Canada- Summer of 2005

[Roberto]

Dear Canoe Polo Players,
The summer of 2005 is shaping up to be an exciting time for canoe polo paddlers.

To increase international participation we have planned 3 events back to back. These are:
- Canadian Canoe Polo Champiosnhips in Grande Prairie (with an exhibition Open Men ans Womens Catagory)
- The World Masters Games Canoe Polo event in Edmonton
- The Americas Cup Event in Edmonton

- following some events, local clubs will offer to run some whitewater paddling trips on some of the excellent rivers in Alberta.

We invite all Canadian and international teams to come to Alberta in the summer of 2005.

Best Regards,

Canadian Canoe Polo Chair
Rob Kerestes

The tentative schedule is:

July 15 Fri Grande Prairie, Alberta 2005 Canadian Nationals

July 16 Sat Grande Prairie, Alberta 2005 Canadian Nationals

July 17 Sun Grande Prairie, Alberta 2005 Canadian Nationals


July 19 Tues Alberta, Canada Grande Cache, Alberta Area Whitewater Tour Hosted by the Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers

July 20 Wed Alberta, Canada Grande Cache, Alberta Area Whitewater Tour Hosted by the Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers

July 22-26 Fri-Tues Edmonton, Alberta World Masters Games Canoe PoloEvent

July 27-30 Thurs-Sat Edmonton, Alberta World Masters Games Sprint Events

July 31 Sun Edmonton, Alberta World Masters Games- Sprint & War Canoe Event

Aug 1 Mon Edmonton, Alberta Americas Cup Rundle Park

Aug 2 Tues Edmonton, Alberta Americas Cup Rundle Park

Aug 3 Wed Edmonton, Alberta Americas Cup Rundle Park

Aug 4 Thur Edmonton, Alberta Americas Cup Rundle Park

Aug 6 Sat Alberta, Canada Alberta Area Whitewater Tour Hosted by the Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers

Aug 7 Sun Alberta, Canada Alberta Area Whitewater Tour Hosted by the Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers

[tyler]

what class is that? I've never even heard of anyone paddeling there.(maybe i'm out of the loop)

Ps. If you ask nicely, I'm sure cottonwood could arange to lead a trip down the waskasoo.;)

[Roberto]

Tyler,
We have a good selection of whitewater rivers in the area. Here is some information written by Dale Tuck from Grande Cache (2 hours south of us). I will post this in a few follow up posts since the text size of this box is limited.

In short the idea is that International paddlers will come to Canada in the summer of 2005 to participate in 3 Canoe Polo events and get a chance to tour some of our whitewater rivers on Alberta's 100 anniversary.

The Grande Cache Wild River Rendezvous

Always the 1st weekend in June.

Call Wild Blue Yonder Rafting Tours for water conditions

Put these dates on your calendar.

June 4th, 5th, and 6th - 2004

June 3rd, 4th, and 5th -2005

By Dale Tuck



Grande Cache is located 140km north of Hinton on the BigHorn highway 40. Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky mountains Grande Cache has, arguably, some of the best paddling in Alberta. The Grande Cache area has 4 major rivers to paddle: (in order of difficulty - easiest to hardest) the Smoky River, Sulphur River, Muskeg River, and Sheep Creek. Paddling season is from approximately early May to Mid-August but varies widely depending on rainfall and snowmelt. Peak flood usually occurs in the first week of June, and can raise the rivers to monstrous proportions. The information provided below is a guide to get you familiar with our rivers; however, under no circumstances should you act upon this information without consulting a local guide. We assume no liability for the accuracy of the information presented. Grande Cache rivers are strewn with strainers, sharp rocks, keeper holes, and unpaddleable waterfalls, do not paddle our rivers without having competent skills and a few runs under your belt with local paddlers. In addition to the river dangers the put-in's and take-out's can also be quite demanding. Highway access at some locations is not developed and therefore dangerous (be very careful when merging and exiting the highway at unexpected locations). To help facilitate familiarization with our rivers and provide an incredible opportunity for socializing the Grande Cache Branch of the Hinton Strokers puts on the Grande Cache Wild River Rendezvous. On this weekend the club hosts out-of-town paddlers to the local paddling menu by day and social events by night -fun, fun, fun, so don't miss it!



