I put my canoe away for the winter last Thanksgiving weekend. But I started to dream about the next season shortly thereafter. I was planning to visit a friend in Seattle next summer and maybe catch a kayaking outfitter for a couple of days in the San Juan Islands. But my friend Dave said, "Oh, let's do a real trip." So now we're planning a week of sea kayaking along the BC coast across from Vancouver Island. That means buying a kayak and training. It's a tough life, but someone has to live it! I don't know about you, but I have no trouble dreaming up vacation ideas. I hope you have some adventures planned for 1999.

I was thrilled to see so many of you, friends and new faces, at the club's first planning meeting on February 7. You each have experience to share and I look forward to paddling with you! Thanks, especially, to those who have agreed to help lead this animal. I heard someone say once, "Leading a canoe trip is like herding cats." I figure that if we each take our turn, it will remain fun for all.        -- Editor, Robin Fortney

"On December 24th, I paddled the Iowa River. I made a goal to paddle every month of '98 and did it! I came up with the idea after Bob Haima and I went out on December 31, 1997, and again on January 1, 1998. I figured we went paddling as late in the year and as early in the year as you could. There's a full moon on New Years and maybe we will bring in the New Year on the water. One more reason for my friend Mary to say, "Dave, you're an IDIOT!" Hmmm - crazy maybe."          -- Dave Bell

"Santa brought me a new vehicle, 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. It has all-wheel drive and a V-8 engine. When we put the canoe on it, I could hardly see the road."          -- Karen Creager

February 19-21 - Iowa Paddlesport Expo 99 - Canoesport Outfitters - Indianola, IA
Jeff Holmes will provide the club with an exhibit table and time to talk about the club during the event. Call 515-961-6117 for more information.

March 12-14 - Canoecopia - Rutabaga - Madison, WI.
Billed as the world's largest paddlesport event. Call 1-800-IPADDLE for information.

March 12-14 - Rendevous - Carl's Paddlin' -Madison, WI
Call 1-800-386-1299 for more information.

April 23-25 - Midwest Mountaineering - St. Paul, MN
Sunday morning should bring an opportunity to test paddle boats as well as see paddling demonstrations. Call 1-888-999-1077 for more information.

What a deal! Remember to send in your $5.00 subscription fee for the 1999
Central Iowa Canoe Club newsletter.

Let us know if you have paddling equipment to trade, sell or give away and we'll let folks know about it.

Canoe For Sale: 17-foot classic AlumiCraft aluminum canoe; has outrigger and padded thwart for carrying; excellent condition; $500 or best offer.
Call William Hutchison at 515-279-5247 in Des Moines.

The club's first formal meeting and planning session was held on February 7 at Robin's home. THANKS to all who came, contributed food, and participated - especially to those of you who volunteered to lead a paddling trip!

Thirty-six people attended. A contingent of five came from Omaha, the Poston family drove up from Corydon, and Don was visiting from California. Others came from Newton, Boone, Van Meter, Milo and Des Moines. Afterward, Al F. said, "This is probably the biggest assembly of paddlers that Des Moines has ever seen!" After a big chili and potluck dinner, Robin asked the group to introduce themselves and share their paddling interests. We are an active crowd. We like to paddle canoes and kayaks of all kinds, bicycle, ski, pick up rocks and camp.

Robin handed out a trip leader form and list of responsibilities recommended by friends in the Sierra Club. Trip leader responsibilities are listed elsewhere in this newsletter. If you want to lead a spur-of-the-moment trip, you may use the subscriber roster to contact people. Or you may send trip information to the newsletter editor to include in the next newsletter. Trip participants are encouraged to contact the trip leader a few days ahead of time in case river conditions change.

We discussed group and personal liability and responsibility. We offer the following guidance:

Canoeing is a potentially life-threatening sport. Participants on trips promoted by the club must accept responsibility and liability for their own preparedness and safety.

The Central Iowa Canoe Club encourages all canoeists and kayakers to get basic paddle-sport training from skilled leaders. See the article below on "Improving Your Skills."

