . . . . . . 3:40:09

Colleen Moore and Herm Botzow.

Karl Vogel and Bob Dean.

C2 Standard Mixed 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Herm Botzow (NY) / Colleen Moore (ME) . . . . . . 3:13:27 Lynne McDuffie (NC) / William McDuffie Jr. (NC)3:16:59 James Goochee (PA) / Lisa Bainey (PA) . . . . . . . . 3:20:02 Nicholas Josefik (IL) / Tammy Cox (IL) . . . . . . . . 3:23:24 Michael Guenther (CO) / Terry Guenther (CO) . . . 3:25:11 Nancy Dempster (NY) / Rodger Dempster (NY) . . 3:25:59 Gary A. Ballina (PA) / Kathy Brimeyer (IA) . . . . 3:32:48 Ray Healey (ON) / Lisa Cordick (ON) . . . . . . . . . . 3:32:50 Jennifer Pennington (MO) / Doug Pennington (MO)3:37:58

K2 (non-ICF) Men

1 Karl Vogel (FL) / Bob Dean (FL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:58:25

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Saturday, August 14 John Hugus and Ben Hugus

K1 Downriver Woman

1 Emily Wright (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:15:01

K1 Downriver Man 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Matt Streib (IN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:41:46 Mike Herbert (AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:48:15 Shaun Koos (WA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:48:52 Craig Impens (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:05:31 Ryan Stephens (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:40 Ralph Scofield (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:16:08 Kevin LeRoy (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:16:20 Michael Simoes (NJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:17:22 Ken Cooper (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Heath (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C2 Man/Youth Bruce Barton and Rebecca Barton

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Ben Hugus (WI) / John Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:53:17 Rebecca Barton (MI) / Bruce Barton (MI) . . . . . . . 0:56:41 Dwayne Barnes (MI) / Brad Solak (MI) . . . . . . . . . 0:58:00 Bradan Tuszynski (MI) / Tom Thomas (IN) . . . . . . 0:59:55 John Diller (MD) / Steven Diller (MD) . . . . . . . . . 1:00:01 Clifton Rickey (AR) / Austin Phillips (MO) . . . . . . 1:02:53 Rocky Caldwell (MO) / Brock Caldwell (MO) . . . 1:04:37 Jim Miller (CT) / Courtney Miller (MA) . . . . . . . . 1:05:43 Chad Swander (MI) / Jake Swander (MI) . . . . . . . . 1:06:05 Chuck Hewitt (MI) / Chris Hewitt (MI) . . . . . . . . . 1:07:41 Randy Boody (MI) / Nicole Boody (MI) . . . . . . . . 1:14:54 Glen Vandewinckel (NY) / Leslie Ripton (NY) . . . . . . . . .

C2 Man/Youth “Special” (non-championship)

1 Peter Limberg (WI) / Alex Hoefs (WI) . . . . . . . . . . 1:16:04

C2 Woman/Youth

1 Cale Tuszynski (MI) / Karen Levitt (NH) . . . . . . . . 1:10:29 2 Mark Hugus (WI) / Erin Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . 1:12:53 Cale Tuszynski and Karen Levitt

K1 ICF Man Junior Barton

1 Joseph Carrillo (GA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:51:18 2 David Cohen (GA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0:51:19

K1 ICF Woman Junior Barton

1 Gail Kowsky (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:10:08

Weight, Weight (Don’t Tell Me) . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer

Chris Hewitt and Chuck Hewitt.

Chris Hewitt, 14, made his paddling debut at the United States Canoe Association Nationals Saturday. Turns out his dad, Chuck, was dead weight. The Bay City, MI father/son team bottomed out early in the adult/youth marathon race in the USCA Canoe & Kayak Championships. The pair had to get up and run the boat about 50 yards before getting back in deep enough water. By then there was no chance of catching John and Ben Hugus, the winning father/son team from Wausau, WI. “It was hard going upstream and less hard going down,” said Chris, who used the nationals as a springboard for next year’s grueling Weyerhaeuser AuSable Canoe Marathon. “That was hard,” said Chuck. “We popped up and died right down. It was a long way. It sucked a lot of gas out of both of us.” Chris, a ßyweight at 91 pounds, paddled well with his father in back. But the weight differential, even with a weighted sand jug in the bow, couldn’t keep the Hewitts aßoat. Five minutes into the race, they bottomed out. “We tried staying out of the current on the side of the bank and we grounded out,” Chuck explained.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Saturday, August 14 “We were a little heavy in the stern so we had to get out and run for about 50 yards. “We had been riding the wake of four or Þve boats and they got away from us.” The Hewitts, who regrouped for a 10th place Þnish among 17 teams in 1 hour, 7 minutes and 41 seconds, didn’t Þgure to catch the leaders any way. The Hugus father/son team, which lost last year’s marathon by 0.1 of a second, coasted to victory in 53 minutes, 17 seconds. “Oh, my God! They were ßying!” said Chuck. “I couldn’t believe how far ahead of the competition they were.” The Hugus team put together one of those perfect races. “We didn’t mess up,” said Ben, 12. “We didn’t hit any logs, tip over, we didn’t get hit by anybody, we didn’t break any paddles,” said John, 48. “I don’t understand it. We didn’t have any glitches today.” The winning team started in a tight group, but by the Þrst bridge at River Road, they took over the six-mile course. “We had opened a little gap and we felt pretty good in shallow water which there was a lot of going upstream,” said John. “We were able to get the boat up on every turn and kept cruising.” Karen Levitt, of Keene, NH, and Cale Tuszynski, of Michigan, won the woman/youth marathon in 1:10.29. In the other short races of the day, Olympic kayak hopefuls Joe Carrillo, 16, and Dave Cohen, 17, of Gainesville, GA. ran 1-2 in the K1 ICF Junior Barton race. Carrillo Þnished in 51:18. Cohen was a second back. Gail Kowsky, of Morris, IL, won the K1 ICF Woman Junior Barton (2:10.08). “I was dead tired yesterday afternoon after the longer run,” said Carrillo, who teamed up with Cohen last week to win the U.S. national team trials. “But I got a good night’s sleep and I feel a lot better today. It was the same river, but it seemed a lot shorter and didn’t take as long.” Carrillo and Cohen worked together all the way up and down the river. “We rode together and tried to work together so we don’t get too tired by ourselves,” said Carrillo. “We’ve got the stroke down,” said Cohen, who looked a little bit out of his element earlier in the week paddling in a canoe race with Carrillo. “Today was a little more enjoyable.” Matt Streib, of Bristol, IN won the K1 Downriver Man event in 1:41.46 while Emily Wright, of Fairport, NY, lone woman entry in the same event Þnished in 2:15.01. In the four-person (or was it Þve?) in the six-paddler Outriggers race, Team No. 2, captained by Australia’s Tony Bond, defeated Team No. 1, by 24 seconds. Team No. 2 Þnished in 1:48.39. The 4-person teams became 5-person teams at the turnround. It’s a shame there wasn’t enough support for this intriguing class to make the full complememnt of six paddlers per boat. For the Hewitts, they’ll have to work on their balancing act before next summer’s 120-mile, non-stop marathon. “We launched Chris‚ paddling career today, but we’ll need to get some more equalization by next year,” said Chuck Hewitt. “I’ll have to slim down and Chris will have to put on a few pounds or bulk up.”

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Emily Wright.

Joseph Carrillo with David Cohen off to the right.

Matt Streib.

Mike Herbert.

Oscoda Nationals, Saturday, August 14

Above: The upstream leg of the race — 4 paddlers in an OC6: front to back: Julie Deters, Unknown woman, John Abrahams, Ron Deters. And below: It’s downstream. Who’s joined the team? Teresa Stout . . . helping out. Below: from front to back: Julie Deters, Unknown woman, Teresa Stout, John Abrahams, Ron Deters

OC6 (Trial)

1 Silver Barracudas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:48:39

Above: The upstream leg of the race — 4 paddlers in an OC6: front to back: Terry Pontius, Cindy Vogel, Robert Daigle, and Tony Bond. And below: Back to Oscoda, and closer to quota: with an extra kick . . . from good ol’ Ray Quick. Below: From front to back: Terry Pontius, Cindy Vogel, Robert Daigle, Ray Quick, and Tony Bond.

2 Kauai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:49:03 Ron Deters (MN) John Abrahams (MN) Unidentified woman from Michigan! Julie Deters (MN) . . . and Teresa Stout (PA) from the Whirlpool turnaround

Tony Bond (Australia) Cindy Vogel (FL) Robert Daigle (MI) Terry Pontius (IN) . . . and Ray Quick (MI) from the Whirlpool turnaround

Teresa Stout and Ray Quick were awarded the Bill Klebe Award for Good Sportsmanship. For the full story see page 56.

United States Canoe Association 2005 USCA Stock Aluminum Canoe Marathon Championships Spring Green to Muscoda, WI Sunday, July 17, 2005

2005 USCA National Canoe & Kayak Championships

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Sunday, August 15

Marathon Championships, Day 3:

Rick Joy (bow) and Clark Kent.

C2 Standard Men, Men Master C2 Men (through Grand Veteran) C1 Woman (through Grand Veteran) K2 ICF Men C1 ICF K1 ICF Woman, Woman Master C1 Man Junior, Woman Junior Barton Series C2 Standard Men Master 1 2 3 4 5 6

Kai Hansen (bow) and Jim Larsen.

Clifton Rickey (AR) / Jim Short (MO) . . . . . . . . . . 3:01:29 William Turner (PA) / Steve Stoddard (PA) . . . . . . 3:03:05 Ron Kaiser (PA) / Jim Goochee (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . 3:03:30 William McDuffie Jr (NC) / Darrel Cockman (NC) 3:07:19 Gary Ballina (PA) / Doug Pennington (MO) . . . . . 3:14:43 Herm Botzow (NY) / Ray Healey (ON) . . . . . . . . . 4:56:58

C2 Standard Men 1 2 3 4

Ben Josefik (IL) / Nick Josefik (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:03:36 Dave Impens (NJ) / Craig Impens (NJ) . . . . . . . . . 3:07:23 Patrick W Faul (IL) / David Buckley (IL) . . . . . . . 3:09:24 Dana Leet (PA) / Ken Gerg (PA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:22:25

C2 Men 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Mo Harwood (MI) / Matt Rimer (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 2:38:51 Matt Streib (IN) / Andy Triebold (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 2:38:52 Bill Torongo (MI) / Jeff Kolka (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:38:53 Allen Limberg (WI) / John Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . 2:41:02 Marc Gillespie (NY) / Jason Quagliata (NY) . . . . . 2:42:35 Steve Rankinen (PA) / Jim Harwood (MI) . . . . . . . 2:43:09 Jon Davies (AB) / Jason Larsen (MN) . . . . . . . . . . 2:43:49 Devin Arenz (MN) / Brett Arenz (MN) . . . . . . . . . 2:45:17 Tom Trudgeon (MI) / Tim Sheldon (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:45:35 Joe Manns (MN) / Eric Canny (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:46:27 Matt Ashton (MI) / Nick D’Amour (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:48:26 Rod Halstead (MI) / Nick Bauer (WA) . . . . . . . . . . 2:49:08 Eric McNett (ME) / John Edwards (FL) . . . . . . . . . 2:49:38 Rocky Caldwell (MO) / Casey Rickey (AR) . . . . . 2:50:44 Josh Sheldon (MI) / Brad Gross (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:52:02 Tom Ackemyer (OH) / Ray Bauer (OH) . . . . . . . . . 2:54:04 Daniel Gary (MI) / Joey Kimsel (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:54:12

John Edwards (bow) and Eric McNett.

A race! Just before the railroad trestle, heading downstream, Mo Harwood (bow) and Matt Rimer maintain a slim lead over Jeff Kolka (bow) and Bill Torongo on their outside, with Andy Triebold and Matt Streib (photo left) barely a whisker behind them on the inside.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Sunday, August 15 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Kevin LeRoy (WI) / Gareth Stevens (WI) . . . . . . . 2:56:38 Dwayne Barnes (MI) / Bill Smutek (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:57:25 Allen Duckworth (MI) / Mark Bialek (MI) . . . . . . 3:01:41 Henry Brock (WI) / William Van Haren (WI) . . . . 3:05:38 PC Randolph (OH) / Phil Randolph (OH) . . . . . . . 3:08:57 Daniel Ploof (MI) / Anthony Touchton (MI) . . . . . 3:26:41 Jerry LaCosse (MI) / Dan Kent (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . 3:35:17

C2 Men Master 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Rick Joy (MI) / Clark Kent (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:41:06 Kai Hansen (WI) / Jim Larsen (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:47:28 Tom Cannon (MI) / Russ Reker (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:47:43 Dragan Olajdzija (ON) / Gord Cole (ON) . . . . . . . 2:49:28 Randy Bailey (PA) / Steve Martin (PA) . . . . . . . . . 2:49:39 Dave Timmerman (IA) / Mike Garon (MI) . . . . . . . 2:52:34 Jack Kangas (OH) / Dan Mechlenburg (OH) . . . . . 2:53:01

Al Lancaster (bow) and Jay Lancaster.