The following information includes details on the Rendezvous and river descriptions.



The complete Paddling experience free

There is no cost for the Rendezvous. All people attending may be required to participate in shuttling boats or helping out with other tasks associated with paddling. The Saturday night pasta Buffet is not free but social activities at the bar are sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Extreme Racing and the Grande Cache Hotel.





Friday, (always the first weekend in June see dates above)

Muskeg River (6pm-10pm)



Saturday:

Choose one of the following options:

-Muskeg River (10am-12pm), followed by Sulphur River & Smoky River (2pm-6pm),

or

-Sheep Creek (all day, 10am-6pm).



Sunday:

Choose from the following options:

- Either Muskeg River (11am-2pm) or Sulphur River (11am- 3pm). The majority of people wanting to paddle one of these rivers will determine which river will be guided.

- Sheep Creek (11am-7pm).



IMPORTANT:

You are responsible for giving us your boat and gear 30 minutes prior to departure.

Please do not come 5 minutes prior to departure and expect to "hop on." We need your boat, paddling gear, and dry gear ready to be loaded 30 minutes prior to the above listed departure times.



This Wild River Rendezvous is a flexible weekend with canoeist, duckies and family members welcome. Non-paddlers can enjoy one of the many rafting trips with Wild Blue Yonder Tours while paddlers shred up the local waves. For more information on rafting packages contact Wild Blue Yonder Tours 1-877-wild-run (945-03786) or try their Web site: www.rafttherockies.net

Grande Cache is also perfect for a variety of other outdoor activities such as:

*Hiking & trail running (gateway to Wilmore Wilderness Park) 100's of miles of trails

*Mountain biking, an endless selection of trails from beginner to expert.

*Golf, one of Alberta's most scenic 9 hole courses. Stunning views from every hole.

*Tennis - two courts located in the center of town surrounded by mountains on all sides.

*Swimming, at the recreation center pool, Grande Cache Lake beach, or Pierre Grey lakes.

*Fishing & Hunting- check with fish and wildlife for the various seasons.

*Horseback riding - there are several riding stables in the area that offer packages.

*Quading, 4 wheeling - please stay on existing trails.

*Grande Cache is also home of the Canadian Death Adventure Race. The Canadian Death Run is

*held every August Long weekend -125km individual or relay, cross three mountain summits, gain over 17,000ft of elevation, raft across a major river.

Check us out www.canadiandeathrace.com



Rendezvous Social Events at the Grande Cache Hotel.

The Grande Cache Hotel is the host hotel and has planned a variety of events for the weekend. Paddling all day and socializing at night will ensure the Grande Cache Wild River Rendezvous will be a memorable experience. All paddlers must meet in the hotel Lobby 30 minutes prior to the above listed river departure times, to arrange shuttles and organize into groups.



Friday: upon arrival

Either before or after your Friday evening paddle, pick up your registration information package at the Grande Cache Hotel front desk and socialize in the lounge at High country Steak and Ale in the Grande Cache Hotel. Meet your hosts, Dale Tuck, and Jean Bourdua.



Saturday: 8pm - 2am, post paddling buffet and Party.

Meet us in the Lounge for our White Water Buffet - all you can eat: Pasta, salads, and garlic toast (this is not free). Drink specials in the bar for paddlers all night long. As the evening progresses move to Rockies Bar and listen to the latest dance music as you swap paddling stories until closing. Don't miss your shuttle in the morning. We need your boat, paddling gear, and dry gear, 30minutes prior to departure time.



Sunday: 9am -11am, Pre-paddling Brunch.

Join us for the Grande Cache Hotel's Sunday Brunch. Shuttles leave at 11am. Give us your gear by 10:30 so we can load your stuff.



Accommodations:



*Grande Cache Hotel

all paddlers will receive the sport rate. For reservations call 780-827-3377



*Marv-Moore Campground,

For reservations (9am-4pm) call 403-827-3362.

