Team Dirt Clod Forums

BillR · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 810 Location: Springfield, il

I know it is early but with the little man around now I would like to start thinking about the spring opener so I can put it down on the Calendar.

I would gladly take charge of things again this year if no one else wants to..
Just let me know...
_________________
life is tough, wear a helmet.

stefan · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 990

as Saprime Elevated Eilatola of Planning (SEEP) I hereby accept your nomination-so go with it!
_________________
DCD-Best it's ever been!

Brad · Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 60

The February itch is getting really bad...

BillR · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 810 Location: Springfield, il

Stefan I have no idea what you just wrote. You must have been drinking again!!

Yes Brad with wrestling season coming to an end I am starting to look forward to paddling this spring..
_________________
life is tough, wear a helmet.

stefan · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 990

how about setting a date? March 20 & 21 are the races, and April 24 & 25 iz da clinic. During these times it"ll be very busy there!
_________________
DCD-Best it's ever been!

Erik · Site Admin Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Posts: 535

Do me a favor, whoever picks the dates, don't make it the weekend before or after the clinic, hard for me to make two weekends in a row.

While we are at it, pick it soon, I've got a trip to plan for work need to make sure it doesn't bump into this...

-ej

Ed Popelas · Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 720 Location: Chicago, IL

I'm open for any date. The sooner the better too. I currently don't have anything going for March or April but that can change at a moments notice. My new policy with folks is once its written in the calendar its in stone.

WVboy · Joined: 08 Nov 2009 Posts: 9 Location: Springfield

Quoting Stefan: how about setting a date? March 20 & 21 are the races, and April 24 & 25 iz da clinic. During these times it"ll be very busy there!

What races are on March 20 and 21st? kayaking?

Thanks,
Mike

Erik · Site Admin Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Posts: 535

Mike - yes kayak races. Slalom and downriver.

Missouri Whitewater puts them on, check them out at:

http://missouriwhitewater.org/

BillR · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 810 Location: Springfield, il

I will make the date in the next couple of days. I just have to ask the better half if she is busy and can watch the little man..
_________________
life is tough, wear a helmet.

WVboy · Joined: 08 Nov 2009 Posts: 9 Location: Springfield

Is the spring opener on the st. francis? I'm new to the area and trying to familiarize with the whitewater in the area.

how is that river? I noticed there is a race coming up in March....is anyone going to this? Is it a pretty competitive event or more just for fun...or both? I guess kayaking is always fun....

I would be interested in taking a trip on this river if anyone else up for taking someone new. I'm not new to kayaking..just new to the area and would like to go with someone who knows it.

I'll try to be at the next pool session to see what's up.

Thanks
Mike

Erik · Site Admin Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Posts: 535

Mike -

Yeah the Saint Francis is where we always have the "TDC Season Opener." Generally in late March early April. It was traditionally the first organized trip of the year, back when we were a bit more organized about our trips, that is. Now it's the only "organized" trip we really have, and I use the term "organized" pretty loosely.

Some info on AW:
Upper:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_detail_id_978

Lower:
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River_detail_id_2921

It's one of the better options for boating runs in this area* if you don't want a real long drive (it's an hour and half south of Saint Louis. 5 miles (Upper and Lower) of class III water (some would rate it as a IV at high water) with 8 drops or so and a fair amount of non-named (atleast not by non-locals) boogie water.

There are a number of smaller creeks in the area also:

http://boatrboy.com/mocreekin/

The Missouri Whitewater Association puts on the races (Missouri Whitewater Championships) some take it more seriously than others, but it's a very well run and fun event (if you are into slalom) Of course, a lot of people who aren't into slalom go down anyway as there is a rather large party in the woods afterwords as well. Smile

They also have a downriver race and the last few years they've done a quick couple of boatercross heats as well.

* Another option for whitewater runs is the Vermilion, which is currently in a state limited access due to some legal issues, it's near Oglesby, IL.

-ej

NickyM · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 315 Location: St. Louis, MO

I like Bill picking the weekend, last year it was the warmest weekend on record for an Opener and I was peachy happy.