Working Hard to Safeguard Paddling Assets for All Canadians

All about Whitewater

All about Whitewater
A Blog about River Preservation and the need to protect our free flowing whitewater resources

Thursday, May 17, 2007

RACING NEWS and HIGH LIGHTS

RACING NEWS

CARDING for atheletes

Due to questions from stakeholders, this should clarify the situation for Sport Canada Carding 2007-2008. Please check the revised visualized carding structure chart. This chart is a simplified overview and taken from the written carding criteria. It includes all opportunities to get carded.

However, the main streams of carding in 2007-08 remain via International results and Senior National Interclass ranking.

There is very little chance to get a Development card for the next carding cycle.

According to the Senior National Interclass Ranking after 3 Team Trial races, the current candidates are as follows: For 2007

1 James - SNT Tier 2 Stream A (Final in Tacen, SLO, place 6)
2 David -SNT (Senior National Team)
3 Pierre -SNT
4 Sarah B.-SNT, top ranked K1W
5 Cutts Adam -SNT, top ranked C2
6 Cutts James -SNT, top ranked C2
7 John -SNT
8 Chris-SDT
9 Craig-SNT
10 Paul-SDT

This is a tentative list and can shift after the Nationals. But from a funding perspective, those going to the Worlds should try and get top 16's, and top 35% and all going for a card via Senior National Interclass Ranking should focus on a good result at Nationals.
Going to any C races or any result at them will likely NOT have any effect on carding. Only those on a team can get a card, anyone on a team can get a card without going to extra C-class races beyond the basic tour.


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WESTLAKE MEMORIAL RACES AT MINDEN

Saturday June 23rd
Practice All Day
Registration 4pm - 5pm & 7pm - 8pm
No Race Fees
Camping Fees - Adults Only (Over 16) $7/person/night WO member - Non WO Members $12/night

Sunday June 24th
Water Release 17cms at 8am
Set Gate/Pole Heights
8:30am - Officials Meeting - Judges/SafetyBoat/Throw Ropes/Runner
9am Racers Meeting
9:30am Race Start Full Course Run 1 then Run 2 back to back - Full Course Bomb Proof Roll Required.
Classes K1JrM K1JrW C1Jr C1M K1M K1W

11:30am Novice/Cadet Race Below Falls

2pm - Results and Presentations

Course remains intact for Junior Training Camp
Steve to organize takedown following weekend/CWH leave key with Steve

Safety Boats needed as well as people to man onshore ropes.
Judges needed.
Volunteers to hang course needed.
Need: Race Kit - Waivers/Registration Forms/Race Sheets/Timing Sheets/Throw Ropes/HandHeld Walkie Talkies/Stop Watches/Steve Bringing Laptop/Printer/

For details contact: Charlie Hastings: cell 416-729-5436 or send an email to charlie.hastings@gm.com


Safety Boaters always needed.

National Team trials results 2007

Junior team trials took place under pristine skies and warm breezes in Salaberry de Valleyfield last weekend. ORR paddlers took all the women’s and C-1 positions with Kathleen Tayler, Katrina Van Wijk and Thea Froehlich & Spencer Pomeroy, Julian Potvin and Cam Smedley respectively.

Ian Williams was invited to the European tour in addition to the 3 non-ORR finalists. Jiri Prskavec will be leading the junior tour in July with assistance from his wife Marcella and Sven Pinkert. Congratulations to all who participated.



Introduction to Slalom Racing

Many paddlers have no doubt watch slalom racing at the Olympics and may have seen slalom kayaks training and racing locally. As one of the disciplines supported by Whitewater Ontario, it’s not just for elite competitive athletes. Slalom padding is a great way to refine your paddling skills and precision when running rapids in playboats and open canoes.
Many open Canoe paddlers enjoy the Annual Open Boat slalom held on the Gull in September

This year Whitewater Ontario, in collaboration with the Ottawa River Runners is hosting two intro to slalom weekends:
Palmer Rapids June 9/10 (Race Sunday 10:30)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDMinden/Gull Fun Race June 30th (Race Sat 10am) (with junior intro camp June 25-29 and)
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

In addition, in collaboration with MKC, a third clinic/race is planned at MKC
Aug 20-25th with race on Sunday 26th

See MKC brochure/website for info http://www.owl-mkc.ca/mkc/

On each weekend prior to the race there will be options to participate in a learn to race clinic with experienced slalom instructors as well as some national team members and then try out new skills on a race course.
Prizes for open canoe and plastic categories as well as slalom boat class

Entry fee $25 plus additional fee for 3 hr clinics

Come on out and give it a try.

