Wetsuits and Ketchup
Published April 20, 2009 | 
I stood there looking at a group of people all dressed in blue jeans and wanting to have their first kayaking experience on the freshly thawed Wisconsin river. Meanwhile in the back of my mind I was still concerned about a first timer in shorts and a T-shirt who had paddled up river about a half hour before.
This was not a symposium or training event. There was not a prerequisite or guideline for paddlers to follow. It was simply a community event that took place on and around the water. Other than the paddling clinics everyone was pretty much free to well, sink or swim… After all there was a fire department speed boat out there. (Somewhere..) In the big picture the sport needs these sort of “free form” events that bring in a wider part of the community, folks that don’t see themselves as “athletes”. that will never attend a paddle shop “open house” or symposium. I’m all for it. Still though, we do have to look at better ways to make them not just inclusive, but safe.
The first annual Riverfest event was held on the Wisconsin River just north of the big dam and only a couple blocks from downtown Wisconsin Dells shops. The location provided plenty of parking and easy access to the river for paddlers. Depending on water levels this part of the river can be almost as still as a lake. All in all it’s a great place for a party. The location is perfect really, but any Wisconsin event held in mid-April is asking a lot of the weather. In the back of my mind I couldn’t help imagine how quickly cold spring weather or normally higher waters could have made the event a lot less fun. It would not be hard to imagine sleet or even snow falling on a river nearing flood stage. With more water you could expect heavily swirling currents coming around the high cliffs making the location a bit more tricky. This year however the water was low and slow and the air temperatures were in the 70s making for a great day out of doors.
Riverfest was anchored around college rowing club competitions that went on throughout the day. Families and supporters lined up along the route, some enjoyed the day long race from a riverboat that would track the rowers all the while serving food and drinks. Others watched from above from the terraces of the Riverwalk Pub. Kayak races were held early in the day and were over by about 11 am. Most were recreational paddlers that I hear were blown out of the water by one guy in a racing kayak. Live and learn.
Like all new events there were some glitches as well. The one paddlesport vendor that committed to the event bailed out at pretty much the last second making it hard to provide appropriate gear for participants. Apparently they bailed to attend a better event. I’d like to know how they hold onto retailers!! (Never mind..I have a feeling I know the answer to that one.) On site food was provided by a local civic organization that became the talk of the event as people looked for other places to eat. It was the first time I’d seen a classic Wisconsin Brat stand so poorly stocked. I heard someone comment that if they’d known they would have brought their own ketchup… Another downside was the amazingly loud DJ who was long on wind and short on details. Although there was a constant din, rarely was useful information actually offered such as where the walking events started or how to register for an event or get in on a boat tour. (Of course inane, unnecessary, loudness often seems like a Wisconsin Dells hallmark) People with initiative were often left to search out those answers on their own. That being said, if you bring a bunch of people together they will generally have a good time and I’m sure most did in spite of the hiccups (or the DJ). Next year organizers will simply have some experience to build on.
Oh, and back to by blue jean group. Everything in me said not to talk these folks on the water at all. But the organizers had waivers signed it’s not the first time people think I’m a bit paranoid. In the end I knew I could keep these folks 2 feet from shore and in the shallows for the length of time it would take for them to get a basic introduction in their big rec boats. So I set about with a plan to talk a bit about safety, a bit more about hypothermia, and then lead the group off the river into a shallow, enclosed, and still empty harbor where we’d be 5 feet from shore and away from any sort of current, or boat traffic. We spent maybe an hour just learning some basic boat control and chatting about life the universe and everything which is pretty much what this group of “never paddled before” people were looking for. As we came back up to shore the first timer in shorts and t-shirt who had taken off on his own earlier came paddling back up as well. All in all it was fun for everyone involved. Still, if I were going to do it again I’d certainly have some prerequisites…
All in all I see a paddling event that can flourish with time. The Wisconsin Dells is a beautiful location for paddlers and certainly has a ready made audience for such events. I look forward to next year. Only I think I’ll recommend that wetsuits and ketchup are provided.
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