Communique
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Apostle Islands – Labor Day Weekend, September 3rd – 6th, 2010
Steve Muntz and Joe Carey will be heading back to the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior for this year's Labor Day Weekend camping trip. This year we're going to do something a little different – we're going to base camp at a group campsite on Oak Island. This gives us two advantages: First, we don't need to pack up and move each morning, so there's more time for exploring. Second, since we're at a group site we can take more people with than are allowed on individual camp sites.
The Apostle Islands of Lake Superior offer truly world-class sea kayaking right here in the Midwest. One of the ideas of this trip is to offer less strenuous day paddles, but at the same time we don't feel as though we can call this a beginner's trip. Many paddlers who have spent time on the lake have seen the weather change quickly, regardless of expected conditions. We are asking all paddlers interested in this trip to attend the club's upcoming rescue clinic on July 11th if at all possible, so we can have a chance to work on our skills together. Being that we will be paddling in open water and crossing to different islands, experience with paddling in wind and waves will be needed too. Most of the miles we've paddled in the Apostles have been in calm to moderate conditions, but paddling skills are an important part of keeping the group safe.

We plan to take up to a dozen adventurous paddlers with us and currently have room for about four more. On Friday we'll work out a meeting time to launch at Red Cliff and make the five mile paddle to Oak Island. As always, everything depends on the weather, but we're hoping to offer two different paddling options both days – one at more of a social pace to explore some of the close-by historic attractions and a different trip with more distance involved. Another option is hiking the many miles of trails right on Oak Island itself. Monday morning we'll be up early, break camp and paddle back to Red Cliff where we'll make the long trip home. Please feel free to contact Steve or Joe if you have questions or would like more information about this trip.
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Aurora Paddlesports Festival
From the Illinois Paddling Council website: “Our grateful thanks to all of the vendors, organizations, and volunteers who made APF a success in spite of the volatile weather. There were 27 organizations represented at the festival. We had a total of 56 test paddlers. Eleven Instructors taught 21 two hour courses to 45 people. They and the test paddlers were assisted by 15 safety Boaters. Given weather conditions, that is a remarkable testament to the dedication of our volunteers. Our deepest thanks and appreciation to all of you.”

Several members of Prairie Coast Paddlers were on hand for the second festival which was held June 12-13 in Phillips Park. Members were helping out in many ways including registration, instruction and safety boating, and all volunteers had the benefit of camping overnight at the festival which was a lot of fun. We may have had a rough start with a quick but intense storm, but it blew by and the rest of the day was great. It's always inspiring to meet people who are really interested in getting off on the right start with all forms of paddling, and we've already had at least one new friend join us out on the water since the festival.
Another highlight was the big variety of demo boats to try. Local paddling shops each had several boats to try out, and there was a pretty impressive variety. This is one of the highlights of symposiums, but having not attended one in a couple of years myself it was fun to do it again. Though I didn't come home with anything new, the stand up paddleboard was certainly a top contender.
We'll be back again for the third annual Aurora Paddlesports Festival in June 2011, and I'm hoping to see a lot of you there again!
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Weather or Not
People who do not kayak sometimes ask me in June “ have you gone out in your kayak yet.” I answer with a resounding YES, replying that the only two things stop me from kayaking are lightning and ice. Some of the prettiest pictures of kayaking were taken by Russ Johnson on one of his many winter paddles. With the proper equipment , and common sense there is no reason not to kayak, at least one day of every month.

I also hear from paddlers that they would have paddle more but the weather has been so lousy. The Rock River trip was a prime example. After driving for an hour, a torrential storm hit. The optimist in me said it well clear by 9:00 AM when we launch. The pessimist in me said we could always do breakfast and yak about yakking. The end result was a great paddle with a huge downpour at the end of the paddle. The downpour actually adding adventure to a sedate paddle. The Aurora Paddlesports festival was another example we had scattered thunderstorms with a likelihood of camaraderie. We still got in paddle time in between the raindrops. We also went camping together out to dinner and breakfast. Some of my best times on the water have been while it is raining. Mini waterfalls on the Wisconsin Dells that are only there during the rain. Wildlife that seem oblivious to you .
So to be blunt do not let weather forecasts stop you. Yes on occasion lightning will strike on a Wednesday night paddle. Oh well , then you go out for custard. Remember when the world hands you lemons make lemonade.