For more info see website: www.whitewaterontario.ca or email spomeroy@rogers.com


Message from Steve Pomeroy spomeroy@rogers.com

Upcoming races and fundraising - Help needed

As I think most ORR members know the next races on the Ontario race schedule are the resurrected Palmer Rapids race (June 9/10) the Westlake Race June 23/24 (combined with Junior training camp) and the Minden/Gull “fun race" June 30th)

I will send a separate note about the training camp, however please note that it has been shortened and will now run Fri June 22nd (evening) to Afternoon Tues June 26th.

Both the Palmer race and the Gull fun race are new additions to the race program this year. Both have been added with two objectives.

To create some introductory racing opportunities for new kids as well as adults (playboat and open boat) as a way to build more participation and membership
To create a fund raising activity (via entry fees and a larger number of racers) in order to create a travel subsidy fund so that we do not have to ask parents to cover the travel, accommodation and food costs of our head coach Jiri, when traveling with our paddlers to camps and races.
With these objectives in mind, it is anticipated that many members and parents will pitch in and help.

Palmer Race (June 9/10)

Camp at Jessop’s Farm, river right across bridge just west of the village of Palmer Rapids)

Gate.course erection Friday evening/Saturday am (volunteers needed)

Training and intro to slalom clinics Saturday afternoon/evening (we are inviting the new young paddlers from winter pool sessions so some assistance from junior paddlers – instructing and safety boating will be required). Open boat clinics will also be offered.

Sunday Race (volunteers need for timing and judging)

10am first runs; noon second runs

2pm All athletes help to dismantle course

2:30 pm Awards

Minden - Andrew Westlake Race June 24th Gull River (6km upstream from Minden)

Camping at WO preserve at Minden

Gate hanging Friday (Steve, Charlie, Wayne,.Jiri)

Training Saturday

Race Sunday (full course and novice below falls) (volunteers need for timing and judging)

Junior Camp through Tues 26th)



Minden Fun Race June 30th

This is a significant fund raising opportunity and a chance to reach out and assist our open boat cousins. This can be a major fund raiser and you need be there only on Saturday (take a long weekend holiday in the Haliburton/Muskoka area on other days).

We need some help to make it happen (we will get some from open boat group – but need some experienced judges). As an incentive half of funds raised at this race will be allocated to an athlete travel subsidy for nationals – but only those families that volunteer will be eligible. Although Jiri will leave on evening of 26th, I will remain in Minden and other juniors that wish to stay through weekend can continue to train (we are exploring coaching options, for rest of week but have not yet secured) and then work at race on weekend (also good for community hours for high school).

Please let Jim Tayler know which of the 3 weekends you can help and especially who can come on the 30th.

Steve Pomeroy
VP Racing Whitewater Ontario
Ph 613-722-0110
fax 613-722-4650
spomeroy@rogers.com

“The gates will be up all week for a junior camp, so if folks want
to come early to train pass the word (we will have only a few after
wednesday, so no conflict with juniors)”


So, if you want to practice on Thursday and Friday before the race, the gates will be up. If any of the gates are falling into the river or whatever, please take a moment to fix them. If you’re new to slalom, don’t grab or knock the gates as you use them as they’re not very sturdy!

Also, I know for a fact that there are several ‘teams’ being formed for the race! If you have a team name, pass it along to me and I’ll collect them and send out a list before the race.

A suggestion was made that we keep track of points in general for an Ontario series, which I think is a great idea but maybe a bit late for this year. Something to work on for 2008.

At the Gull Fun Race, racers will be assigned judging and scoring duties, unless you can bring along an unsuspecting non-paddler.


Who is attending Palmerfest -
Gary, Peter and Carole are spliting the free beer that comes with Registration!

WO booth will promote interest in the upcoming race at Palmers June 9/10.
the gates will be hung on the lower section starting in bottom of the big pond down thru last rapid. It will not be a difficult course and we are encouraging playboaters and open boats to give it a try.

MKC is promoting this at their booth - and their own race too.