[Roberto]

As mentioned here are the spicy river descriptions.
RK

River descriptions:
The mighty Muskeg River (many options for beginners to advanced. The description here is for the main put-in)

The main white water portion of the river is Class 2-3 with a section of class four. With its many play waves, and friendly holes this river is touted as the favorite after work river run by the local paddlers. The takeout is a laborious climb back up to the highway, with 3 steep, and progressively longer, pitches. 15 minutes to the shuttle if you are ultra fit, 30 minutes if you've been channel surfing all winter long.

Muskeg River Highlights:

- The surfing wave at the Hwy 40 bridge

- The Fraser ledge (8ft broken ledge)

- The slot - 8ft wide and pumping.

- Tumble Weed (the hole to show your stuff)

- The little muskeg falls (runnable but not for the faint of heart), 15ft seal launch for the portage.

- Note: you must know where the take-out is or risk death going over Muskeg falls!





The Scenic Sulphur River & Smoky River

Renowned for its breathtaking beauty and steep canyons the Sulphur is a class 2 River with a little class 3 towards the end, although in very high water this run turns into steady class 3 and 4 with many nasty hydraulics. The Sulphur merges with the Smoky River at the Sulphur gates. From this point on it is a relatively flat-water paddle through the scenic Smokey River valley to the take-out. The Put in is incredibly beautiful but steep.

Sulphur River Highlights

- Spectacular scenery

- Variety of play and surf waves.

- A nasty ledge and hydraulic (at high water) where several commercial rafts flipped in 1997, and where a rafter drowned in 1999. Sneak route on river right, hero route on extreme left and jump in the eddy.

- Little hells gate: the whole river comes to a 15ft strangle, very scenic, but stay left to avoid the hole on river right

- The Sulphur ends with a 250ft high sheer cliff wall on river left. The water really picks up in this last mile. Grab as many surf waves as you can and eddy up as the river gathers steam and plunges into the confluence of the Smoky River.

Smokey River Highlights

- Starting at the confluence of the Sulphur River and the spectacular hells gate, wave to the many tourist/hikers on the cliff bluffs above.

- Swirling eddy lines and whirlpools

- The eddy of death: watch for this treacherous super-depressed eddy on river right. The eddy is hidden in a cave-like rock formation jutting out from a point of land on river left.



The Sonic Sheep Creek.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of paddling this world class whitewater run has been left awe struck by its, length, steepness, and diverse water features. This is an all day true wilderness run, with steady class 3, 4 and a portage-able class 5 for those so inclined. Perils and pleasures abound with many of the same characteristics as the Fraser River, but to a slightly lesser degree. Holes (friendly and otherwise), ledges, drops, ender spots, and 10-12ft surfing waves clutter this classic adventure run! Solid (Read "advanced") paddling skill are required to attempt this river in flooded conditions. Come prepared: ropes, carabiners, tow harness, food, water, first aid, etc.

Sheep Creek Highlights

- The Rock Horn Rapid - steep steady class three plus-four

- Lauzon's Ledge - ever spend forever getting out of a hole? Sneak route on river right, or take the narrow green tongue about 15ft from shore on river left (at very high water there is no green tongue - stay right!).

- The Cauldron - eddy up and grab the zigzag green tongue on river right - stay on your line - nasties on either side.

- The Class 5 is a tricky approach - a mass of swirling eddylines and boils - undercuts are everywhere as you negotiate your way through an 8 foot strangle. After the strangle you have less than two boat lengths to move into position (either extreme river left or right) to avoid the hydraulic at the bottom of a 15ft slightly slanting waterfall- WOW!

- Hidie's ledge - massive river wide inescapable hydraulic - extreme left or right and jump in the eddy.

- Sheep creek falls - 8ft vertical falls - stay extreme river left or right. There is a challenging hole in the middle that almost always results in a swim if you don't punch through.

- The slide - you'll know it when you see it, big green and -gulp- high (it goes up! It should actually be called the "ramp").