In order to maintain continuity of the club and share the joy of leadership, Robin suggested that the group form a steering committee to make decisions regarding club policies and activities. The following people volunteered to serve on the pilot steering committee: Jim Bannister, Robin Fortney, Jerry Kemperman, Greg Vitale, and Al Ziesemer. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact one of these people.

It was suggested that the club meet as a group on a regular basis. Karla Z suggested that we meet twice a year - before the season starts and after the season ends to celebrate it. Greg responded, "The season ends?" The steering committee will take these comments into consideration!

Robin asked for volunteers to staff the club table at the Iowa Paddlesport Expo on February 19-21 in Indianola. Thanks to all of you who signed up.

Please note that Jeff Holmes has offered to post club information and trip schedule on the Canoesport Outfitters web page at www.canoesportiowa.com. Thank Jeff when you see him, and remember to patronize his store at 207 West Salem Avenue in Indianola, Iowa, about twelve miles south of Des Moines.

I think daily about paddling, but a catalog I received recently pushed me into some big-time day dreaming. The brochure was the University of Minnesota-Duluth's "1999 Kayak and Canoe Institute [KCI] and Wilderness Travel Catalog." KCI's Duluth-area classes and worldwide tours are first rate and open to the public. I've taken a couple of their whitewater classes and a whitewater tour in Oregon and Washington. What got me excited is KCI's whitewater paddling trip through Europe scheduled for this summer!

If you want to learn or expand your whitewater and sea kayaking skills, or if you are looking for challenging tours, check out KCI's catalog. You may contact Kayak and Canoe Institute at: 218/726-6533; e-mail outdoor@d.umn.edu; or www.d.umn.edu/umdoutdoors.

Closer to home, Jeff Holmes of Indianola's Canoesport Outfitters is expanding his range of paddling lessons and is scheduling tours at Lake Red Rock and Lake Superior. For a copy of his 1999 schedule, contact Jeff at 800/257-6080; e-mail paddler@netins.net; or web site noted above. See you on the river!

The Des Moines River was mostly free of ice on Saturday, February 6. Jerry and Rob each have serious paddling trips scheduled this year and wanted to get in some early paddling time, and Robin jumped at the opportunity to do a new stretch of river. We took off from Des Moines' East 14th Street access by 10 a.m. Rob had earlier left a car at the Hartford Access some 16 miles downstream. The day was overcast and in the mid-40's. Rob and Jerry were tucked cozily into their fiberglass sea kayaks and I paddled my open canoe.

We floated past Des Moines' first town dump (according to Rob), now a lagoon with a dozen bald eagles roosting around it. Then we passed the metropolitan sewage treatment plant where a line of fishermen stood along the river edge. I was interested in the site of the former Des Moines Power Station where I worked nearly twenty years ago. The plant is now gone, as is the former Highway 46 bridge. We continued to see bald eagles roosting in trees along the river as we floated downstream. Jerry said later, "I bet we saw a hundred eagles." As we approached Yellow Banks County Park, we heard the honking of a huge flock of Canada geese. They thundered as they lifted off in front of us.

I had to paddle constantly to stay with the guys, who weren't working all that hard. Early in the trip, Jerry kindly loaned me his spare kayak paddle. I could keep up with less effort, but even with drip stops, I got too wet to stay happy. I wished I already owned a kayak!

There were numerous wide and sandy bars along the river. We saw heron and raccoon tracks on the shore. As we neared Hartford, we saw eight jeeps lined up on a sand bar, apparently a four-wheeling club enjoying a day on the sand. The new Hartford Access is downstream and around the bend from the old boat ramp. Rob says the road to the new access is more accessible in wet weather since it is graveled. We were off the river by about 4:30 p.m., happy to have been out on the water.

Paddlers have everything to gain by being stewards of the waterways on which we travel. We like to keep ourselves in good shape. Do your part to keep our waterways in good shape:

· Take trash out with you (yours and others).
· Keep fires small and put them out before you leave.
· Respect fishermen and personal property.
· Select toilet sites at least 100 feet away from the water's edge. 
· Same with disposal of wash water.
· Leave wildlife alone.