Subject: Plans for Gull Junior Slalom Training Camp June 22-26



the junior camp

5 days, now ending evening Tues 26th, however there is an option to remain in Minden and train (uncoached) on course through June 30th)

Location. Whitewater Ontario Minden Wild Water Preserve
The Town of Minden is about 2.5 hrs. north east of Toronto on highway 35. (3.5 Hrs west of Ottawa), via Haliburton. The Preserve is located approximately 7 kilometers north east of Minden on the Gull River via Country Rd. 20. Turn South onto Bethelchurch Road and cross the single lane stone bridge. Info see http://www.whitewaterontario.ca/page/preserve.asp

Accommodation - tent or trailer in preserve campground ($ 7/person/night) - any western athletes let us know if you are coming and we can arrange camping equipment.

Meals will be catered and available in WO clubhouse building (there will be a fee (likely around $25/day, to be finalized)

Course will; be hung Thursday Fri June 21/22 and will be availabe for training all week.

It is possible to paddle train at regular levels, however for race day Sunday 24th we will have an additional release from Dam so course dynamics will change.

Sun 24th is the annual Westlake Memorial race - because this is in memory of a junior paddler that died in a car acciddent, the endowment covers race fees and water release as well as prize money ($150-100-50) for top 3 juniors


Minden Race Itinerary



Saturday June 23rd
4pm - 5pm Race Registration
7pm - 8pm Race Registration
Race Fees = Whopping $0
Camping Fees = WO Members $7/person/night 16 yrs and over - Non WO members $12/person/night over 16 yrs.

Sunday June 24th
8am water release 17cms minimum
8:30 am - Officials/Judges/Safety Meeting
9am Racer Meeting
9:30am Race Start Full Course 2 Runs Back To Back
Classes K1JrM K1JrW C1Jr C1M K1M K1W (and masters if sufficient entries) 2 Runs Back to Back

Novice and Cadets follow on lower half (below falls).

12 pm lunch
1pm Race Results and Awards
Westlake Medals/Cash Awards/Minden Cup

1:30 pm - 4pm Afternoon practice with the coaches on the BIG WATER - Coaches organize your schedules accordingly.

Water off/reduced flow at 4pm.

Camp will continue with Jiri Prskavek coaching until Tesday 26th.
Remainder of week, athletes may stay and train (uncoached) - we are currently trying to secure additional coaching for this week.

June 30th is a fun race - targeting playboats and open canoes as a way to promote slalom. Junior athletes are expected to help judge/time as this is a fundraising activity.

Further details on food/catering will follow mid june.

Also, once juniors going to Europe have determined travel plans efforts will be made to transport to Toronto (if departing Toronto), billet a few days back in Ottawa, if required etc.

Please respond to Jim Tayler jetayler@rogers.com if you plan to attend and what duration (arrive/lv, you prefer) WE can then refine plans and related logistics.

Steve Pomeroy
VP Racing Ontario

Monday, May 14, 2007

MINDEN WILDWATER PRESERVE TASK LIST




CAMP SITES

Rake Leaves, clear brush

SIGNAGE

Repair, repaint, reinstall

PEOPLE ARE TO BE ENCOURAGED TO REMOVE THEIR OWN GARBAGE,TRASH and RECYCLABLES: PRACTICE NO TRACE CAMPING AT THE PRESERVE PLEASE.

OUTHOUSES

Toss some lime in those holes

WASHROOMS
Leave them cleaner than you found them

CLASSROOM

Stack chairs, put away tables
Sweep Floors
Clean windows
Wipe Chalk board
Remove Garbage
Clean all washrooms

Make note of any needed supplies in log book

KITCHEN

Clean out refrigerator
Wash counters, stove, sink and all dishes
Clean microwave and stove and stove oven
Clean all dishes

Make note of any problems in log book


GENERAL RULES FOR USE OF THE PRESERVE







TRAILS

Do not drive down footpaths with heavy vehicles: carry out your boats from takeout




General Volunteer Task for those wishing to help:

Picnic table repair and paint

Out building paint

Fire pit clean and move. ongoing

Raking and brush cleaning: ongoing

Trail cleaning and maintenance

Slalom Shack re organized: Always need cleanup

Tree marking and cutting

Firewood needs: stacking, retrieval, splitting

Lawn cutting using tractor but ith assistance and notice to Gary George.

Stairs need second coat of paint

Parking areas re-established these with signage or indicators

Posts and boulders: re set these to keep cars out of sites.

