While much of the local paddling world was participating in the Kenduskeag Stream race, a few of us chose a quieter paddling venue for the day. We had a sunny day and a cheerful group on the Sou, including some new members as well as some very experienced PPCSers. The water level was low, but we still had plenty of surfing at all the usual spots and even a little excitement at the lip of the Emerson bridge rapid. One kayaker got hung up in the midstream alders above the rapid and nearly flipped. In the process of providing help, another kayaker did flip and then hit their combat roll before successfully running the rapid. Although they were not needed today, it was good to know we had lots of excellent rescue skills at the ready. We ran the full stretch of river down to the water works station and enjoyed some milling over munchies and beverages at the take out. We’d parked our vehicles in a little group, including a few that were on the lawn; those cars had notes on their windshields requesting that we not park on the grass in the future. Ooops! We’ll try not to do that again.
K-1 Tom Rutka, Jeff Bickford, Charlie Berliant, Devon Carter, Ron Chase, Franklin Jacoby, Millie Jacoby, Bud Gilbert, Gary Cole, Suzanne Cole.
IK-1 Erin-Kate Sousa
OC-1 Patti Rutka, Whit Whitney, Sean Kluttz, Kyle Duckworth, Helen Hess (TC)