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Mark Koenig (IL) / Ron Koenig (WI) . . . . . . . . . . 2:53:50 Chuck Hewitt (MI) / Jon Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:56:34 Don Stoneman (ON) / Bob Vincent (ON) . . . . . . . . 3:00:03 Mark C McDaniel (NY) / Rich Butts (NY) . . . . . . 3:00:46 Jim Miller (CT) / Ray Thiel (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:01:22 Kenneth Gotsch (MD) / John Diller (MD) . . . . . . . 3:01:35 Jay Lancaster (WI) / Alan Lancaster (WI) . . . . . . . 3:07:08

A Race to the Finish, Seconds Apart . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Grayling, MI’s Mo Harwood and Horton, MI’s Matt Rimer turned a grueling two-and-a-half hour marathon canoe race into a victory sprint Sunday in the USCA National Canoe & Kayak Championships. The winning margin—perhaps one-half a boat length over Spring Lake, MI’s Andy Triebold and Bristol, IN’s Matt Streib, and Grayling’s Jeff Kolka and Roscommon, MI’s Bill Torongo. “We tried to hold them off. At the last corner, everybody was pretty well shot and they just went for it,” said Harwood, after his team beat 28 others to the Þnish in 2 hours, 38 minutes and 51 seconds. “It was pretty neat because everybody was pumped right up cheering and yelling. “It was fun even though I wasn’t sure we were going to pull it off until we crossed the line.” “We knew one thing,” said Kolka after his team Þnished third two seconds behind the winners.

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Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Sunday, August 15 “We were either going to be Þrst, second or third. “They’re real good sprinters. They sucked it up a couple of times. They had the pump and the power. They are noted for that. We just couldn’t slingshot over their wake.” The photo Þnish would not have been possible, however, if the Michigan paddlers weren’t friendly rivals. After the defending champs Triebold, 28, and Streib, 40, accidentally ran into some recreational boaters two hours into the race, the top two teams took a little breather just above Whirlpool and waited for them to regroup.

Bill Schmitz (bow) and Al Widing, Jr.

“Some kids were ahead and we were going to miss them, but they hit the shore and it swung their stern around and we t-boned them,” said Triebold, who wound up a second behind at the Þnish line. “It spun them into a bank and we all waited,” said Harwood, 25. Ev Crozier (bow) and Joe Johnson.

“We didn’t feel it was fair to take off on them.” “I’m actually a predator,” said Torongo, 43. “I’m thinking, let’s tear Andy. We have an advantage. But we wanted to win it fair and square.” Kolka and Torongo, who led for a good two hours, traded the lead with Harwood and Rimer once after the Þnal portage. When Harwood and Rimer got it back, they wouldn’t let go. “That was a great race, wasn’t it?” Triebold said. “Matt and Mo are always fast in a race under three hours. They’re just so light and fast. “It comes down to who has the best position and they had it. We almost got even, but we couldn’t get over their wake.”

Jim Bauer (bow) and Peter Heed.

Mike Johnson (bow) and Rich Rankinen.

Fred Mills (bow) and Joe Seifert, followed by PC Randolph (bow) and Phil Randolph.

Frank Smutek (bow) and Al Widing, Sr.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Sunday, August 15 C2 Men Senior 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

John Hollands (MI) / Bruce Byrnes (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:46:53 Peter Heed (NH) / Jim Bauer (WA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:47:22 Fred Mills (MI) / Joseph Seifert (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:47:24 Al Widing Jr (MI) / Bill Schmitz (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 2:49:43 John Casale (MA) / John Aufmuth (VT) . . . . . . . . 2:51:22 Fritz Hansen (WI) / Dan Cruser (MN) . . . . . . . . . . 2:51:48 Charlie Bruno (PA) / Bill Robinson (NY) . . . . . . . 2:53:47 Tom Thomas (IN) / Dwight Walker (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:54:15 Ted Cramer (IA) / Earl Brimeyer (IA) . . . . . . . . . . 2:55:08 Ed Leszek (OH) / Jay Way (OH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:55:08 Everett Crozier (WI) / Joe Johnson (MI) . . . . . . . . 2:55:38 Jim Dipelesi (NY) / Larry Liquori (NY) . . . . . . . . . 2:57:15 Ralph Vincent (VT) / Phil Soule (ME) . . . . . . . . . . 3:06:42

C2 Men Veteran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Richard Rankinen (PA) / Mike Johnson (MT) . . . . 2:51:04 Stan Machacek (ON) / Rene Boogemans (ON) . . . 2:52:50 Nick Lyesiuk (MA) / Bob Allen (MA) . . . . . . . . . . 2:54:36 John Nemeth (MI) / Bob Bradford (MI) . . . . . . . . . 2:57:21 Dale Newton (MI) / Laverne Young (FL) . . . . . . . . 2:59:35 Keith Canny (MN) / Lee Jarpey (MN) . . . . . . . . . . 3:00:19 Bob Fisher (NY) / Glen Vandewinckel (NY) . . . . . 3:00:37 Allan DuBois (MN) / Pete Colas (MN) . . . . . . . . . 3:01:40 Forest Haines (MI) / Fred Zeien (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . 3:04:59 Ron Hohman (MI) / Ron Raynak (MI) . . . . . . . . . . 3:13:49

C2 Men Grand Veteran 1 2 3 4

Frank Smutek (MI) / Al Widing Sr (MI) . . . . . . . . . 2:58:03 Ed Hahn (IL) / Don Mueggenborg (IL) . . . . . . . . . 3:07:01 Don Bergman (MI) / Brad Glass (WI) . . . . . . . . . . 3:23:19 Bob Terbush (FL) / George Roudebush (OH) . . . . 3:42:29

I don’t want to be like Mike . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer I don’t want to be like me. I want to be like Al Widing, Sr. Or Frank Smutek, for that matter. Who wouldn’t want to be like Oscoda’s ageless canoe wonders. Al got out of the canoe Sunday at Finish Line Park, threw some water on his face and unlike a number of younger competitors, he looked like he was ready to race again in the United States Canoe Asociation National Canoe & Kayak Championships. He might have even thought about getting in the boat and paddling back home, but he had too many supporters gathered on the riverbank waiting to high-Þve one of their favorite sons. The Mio paddler, 79 years young, had just paddled the lower AuSable River non-stop in under three hours with 70-year-old partner Smutek of Luzerne in a marathon victory in the nationals. The river course included portages at both Cooke and Foote dams. “I don’t know what it was, but we had a good time,” said Widing, referring to his 2 hours, 58 minutes and 3 seconds. They let a lot of water out from the dams and into the river. It was just perfect. We had no troubles at all.” “Those young guys are just as tired as we are,” said Smutek, paddling in his Þrst USCA Nationals. They just get here a lot quicker.” Well, not all of them. Widing and Smutek not only Þnished better than the other three teams in their division (Grand Veteran, 70-and-over), they got it done quicker than 20 teams including some from the open division. The Oscoda County neighbors, who probably had logged in more miles than any other team in the Nationals, didn’t look like a team that had never been in the

same boat before. Although the two have had paddles in their hands for decades, they had never considered racing together until both of their younger partners couldn’t handle the grueling Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon, a 120-mile, nonstop race from Grayling to Oscoda. “We talked about that and how we’re not really worn out,” said Smutek. “Had we Þnished the Weyerhaeuser marathon, it would have made a difference to me, but not Al. He’s so well-trained.” The unexpected early exits from the 15-hour marathon turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It brought the two paddlers together, something both families had been wanting for some time. “This is the perfect time for them to do a race together and really get something out of it,” said Traverse City, MI’s Amy Solak, Frank’s daughter. Smutek and Widing hadn’t crossed paths before because Smutek usually paddles with his kids. “I wanted to win the other day,” said Smutek, who also won the C1 Grand Veteran race on the AuSable Friday. “But this one is a lot better. I’ve always wanted to paddle with Al.” Paddling together was not as easy as just jumping in the boat. Both guys had been used to paddling the stern. Frank gave up his seat, yielding to “seniority,” he said. “It’s a lot different in the bow,” said Smutek, who still works daily in an auto body repair shop. “You use different muscles higher in the shoulders.” Widing, a retired contractor who has started 36 Weyerhaeuser marathons, continues to amaze other canoers with his work ethic. Some say he takes a canoe with him wherever he goes. Others say he’s had a number of paddlers over the years because he’s simply worn them all out. While Smutek is taking his time recovering from an unforgettable national experience, Widing is busy getting ready for the third leg of the Triple Crown Canoe Racing series where he is the only paddler beside Canadian Serge Corbin to compete in every race since the Triple Crown’s inception. “I don’t think anybody trains as hard as Al,” said Smutek. “He’s in the boat every day.” And for once, it was with Smutek.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Sunday, August 15 K2 ICF Men

Shaun Koos (bow) and Kiril Florov.

1 Shaun Koos (WA) / Kiril Florov (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . 2:25:51 2 David Cohen (GA) / Joseph Carrillo (GA) . . . . . . . 2:35:56 3 Pam Browning (MA) / Bill Baker (MA) . . . . . . . . . 2:44:41

C1 ICF

1 Tony Bond (Australia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:41:40

K1 ICF Woman 1 Kaitlyn McElroy (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:01:24 2 Elizabeth O’Connor (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:07:34 3 Emily Wright (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:10:59

K1 ICF Woman Master 1 Ann Debrouwer (ON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:24:07 2 Linda Buffa (NY) (USCA National Champion) . 2:39:48 3 Diane Becker (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:53:06

C1 Man Junior - Barton 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tony Bond.

Ryan Halstead (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:01:35 Jon Santor (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:01:49 Zakk Havens (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:03:04 Joe Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:03:21 Jonathon Flatley (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:05:10 Cody Brown (AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:05:11 Ben Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:05:33 Austin Phillips (MO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:07:52 Bradley Solak (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:09:37 Mark Hugus (WI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:31:12

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Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Sunday, August 15 Emily Wright.

Ann Debrouwer.

Ryan Halstead and Jon Santor neck and neck on the upstream portion of the C1 Man Junior Barton race.

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Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Sunday, August 15 C1 Woman Junior - Barton 1 2 3 4

Miranda Robinson.

Miranda Robinson (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:09:42 Cassie Webb (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:11:47 Rebecca Barton (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:16:20 Courtney Miller (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:30:53

C1 Woman 1 2 3 4

Deighen Blakely (AB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:12:37 Karen Levitt (NH) (USCA National Champion) . 2:17:44 Carrie Montgomery (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:25:31 Holly Reynolds (NY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:27:53

C1 Woman Master 1 2 3 4 5 6

Connie Cannon (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:08:07 Cindy McNett (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:15:09 Kathy Manizza (CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:19:23 Colleen Moore (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:20:15 Io Harberts (MN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:23:13 Janet Perry (IL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:31:07

Cassie Webb.

C1 Woman Senior

1 Chris Schmidt (MA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:15:59 2 Lynne Witte (MI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:23:37 3 Tricia Heed (NH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:37:14

A Little Too Well Grounded, Some of These Paddlers . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer Connie Cannon is a self-proclaimed slow starter, but the 43-yearold Homer woman sure knows how to close a race. On Sunday, the veteran paddler claimed her second USCA canoe marathon title in three days with a come-from-behind win over Canadian Deighen Blakely.

Rebecca Barton.

“It was hard to get going,” said an exhausted Cannon, who teamed up with Grayling native Mandy Trudgeon to win the C2 open marathon on Friday and Þnished second with husband Tom in the mixed masters race on Saturday. “But once I get out there, I always feel better. It just takes me a while to get going because the other girls are so much quicker. But I can usually grind them down.” Cannon, a masters competitor, did just that Sunday, winning in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 7 seconds. She trailed Blakely by a few boat lengths after running aground near the railroad trestle. But she got going again and passed Blakely when she (Blakely) hit a sand bar halfway to the turn around buoy. “I was ahead for a little bit and then Connie was on my stern and I ran aground. She passed me and I didn’t see her after that,” said Blakely.