Gates at trailheads, one at top of parking area hill at back of
park, one at entrance area to river trail and one just out of campground at
back leading to river trail. ATV use is becoming more common

Road side frontage needs to be cleaned and maintained

River side danger trees

Outhouses painted

Picnic Shelter cleaned painted and roof cleared of debris

Fee box painted

Public side river clean up

Minden work weekend May 12/13, 2007




Thanks to Cale and Stephanie Reeder: shown above

Thanks to
John Slot and Lei Kindree: shown below


Gary ...
and Cammy George (below)



Maggie and Dave Tierney
Peter and Stephen Farr



Jim Mark (shown with Dave below)


In all these shots: Missing are

Beth Kennedy
Maggie Tierney (picture simply didn't do her justice)
me

Canadian Rivers

Canadian Rivers
I speak for river users too!

The Queen is not amused!

The Queen is not amused!
http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.ca/

The Damned Dam - 2005 -

The Damned Dam - 2005 -
22nd Annual Kipaw Rally has modest turnout. - 23rd does better

The Ashlu river: it could happen to you

The Ashlu river: it could happen to you

Whitewater Ontario

Whitewater Ontario
Working Hard to Protect Canada's Paddling Resources

Whitewater Ontario - Mission Statement

It is Whitewater Ontario’s mission to support the whitewater paddling community through the promotion, development and growth of the sport in its various disciplines. We accomplish this through the development of events, resources, clubs, and programs for personal and athletic development, regardless of skill level or focus, to ensure a high standard of safety and competency; We advocate safe and environmentally responsible access and use of Ontario’s rivers. Whitewater Ontario is the sport governing body in the province, and represents provincial interests within the national body Whitewater Canada and the Canadian Canoe Association http://www.whitewaterontario.ca/page/mission.asp

Kipawa, Tabaret, and Opemican

Kipawa, Tabaret, and Opemican
If Hydro Quebec is not actively pursuing Tabaret what is that bite out of Opemican for?

Kipawa Dam: After

Kipawa Dam: After
Laniel Dam at 2006 Rally

Where is the Kipawa

Where is the Kipawa
Kipawa flows into lake Temiskamingue, running from Kipawa Lake, under hwy 101 in Quebec

Kipawa Dam

Kipawa Dam
laniel dam at 2004 River Rally

Tabaret is a Bad Idea

About the Kipawa



The best thing paddlers can do to help the cause of the Kipawa:

1. attend the rally and bring others including non paddlers to attend and buy beer and have fun

2. write your MP /MNA and raise the issue and post your objections -1 letter = 200 who didn't write

3. Write Thierry Vandal the CEO of Hydro Quebec strongly opposing the 132 MW standard decrying the use of "diversion" as the most environmentally inappropriate method of power production

4. Write Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec protesting that either the algonquin or the tabaret project will eliminate all other values on the Kipawa River by turning it into a dry gulch.

5. See if you can get other allied groups interested by showing your own interest, ie the Sierra Defense Fund, Earthwild, MEC, and so on.

6. Demand further consultation

7. Currently we are at the point where we need to sway public opinion and raise awareness.

However, if all else fails, don't get mad, simply disrupt, foment, and protest . The Monkey Wrench Gang.

Have you read Edward Abbey?

Important Addresses
CEO,Hydro Québec, 75 boul René Levesque, Montreal, P.Q., H2Z 1A4Caille.andre@hydro.qc.ca



Tabaret is a Bad Idea (Part Two)

Les Amis de la Riviere Kipawa is poised to use an application to the Federal Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus to ensure the Minster does what he is supposed to do, protect the public's right to navigate the water control structure at Laniel, Quebec using the Navigable Waters Protection Act. (see http://www.kipawariver.ca/)

In the now gutted Navigable Waters Protection Act lay the means by which the Minister of Transport could keep the public right of passage down our great Canadian Heritage, our rivers and streams which are threatened especially by resource corporations and power brokers such as Hydro Quebec.

These powerful entities continue to petition that 'this' river or 'that' stream is not navigable and therefore not protectable.
I don't say that dams and bridges should not be built, only that if they are, historical navigation rights should be considered and preserved by making reasonable accommodations for recreational boaters.

It is the Minister of Transport, in exercising the right to allow or disallow work on or over a navigable waterway is what keeps boats and recreational boaters plying our waterways.