- 8 to 12 foot surfing waves everywhere - grab one - fun, fun, fun!

- take out at the highway bridge.

[farman ullah]

Dear Canoe Polo Players,
The summer of 2005 is shaping up to be an exciting time for canoe polo paddlers.

To increase international participation we have planned 3 events back to back. These are:
- Canadian Canoe Polo Champiosnhips in Grande Prairie (with an exhibition Open Men ans Womens Catagory)
- The World Masters Games Canoe Polo event in Edmonton
- The Americas Cup Event in Edmonton

- following some events, local clubs will offer to run some whitewater paddling trips on some of the excellent rivers in Alberta.

We invite all Canadian and international teams to come to Alberta in the summer of 2005.

Best Regards,

Canadian Canoe Polo Chair
Rob Kerestes

The tentative schedule is:

July 15 Fri Grande Prairie, Alberta 2005 Canadian Nationals

July 16 Sat Grande Prairie, Alberta 2005 Canadian Nationals

July 17 Sun Grande Prairie, Alberta 2005 Canadian Nationals


July 19 Tues Alberta, Canada Grande Cache, Alberta Area Whitewater Tour Hosted by the Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers

July 20 Wed Alberta, Canada Grande Cache, Alberta Area Whitewater Tour Hosted by the Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers

July 22-26 Fri-Tues Edmonton, Alberta World Masters Games Canoe PoloEvent

July 27-30 Thurs-Sat Edmonton, Alberta World Masters Games Sprint Events

July 31 Sun Edmonton, Alberta World Masters Games- Sprint & War Canoe Event

Aug 1 Mon Edmonton, Alberta Americas Cup Rundle Park

Aug 2 Tues Edmonton, Alberta Americas Cup Rundle Park

Aug 3 Wed Edmonton, Alberta Americas Cup Rundle Park

Aug 4 Thur Edmonton, Alberta Americas Cup Rundle Park

Aug 6 Sat Alberta, Canada Alberta Area Whitewater Tour Hosted by the Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers

Aug 7 Sun Alberta, Canada Alberta Area Whitewater Tour Hosted by the Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers

[spike]

hey. im not to sure why the thumbs down has been givein for robs post. I think, along with others that this is a great idea, and should be a great time and, oppertunity. but however if you do dissagre instead of just giveing a thumbs down and running why dont you give a few thought to help explain your point of view along with help us understand what the problem is that you seem to have with this setup. It may be, possibley, that it help us make it even better for everyone, including yourself.

[Patrick]

I wasn't the "thumbs down" guy but I'll say that, from my perspective, it would seem pretty darn difficult to participate in more than one of these events due to the span of time between them. While it is nice to provide whitewater outings between these events, if you're not interested in whitewater or if you'd rather just play polo the wait between events is quite long and perhaps prohibitive.

Thanks,

[Monica]

I don't know Patrick...a whole summer in Canada, paddling until my hearts content sounds like heaven to me. And good training. You can always pick up new tricks (or remember old ones) while paddling outside of polo.

And then it helps that I am still a college student with no demands on my time between the first week of May and the last week of Aug. :) We'll just have to see what can be arranged.
Mon.

[Monica]

By the way, can we get an estimated cost here? I mean, is there an entrance fee to get into the parks? (That is assuming yall have a set up like it is down here where the province charges you to park on thier property). How much are the shuttles there? And how are you going to get a kayak onto the shuttle? And while we are on that subject, does anyone up there have an extra white water boat to spare to international people/players?

[tyler]

a) of course our government charges us for stupid things like parking in tourist areas where they want people to go, there the government, thats what they do best
b)were in the Rockies and play boats get out dated every two years, I sure there are at least one or two boats lying around you could use
c)Pay for shuttles? What the sh1t are you talking about? :confused:

Ps. For good paddeling money isn't priority;)

[steffers]

yea that sounds like an A-kickin-plus summer especially with the ww tours in between. polo gets a little repetative sometimes. how could us americans stay there for half a month cheaply? is there work or help needed to run these events to act as sort of collateral for billets? shucks, guess i cant pick up a career until after next summer :thumbup:

[Monica]

While money isn't a priority for good paddling, it IS necessary to have in order to get up there and survive for the summer. I have to look at my oppertunity costs here. I am with Steph..."WILL WORK FOR (insert basic necessity here)!"