Courtney Miller.

“She got stuck so I went around her and I didn’t look back because it didn’t matter,” said Cannon. “If they are catching me, they’re catching me. And if they aren’t, that is Þne.” Blakely, 28, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Þnished second overall in 2:12.37, Þrst in the open division. She was fourth a year ago. Kaitlyn McElroy, 19, of Maine, picked up her Þrst kayak victory after paddling the canoe marathons the previous two days. “I like the river,” said McElroy. “There are a lot of different place to try things: some shallows and deeps going up and some eddies on the way back. I hit a stump and thought I’d lost my rudder. And I hit a sand bar, but the boat held up really well.”

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Oscoda Nationals, Sunday, August 15 Deighen Blakely heads upstream under the railroad trestle and takes the left hand corner wide enough to stay out of trouble.

In other C1 races, Grayling, MI’s Ryan Halstead, 17, picked up his Þfth national title, winning the Man Junior Barton C1 race in 1:01.35. “I’m shot from all these races,” said Halstead. “There’s nothing there. Paddling every day has taken its toll.” Halstead was slowed when he hit a sand bar on a bend near Three Pipes. “I thought everybody was going to jump out and run, but I looked over and everybody had dropped back so I paddled across it,” said Halstead. Other individual winners were: New York’s Miranda Robinson, C1 Junior Barton Woman, 1:09.42; Massachusetts’ Chris Schmidt, C1 Woman Senior , 2:15.59; Australia’s Tony Bond, C1 ICF Man, 2:41.40; and Ontario, Canada’s Ann Debrouwer, K1 ICF Woman, 2:24.07. Karen Levitt C1 Woman National Marathon Champion

Connie Cannon Cannon,, caught out by some shallows as she cut the corner in pursuit of Deighen Blakely.

Carrie Montgomery

Cindy McNett climbing back into her C1 after grounding out just like she saw Connie do!

Kathy Manizza Manizza,, 3rd C1 Woman Master.

Chris Schmidt, Schmidt, C1 Woman Senior National Champion

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

John Edwards: Promoting the Sport

John Edwards: Superhero . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Spencer, Bay City Times Sports Writer John Edwards leads the United States Canoe Association by example. The St Petersburg, FL paddler, who is competing in his 29th USCA National Canoe & Kayak Championship, is almost unbeatable in any division. He races as many canoe events as his 55-year-old body can take and wins more than his fair share. Last year, he competed in ten and won three. “What John has done is amazing,” said Tave Lamperez, USCA Nationals coordinator and certiÞed canoeing instructor and past vice president. “He still races with the young guys — 18 to 40 — and he’s competing on par with the best open paddlers in the country. He once said that he’d continue to race in the open class until he could no longer place in the top 10 in the open. It hasn’t happened yet.” Edwards, who has also dominated the mixed division with whomever gets in his boat, picked up another Nationals win earlier this week with Joanna Faloon, ON, Canada. He also ran a close third in the C2 open with Þrst-time sprint partner Marc Gillespie, of Rochester, NY. But Edwards, despite being known on the Internet as “canoechamp”, promotes paddling more than himself. And there’s nothing like the sixday Nationals that are going on in Oscoda through Sunday to highlight this trait. “The Nationals are the one time when everybody can showcase what they can do against everybody else,” said Edwards. “There are a lot of races throughout the year, but there’s nothing like this where you can race so many events.” Although it’s called a national, because of its amateur status and no prize money, some pro paddlers have opted not to race. “Some don’t come because there’s no money, but the competition is still at that level,” said Edwards. “There might be more depth in pro races.” While many competitions are limited to one event, the Nationals, which have been held since 1968, are unlimited. And the major attraction, just like at the Oscoda event, is three consecutive days of marathon racing. It starts today on the AuSable River and runs through Sunday.

The course is the same as for the Curley Memorial that used by the Michigan Canoe Racing Association and is about a Þfth of the grueling Weyerhaeuser AuSable River Canoe Marathon. It is a little longer than many recent Nationals, a return toward the length of most Nationals in the seventies and eighties. (In 1971, the fourth USCA Nationals were held on the AuSable River, on a course from Five Channels Dam to Oscoda, half as long again as this year’s C2 Nationals course — but it was just a one-day event back then.) “It can be tiring after three day’s worth, but you can race with a man, a woman and by yourself,” said Edwards. “I know I will feel it more the second day than I will the third day. The second day I’m beat but by the third day I usually feel a little better.” Edwards said the Nationals, which has been “a good overall testing of your abilities and good camaraderie,” has been more family-oriented in recent years with the addition of father/son and mother/daughter races including some for Þve-year-olds. “We incorporated youth things to not only give them something to do at the Nationals, but to add to our base because our group is getting older and older,” said Edwards. “A lot of people get into it in their late 20s, 30s and 40s. It’s one of those sports that is hard to get teenagers involved because it’s not easy. And like anything competitive, to be competitive you have to practice at it ... a lot.” Edwards said the changes in kayaking and the addition of outriggers are just a couple ways the volunteer, membership-based organization continues to grow. “You try to encompass as much as you can and still make it reasonably valid,” said Edwards. “We’re getting more and more involved with the kayaks and set up speciÞcations for the recreational kayaks. We’ve been modifying specs for a couple of years, and we re-did some more to get different boats in a category that would be kind of fair and unlimited, which they can make what they want to. It will be interesting to see how it Þnally washes out.” During the Nationals, Edwards basically handles major questions and Þlls in the blanks for hosts like the Oscoda Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Joseph Health System in Tawas City. And competes. And wins. Even in the younger classes.

John Edwards is also a great innovator. Seen here at Foote Dam, Sunday August 15, 2004, John and his C2 Men marathon partner, Eric McNett McNett, demonstrate a new portaging technique. John has promised to hold a clinic at next year’s Nationals in Warren, PA.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

2004 Canoeists of the Year Award

2004 Canoeists of the Year Award Joan and Harold Theiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Mack The nomination criteria for this prestigious award are: “Any USCA member who has made a signiÞcant contribution toward the sport of canoeing through USCA within the current year. Also, the selection will be based on the individual’s mental attitude; fellowship, spirit, sportsmanship; compassionate understanding and contribution to the promotion and growth of the amateur canoeing cause either on a competitive and/or non-competitive basis. It is suggested that this award not be given to anyone posthumously. There is no limit on the number of times a USCA member may receive this awar.” The 2004 recipients, Joan and Harold Theiss, who have dedicated most of their life to promote and maintain the opportunities of canoeing/kayaking and the USCA on state and national levels. Joan coming from a professional background in nursing and Harold’s professional background in education, they both have a passion trying to help others. During the many years of their USCA membership they served on numerous committees and executive positions in a dedicated and energetic manner to help develop, strengthen and maintain continuity in the association. As the current USCA Historian, Joan carried on a tradition of Historian’s from USCA’s second Historian, Bev LaBrant back in the year 1986. In 1979, Joan was elected Treasurer of the Association. She became a Life Member in 1983. Harold was appointed as Membership Chairman in 1987-90 and 1997-99. He was elected as Secretary 2000-04. In 1991-92 he served as Canoe News Editor. He also became a Life Member in 1990. Always faithful in wanting to assist in helping projects go forward, Joan and Harold were there for support. Two important documents of the Association that they were very much involved in and publishing were USCA Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, and Competition Rules. Numerous hours were dedicated to obtaining accurate information and putting it in print for the membership understanding which allow better clariÞcation and facilitate the smooth function of the Association. That job required working with the Board of Directors, OfÞcers and the Association, and interested members. The early days of USCA involved both of the Theisses in strengthening the former Ohio Valley Voyageurs Club, and the Ohio Division/USCA in racing, cruising, clinics, and working with business afÞliates. Harold’s involvement with the Milford Lions Club in the development of canoe/kayak racing on the Little Miami River (Ohio) is well known by us “old paddlers”. Both Joan and Harold were always helpful and assisting where ever needed at the Nationals and Annual Convention Meetings. Their unique support in overseeing the National Trophies is well known among the racers. Keeping records, photos, and loving care of the precious trophies, a task that no one else could do, the Theisses were always diligent. A special thanks to a couple who have had many achievements in life and with the USCA. They have maintained a consistent level of dedication and perseverance, in good times and bad times. I wish to offer my heartiest congratulations to two deserving individuals, fair weather, smooth paddling and hitting the ball straight and long.

Above: Harold and Joan Theiss in Hawai’i, October 2004 USCA’s 2004 Canoeists of the Year

USCA Annual Meeting at the Circus Circus hotel in Reno, NV. Delegates & other attendees, please note: Meeting dates: Jan 7-9, 2005 Deadline for the Group Room Rates: Rates: Dec 17. Rates (Sky Tower), Thu & Sun: $35; Fri & Sat: $55 (plus an impressive tax rate.) Phone (877) 213-7709 for reservations. See page 59 for more details. Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Semi-Annual Meeting — Highlights Left: “The Hardware Store,” as Ken Gerg quipped in the Current Paddler (PACK’s Newsletter). Judy Jeanes (left) and Teresa Stout with their awards. Photo © 2004 and courtesy of Steve Lewis

The USCA Youth Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gareth Stevens

The Good Sportsmanship Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gareth Stevens The “2004 Bill Klebe Award for Good Sportsmanship” was given this year to Teresa Stout of Corsica, PA and Ray Quick of Millington, MI for maintaining great good humor and determined sportsmanship in the face of serial misinformation and and a wild goose chase at the USCA Nationals in Oscoda this year. John Edwards had brought two OC6 outriggers from Florida for a Trial OC6 Marathon. Still short of paddlers to hold a race Saturday morning (you need at least two teams to make a race), the backers of the new Trial class were still recruiting Friday evening. That was when Teresa Stout was told, “Be at the Finish Line at 8 am.” So there the following morning she was, at the appointed time and place. Nobody else related to the outrigger event seemed to be there, but some race ofÞcials reassured her she was at the right place. Time passed, and time passed. Teresa could tell something was wrong. Finally a race ofÞcial told her thast she should be at Cooke Dam. Cooke Dam? Yes. And there was Ray Quick, in a similar position. He and his son were in the wrong place for the Adult/Youth Marathon. So Ray offered to drive her and off they tore in Ray’s camper. But at Cooke Dam they learned that no, Teresa should have been back at Oscoda Canoe Rental. And Ray and his son decided not to paddle the marathon (knee surgery, timing, etc, all mounted up). “It’s too late now,” Teresa told Ray, “But let’s head for the turnround and see of we can’t get me in at that point.” So they headed for the Whirlpool Landing, arriving minutes before two OC6s — with just four paddlers apiece — struggled gamely upstream to the buoy. “We hollered and waded out into the river,” said Teresa. “The OC6 teams were great sports. Two paddlers or none, they said, and they waited while Ray ran back to his camper for his stuff. Then I jumped into one OC6 and Ray jumped into the other. “I’ve always wanted to paddle in one of those boats,” said Ray. “Boy, are they cool!” “The sportsmanship award was a complete surprise to Ray and me,” said Teresa. “I don’t think we really deserved it, but we got it. “The beautiful big cup was separated from its base and a little worse for wear, but I Þxed it up after getting Ray’s and my names engraved on the plaque, and I’ve given it a good polish. It’ll look good when I bring it back to Warren for Nationals next year.” Teresa is also busy starting a new children’s paddling club (see her ßyer on the opposite page).

