Whitewater Ontario thanks MACKFEST ORGANIZERS

The first M.A.C.K. Fest was a huge success due to the great efforts and dedication of a few key people such as Cale and Stephanie Reeder, their families and other volunteers. Special recognition also needs to be given to Tammy Kirby, the M.A.C.K. Fest webmaster, who provided current information in a very user friendly manner. The festival was well organized and well attended by paddlers and their families. The tremendous cooperation and support by sponsors and the community needs to be commended, and it must be recognized that a vast amount of work goes into bringing the non-paddling community on board for such an event. The members and executive of WO would like to thank the M.A.C.K. Fest organizers for the great job of organizing the festival, and bringing greater awareness to the sport of whitewater paddling and the many rivers in the Marmora area.

Peter Karwacki apologizes for Blog concerning MACKFEST

I offer my apology to the M.A.C.K. fest organizers on this blog and the BOATWERKS boater board to clarify that WO and Peter Karwacki had no involvement in the organization of M.A.C.K. fest other then attending and enjoying the rivers. M.A.C.K. fest is still planning on donating a portion of the festivals proceeds to Whitewater Ontario as we discussed before the festival. That money is to be directly used for W.O. operating costs.

Elora Gorge Down River and Slalom Race

Elora Gorge Down river and Slalom Race

organizer: Jeff McColl
date: Saturday, May 10, 2008 to Sunday, May 11, 2008
type: other,scenic,race,learn
difficulty: novice
Novice and Intermediate
accommodation: other

You can camp at the conservation area or just come each day. We use a couple of the group camping spots over by the chute north of the high level bridge.
I help run the race and will be there to help coach those who want it.
Hoping it will be my first river trip of the year.
Complete novices do not run the chute for the slalom. or you can just come and run the river and we can socialize.
Rapids are grade 2 and 3 and if we get rain, Irvine creek is a good run.
Jeff

MACKFEST

The first annual MACKFEST was a huge success thanks to the tireless efforts of many especially Gary and Cammy George and Cale Reeder.

Weekend was a great success.

List of people, companies, and volunteers to thank as it would not be possible without them.

Sponsors; both prizes and money to help with the event.
Boatwerks / AO
Rapid
H2O Paddles
Esprit
Complete Paddler
Pyranha
Level Six
M.K.C.
Element Expeditions
Mountain Equipment Co-op (Toronto)
Kokatat
Aqua-bound
Esquif
Northwater
Redtail paddles
Wildrock Outfitters
Church Key
Occasions on the Bay
Black Diamond Golf

And many many more. Please check out our website www.mackfest.ca to see all sponsors involved

Volunteers;
Tammy & Rob Kirby
Shaun Moore
Jenn Paige
Stephanie, Tom, Shirley, & Keri Reeder
Bryce
Cathie Jones
Marc Forget
Billy Jo
Mike & Barb Irwin
Yves Blanchard
Todd & Tara
Andrew & Dawn
Rick
Rich
Matt
Mackenzie
And again many more that I am sure I have missed.

The Bands
Lazy John & The Ireland Brothers

The Town of Marmora
Ron Chittick, Cathie Jones, & all the B&B’s Motels etc.

And everyone who showed up to help make this event a success.

Please don’t forget about the Photo Contest. Prizes still available details on website.

Donation to Easter Seals and Whitewater Ontario will be put up later this month

The 1st Ever M.A.C.K.Fest was a great success!!!

Photo's, videos, stories and trip reports on the rivers ran at the festival will soon be up on the website. The website will stay online, so everyone can reference it for further information on all those great rivers.

A huge thank-you to all the volunteers, sponsor's and paddlers who made this new festival a great event.

To contribute a photo, story, video or trip report for publishing, please send to thepaddlingpaparazzi@hotmail.com

Congratulations!

Les Amis has a new Executive for 2008!!

Peter Karwacki was acclaimed as president at the AGM, and Les Amis de la riviere Kipawa have four new people on the executive.

There was a lot of energy in the room.

Michael Simms is secretary
Leah Kindree is Membership Chair
Bill Weber is Rally coordinator
Wayne Donison is Vice President
Peter Karwacki is President
Francois Diebolt is the Treasurer
Doug is Director of River Preservation

There was one major decision made at the AGM, there will definitely be a 20th Kipawa River Rally in June 2008, with or without water.

At the end of the meeting, people were energized. Naturally it would have been great to have had Lucie Germaine and Christian Belisle there at the meeting but in the end, we had to go with those who could attend. Now we must move forward with new energy and spirit.

There is discussion afoot to morph Les Amis de la riviere Kipawa into a more national organization to speak for all rivers.