Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society
Where Maine Paddling Began
Brent Elwell Trip Coordinator, K-1
Participants: Jean Miller K-1, John Brower OC-1, Connor Marland OC-1, Chicago Man K-1
The group took a couple of runs on the Magalloway. We were joined by a man from Chicago who was on a paddle tour of the Northeast. He did fine, but I was surprised when he seal launched at the start with only hand paddles which served him fine. The river was not crowded. There were some great front surfing waves at this level. To top the day off, we saw an eagle and osprey.
July 30-31
The final weekend of July at Roll Dams included a small but spirited group of paddlers. We did three runs on Saturday and two on Sunday, swapping boats and trying out new things. There was a tandem canoe, a solo canoe, three kayaks, and two inflatable kayaks, and most of us paddled at least two different boats. The weather was beautiful, and the bright sunshine inspired plenty of play in the waves and holes with lots of opportunity for rolling and swimming. The drier weather and the breeze kept the bugs down to a dull whine.
Elliot Rappaport, Karen Merritt, Charlie Berliant, Erin-Kate Sousa, Nina Berliant, Genio & Ross Bertin, Helen Hess (TC)
There were several trips on the second day of the Summer Picnic Weekend. Nancy and I organized a paddle on the Kennebec from Carry Brook to West Forks. New member Ken Stickney met us at the ballfield for the shuttle to Carry Brook where we met a sizeable contingent of Chowderheads who had finished the fish flow in the gorge. The group consisted of an assortment of kayaks, canoes, and inflatable boats. Everyone successfully navigated large waves in Big Black Rapid. From that point, it was different strokes for different folks. Some surfed and played while others floated and socialized. The weather was superb, the water level excellent, and the company even better. A great way to end a to an exceptional weekend!
Participants: Ken Stickney, Deb Harris, Allan Fuller, Krea Galway, Shweta Galway, Ryan Galway, Reid Anderson, Mike Fask, and TCs Nancy Chase and Ron Chase
When I am paddling early in the season during the spring runoff, tromping through snow to the put in, thoughts of summer at Roll Dam warm my heart even while my hands freeze. At last July arrived and the trip was on with just enough water for a good time on the river. It was a slightly smaller group than in previous years, and on Saturday only three of us remained at Roll Dam while the rest of the crew headed over for bigger thrills at Canada Falls. The only flaw in the lovely weekend were the bugs which were decidedly thick, fierce, and diverse.
K-1: Charlie Berliant, Jeff Bickford, Troad Richmond
iK-1: Erin-Kate Sousa, Deb Harris, Jeff Swett
OC-2: Gary & Suzanne Cole
OC-1: Rick & Koa Farnsworth, Kenny DeCoster, Helen Hess (TC)
Participants were all in kayaks: Jeff Bickford, Greg Winston, Ken Gordon; TC’s Suzanne Cole & Gary Cole
We took over TCing Brent’s Kennebec 2400 as he had family obligations.
As it turned out, the five of us paddled both releases. We had the usual fun at 5000, surfing our favorite waves and squirting here and there. We took out at Carry Brook and, with enough vehicles there, we were able to run all boats and boaters to the top without a shuttle.
Our second run was at 2685 cfs (what an odd number). We were eager to get on this lower level as we don’t paddle it very often. We found waves in different locations, paddled a different route at Big Mama, and wove our way down Magic. If you think this level is easier than 5000, think again. It is a little less pushy, but the routes through the rapids are tighter and the water is very turbulent in places.