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Class II Clinic - Fife Brook Deerfield
Saturday-Sunday Jul 9-10, 2011
Participants:
Kayak: AJ, Paul C, John A, Dave H, Brock, Rich R, Kerry W, Nick R, Adrianne R, Nick C, Rod M, Jim D
Open Canoe: Mark L,
Ben
Organizer: John Atherton
Difficulty: nov-int WW
Level: medium
Gauge (cfs): 800
Author: Paul Carlile
Class II Clinic
Fife Brook Deerfield
Instructors: AJ Seibel, Paul Carlile, Mark Lienau
Safety: John A, Brock, Rich R, Dave H
Students: Kerry W, Nick M, Adrianne R. Nick R. Rod M, Jim D, Ben
A small contingent arrived Friday morning and paddled the Fife Brook section to scout out the teaching spots and enjoy the river. We camped at Woodford State Park just East of Bennington, VT. After some scattered showers that soaked the campsite on Friday night for the early arrivers, we had clear skies and sunshine for the rest of the weekend.
After meeting up with the rest of the group Saturday morning we put on the river just below the dam about 10:30. The release was from 10 to 4 at 800 cfs , so we had plenty of time. After spending a little warmup time on the flats we headed down to the Class II Hangover Helper for some ferry and peal out practice in the fast current and some more stroke work in the large eddy. After a few swims from some people pushing their envelopes we headed down river stopping a couple of spots along the way. The students were somewhat tentative going through Pinball caught several eddies along the way as their skills and confidence were clearly improving as the day went on. Four of the students were ready to challenge Class III Zoar Gap by the end of the day and although there was a little fish counting, all had a pretty nice run and were looking forward to the next day. Had a great meal at Madison Brewing Co. in Bennington that night.
Sunday was supposed to be 1000 cfs release but we all decided that it was probably the same as Saturday. Everyone pushed themselves harder at Hangover Helper working in the faster and it was clear that they had made a lot of progress the day before. By the time we got to Pinball, the students were choosing their own routes and catching most of the larger eddies in spite of a crowd of paddlers that arrived at the same time. At Zoar Gap, the students caught the eddy right above the first drop and made the clutch peal out cleanly. It was incredible to see the progress all of the students made. They are a great bunch that worked hard and had super attitudes. I look forward to paddling with everyone in the future.
