River: Tuckaseegee

I recently rejoined the the CCC and participated in the youth paddling clinics with my 11 year old nephew. My previous CCC experience spanned the late ’80s and 90’s during which I had the privilege to participate in various clinics, great trips and many memorable WORs. My compliements to Greg Runion and Jeff Deny for their professional and patient work with the eight students in the novice clinic. Their teaching style and one on one demonstrations of technique for each student created an enthusiasm for kayaking that was clearly evident in the smiles on each student.

After an apprehensive 2 months I finally decided to see why only the "chosen few" coordinated river trips. So let me start this with a few tips on coordinating.

The spirits of the old Indians sat in silence, overlooking their river. They were a little grumpy on this morning, or perhaps feeling a little mischievous. They watched intently as the group of white eyes dressed in strange cloths descended on their river, in colorful boats. One of the ancients nodded his head in the direction of the activity below said, “They want to jump like Rainbows, but today they will be nothing more than carp.” The group chuckled then sat back in stillness. The curse of the Tuckaseegee had been cast.