To many recent cases launched in the Federal Court concerning the Navigable Waters Protection Act, most recently the case of the Humber Environment Group of Cornerbrook Newfoundland versus the Cornerbrook Pulp and Paper Company indicates that the important oversight is not being faithfully performed. Have we really come to the point now where we must say "such and such a stream is one foot deep, possessing so many cubic feet per second flow and so on?" The answer to this is... YES!

The honourable Mr. Justice John A. O'Keefe, ruled that it had not been shown that the river was navigable. How convenient was that to the Minister? But either the Minister of Transport acts to protect our rivers and streams as a public right or he does not and that means rivers and streams currently enjoyed by kayakers and canoists.

Enough of the cheating, and double-talk. Canadians! our rivers and streams are our own, lets urge the Minister of Transport and the our government to protect them.

Peter Karwacki

Tabaret is a Bad Idea (Part Three)

10 Reasons WhyTabaret is a Bad Idea1) Tabaret is too big. The station is designed to useevery drop of water available in the Kipawawatershed, but will run at only 44 percent capacity.We believe the Tabaret station is designed to usewater diverted from the Dumoine River into theKipawa watershed in the future. 2) The Tabaret project will eliminate the aquaticecosystem of the Kipawa River.The Tabaret project plan involves the diversion of a16-km section of the Kipawa River from its naturalstreambed into a new man-made outflow from LakeKipawa. 3) Tabaret will leave a large industrial footprint on thelandscape that will impact existing tourismoperations and eliminate future tourism potential. 4) The Tabaret project is an aggressive single-purposedevelopment, designed to maximize powergeneration at the expense of all other uses. 5) River-diversion, such as the Tabaret project, takinglarge amounts of water out of a river’s naturalstreambed and moving it to another place, is verydestructive to the natural environment. 6) The Kipawa River has been designated a protectedgreenspace in the region with severe limitations ondevelopment. This designation recognizes theecological, historical and natural heritage value ofthe river and the importance of protecting it.Tabaret will eliminate that value. 7) If necessary, there are other, smarter and morereasonable options for producing hydro power onthe Kipawa watershed. It is possible to build a lowimpactgenerating station on the Kipawa river, andmanage it as a “run-of-the-river” station, makinguse of natural flows while maintaining other values,with minimal impact on the environment. 8) The Kipawa watershed is a rich natural resource forthe Temiscaming Region, resonably close to largeurban areas, with huge untapped potential fortourism and recreation development in the future.Tabaret will severely reduce this potential. 9) Tabaret provides zero long-term economic benefitfor the region through employment. The plan is forthe station to be completely automated andremotely operated. 10) The Kipawa River is 12,000 years old. The riverwas here thousands of years before any peoplecame to the region. The Tabaret project will change all that.

Problems on a local River?

  • There is more to do as well but you have to do your research and above all, don't give up.
  • IN the meantime prepared a document itemizing the history of navigation of this spot and its recreational value. Use the Kipawa river history of navigation as a guide: see www.kipawariver.ca
  • Under the Ministry of Environment guidelines you have a set period of time to petition the change under the environmental bill of rights, you may have limited time to take this action. But it involves going to court for a judicial review of the decision.
  • 4. contact the ministry of natural resources officials and do the same thing.
  • 3. contact the ministry of the environment and determine if they approved the project
  • 2. determine if the dam was a legal dam, approved under the navigable waters protection act.
  • 1. research the decision and timing of it to determine if an environmental assessment was done.

Minden Ontario

Minden Ontario
Gull River Water control at Horseshoe lake

A History of Navigation on the Kipawa River

Prior to the environmental assessment there was no signage at the Laniel Dam

T-Shirts Area: These are available now!

T-Shirts Area: These are available now!
Send $25 and a stamped self addressed envelop for the Tshirt, and for the bumper sticker, a stamped and self addressed envelope with $5.00 for the bumper sticker to Les Amis de la rivière Kipawa, 80 Ontario St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 1K9 or click the link To purchase a Les Amis "T" contact Doug with the following information: Number of shirts:Sizes: Ship to Address: Method of Payment: cash, cheque and paypal, Shipto address:

Bumper Stickers Now Available

Bumper Stickers Now Available
Get your bumper sticker and show your support for the Kipawa Legal Fund ! - send $5.00 in a Stamped, self addressed envelope to: Peter Karwacki Box 39111, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 7X0