1. Know the river, appropriate water level, and alternatives if the river level is too high.
2. Know how to locate put-in, shuttle and take-out. Provide directions to participants.
3. Make sure participants are able to handle the river conditions.
4. Each canoe should carry a first aid kit, whistle, 100' rescue line, drinking water, extra set(s) dry clothes, and extra snacks.
5. Determine who will leave a car downstream and arrange shuttle.
6. Each driver should carry car keys and some cash on their person while on the river.
7. Appoint a lead and sweep canoe for each 7-10 canoes. Stay in sight of each other.
8. Be sure all boats are loaded properly with gear lashed in (for overnights).
9. Alert participants to possible hazards during the trip. Remain alert to the welfare of participants.
10. Take a break each hour.
11. Pick a lunch spot and make sure it's clean when you leave.
12. Get the final shuttle moving quickly and make sure everyone has his or her own gear.

Scheduled and pickup trips are encouraged. If you want to lead a trip, please provide the following information:

· Identify the stream section or lake
· Date(s)
· Meeting time and place
· Your name and phone number
· Class of river if applicable

After you've washed your boat and your feet, please jot down a brief report of the trip and send it in to the newsletter editor. We all enjoy hearing about great trips or trips with learning experiences included!

Mark your calendars! Remember to call the Trip Leader ahead of time in case river conditions or plans change. Always be prepared: take rain gear, extra clothes in a dry bag, plenty of water and snacks, hat, sun screen, PFD, and extra paddle. Thanks to all of you who are scheduled to lead trips this year! Please provide the following information to trip participants: stream section or lake, date(s), meeting time and place, expected float time, your name and phone number, and class of river if applicable.

Long Weekend, March or April, Des Moines River Trip Leader Richard Miller is interested in doing a 2 or 3-day canoe and camping trip on the Des Moines River. Call Richard at 515-279-3800 if you are interested in joining him.

Saturday through Sunday, March 13-21, Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia Join the University of Nebraska Outdoor Venture Center for a southern paddling trip. For more information, call 402-554-2258/2539 or check out www.unomaha.edu/~wwwocr.

Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m. -noon, Des Moines River Cleanup
Join us to clean up the banks along the Des Moines River near the Target Store on Euclid Avenue in Des Moines. Call Greg Vitale at 515-266-8276 for more information.

Saturday & Sunday, April 17-18, Trumpeter Trail Canoeing and Camping
The Trumpeter Trail is a new canoe trail through a series of interconnected lakes and wetlands in eastern Clay and western Palo Alto Counties in north central Iowa. Join our Sierra Club friends on an outing to view migrating waterfowl, including swans. Meet 1 p.m. Saturday to canoe, camp along the trail, and then canoe again on Sunday morning. Call Steve at 712-837-4305 by April 10 to sign up and for a list of necessary gear.

Saturday & Sunday, April 17-18, Flat Water & River Canoeing Workshop
Join the University of Nebraska Outdoor Venture Center at Omaha for this workshop. For more information, call 402-554-2258/2539 or check out www.unomaha.edu/~wwwocr.

Saturday, May 8, Chariton River
Float the Chariton River below Lake Rathbun. Contact Trip Leader John Poston at 515-872-2707 for more information.

Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19, Little Sioux River Canoeing - Inkapaduta Trail
Join the University of Nebraska Outdoor Venture Center for this trip. For more information, call 402-554-2258/2539 or check out www.unomaha.edu/~wwwocr.

Sunday May 16, North Raccoon River
Take a leisurely 3-4 hour canoe trip down the North Raccoon above Adel, Iowa. Call Trip Leaders Greg Vitale (515-266-8276) or Bill Graham (515-274-4319) to sign up and get more information.

Saturday, May 29, Yellow River
Run the Yellow River in northeast Iowa. Trip depends on having adequate river flow. Contact Trip Leader Tom Thomas at 515-466-3670.

Friday-Monday, May 28-31, Yellow River/Effigy Mounds
Join the University of Nebraska Outdoor Venture Center for this northeast Iowa paddling trip. For more information, call 402-554-2258/2539 or check out www.unomaha.edu/~wwwocr.

Saturday to Monday, May 29-31, Upper Iowa River
See the best of the Upper Iowa River: day one from Lime Springs to Florenceville; day two from Kendalville to Bluffton; and day three from Bluffton to Decorah. Contact Trip Leader Hugh Clatterbuck at 515-277-1327 for more information.

Late May-Early June, Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Contact Trip Leader Bill Graham at 515-274-4319 for more information about location and dates.

Saturday & Sunday, June 5-6, Dealers Choice
Mike Smith and Karla Kimerer invite you to join them on a paddling trip - location to be announced! Call Mike and Karla at 515-246-9870 for more information.

Saturday to Saturday, June 5-12, 12th Annual Cedar River Float
Eight days of family fun starting in Austin, MN and ending in Vinton, IA covering 150 miles on the Cedar River. For further information, contact the Charles City Chamber of Commerce, 610 South Grand, Charles City, IA 50616 (515-228-4234).

Saturday, June 12, Nishnabotna River
Float the Nishnabotna River in southwest Iowa. Call Trip Leader Dan Sullivan at 402-556-8035 for more information.

Saturday to Monday, July 3-5, Root River Paddling and Biking Trip
Camp at the Old Barn Resort near Lanesboro in southeast Minnesota. Bring your canoe, bicycle and camping gear. Contact Bill Boyce at 515-282-4438 for more information.

Saturday & Sunday, July 17-18, Lake Aquabi
Camp, canoe and hike at Lake Aquabi near Indianola, IA. Excellent place to practice paddling skills or learn new ones. Contact Mike Richards (515-279-0640) or Mary Donaghy (515-961-2627) for more information.

Sunday, August 22, Missouri River
Get some experience on serious moving water, the great Missouri River, near Omaha. Contact Trip Leader Gloria Waters at 402-339-0842 for more information.

Mid-September, Boundary Water Canoe Area
Contact Trip Leader Bill Graham at 515-274-4319 for more information about location and dates.

Sunday, December 26 to Saturday, January 1, Big Bend of the Rio Grand River
Paddle in the new millenium! Contact Trip Leaders Tom and Susan Thomas at 515-466-3670 for more information.

Maine's Moose River, Canyonland's Green River, Boundary Waters Canoe Area,
Grand Canyon Rafting, and Voyageur's National Park Wilderness Inquiry has paddling trips scheduled to these locations in 1999. For dates and more information, call 612-379-3858.

Canoeing is a potentially life-threatening sport. Participants on trips promoted by the club must accept responsibility and liability for their own preparedness and safety.
 
 

Formed in March 1997, the Central Iowa Canoe Club is an informal and cooperative organization started by and for people who find enjoyment and relaxation in the sports of canoeing and kayaking. The group's purpose is to exchange information and share paddling experiences.

For a $5.00 annual fee, each subscriber will receive:

· Club newsletter in March, May, July, September and December
· Subscription list
· Schedule of float trips

Scheduled and pickup trips are encouraged. If you want to lead a trip, please provide the following information:

· Identify the stream section or lake
· Date(s)
· Meeting time and place
· Your name and phone number
· Class of river if applicable

Contact Editor Robin Fortney at 515-277-1763 or rbfortney@midamerican.com if you have any questions.

*******************************************************************
To subscribe, complete the form below and send it and annual fee of $5.00 to the Central Iowa Canoe Club, 688 Polk Boulevard, Des Moines, IA 50312.
|--------------------------------------------------------------
| |
| SUBSCRIPTION FORM |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| Name |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| Street Address |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| City, State & Zip |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| Day & Eve Phone |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| Email Address |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |
| List paddle sport |
| Interests |
| |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|