Leader: Chuck Patrick

    Every so often I think it's important to move out of your comfort zone and take on a new
challenge. And so this story begins. Being a flat water paddler for many years, I decided this was the
year to improve my white water skills and feel a little more comfortable taking on some rivers I've
been hesitant to try. After much anguish, I gathered up the courage to take the Tandem White Water
Canoe Clinic at the beginning of June. I convinced my 20-year-old son to be my partner, telling him
there might be some cute girls there. We ended up having a great time, learned a lot and made some
new friends. We also got to know Chuck and his passion for white water canoeing. It only seemed
natural to take his clinic and learn a little about river rescue. That sounded fine with my son until he
realized he had tickets to a concert in Alpine Valley that day. Can you believe he chose that over
going with his mom canoeing? I gave Chuck a call to see if there was some way I could still come on
my own. Because of his interest in involving more people in the sport, he worked out a way to let me
borrow a solo boat from another paddler at the clinic. Neat! Now I've worked myself into a
situation of trepidation about doing the clinic, going alone and being in a solo canoe for the first time
in my life. I definitely succeeded in getting out of my comfort zone!
    The clinic began with classroom instruction at a private campground nearby. We went over about
every possible safety precaution to be aware of, from hypothermia to backrollers to knowing and
respecting your skill level. Knowing that most accidents are a result of knowing nothing about river
safety or taking unreasonable risks gave me some comfort. I wasn't in either of those categories. I
may indeed survive! Chuck did a great job of teaching participants what they wanted to learn and
gave us numerous opportunities to practice throwing the rescue rope. Then, after a quick lunch, our
group of 12 was off to the river. At this point I still wondered what I was getting into. Chuck's goal
was to teach and have fun and I was afraid I might become a problem student. I got in the canoe,
adjusted to the various thigh straps and kneepads and paddled around a little. "Oh, this is kind of
fun, I wonder if I'll be able to get out if I tip over?" No problem there. Shortly after that statement I
was over, thanks to an unexpected nudge from Chuck. That answered that question! Down the river
we went eventually making it to First Drop. I almost thought I made it over but ended up dumping.
We practiced swimming feet first down it several times and just had fun playing. Some of the more
experienced canoeists enjoyed side surfing it. I made it through Double Drop and a boulder garden
and next came Monastery Falls. I had seen pictures of this one. I thought,  "OK, I've 47 years old,
first time in a solo boat and I'm going to go down a waterfall? Maybe not today." The water was a
little low but the experienced paddlers had some great runs, with some pretty eddie turns along the
way. It's a beautiful place. A little farther down the river came Ziemer's Falls, a popular place for the
locals to sun  and play in the falls. I made it down the first drop and into the eddie where we got out
of our boats to scout the falls. With a plan in place, most on the trip had a good run. I opted out
again, remembering that statement in the morning about knowing and respecting your skill level.
Shortly after the falls we approached the take-out and I am happy to report I was sad to see if
come. We loaded up, Chuck putting three boats stacked on his roof, and returned to the
campground. I have to admit I had had enough sun and activity for one day! Since I live less than an
hour away, I chose to pack it up and head on home. Several of the others were planning on camping
and doing the river again the next day. I left feeling great about the wonderful people I met and the
newly acquired skills I obtained. I think they haven't seen the last of me yet!

Submitted by Nancy Schanke
 
 

Chuck Patrick's July 24-25, 1999 Red River Trip

(submitted by Kim Parsons)

On July 24th and 25th, Chuck Patrick led a group of a dozen paddlers on
two days of fun and informal instruction on the Red River. The weather
was perfect -- sunny and hot, which made for good swimming. Someone once
said "If you don't swim, you're not trying hard enough." And we all did
some swimming as we tested our abilities and practiced new skills. The
water level was a bit low, but we had enough for a good paddle.

Playing was the name of the game on both days. On Saturday we spent
seven hours on the 4-1/2 mile stretch of river. On Sunday we were a
little tired and sore, so we made the trip in five hours.

We spent lots of time at First Drop. Everyone ran it multiple times and
did some side surfing. Chuck helped by holding our boats so we could
work on low braces, downstream leans, and just getting a feel for the
ride without dumping too quickly. And then it was on to Double Drop,
where we did lots of front surfing, ferries, and eddy turns.

Monastery Falls was the next highlight, and what an experience! After
careful scouting, eleven paddlers made their first trun down the Falls.
There was only one dump, and it wasn't a bad one. We learnedabout safety
procedures, did some ferries and eddy turns, and snapped some great
pictures of memorable moments. We even did some tubing here!