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Judy Jeanes, USCA’s Camaraderie Chair won the USCA Youth Award for 2004. Introduced to paddling in her teens in the Girl Scouts (competitive paddling even!) and having experienced the generosity of many adult paddlers with their time and equipment, and being naturally generous, fun-loving herself, it is not surprising (to us) that Judy would involve herself with new generations of young paddlers. Judy began paddling competitively in 1980 at Camp Hidden Falls Girl Scout camp under the guidance of Carol King of Sheboygan, WI and Julie Johnson of Lansdowne, PA. “I was in a canoe tripping unit that was preparing for 3 week river trips on the Sacadaga, Hudson, and Upper Delaware Rivers. “I joined the Mean Green Canoe Team and raced my Þrst General Clinton scout race that spring. We were fortunate that we had an active counsel that had a wonderful program that started the year before by Al Jenkins. [The General Clinton Canoe Regatta has, incidentally, done a Þne job over the years of encouraging youth paddling, by holding its many races for scouts and other youth.] “After high school I went on to West Chester University and began teaching at Upper Darby High School. I came back to help coach the Mean Greens. I raced with many different partners over these years, and kept helping with the team, speciÞcally training the endurance teams. I was able to connect with the kids on a different level in coaching. “I had been racing more competitively. I wanted the girls to have fun but also become strong — on and off the water. This spirit of racing was a bit different than the rest of the coaching staff at the time. The endurance teams did well — and the younger paddlers were shown how racing really could be. “I met Carol Culbertson (justaddwater70@hotmail.com) at a Mean Green reunion and started racing with her for several years. “I would go out to the local Girl Scout camps and help train their staff and go on the overnight trips on the Brandywine River. “I have been fortunate in my paddling experience to have met a wide variety of people who have taught me more than I could have ever learned on my own. The generosity that I have experienced in the paddling community has been tremendous. People have lent boats, paddles, help me set up numerous boats, and given me guidance and support through some of my toughest times on and off the water. The USCA is fortunate to have Judy as a member actively encouraging youth into the sport we all love. A lot of people talk the talk of how we need to encourage youth. Judy walks the walk (and paddles the river!). For another example, take a look at Judy’s Junior Banner Contest (opposite page), incidentally, and encourage some kids that you know to participate! The USCA is doubly fortunate that Judy has also chosen to be active in our association: the Camaraderie Committee sprung to life. With Judy as Chair, she is bringing some fun to the older paddlers, as well as to the younger ones! Congratulations on the Award, Judy — and thank you!

Semi-Annual Meeting — Highlights

USCA Junior Banner Contest The Banner contest is to be held at the USCA Nationals in Warren, PA. Each USCA junior member from any state may enter one banner representing their state and the USCA 5 star program: Competition, Cruising, Conservation, Camping and Camaraderie.

Junior Banner Contest Rules and Regulations Each USCA junior paddler can enter one banner. All banners must incorporate the state theme and the USCA 5 star program. Banners will be displayed at Nationals. A panel of judges will determine the top three places. Prizes will be awarded to the top three. Contestants will be notiÞed on judging times. The committee reserves the right to disqualify any entry due to violation of the rules.

Size Banners must be a maximum 3ft x 5ft. They can be any shape or form as long as they are under this size. Banners that do not comply with this size limit may not be accepted.

Shaun Koos: In it for the Race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gareth Stevens Shaun Koos was actually another nominee for the Bill Klebe Good Sportsmanship Award at this year’s Nationals (though I have to say that my understanding of the purpose of the award is to recognize “good sportsmanship” in the sense, for example, of making a sacriÞce of your own race or jeopardizing your ranking in order to help a competitor in extremis, rather than “merely” suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune with good grace — vs stomping off home in a sulk). Within a short distance of starting the K1 ICF Man marathon, a collision wrecked Koos’s rudder. So, he gamely turned around, paddled back up to the start at Cooke Dam to see if he could Þnd another boat and enter another class, quick. “I didn’t want to not race,” he told me. He found Pam Browning who said sure, he could use the downriver boat on her car — and off she went to race in her class. Koos checked quickly if he could enter the Kayak Unlimited class with that boat. An ofÞcial said yes, and Koos headed for the start, late (they’d already gone) but he set off nonetheless. Well, Koos caught and passed the Unlimited Kayaks (photo, p 57). However, he didn’t win the K1 Unlimited Medal. There was a protest. I wasn’t there, so I’m only speculating. It can’t have been the boat. It was a non-ICF boat, so Þts in the Unlimited category. I can only imagine that it was something like the technicality of having to register the day before the race. No same-day registration for marathons is the rule. Rules are rules and that’s Þne. Whatever. No big deal. Koos had an awesome race, in all senses of that overused adjective. Determined sportsmanship and good grace.

Materials Banners can be any color and must be weatherproof. (It is recommended that you use paints, markers and other art materials that will not run if the banner is left out in the rain). Banners must be homemade; any professionally made banner will be disqualiÞed.

Entry Deadline Banners ARE DUE on the day of the Junior/Youth sprints by 12 noon. Banners can be turned in at the registration area. All banners will become the property of the USCA Camaraderie Committee for future USCA events. Questions should be directed to Judy Jeanes, Camaraderie Chair, waterconÞdence@yahoo.com

Scorecard Promotion of State Paddling related Attractiveness/Neatness Creativity/Originality Overall Appearance

20 points 20 points 20 points 20 points 20 points

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Semi-Annual Meeting Highlights

Semi-Annual Meeting - Highlights Friday August 13, 2004 Warrior Pavilion, Van Etten Lake Beach, Oscoda, MI . . . . . . . . . . . abbreviated from Karen Levitt’s minutes The 2004 USCA Semi Annual Meeting was called to order by the Larry Liquori at 7:35 pm. The 43 delegates present provided a quorum. Six more delegates were represented by proxy. Larry Liquori called the meeting to order and presided in Kelly Wypych’s absence at her request. 1. 2004 USCA K-l/C-1 Barton Junior Cup Challenge update: Joe Kowsky All results from all divisions participating in the Barton Cup were posted. Many delegates discussed youth participation. Joe indicated that that he would like to retire and move out of his position of youth chair. 2. 2005 USCA Annual Meeting. Chuck Weis was not in attendance and no update was given. Concern was expressed about whtehr rooms rates had benn negotiated and if everything was in place. The delegates asked John Edwards contact Chuck. 3. 2006 USCA Stock Aluminum Nationals. No bids had yet been received for the 2006 USCA Stock Aluminum Nationals. The deadline for submission of bids was extended to the Annual Meeting in January, 2005. 4. Update on USCA Competition Rules and Canoe/Kayak SpeciÞcations - John Edwards noted that we have an updated version of the competition rules that should be on-line soon. He indicated that Jim Dipelesi has an on-line version and that Chris Rudolph had the updated version in a book here at the Oscoda Nationals. He indicated that a lot of discussion went into the updated version, but it was close to a Þnal draft. Jim Dipelesi mentioned that the current on-line version had some errors in it that would be changed within the week. 5. Update on Bylaws, Rules and Regulations Committee - Joan Theiss Joan gave updates as of the last meeting. She commented that some of the things we currently do as an organization are not stated in the Bylaws and Rules. She also said that the USCA needs to follow the stated rules, or change them to reßect actual practices. She did not give any speciÞc details. 6. Update on membership cards - Paula Thiel Paula noted that every delegate that renews needs an updated card. She said card cost was $1.15 per card, which includes all production costs and mailing. 7. Audit Committee Report (tabled from Annual meeting) Larry Liquori Larry indicated that a 2 page report was available for delegates to read. He discussed liability and indicated that, “We are all in effect, directors of a corporation, “and that an incident by one individual may be the responsibility of the entire organization. He addressed a general concern of the oversight of the position of USCA Treasurer and discussed the options of having a CPA audit (cost of $10,000) or having a bonding company backing the treasure. He mentioned that the Audit Committee does review the books, but the committee oversight power is limited. Bill Corrigan and Larry Liquori both commented that the Treasurer

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

needs to get the Treasurer’s Report to the Committee before the meeting at which it is due. Joanna Faloon asked why the USCA does not have a speciÞed date that the report must be submitted by. Larry remarked that due to the change in the Þscal year from Nov 1- to Nov 1st, a date could not be mandated. He will make a further report on oversights and responsibilities of the Treasurer at the January meeting. Thor Ronemus asked about liability insurance which Larry responded that he will look into it. Larry Liquori mentioned that Marc Lessard has changed to a new operating procedures software. He also said that Marc will not seek to continue his position and so the USCA needs to Þnd a new Treasurer. A member is also needed for the Audit Committee as Larry has completed his term. 8. Membership Dues Committee report - Gareth Stevens Gareth had nothing to report. He will have a report at the Annual Meeting. Joanna Faloon began a discussion about raising membership fees. Harold Theiss indicated that historically when fees rise, memberships drop. Kaitlyn McElroy asked for a new class for students who are always on a limited budget. Suggestion from Larry Liquori for the creation of multi-year memberships. Joanna Faloon mentioned the excellent quality of the USCA Newsletter and questioned whether the low membership fee can really cover the newsletter expense. 9. Special Committee on Rebate Increase from the National Race Organizers - John Edwards “Spending money is easy, raising money is hard!’ – John Edwards. The Nationals rebate is what the USCA gets each year from the USCA Nationals host organization. The current issue in the Special Committee is whether the USCA should get more money back, but not impact number of registrations or paddler involvement. Joan Theiss expressed her worry that the Oscoda Nationals were more expensive than contracted and worried that would effect participation. Jim Miller asked why the USCA needed more money. Mention was made of the $58,000 the USCA now has in a bank account. Karl Vogel discussed the idea of using the money as seed money to start new youth-based paddling programs. He commented that paddle sports will not grow unless youth participate. 10. Awards Larry Liquori showed the assembly the trophy for the Youth Encouragement Award. He indicated it was an award designed to recognize work done in behalf of youth during the current year. The award winner receives the traveling trophy, a permanent plaque, and one youth membership to give as they please. Larry would eventually like to name the trophy after someone. Janet Perry spoke about the Mike Fremont, Howie LaBrant and the Bill Klebe awards. She mentioned that the Klebe Award nominations were due the following evening, trophy to be awarded on Sunday. Janet asked that the deadline for both the Fremont and the LaBrant awards be extended. Nominations to go to John Edwards who will then submit them to the Executive Committee. Joan Theiss mentioned that the awards were not historically given the same year. Janet commented that neither trophy has been awarded since 2000. Karen Levitt called for nominations for the Canoeist of the Year Award. No nominations had yet been submitted. 11. Insurance - Report on e-mail vote: Plan and rates - Larry Liquori

Semi-Annual Meeting Highlights Larry gave a history of his involvement in the development of plans and programs for USCA Insurance matters. He particularly spoke about the new addition of outrigger and dragon boat in 2003. He said that it was not yet proÞtable, but the sports are becoming more popular. Some clubs asked for year-round insurance coverage. An email vote prompted by Larry on this issues passed during the spring of 2004. A large discussion began as to whether or not the vote was legal and whether the USCA could conduct business through email. General consensus after some discussion was that the vote would stand. Joanna Faloon was curious as to how outrigger and paddling clubs were informed of the USCA insurance program. Norm Ludwig brought up the issues that directors of small races are complaining that the $4 per person insurance fee is too expensive. 12. Special Report on Kayak Points Series - Karl Vogel Karl discussed the idea of setting up a regional points system for Kayaks. He hoped a series would encourage higher end competition that could require paddlers to earn a spot for participation in bigger races. Karl elaborated on his ideas for training program for both kayak and canoe for kids. He expressed that the biggest impediment for youth programs is funding. 13. Annual Meeting Decisions - Brief review of expectations of hosting an annual meeting John Edwards led a discussion about the general lack of bids. Tave Lamperez mentioned that the organizers of the recent Niles, Michigan Nationals had data on the beneÞt to the community of having the USCA Nationals in their town. Gareth Stevens suggested that a Committee should be formed to gather information on possible Nationals locations and to solicit bids. Larry Liquori stated that in theory this is the job of the Executive Director. If no bids come in, the Executive Committee is responsible for Þnding a host city. John Edwards suggested that a committee form under the leadership of Jan Streib to address the issue of bid solicitation. No action was taken. 14. Other Priscilla Reinertsen’s motion that the USCA K1 ICF Man Trophy be named “The Mark Jacobson Memorial Trophy” was passed. Priscilla had an additional item for consideration for future discussion, she asked for the elimination of the following USCA Nationals classes – Outrigger, Orienteering, and Adult Sprints. She asked for this to be an item on the January 2005 meeting agenda. Larry Liquori mentioned that there are many untapped grants that could support USCA goals and objectives. He suggested the formation of a Grant Writing Committee. [End]

USCA’S 2005 WINTER MEETING

Why not make it a Winter Vacation?

The Meeting is on January 7, 8 & 9, 2005 Why not come a day or two earlier, leave a day or two later?

CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL RENO, NEVADA From Chuck Weis: Delegates, OfÞcers, Committee Chairs, and Friends: This is both an invitation to a really fun and completely different annual meeting and an appeal to get your hotel reservations in so that you can take advantage of an exceptional room rate. In fact, the room rate is so good it should appeal to non-delegates and even your non-member friends who might want to take an advantage of an inexpensive winter getaway. (Just make certain they request the USCA rate.) First, a few facts about the hotel: Circus Circus is part of a three-hotel complex including the El Dorado and Silver Legacy. That means you’ll have access to more than 20 restaurants, three casinos, two show rooms, Circus Circus‚ famed circus acts, and countless shops without ever going outside. For those of you who are adventurous enough to venture outside, downtown Reno and its many attractions are at your doorstep. Then there’s nearby Lake Tahoe. Beautiful any time of year, the lake and the surrounding Sierra mountains are at their most spectacular in Winter. Why not build in a few extra days to take full advantage of the area. Here’s the best part! The hotel rates (single or double) are a steal. Try $55.00 Friday and Saturday and $35.00 Sunday through Thursday. Request the Sky Tower, and make certain you request the United States Canoe Association rate. That rate is guaranteed only through December 17th, so call soon. And the weekday rates are good both before and after USCA’s meeting. Phone 1-800-648-5010.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Inspection & Competition: the Nationals

Close to Overwhelming . . . & Some Problems With Compliance The Technical Inspection and Competition Committee’s Take on the Oscoda Nationals Norm Ludwig, Chair, Competition Committee Jerry Patton, Chair, Technical Inspection Committee Bill Corrigan, Chair , Competition Committee / Sprints Much went right with the Nationals in Oscoda. We, and the many good-natured volunteers that Oscoda provided, worked hard to see that it did. However, the experience in Oscoda for the Technical Inspection and Competition Committees added to similar experiences (to a greater or lesser degree) at other recent Nationals point to a number of recommendations for improvement. The challenge was even greater this year because of the big increase in the number of classes that we run at our National Championships. Technical Inspection had a major problem this year in getting racers to comply with the rule that the top Þve boats in each class must be jigged. Racers may get their boats measured before the race. However, they must bring their boat to the jigging station after the race if they Þnish in the top Þve — whether it was measured before the race or not. By getting their boats measured before the race there is often a chance to Þx a boat that fails inspection. For example, ends can be Þled if the boat has expanded beyond its maximum length because storage conditions and its manufacture materials. If a racer waits until after the race, and the boat fails inspection – there’s no Þxing it. There’s just disqualiÞcation. On the Þrst day of racing, jigging compliance was very low, and though it improved in succeeding days, compliance was never complete. We believe this is due to (i) ignorance; (ii) forgetfulness; (iii) willful disregard of the rule “because it’s not important – as there is no consequence for not getting your boat jigged.” Ignorance can be Þxed by educating the racers. We recommend: putting clear instructions into Canoe News and on the web sites of USCA and the Nationals host, alerting racers to the jigging rules, and bringing their attention clearly to the locations and the times when USCA’s volunteer jigging ofÞcials will be available. Additionally, we recommend putting an eyecatching sheet of paper outlining jigging obligations into each race packet. Forgetfulness can be Þxed by reminding the racers at the start and Þnish of the races. We recommend that the ofÞcial starter remind racers of the requirement during at the roll call at the start of each race, — and again through a PA system at the Þnish line as the top Þve Þnishers in a class pass by. A communication line between the Þnish line ofÞcials and the jigging ofÞcials would also be useful, and is recommended. We also recommend requiring that the host provide an enclosed impoundment areas next to the jigging station at the take-out point for each day of races.

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Willful disregard of the rule can be Þxed by disqualiÞcation. Unless there is a strictly applied, meaningful sanction for failing to present their boat for measurement, some racers will inevitably be tempted to skip the requirement. So, we recommend that if a top Þve boat is not placed in the jigging impoundment area within Þve minutes of Þnishing a race (complete with pfd, whistle and any required weights) — and left there until it has been measured! — we recommend that the racer(s) be disqualiÞed without recourse to appeal. Sinking We also recommend a sinking committee and practical location for the sinking of boats. The ßotation rule has not been enforced for a number of years. We are willing to enforce it, but the host must provide a practical site for the sinking of boats near the Þnish line. The site should be an area of river or lake bed with solid footing, relatively ßat with no steep drop off, and a two to four foot depth of water. If these conditions are not naturally available, then a sinking station should be built (perhaps attached to a dock) and provided to the USCA by the Nationals host. Or, we should revisit whether the USCA is prepared to enforce the sinking rule and maintain a ßotation requirement. If not, the rule should be removed – just as any requirement that we are not willing to enforce should be removed from our rules. Other recommendations We have other recommendations that will make the jigging task easier to encourage and enforce, and will make other aspects of running Nationals smoother. These include: 1. At least three local volunteers assigned to help with handling numbers at sprints, volunteers who will report for training well prior to the race starts. 2. More ofÞcial hats and shirts for the greater number of volunteers (whether USCA or host), including multiples (changes of clothes) for subsequent days’ wear. 3. A better numbering system for canoes. The stickers are too small, and the variable quality of handwritten magic marker numerals make them difÞcult to read accurately at the Þnish line or at other spotting locations. We recommend larger, clearer, printed (not handwritten) numbers. We also recommend for the marathon races a numbering system where the Þrst digit identiÞes the race class (eg #s 100-140 are all C1 Man, #s 200-240 are all C1 Man Master, etc). 4. Kayak numbers present a special challenge. We recommend a system, like at Gainesville, where kayak numbers are not stuck ßat on the kayak, which makes them difÞcult to read, but are set vertically in a holder on top of the kayak. A speciÞc recommendation is currently being researched. 5. Finally, we must have a good communications system between start line, Þnish line, and registration, preferably linking in our spotters, too. For the marathon races, the jigging station should be included in the communications system. Some of the recommendations we make here we can accomplish ourselves (like making jigging announcements during roll call at each race start). Resolution of some of the other issues needs the support of delegates at the Annual Meeting for discussion and action. Thank you.

2004 Aluminum Canoe Championships

2004 USCA National Stock Aluminum Canoe Championships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ray Davis, American Lung Association of Virginia On behalf of the American Lung Association of Virginia and the 600,000 Virginians who suffer with lung disease I would like to thank Bobby Galbraith, Race Chair and Rusty McClain and the Mid-Atlantic Paddlers for hosting the 2004 Aluminum Nationals. Through their hard work, over $500 was donated to the American Lung Association of Virginia to sponsor two children at next year’s Summer Asthma Camp. While the turnout was not what they were hoping for, those that attended were treated to a great weekend of paddling, food and friendship. This year’s winners, Randy Bailey and Steve Martin, had to work for it beating out locals Rusty McClain and Jim Ferrington by only 40 seconds. The women’s champions, Jeanine Schaffer and Pat Bayers, Þnished the race strong and then raced back to Florida to be with family to wait out Hurricane Ivan.

OfÞcial Race Results:

C2 Men Master 10.5 Miles 1 Randy Bailey (PA)/ Steve Martin (PA) . . . . . . . . . . 1:35:47 2 Jim Farrington (VA)/ Rusty McLain (VA) . . . . . . . 1:36:27 3 Henry Wicker (NC)/ Ed Sharp (VA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:41:25 C2 Men 10.5 Miles 1 Mike Watson (NC)/ John Beale (VA) . . . . . . . . . . . 1:55:36 2 Ron Spivey (VA)/ Bobby Galbraith (VA) . . . . . . . . 2:14:40 C2 Women 10.5 Miles 1 Jeanie Schaffer (FL)/ Pat Bayers (FL) . . . . . . . . . . 2:07:45 A special thank you goes out to Tave Lamperez for his help with boat inspections and serving as the “ofÞcial timer” for the race.

Sunday’s race featured 15 local boats and a 10 knot wind. Results of the 6.1 mile race were: OC1 Jim Ferrington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . winning time: 57:59 Ric Rountree Freda Rosso C1 Tim Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . winning time: 1:20:19 Charlie Barton K1 Kyle McLain (51:48) Chuck Conley Glenn Farnsworth C2 Rusty & Leza McLain . . . . . . . . . . . . . winning time: 59:46 Sea Kayak Ron Whitenack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . winning time: 1:03:10 David Hamm Lisa Bechman Below: Participants and timer in this year’s USCA National Stock Aluminum Canoe Championships Back row left to right: Ron Spivey, Bobby Galbraith, Henry Wicker, Ed Sharp, Jim Farrington, Rusty McLain, Tave Lamperez, and Jeanie Schaffer Front row left to right: Mike Watson, John Beale, Randy Bailey, Steve Martin, Pat Bayers

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Live (with a little luck) and Learn

USCA’s Paddle Race/Event Insurance Program

A Cautionary Tale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin LeRoy

Program highlights

• $2,000,000 liability protection • Affordable rates • Third party additional insureds available • Affordable rates • Ease of application • Did we say “affordable rates” ? • For marathon, outrigger, dragonboat events More information: USCA’s website www.USCAnoe.com Or call the USCA insurance administrator, Jacka-Liquori Agency, at 1 (800) 464-7935

The USCA canoe race/event program has been in effect for more than 14 years. Through this program, the USCA has enabled hundreds of races and other events (races, demos, expos, classes, clinics, training sessions) to take place that otherwise might have had to fold due to the unaffordability of liability insurance. The USCA now has two insurance program for canoe races or other events, one for marathon canoe/kayak and the other for outrigger, dragonboat, or swanboat events. We are using the Jacka-Liquori Agency in Kings Park, NY as our program administrator. They take care of all of our paperwork. The necessary forms for insuring an event can be found on the USCA website, www.USCAnoe.com. You must get your paperwork and check to our insurance administrator at Jacka-Liquori more than 30 days in advance of your event or pay a late fee. After your event you must promptly return signed waivers and any additional fees due the USCA. It’s as easy as that! (Starting in 2004 there may be an additional fee for returning these items late as well.) The USCA program is one of the most competitively priced (if not the most competitively priced) program for paddling event insurance in the country. By using this program, you are not only helping yourselves by using the best priced program around, you are also helping support our the non-profit United States Canoe Association continue its work supporting paddlesport. Stay tuned. In the future, we may also have a program for year round liability coverage for clubs and associations that need liability insurance for more than just events competitions, like club dinners & meetings, clubhouse premises liability, etc. For any questions, contact Jacka-Liquori Agency at (800) 464-7935.

A couple times in my paddling career, I’ve come away from a situation thinking to myself: “I can’t believe what an idiot I am. I’m lucky to be alive right now.” I have taken lessons away from these situations. Perhaps if I share my paddling stupidity with you, you can learn from my mistakes. Wednesday evening, March 5, 1997. Yahara River/Lower Mud Lake. Temperature: high 20s to low 30s, with a strong northwest wind. I paddle this area on a regular basis. Because of the Lake Waubesa locks, this stretch of river stays open nearly all year. There is nothing unusual about me going out alone, in the dark and in cold weather. It’s a fact of life for a canoe racer. However, for the Þrst time that season, when I rounded the bend and looked down the length of Lower Mud Lake, I didn’t see any ice. It looked like there was open water all the way across the lake. This was very exciting. I knew that if I could make it across the lake with out getting iced in, I would probably be able to paddle all the way down to Lake Kegonsa, which is certainly better than going back and forth in the small area between Lake Waubesa and Lower Mud Lake. I took off down the lake feeling good and strong. I had decided to paddle my race boat that night, and it felt good. Normally in cold weather, I paddle a recreational canoe, but I had had a little shoulder soreness, and I knew that the narrow race boat would feel better. Besides, the river is extremely shallow below the locks. Even if I did fall in, it would only be into waist-deep water. I was cruising down the lake very quickly, with only moderate effort. The speed felt great. It was like I had jumped ahead into mid summer. It was dark, but I could hear ducks and geese all around. I couldn’t see them well because it was so dark, but I was having fun listening to the honking, quacking, and splashing as I cruised along. When I got near the end of the lake, I saw that I was entering a narrow channel of open water with ice on both sides. But I was close enough to the end of the lake that I thought it just might go through. However, soon I had ice on three sides of me. Paddling to Lake Kegonsa would have to wait for another day. Once I stopped moving forward and began to turn in the narrow channel, I quickly remembered the wind. I had not been paddling down the lake as fast as I thought. Instead, I had been using a major tail wind to sail down the lake. Now, in this narrow channel, I couldn’t get the boat to turn 180 degrees and head back into the wind. At one point, I lost the battle and the stern of my canoe ground into the ice with that awful noise that kevlar makes when it hits something. When I got half-way around, I began to notice the little waves that were bouncing me up and down. In the summer, I wouldn’t have thought twice about this little 6-inch chop. But this was early March, and perhaps my second time in the racing canoe. Suddenly, I became very frightened. I realized that I had no margin for error. I was alone, far out in the lake, sitting in a skinny canoe, bouncing up and down in the waves, surrounded by ice, and battling a Þerce wind. All on a very cold, very dark night. Any time we go paddling, or do any other outdoor activity, we accept a certain amount of personal risk. However, it is important to assess the level of risk and compare it with your individual tolerance. For example, I chose to paddle a less stable canoe that night. I knew