Mon.

yea that sounds like an A-kickin-plus summer especially with the ww tours in between. polo gets a little repetative sometimes. how could us americans stay there for half a month cheaply? is there work or help needed to run these events to act as sort of collateral for billets? shucks, guess i cant pick up a career until after next summer :thumbup:

[Albert]

I was just looking at the scheduling. I agree with Patrick. Some of us that would travel would like to make multiple events with the Masters games and Americas Cup the priority.

If Americas Cup could happen immediately before or after the World games, that would help a lot. Otherwise, it would be difficult for many of us to make all 3 since it is three weeks away.

If for instance Americas Cup were to happen between Nats and Masters, then that would mean 2 weeks away for all 3 tournies.

I understand that it may be difficult for the organizers to be away right before the major comps in edmonton, but it may prohibit participation of travellers.

albert-eh?

[lambdapro]

Wow does this ever look great. If I can talk Nancy into staying up in Canada and running around a bit while I fly back and work between tourneys, the Lambs could pull it off. I'd love to have the America's Cup in between Canadian Nats and Master's Games, but once these dates get set, they have a life of their own.

A little hitch in my area of Texas is that some schools start that first week of August and that would put a squeeze on a couple of my U21 players.

TKS for working to put on a fantastic party! I hope that we can make it work out.
David Lamb

[EA Albert]

Hello All,

Well I'm really quite excited to meet some new faces when you all come up to Grande Prairie for the tournament. I am relatively new to Canoe Polo, but I have been paddling for over 15 years, and I must say you would be missing out if you didn't take a day "off" to boat in the Northern Rockies.

The Torrens, Sheep Creek, and the Sulphur are really rugged, wild rivers, free from development, and encompasses all that is "river" paddling. It would be a shame to travel to this area and not get a feel for Canadian creeking. I'll leave it up to you to figure this out for yourselves, but if you are a solid class III+ -IV paddler you'll have a blast. Rob Kerestes and I along with some other locals will proabably be leading this little excursion, and we welcome anyone who has an adventurous attitude.

Here are a couple of links to check out about our local paddling, and let us know what you think after being informed on our wonderful area.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/rak_acl/torrens05.16.04.html
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/rak_acl/cache06.04.04.html
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/rak_acl/sulphur.html
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/rak_acl/rivers.html


:canada:
New polo member,
Eric Albert

[sp_edey]

By the way, can we get an estimated cost here? I mean, is there an entrance fee to get into the parks? (That is assuming yall have a set up like it is down here where the province charges you to park on thier property). How much are the shuttles there? And how are you going to get a kayak onto the shuttle? And while we are on that subject, does anyone up there have an extra white water boat to spare to international people/players?To get into parks where we're going there won't be any fee's. Depending on how many ppl actually stay in the mid week, shuttling isn't going to be to much of a problem. Our club has a tralier so getting enough boats to the river won't be an issue, and there'll be lots of ppl driving too, to carry gear and such. As far as white water boats, our club is slightly limited to top of the line playboats, though we do have a few. Our club rents them out I believe for a $10 a day with equipment included.
I can understand how far away kayaking enthusieists are going to find it hard to spend three weeks here. I am going to see about taking that time off work and find some things to entertain ppl that aren't interested in certain things like whitewater for instance(yeah, I don't like whitewaterin' to much. Too many near death experiences) I have a big imagination, so I'll be able to find stuff to do for everyone.
Also with billeting, my place is certainly limited aside from my friends staying with me. I'll also have a roommate if I'm still living here. Never know, maybe I'll be living in a bigger house by then. I'll check into hotels and group rates for travelling groups as well.
How this clears somethings up and if you have anymore question please don't hesitate to ask.
Later
Clinton
:surfing: