SusQ River Park and Play - Sautrday - March 31, 2012

[RB]

Rockville Bridge (above the bridge)
Meeting place: gravel lot along S.Main St./River Road, just above the bridge, on the west shore side of the river
Meeting Time: 11am (this will allow for a 2 - 3 hour session with time to get to the club Meltdown Party at the Appalachian Brewing Company at 3pm-5pm)

  This is a park and play session in the Susquehanna River above the Rockville Bridge and is a great place for novice/low intermediates to work on boat handling skills. Attainment, edging, ferrying, eddy turns, peel outs, small wave/hole surfing and rolling in class I-II water.
  This is not a training class and I am not a certified instructor but I will offer help to anyone that wants help working on whatever.

I expect the river to be around 4.5' for Saturday with the longrange weather forecast for temps in the high 50's and partly sunny skies. Current water temps are around the mid-50's having fallen nearly 10 degrees from last week's highs in the mid-60's.

For the more experienced boaters looking for something more, Saturday's level may still be good for the Rockville Ledge.

[Chris H]

I'll pay the $5 Meltdown Party fee for anyone who shows up at the party in wet paddle gear.

[RB]

Still expecting river levels to be around 4.5' for Saturday.
http://www.bluemountainoutfitters.net/Gauge_page/gauge_page_frame.html

Weather forecast is for rain/showers overnight Friday into Saturday morning up until noon, then mostly cloudy.
Temps forecast to be right around 50 degrees with 6-8 mph winds.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/harrisburg-pa/17101/weather-forecast/6971_pc

Water temps are in the mid-50's.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?cb_00010=on&format=gif_default&begin_date=2012-03-22&end_date=2012-03-29&site_no=01570500

Dress for the conditions.

[RB]

Trip Report

  A couple of new members (Susan Savage and Wendy ?) showed up and paddled for a little while. Others that made the session were Rick Brown( ), Jill Wiest, Marybeth Moscoso, Mike Moyer and Jennifer Brock.

  The level was a bit less than 4.5'. A bit low for this area(best around 5') but still a few places to play and surf. And always good practice for ferrying and attaining in easy current for those working on those skills.

  A bit of mist gearing up but stopped and no rain during the paddle. Cloudy, over cast skies with temps around 50.
  Got in around 11:30 and got out around 2 for a good workout and had plenty of time to get changed and get over to ABC for the Meltdown Party.

 Marybeth took some pictures that i expect her to post at some point.

[Chris H]

Disappointed that no one showed up at the Meltdown Party in wet paddle gear.  Would have been something to talk about for a quite a while.

[Jennifer]

You can blame Rick's impeccable time honed by shuttle algebra for getting us off the river at the appointed time.  Some would have called the day cloudy and cold and the water too low.  Some would be wrong.  A little attaining, ferrying and surfing and all were worm and looking for more.

[shaman11]

Rick Brown organized a FUN "Park and Play" at Rockville Bridge on the Susquehanna river...thanks Rick!   It gave us an opportunity to work on our kayaking skills and chance for Mike to break in his new boat!  Had a great time with good paddle buddies Rick, Jill, Mike, and Jennifer on a foggy, misty, late morning on the river...it was a bit cool and beautiful.  As always, I appreciated everyone's helpful tips.  Rick, Jill, and Jennifer worked with the 2 new members, Susan and Wendy.  Mike was “one” with his new Jackson “Zen”, real nice boat!!!

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCE14CA8354921779&feature=mh_lolz

Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3303263132735.2139782.1002688074&type=1&l=4bee678248