The AuSable River Canoe and Clean

[Introductory note by Gareth Stevens: Eighty-one volunteers, including three USCA members (Carrie Montgomery, another Oscoda resident and his family (new family member at Nationals — I regret I can’t recall his name) and Gareth Stevens), turned up on the cool, sunny Monday following the 2004 Nationals to help with Paul Komraus’s AuSable River Cleanup. Many USCA paddlers had commented on how beautiful and clean the river looks from Foote Dam to Oscoda. This is in large part due to the organizational efforts of Komraus and his generosity in providing canoes and people from his canoe/kayak livery, Oscoda Canoe Rental. I teamed up with a local volunteer Bob Zacharias who, not content with picking up trash in the shallows or on the bank, quickly had me diving for cans, bottles (some of them unopened, testifying to an accidental dumping), and other manageably-sized trash (hooks and Þsh hooks, line, and hunting arrows included!). Larger items (tires and bits of machinery) were hauled up by the DNR or a

police launch, better equipped to handle and carry those heavier items. It was great fun – and a nice change of pace from the racing over the last week. It was also a way to say thank you to the community that had hosted our Nationals with such enthusiasm and effort. The local Little Caesar’s pizza place provided large quantities of pizza for the volunteers following their day’s efforts.] The idea for a river clean-up has been in my head since before I opened Oscoda Canoe Rental. I have been paddling the beautiful AuSable River for Þfty-Þve years and love it to this day. I talked to many people about an annual river cleanup, including the Chamber of Commerce, the United States Forestry Service and the Department of Natural Resources. Much to my surprise, no one had heard of such an event! So in 1997, the “AuSable River Canoe and Cleanup” was born. I publicized this event through a local cable channel, a free radio spot for non-proÞt events, many ßyers and basic word of mouth. In our Þrst year, we had forty volunteers as well as the Michigan State Police Dive Team. During the cleanup, the divers concentrated more on items like snag lines and trees, while the canoers mainly picked up cans, bottles and various trash using orange bags provided by Canoe Livery Products. Television coverage, radio interviews and articles written in local and statewide publications brought much attention to this event. Seven years later, the “Canoe and Clean” is running strong and has gained the participation of Alcona Canoe Rental and the Rainbow Resort. The cleanup averages seventy-Þve to ninety volunteers annually. Workers in boats with gaff hooks have taken sixty tires, transmissions, car doors and Þfty-Þve gallon drums from the river’s deep holes. To this date, the most unusual item removed was a velvet box complete with wedding and engagement ring set. We still are waiting for that story! It’s nice to know that people can get together and accomplish great things. All it takes is an idea and a little effort. I truly thank every person who has donated their time and helped us keep our river clean. If you have any questions, please call me (Paul) at (989) 739-9040.

that it was riskier, but I decided to accept that risk so I could enjoy the beneÞts of a more pleasant outing. However, when I made that decision, I was thinking about paddling along the small shallow river, not out in the middle of Lower Mud Lake with wind driven waves hitting me from the side. When I got on the water, I got carried away by the moment and forgot all about the added risk. Another risk that I regularly accept is to paddle alone, at night, during the winter. I accept this risk because to me, the payoff is worth it. Although when I think about the possibility of tipping over this time of year, I think about wading a few feet to shore, dumping out, paddling home, taking a warm shower, and spending the night wrapped in heavy blankets sipping hot chocolate. I’ve done it before, and the beneÞts of paddling during the winter are well worth it. However, when I decided to head across Lower Mud Lake, I changed my level of risk without re-evaluating risk/reward. Another mistake I made that night was to underestimate the wind and waves. These factors made a swim more likely. In warm weather, or with friends around to help with a rescue, that’s no big deal. However, before I took off across the lake, I should have thought:

“Look at this wind. There are probably substantial waves at the other end. Do I have the skills to handle this? Yes, I do. But if I don’t, the penalty could be death. Perhaps it’s not worth trying.” Instead I thought, “Hey, cool. The lake’s open!” Don’t be like me! Before you head out the door for any outdoor activity, evaluate the environmental factors and compare them to your skills. If you do this accurately, you will have a good sense of how likely you will get into trouble. Next, think about what the penalty is for getting into trouble. The higher the penalty, the smalller your tolerance for risk shuld be. The penalty for trashing your boat in rapids close to your car is not nearly as severe as trashing your boat in rapids somewhere in the Northwest Territories with your ßoat-plane meeting you 75 miles away sometime next week. Obviously, I make it back alive. But I did not have fun. Everybody has a comfort zone and part of the fun of paddling is to push the limits of your comfort zone a little every now and then. However, I did a poor job of assessing the risks in relation to my comfort zone that night, and suddenly I found myself way outside of it. It was a scary, nerve-racking paddle back to the car.

Part of the cleanup crew: Gareth Stevens, Bob Zacharias Zacharias,, and Carrie Montgomery

The AuSable River Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Komraus

Cheap and Compact Survival Kits: #1

Build Your Own Cheap & Compact Survival Kits, Part One

for illegal U-turns. Or (gasp of surprise) your emergency is unplanned and (second gasp of surprise) they haven’t a clue that you’re in trouble.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet Perry

So, having just a few inconspicuous but very effective items at the ready is just wise. Moreover, they are easy, small and cheap (and they make good gifts for your fellow paddlers for holidays, to show your appreciation for help or tolerance given, or to reward a rookie who has jumped into the sport with a brand-new used vessel).

There are a few tests that help you decide whether your paddling day is going kaput: 1. someone is hurt; 2. something is broken; or 3. someone or something is going to be hurt or broken because something happens that is going to get worse. These problems are usually small and won’t be much worse after just an hour of paddling. However, after three hours plus, they can mean the difference between Þnishing the trip and a serious need for help that causes a stop in all progress. Most of the time, you can keep these problems from getting worse with Þrst aid and repair kits. You don’t need these kits to be as big as your dry bag, either — even on a multi-day race. We aren’t talking about a solo expedition into the barren wilderness, here. You’re racing, you have a pit crew and fellow paddlers all around you. Nevertheless, you may encounter a problem that can’t wait for your crew and won’t be resolved by what your fellow racers don’t have, either. Of course, you can use duck tape for most of what is in the kits, and effectively, too — but do you really want to use duck tape and your drinking water to treat an infected blister, a bout of poison sumac or an insulin deÞciency? Probably not. The key racing question is always: what’s needed? Some racers think Þrst aid or repair kits are totally unnecessary because their crew is there for that kind of stuff. Yeah, right. Yes, the crew is usually around, is always awesome, and yet, despite all that, can’t helicopter in instantly at every moment of bad luck. Let’s face facts. Sometimes your crew is unavailable due to trafÞc jams, lack of access to the river, a busted engine, an arrest

Let’s start with that Þrst aid kit. [The repair kit will be in the next issue of Canoe News.] First, get two zip and seal sandwich-sized bags. In case you’re wondering Why two?, it’s to put one inside the other for extra waterprooÞng. Fill one bag with the items in the sidebar, and whatever Þts your needs from the list of optional items, and stuff that bag into the empty one. Slap a large (2” x 4”) self-adhesive hook and loop fastener to that, and stick it on the bottom of your seat (with extra duck tape, if you want, but away from the sliding rails!). Let it stay there the whole season. Replace anything you use, and here’s hoping you don’t need to. Remove it when the season’s over. Check and replace the contents and put it back under your seat at the start of the next season. Now, you’re set to handle Þrst aid challenges before they turn into scary stuff like gangrene or shock. So, there’s nothing to lose, and there’s possibly someone’s life to save. So, just bring it. Janet Perry is certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. She is also an ARC Water Safety Instructor. She has been in and around the water, either swimming, paddling, rowing, motoring, or sailing for over 40 years. She wishes she had not quite so many misadventures in racing canoes, strongly suggesting that all canoe racers need first aid kits in their gear at all times.

Paddle like a girl! 100% cotton t-shirts women’s, children’s & men’s sizes available $15 each + p&p 1-2 items $5 p&p 3-6 items $10 p&p 7-10 items $15 p&p More: call Janet

Make your check payable to Janet Perry, and mail your order to: Janet Perry, 24 Roosevelt St, St. Charles, IL 60174 — Tel (630) 584-6931. Profits from sales to benefit women’s and girls’ national & international paddling competition programs. Currently, those programs include USACK’s JustCanoeIt!, Canada’s WomenCan, and USCA’s Women’s Interests Committee. Thanks for your support!

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Cheap and Compact Survival Kits: #1

• 1 mini sanitary menstrual pad (don’t get all whiny about having girl hygiene things in the racing vessel. These are speciÞcally made to absorb blood and keep the mess away from the absorbtion area — they are much more effective than most gauze dressings, and they have adhesive backs you can secure to your bandage bindings to maintain pressure in the right spot)

• 10 butterßy adhesives • 10 waterproof small adhesive bandages pretreated with antibiotic ointment

(they come this way in the box, don’t apply the ointment to the bandages and then try to repackage them, also, make sure these are the waterproof bandages – river water is a contaminant)

• 10 antiseptic wipes • 10 antibiotic quick wipes (premoistened soap wipes — because if you snag poison ivy under a fallen tree, you can quickly clean the ick juices off before you touch your face, your food, your paddle, your partner, your pit crew…and you avoid infecting everyone)

•

2 pair non-latex gloves, sealed in snack-sized zipclose bags

• 2 three-inch wide self-sticking roller bandages, pre-

cut in two 2-yard lengths, rolled, placed in snack-sized zip-close bags

• 2 sterile gauze squares, about 3”x 3” • 4 antihistamine tablets, sealed on their boxed cards • 4 sugar tablets, sealed on their box cards • 4 anti-inßammation tablets, wrapped in foil and

stored with the roller bandages in their zip-close plastic bags (your choice: aspirin, acetomenophen or ibuprofen)

• OPTIONAL ITEMS: anti-nausea tablets, a mini multi-tool with scissors & tweezers, hand warmers that you snap and shake, small cold compresses that you snap and shake, a laminated card listing your and your partner’s allergies to medicines, foods, insect bites, etc., and medical conditions like diabetes, pacemakers epilepsy or asthma, a laminated Þrst aid instruction card — to keep you from panicking, so that you don’t give your partner CPR if they are breathing and have a pulse, or try to jam a Þnger in their mouth if they are having an epileptic Þt (which would make things worse) Wow! Look at all of that! And, look at this! It’s all less than 10 ounces and covers quite a large spectrum of emergencies (poison plants, insect bites, contamination, wounds, allergies, low glycemic levels, blisters, some broken bones, inßammations).

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Going the Distance: Nutrition Advice

Going the Distance

by Barb

Bradley Nutritional Information for Optimizing Health & Athletic Performance

Foods Containing Anti- Foods Containing ProInßammatory Fats Inßammatory Fats Flax seeds Walnuts Chestnuts Soy Salmon Mackerel Tuna Sardines Herring Cod Liver

A Natural Approach to Inßammation Part One (Part Two follows in the next issue)

Inßammation is a common consequence for competitive athletes. Anytime you push your limits, you will experience inßammation to some degree. Inßammation is actually a protective and restorative response in which the body attempts to repair itself following an injury, or rids itself of chemical toxins or foreign invaders. The classic signs of inßammation are local redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function. Pain and loss of function (i.e. stiffness) are the most common symptoms for an athlete. If you train and race, you will experience inßammation to some degree. The extent in which you push beyond your limits, and how your body handles inßammation, will determine the frequency and degree that you are stiff and sore. There are metabolic pathways controlling inßammation. These pathways are pro-inßammatory or anti-inßammatory. You want the antiinßammatory pathways to be working for you. Certain nutrients can encourage you body to favor the anti-inßammatory pathways, therefore allowing your body to deal with inßammation effectively and without the use of medications. If you examine the bathroom kits of several competitive athletes travelling to a major competition, you will easily conclude that many endurance athletes use anti-inßammatory medications to control inßammation. The mechanism of these medications is to block both the anti-inßammatory and proinßammatory pathways. They handle symptoms well for most people but there is a price to pay. Because the medications block the natural anti-inßammatory pathways along with the pro-inßammatory pathways, your body doesn’t get a chance to Þght the inßammation naturally. Many of the anti-infammatory medications cause gastrointestinal (“GI”) irritation which can lead to ulcers and GI bleeds. An acupuncturist friend of mine once said; “Why would anybody want to take those medications? Those pills burn holes in peoples’ stomachs!”. Vioxx, a popular prescription anti-infammatory medication, known to be gentler on the gut, was recently pulled from the market since a study showed it doubled the risk of heart attack and stroke. If you regularly cause your body to be inßamed from training and racing, it would be a good idea to get your body to handle inßammation well. You would want your body to favor the antiinfammatory pathways and discourage the pro-inßammatory pathways. Certain foods will contribute to each pathway and eating foods that favor anti-inßammation would be a wise choice.

