"Vacation" Time

[JWheaton]

Bob,

Is that you going over those falls?

If it is -- please stop that until AFTER I get my car and have worked all quirks ----- I know that I am going to need your advice!

[NeedAntiVenom]

It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for. Yikes! Bob - when Peter said "Bob is a canoeist" I was thinking nice quiet stream on a sunny day - not paddling over niagra falls. Just to save us all some time, could you post a list of the things you have NOT mastered? Not being a wise@ss Bob, truely impressed!

Jim

[Bob Putnam]

Running most falls (the one shown was about 20 feet high) is mostly an exercise in conquering my fear of heights, rather than a dangerous act. I used to run Class 5 drops - but the one shown I'd rate as Class 3 - very straightforward and not difficult. You really have to screw up to make it dangerous. There are lots of crazies that have run falls over 50 feet, but even if the approach is easy, spinal injuries get much too possible for a sane person. They make for great photos, though...

Class 5 stuff requires control (and remaining upright) in very difficult water, and the penalty for mistakes can get serious. I don't do those anymore.

It helps to have a photographer that can make the drops more impressive than they actually are.

[Chaplin]

Bob-
I thought you raced canoes, the picture looks like a kayak? Is it some sort of hybrid canoe/kayak?

[Bob Putnam]

The kayak-looking boat is a closed canoe, normally called a C-1 (singly paddled canoe, as opposed to a C-2 which is a doubles boat). A C-1 differs from a kayak in two ways: I kneel in the boat (prayer position helps a lot! ), and I use a single bladed paddle. There are some advantages (better vision over the big stuff, the boat spins better) and disadvantages (less speed, and a good brace only on one side). Since I originally learned in an open canoe, the transition was relatively easy. I even taught myself how to roll.

Most people cringe at the idea of kneeling, but I find it more comfortable than kayak-sitting with my legs straight out - it's much easier on the back (which in my case is prone to be "bad"...).

I was fortunate to have part of the US slalom team train at my local river, so I "stole" a lot of technique, and used their gates whenever I could. I trained for a year before I entered my first novice race in C-1 class. Over the years, I estimate that I've gone through about half-a-million practice gates. It's something that I enjoy, and it's a dirt-cheap hobby which also keeps me in shape. When it doesn't hurt me.


I also help run a local race on the Farmington River (Punch Brook Slalom ) for open canoes, C-1 and C-2s, and kayaks.

[petek]

Ok folks, I have to step in here to clear something up. Bob is obviously too modest to admit it ... but that picture above where it looks like Bob is headed over the falls.... well, he isn't.

Actually the course has them going UP the falls, Bob is the only one who made it!

[Turk]

Is it me or does this look like what Bob is trying for?

[Bob Putnam]

(Yes - he was running the drop backwards for this effect.)

[JWheaton]

Bob,

Exactly what effect was that guy trying to have?

[Jim Holden]

JW:

I think of being flushed down the...

J

[Jim Holden]

Smehow I managed to post the same quote twice and now can't delete the second one so just ignore this and read on or not as the case may be...

J

[Bob Putnam]

Don't worry Jim. I ignore all your posts!

[Jim Holden]

Bob:

I gues therein lies the difference; I hang on your every word...

Jim

[JWheaton]

Jim,

One solution to be ignored is to be annoying.

May I suggest starting many many threads that Bob will have to open and read. He may ignore what you wrote but it will keepp him busy!

Jamie W

[Jim Holden]

JW:

Despite his protestations to the contrary, Bob actually has a lot of time on his hands:

He lives close to the shop - no commuting time.
He doesn't do "big food"
He is unencumbered by spouse or (too) significant other.
He is not (to my knowledge) paying child support or other weekly fees to the local New Britain sheriff's dept.
Phil has killed the GS project.
The FIA is done.
And other than tweeking, the GT is done and redone.
The 427SC is long done.
He doesn't appear to have a drinking, gambling or other significant affliction which could result in loss of work time.
...and did I say he was unencumbered by spouse or (too) significant other?

So... come to think of it just what the heck is he doing up there other than answering the phone and playing video games?

J.

[snakeeyes]

Is the canoe in pic #1 fiberglass, or aluminum? And I thought you guys didn't do slabsides?

You're holding out!