In the News
May, 2017
A selection of paddling-related news stories.
"Project Cost Doubles: $12 Million to Destroy Bayou" (Houston)
"The estimated cost of the controversial project to “restore” one of the last natural stretches of Buffalo Bayou in Houston has doubled to at least $12 million, according to the Harris County Flood Control District. On April 19 the Galveston District of the Corps of Engineers approved a permit allowing the unpopular project to go forward. Known as the Memorial Park Demonstration Project, the project would raze the trees and vegetation, grade the ancient high banks, dredge and reroute the channel, including altering the curves of the meanders, along more than a mile of the bayou flowing past the public forests and sandy banks of Memorial Park and the Hogg Bird Sanctuary..."
"The special Memorial Park project merits support." (Houston)
"Paddle a canoe down Buffalo Bayou, and you'll encounter turtles sunning on logs and egrets hunting for minnows, but also sycamore and oak trees dipping low from banks covered in bags of concrete, heaps of rubble and bioengineered vegetation. The ragtag armor lining the crumbling banks is testimony to man's ineffective attempts to control the wanderings of this centuries-old pathway... The snaking channel has moved more than 350 feet since 1995, destroying forest and riverbank during that time. The Memorial Park Demonstration Project to mitigate damage along a 1.1 mile stretch of bayou - will showcase a method that doesn't pave, dam or concrete up the bayou. Instead, the plan relies on natural materials..."
"What we found canoeing Buffalo Bayou" (Houston)
"Rays of Texas sunlight peeked through the riparian forest and reflected off the river current, guarded by sandy banks and high cliffs. A blue heron seemed to be following us as it soared overhead, releasing its echoing call through the clear skies. An alligator gar splashed in the water as it sensed our approach. We saw evidence of recent beaver activity: Footprints in the sand and chew marks on the tree stumps. As our journey continued along Buffalo Bayou, the 18,000-year-old waterway, I was awed by the abundance of wildlife, the scenery that surrounded us..."
"Golfers attack couple fishing on Lake" (MN)
" A woman was struck in the head with a ball when a group of golfers fired tee-shots at a couple fishing in a lake adjacent to Forest Hills Golf Course. Police Chief Clark Quiring said the Forest Lake woman, 49, suffered a serious head injury and was transported by ambulance to Regions Hospital following the incident. The suspects remain at large..."
"9 Most Important Skills For Whitewater Paddlers"
"You can never stop developing your skills in whitewater paddling. That's one of the reasons whitewater is so addictive. Changing seasons, varying water levels and different styles of paddling require many different skill sets. Over the years at Rapid we have brought you everything from beginner basic skills like rolling to more advanced techniques including boofing and nailing big drops. We've compiled our list of the most crucial skills for whitewater paddlers..."
"Unsung Heroes: The Humble Kayak" (World War II)
"In a 17th-century fortress high in the Pyrenees Mountains near the Spanish border is a sea kayak. It’s a beat-up folding model from the 1930s, and rests on a stand in the Room of Honour at France’s National Commando Training Centre, where the country’s special forces learn the ropes. The battered wood-and-canvas boat offers a window into the little-known military use of kayaks..."
"Five-year-old dies after falling out of canoe" (Maine)
"A five-year-old boy from Vassalboro died Monday night from injuries sustained after falling from a canoe into icy water. At approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday 5-year-old William Egold and his mother Mollie were in a canoe on Outlet Stream in Vassalboro. Officials say the water was swift and the canoe overturned..."
"FBI agent reveals how Tad Cummins allegedly evaded police for weeks after abducting student" (Tennessee)
"For months, the only thing more baffling than Tad Cummins' alleged abduction of his 15-year-old student was how, exactly, the pair managed to evade authorities for more than a month... To cross the border into Mexico, he bought a $1,500 two-seat kayak, and conducted a test run to see if he could avoid authorities who were patrolling the Pacific Ocean..."
"Canoeing in Wind Technique"
"Windy days on the water can be exhilarating or frightening, depending upon how you face the challenges they present. By keeping in mind these tips for safe passage, you can cut out the frustration and paddle your canoe on to more sheltered waters..."
"Rescuing a Swamped Recreational Kayak"
"If you went online and did a search for "kayak rescues" you would find hundreds of videos, tips, and techniques on how to rescue somebody in a touring kayak, but you might not find anything about how to rescue someone in a recreational style kayak. And the fact is, the vast majority of paddlers are in recreational style kayaks. And although it is a little more challenging than rescuing somebody in a touring kayak, if you know how to do it, it’s not that difficult..."