The Anti-Inßammatory Diet Fats The types of fats you consume will greatly inßuence how you body deals with inßammation. Fats are an important and vital nutrient and healthy fats should be regularly consumed. Below is a list of

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Fried foods Margarine or any butter substitute * Processed foods containing hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Beef ** Lamb ** Pork ** Eggs ** Dairy products * ShellÞsh Organ meats

* A note on butter substitutes and butter. In general, butter is much healthier than any of the butter substitutes. Butter contains some arachidonic acid, a pro-inßammatory agent found in many of the foods listed above right, but the butter substitutes contain trans fats, and these are by far worse than a little arachidonic acid. ** Although these (double-asterisked) foods are pro-inßammatory, they also have good nutritional value and can be eaten in moderation. The cuts of meats should of course be lean. different fats. If you want to be healthy and handle inßammation well, consume plenty of anti-inßammatory fats and avoid the proinßammatory fats.

Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and vegetables contain enzymes and antioxidants which can help modulate inßammation. It is felt that a healthy diet would consist of 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit a day for the average person. The average American eats 1 to 1 1/2 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit a day. The competitive athlete should consume more than these recommended levels due to the increased physical demands athletes put on their bodies. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is important and usually the more colorful, the more abundant the nutrients. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables; and foods containing healthy fats can up- regulate an athlete’s ability to Þght inßammation. In contrast, a diet full of pro-inßammatory fats and void of fruits and vegetables will cause an athlete to be more easily inßamed, experiencing more joint pain and stiffness. In the next “Going the Distance” article, I will discuss therapeutic nutrients for acute inßammation. Until then, start ingesting an anti-inßammatory diet, and remember to eat relaxed and chew your food! Barb Bradley is a chiropractor, physical therapist, and a nutritionist. She practices in Wausau, Wisconsin and specializes in therapeutic nutrition. Barb and her husband Al Limberg are past C2 Mixed Master USCA National Champions.

Cleanup & Race Schedules ~ Race Results ~ Business Affiliates Cleanup Schedules, Race Schedules, Race Results: Results wondering where they all are? Gimme a break! They’re in the fast upcoming Þnal issues of 2004: the 2004 race roundups and the brand new 2005 schedules.

Business AfÞliates

in action sports photography, David & Lynda Williams, www.willarts.com

The USCA thanks all its Business AfÞliate Members for their support:

• NEW YORK Camp Canoes, highly competitive, solo, Standard, carbon Þber, Otego, NY, Al Camp, (607) 988 6842

• CALIFORNIA Atascadero Kayak and Sail, kayaks and accessories, sales and rental, Atascadero Lake, CA, Lloyd Reeves, www.fastkayak.com

Grasse River Boatworks, tomorrow’s designs - yesterday’s craftsmanship - today’s winner, Canton, NY, John Newman, www.grasseriverboatworks.com

Northern California Paddlesports Council (NCPC), Beth Rundquist, Palo Alto, CA, riversandmountains@msn.com • GEORGIA

J&J Canoe Supplies, manufacture and sale, canoe racing supplies, Auburn, NY, Jim and June Genkos, jjcanoe.com

Coosa River Basin Initiative, Rome, GA, Matt Reid, (706) 2322724 mreid@coosa.org

West Side Boat Shop, high quality, durable, fast racing kayaks, Douglas Bushnell, Lockport, NY, (716) 434 5755

• INDIANA

• NORTH CAROLINA

The Conservation Foundation, Judy Fitchett, Naperville, IN, jÞtchett@theconservationfoundation.org

Loon Works, exquisite personal canoes, Tom MacKenzie, Anderson, NC, loonworks@sprynet.com

• LOUISIANA

• OHIO

Harding’s Canoe & Kayak Rental, Berwick, LA, Larry Harding (985) 395-7285 • MICHIGAN

Abundance and Lasting Energy — Larry Lee Gatterdam, Nikken Independent Wellness Consultant, FairÞeld, OH, http: //www.5pillars.com/larryg/

Black Parrot Paddling, Hamburg, MI, Ron Smith, ron@blackparr otpaddling.com

Rivers Edge OutÞtters, canoes, kayaks, rafts, rentals, Little Miami R, Waynesville, OH, Rhett Rohrer, (937) 862-4250 Symmes Creek Restoration Committee, preservation, beneÞt, recreation, Symmes Creek watershed, South Point, OH, Grayson Thornton (740) 643-1002

AUSABLE RIVER AREA AmericInn Lodge and Suites, Friendly Welcome, Quiet Nights, Rest Assured, Oscoda, MI, Ed Reeder, www.amerinn.com

• PENNSYLVANIA

Fay’s Motel & Cottages, . . . with a Bed and Breakfast Attitude, Keith Miles and Sandy Coe, Grayling, MI, www.faysmotel.com

McCracken’s Canoes, canoe and kayak sales and rentals, ClearÞeld, PA, David and Lynda McCracken, www.mccrackencanoe.com

The Manor House, Luxury Beachfront Inn on the AuSable, Oscoda, MI, Amy Ridgway, www.manorhouse-oscoda.com

Wiggers Canoe and Kayak, also pellet, gas and woodstove sales, Dave Wiggers, Youngsville, PA, dave@davewiggers.com

New AuSable Beach Resort, beautiful beachfront cabins, condos, friendly welcome, Oscoda, MI, Marina, (989) 739 9971

• TEXAS

Northern Traveler Motel, Welcome USCA Paddlers - and their Pets!, Oscoda, MI, Bill, Rob, Carole, Jennifer Pavlak, (989) 7399261

Austin Outdoor Gear and Guidance, full service canoe and kayak shop, Austin, TX, John Vanness, Kayak.Texas.com

Super 8 Motel, On the beach, clean & friendly, Oscoda, MI, Amy Ridgway, www.super8.com

Vitesse Press, Books on cycling, sports, health, recreation Montpelier, VT, Dick MansÞeld, dick@vitessepress.com

• VERMONT

• MINNESOTA Bell Canoe Works, the Þnest canoes and paddling accessories, Zimmerman, MN, John Woodruff, www.bellcanoe.com Minnesota Chapter Wooden Canoe Heritage, Alix Comb, Knife River, MN, acomb@lakenet.com We•no•nah Canoes, quality lightweight Royalex®, Kevlar®, Winona, MN, Mike www.wenonahracing.com

canoes in Cichanowski,

• NEW HAMPSHIRE Will Arts & Tech: Photography & Graphic Arts, specialists

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

USCA Divisions, Club Affiliates, etc Midwest Canoe Association USCA, mwcanoe@msn.com USCA Divisions, communities.msn.com/ Midwestcanoeassociation Minnesota Canoe Association Club AfÞliates, Carol Davidson membership@canoe-kayak.org and Some Other www.canoe-kayak.org/ New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association Associations Jimmy Miller United States Canoe Association Contact (membership): Paula Thiel (860) 889-9893 prma@adelphia.net www.USCAnoe.com

The USCA encourages paddlers to join and support their local USCA Divisions or Affiliated Clubs, and even non-affiliated associations (and encourage them to affiliate!) These USCA Divisions, USCA-affiliated clubs, and non-affiliated clubs can supply updated information about the races in their geographical area – via web sites, email, phone or regular mail, as follows.

USCA Divisions Indiana Division, USCA Kurt Begue keluv1992@aol.com members.aol.com/keluv1992/world.html New York Division, USCA Jim Dipelesi (516) 366-0045 jrdtech@ix.netcom.com Ohio Division, USCA Bill Corrigan (513) 530 9249 wmcorrigan@fuse.net Penn/Jersey Division, USCA Ken Gerg (814) 486-1691 jomama@penn.com

Affiliated Clubs Federation Québécoise Canotage Long Parcours Richard Toupin rhtoupin@sympatico.ca Florida Competition Paddlers Association Glennis Williams (727) 823-8000 ggawilliams@juno.com Illinois Paddling Council Vyts Paukstys (708) 352-8643 vytsp@msn.com www.illinoispaddling.org/ Michigan Canoe Racing Association Lynne Witte (810) 783-5654 lynnewitte@juno.com www.miracing.com/

50 Prospect St. Bloomfield CT 06002 860-242-7294 neckramember@juno.co www.necanoe.org New York Marathon Canoe Racing Association John Newman (315) 386-1363 www.nymcra.org North Carolina Canoe Racing Association William McDuffie (910) 948-2609 Oregon Canoe Racing Association Fred Shipley (503) 538-6891 massage@pacifier.com Pennsylvania Association of Canoeing and Kayaking Jerry Patton (814) 642-9161 St. Charles Canoe Club St Charles, IL Tave Lamperez (630) 584-6931 lamperez@lucent.com www.angelfire.com/sports/scccfox/ St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers Chuck Bolesh csbolesh@usadatanet.net www.northnet.org/slvpaddlers Texas Canoe Racing Association Jerry Brown (972) 492-7841 jsbrown15@attbi.com www.txcanoeracing.org/ Wisconsin Canoe Racing Association Beth Schluter (262) 567-6923 home.dwave.net/~wca/

Non-affiliated clubs and associations Association des coureurs en canots du Québec (ACCQ) Lise Lapointe lise.lapointe@cgocable.ca www.enter-net.com/~9smblack/ Ontario Marathon Canoe Racing Association Don Stoneman (519) 654-9106 dstoneman@kw.igs.net www.geocities.com/Yosemite/1898 Ozark Canoe and Kayak Association Stephen Lynn (479) 858-4386 or (479) 885-1037 slynn@entergy.com

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

USCA’s USCA ’s Standing and Special Committees Committees Standing Committees Adaptive Paddling Jan Whitaker 560 Shore Drive West Henrietta, NY 14586 (585) 292-6107 janwhitaker@hotmail.com

Auditing Marc Lessard 460 Stevens Rd East Thetford, VT 05043 (802) 785-4350

marc.lessard@dartmouth.edu

Bylaws Review Joan Theiss 12802 Lake Jovita Blvd Dade City, FL 33525 (352) 588-9877 hjtheiss@juno.com

Camaraderie Judy Jeanes Box 708 Mendenhall, PA 19357 (610) 622-7000

312 Duff Ave Wenonah, NJ 08090 (609) 468-4646 americanswanboat@veriz on.net chairman@swanboat.org

Conservation Bob Spain 1500 Northridge Dr Austin, TX 78723 (512) 302-1005

bob.spain@tpwd.state.tx.us

Core Group Inactive Education Chris Wilson 460 Stevens Rd East Thetford, VT 05043 (802) 785-4350

chris@aristotle.dartmouth.edu

Historian Joan Theiss 12802 Lake Jovita Blvd Dade City, FL 33525 (352) 588-9877 hjtheiss@juno.com

Camping/Cruising Chuck Weis 2509 Kickapoo Dr. Lafayette, IN 47909 (765) 477-7948

Instruction CertiÞcation Nationals Coordinator Nationals Timing Gustave (Tave) Lamperez 24 Roosevelt Street St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 584-6931

Competition Norm Ludwig 2006 West Side Rd Jersey Shore, PA 17740 (570) 753-5136

Insurance Coordinator Maria Liquori Box 667, Kings Park, NY 11754 (631) 269-9696

Competition / National Awards Priscilla Reinertsen 582 East Penacook Road Contoocook, NH 03229 (603) 746-6491

International John Edwards see Competition / Outrigger Marketing Gareth Stevens PO Box 56 Hubertus, WI 53033 (262) 628 9991

waterconÞdence@yahoo.com

CWeis733@aol.com

ncludwig@kcnet.org

PRtsen1@comcast.net

Competition / Dragon Boat David Hillman 1630 19th St. NW Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 (319) 362-7506

ddhillma@collins.rockwell.com

Competition / Orienteering Vacant Competition / Outrigger Canoe John Edwards 1929 Arrowhead Drive, St Petersburg, FL 33703 (727) 522-3348

lamperez@netscape.net

marial@jacka-liquori.com

nawal@ticon.net

Membership Paula Thiel 53 Ross Rd Preston, CT 06365 (860) 889-9893 prma@adelphia.net

Merchandising Patt Oakley 611 Central Ave Lafayette, IN 47905 macoak@aol.com

Competition / Sprints Bill Corrigan 5888 E. Kemper Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45241 (513) 530-9249

Nationals Coordinator Nationals Timing Gustave (Tave) Lamperez see Instruction CertiÞcation Publications Gareth Stevens PO Box 56 Hubertus, WI 53033 (262) 628 9991

Competition /Swan Boat Glen Green

Publicity and Public Relations

canoechamp@aol.com

wmcorrigan@fuse.net

nawal@ticon.net

Janet Perry 24 Roosevelt St. St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 584-6931 USCAnoePR@hotmail.com

Safety Vacant Technical Inspection Jerry Patton RD2 Box 262 Port Allegany, PA 16743 (814) 642-9161 2zriver@adelphia.net

Youth Activities Joe Kowsky 629 E. Illinois Ave. Morris, IL 60450 (815) 942-0927 bilpsychjk@yahoo.com

Special Committees Dues and Membership Review Gareth Stevens see Marketing (left) Kayak

Pam Browning Box 2181 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 (508) 696-0295

pambrowning@webtv.net Nationals Race Organizer Rebate Review John Edwards 1929 Arrowhead Drive, St Petersburg, FL 33703 (727) 522-3348 canoechamp@aol.com

Nominating Committee This committee is appointed at each Semiannual meeting in August to nominate ofÞcers for consideration by the delegates at the following Annual Meeting, and is not therefore active at this time.

Regional Kayak Points Race Series Connie Hagler & Karl Vogel Connie: (727) 938-7685 ConHagler@aol.com Karl: (727) 938-7685 lizardranch@mail.com Women’s Interests Janet Perry see Publicity and Public Relations Website Jim Dipelesi 4 Round Tree Drive Kings Park, NY 11754 (631) 366-0045 jrdtech@ix.netcom.com

2004 - 2006 United States Canoe Association Board of Directors (Delegates) ORGANIZED STATES/ REGIONS INDIANA DIVISION/USCA: Patt Oakley 611 Central Ave Lafayette, IN 47905 macoak@aol.com Jan Streib, Vice President (delegate status thru Jan ‘06) 609 N Division Bristol, IN 46507 Cekayak@aol.com Frank Tinsley 8218 Woonsocket Ct Indianapolis, IN 46256 (317) 578-4366 FCTCanoe@aol.com NEW YORK DIVISION/USCA Jim Dipelesi 4 Round Tree Dr Kings Park, NY 11754 (516) 366-0045 jrdtech@ix.netcom.com Larry Liquori 79 Locust Dr Kings Park, NY 11754 (631) 361-9548 lliquori@jacka-liquori.com Elizabeth O’Connor 1036 Locust Ave Bohemia, NY 11716 (631) 563-6654) elizo@att.net Kathy Skinner 33 Crest Ave Macedon, NY 14502 (315) 986-1869 canalsiderentals@earthlink.net Kelly Wypych, President (delegate status thru Jan’05) 338 Onondaga Ter Syracuse, NY 13207 (315) 423-9075 kwpych@twcny.rr.com PENN JERSEY DIVISION/USCA : Ken Gerg PO Box 247 Emporium, PA 15834 (814) 486-1691 jomama@penn.com Judy Jeanes Box 708 Mendenhall, PA 19357 (610) 622-7000 waterconfidence@yahoo.com Ron Kaiser 2865 Northway Rd Williamsport, PA 17701 (570) ) 327-8106 Rkayak63@aol.com

Norm Ludwig 2006 West Side Rd Jersey Shore, PA 17740 (570) 753-5136 ncludwig@cub.kcnet.org OHIO DIVISION/USCA : Bill Corrigan 5888 E Kemper Rd Cincinnati, OH 45241 (513) 530-9249 wmcorrigan@fuse.net Thor Ronemus 5 E Columbia St Springfield, OH 45502 (937) 325-2492 tronemus@woh.rr.com (NON) ORGANIZED REGIONS NEW ENGLAND DIVISION: (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI) Robert Allen 687 Montgomery Rd Westfield, MA 01085 (413) 568-8832 rangerfiberglass@yahoo.com Pam Browning Box 2181 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 (508) 696-0295 pambrowning@webtv.net Marc Lessard, Treasurer (delegate status thru Jan ’05) 460 Stevens Rd East Thetford, VT 05043 (802) 785-4350 marc.lessard@dartmouth.edu Karen Levitt, Secretary (delegate status thru Jan ‘06) 101 Main St Apt #17 Keene, NH 03431 (603) 355-8968 Karen_levitt@nmhschool.org Jimmy Miller 50 Prospect St. Bloomfield CT 06002 (860) 242-7294 neckramember@juno.com Priscilla Reinertsen 582 East Penacook Rd Contoocook, NH 03229 (603) 746-6491 prtsen1@comcast.net Paula Thiel 53 Ross Rd Preston, CT 06365 (860) 889-9893 prma@adelphia.net

Joan Theiss 12802 Lake Jovita Blvd Dade City, FL 33525 (352) 588-9877 hjtheiss@juno.com Karl Vogel 1731 Pinellas Ave Tarpon Springs FL 34689 (727) 938-7685 lizardranch@mail.com LaVerne Young 104 Bayou Dr Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 678-3131

Tave Lamperez 24 Roosevelt St St Charles, IL 60174 (630) 584-6931 lamperez@netscape.net Beth Schluter 3350 Interlaken Dr Oconomowoc, WI 53066 (414) 567-6923 Lynne Witte 58 Union St Mt Clemens, MI 48043 (586) 783-5654 lynnewitte@juno.com

NEW ENGLAND CANOE AND KAYAK RACING ASSOCIATION Robert Altman 175 Neilson Rd New Salem, MA 01355 (978) 544-7559 raltman.javanet@rcn.com

EAST SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION: (KY, TN, AL, MS) Neal Sanders 2308 Avondale Dr Johnson City, TN 37604 (423) 282-6153

MOUNTAIN DIVISION: (ID, WY, UT, CO, NV, NM, AZ, MT) Lynn Capen 459 Arapahoe Ave Boulder, CO 80302 (303) 444-0187 lcapen@riomapas.com

NORTH CAROLINA CANOE RACING ASSOCIATION William McDuffie 1796 Plank Rd Robbins, NC 27325 (910) 948-2609

WEST NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION : (MN, IA, MO, ND, SD, NE, KS) Earl Brimeyer 2595 Rhomberg Ave Dubuque, IA 52001 (319) 583-6345 ebrimeyer@aol.com

PACIFIC DIVISION: (WA, OR, CA, AK, HI) Jim Bauer W 515 15th Ave Spokane, WA 99203 (509) 838-5402 jjbauer83@yahoo.com

WEST SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION: (AR, OK, TX, LA) Noel Kirkwood PO Box 385 Rusk, TX 75785 (903) 683-4486 nkirkwood@tyler.net Bob Spain 1500 Northridge Dr Austin, TX 78723 (512) 302-1005 bob.spain@tpwd.state.tx.us

(NON) US REGIONAL DIVISION: Joanna Faloon 230 Lisgar St Ottawa, ON K2P 0C8 CANADA (613) 237-4230 jfaloon@sympatico.ca

EAST NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION : (MI, IL, WI) Ev Crozier W 2079 Hwy 64 Marinette, WI 54143 (715) 735-9763 erccrc@cybrzn.com Fritz Hansen 19022 58th Rd Union Grove, WI 53182 (262) 878-2777 fchansen@wi.net Joe Kowsky 629 E Illinois Ave SOUTH ATLANTIC DIVISION : Morris, IL 60450 (DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL) (815) 942-0927 John Edwards, Executive bilpsychjk@yahoo.com Director 1929 Arrowhead Dr NE St Petersburg, FL 33703 (727) 522-3348 canoechamp@aol.com

USCA 2004 CLUB AFFILIATE DELEGATES FLORIDA COMPETITION PADDLERS ASSOCIATION Kathy Edwards 1929 Arrowhead Dr NE St Petersburg, FL 33703 (727) 522-3348 KTAE17@aol.com ILLINOIS PADDLING COUNCIL Steve Luth 748 S Dennis Rd Wheeling, IL 60090 (847) 537-9272 MICHIGAN CANOE RACING ASSOCIATION Dwight Walker 8915 E CD Ave 3C Richland, MI 49093 (616) 629-0485 dlwalker21@yahoo.com

NEW YORK MARATHON CANOE RACING ASSOCIATION John Ders 769 CR 42 South Otselic, NY 13155 (315) 653-7776 Dersj@upstate.edu

OHIO HISTORICAL CANOE ROUTE ASSOCIATION Don Myers 2314 State St NE North Canton, OH 44721 (330) 877-2546 donnybuckiseed@speedyn et.net PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF CANOEING AND KAYAKING Jerry Patton RD 2 Box 262 Two Mile Rd Port Allegany, PA 16743 (814) 642-9161 2zriver@adelphia.net ST CHARLES CANOE CLUB Ed Hahn 409 N Glengarry Dr. Geneva, IL 60134 (630) 262-9132 edhahn@worldnet.att.net TEXAS CANOE RACING ASSOCIATION Erin Magee PO Box 432 Martindale, TX 78655 (512) 357-6751 quickblade14@hotmail.com WISCONSIN CANOE RACING ASSOCIATION Gareth Stevens PO Box 56 Hubertus, WI 53033 (262) 628-9991 nawal@ticon.net

Mary Ann Pontius 2536 Lafayette Drive Lafayette, IN 47909-244

USCA Membership Application/Renewal Form Please print clearly: Personal membership ___ (check here) Special membership: Type ______________________ Name ___________________________________ (For Race Sponsor, Club Affiliate, Business Affiliate) (If applicable:) This is a gift from: Last Name _____________________________ First Name:____________________ M.I.___ For: Last Name _______________________________ First Name:____________________ M.I.___ Address _____________________________________ Date of Birth __________________ City _____________________________________ State ______ Zip Code ____________ Country _____________________________________ Phone (______) _____________ E-mail _____________________________________ Type of Membership Please check: New ___ Annual Renewal ___ Has recipient ever been a USCA member? ___ Governing, 18 & over $20.00 ______ Junior 5-17 $7.50 ______ Family members: Names Birth Dates Family $25.00 ______ ______________________________ _____________ Race Sponsor $30.00 ______ ______________________________ _____________ Club Affiliate $30.00 ______ ______________________________ _____________ Business Affiliate (BA) $30.00 ______ (basic)* ______________________________ _____________ Business Affiliate (BAE) $100.00 ______ (enhanced)* ______________________________ _____________ Life-Paid $400.00 ______ ______________________________ _____________ Foreign - remit in US funds. ______________________________ _____________ Canada/Mexico, add $5 ______ Recruited by: _________________________________ all other countries add $10______ Dues amount ______ Please make checks payable to the USCA and Tax deductible contribution ______ mail with application to: USCA Membership Total ______ Paula Thiel, 53 Ross Rd, Preston, CT 06365 * For the benefits associated with each level of Business Affiliate Membership, please contact Marketing Chair, Gareth Stevens at nawal@ticon.net

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

It’s time to renew your membership in the United States Canoe Association! United States Canoe Association 53 Ross Road Preston, CT 06365

Capital Asset Advisory, Inc.

Change Service Requested

Non-Profit Rate US Postage Paid London, Ohio Permit #128

INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT COUNSEL

HAVE YOUR MONEY MANAGED William L. Gardner, MBA

Senior Investments OfÞcer Williamg@aol.com Winter P.O. Box 714, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004 Phone: 904-273-9952 Summer PO Box 1055, Lake Placid, NY 12946 Phone: 518-523-7200 Corporate OfÞce 212 Duckwood Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Phone: 904-273-0600

Canoe News, 2004 Nationals Issue

Are you moving? New postal address? Have you changed your email address? Or your phone number? Please email your change of address or phone number to: Membership Chair, Paula Thiel, prma@adelphia.net Or if by mail, see address on page 68 of this issue (under Membership).