Benscreek Canoe Club

February Meeting

rickb — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:41:11 +0000

The February meeting of the BCC will be on Wednesday the 22nd at 7 PM. This month we will meet in the back room of the Crow’s Nest near Greenhouse Park (510 Tire Hill Road). Also, remember that this Sunday (6:30 PM) is the first Roll Session at the YMCA. Please remember to clean your boats. We don’t want mouse nests to suddenly float out of your boat when you miss that roll!

Events and Trips

rickb — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:02:44 +0000

We are planning our 2012 paddling season. Please see our Events page for details on planned events. If you have an event or trip that you would like to announce or if you would like to share a trip report and pictures, please email Rick Bloom to have it added here or on our events calendar. Also, for trips that are happening now or real soon; consider sharing them on our Facebook page.

Spring 2012

rickb — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:13:23 +0000

So far for this spring (new events will be added as announced):

Febuary 12, 19 and 26; March 4: Roll Sessions at the Johnstown YMCA

March 24 & 25: Beginners Trip on the Loyalhanna

March 31: Red Mo Race and Paint Creek Cleanup

April 21: Stonycreek Cleanup

May 18-20: Rendezvous

May 31, June 1-3 Kiski-Conemaugh Canoe Sojourn

June 16: River of the Year Sojourn and Appreciation Day at Greenhouse Park.

To be announced as scheduled: Pine Creek and/or West Branch Trips; Juniata Trips; Moonlight Paddles on Quemahoning Reservoir and Middle Yough Trips.

Spring Paddling Kickoff

rickb — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:17:55 +0000

Saturdays in late March are the unofficial kickoff to paddling season in our area. There are three river events occuring in two weeks:

Jeff Prycl of Rocky Mountain Kayak is holding his annual two day beginners trip and clinic on the Loyalhanna Creek near Ligonier on March 24 and 25. Loyalhanna Creek (alternate rivers: Middle Yough or Casselman) Coordinator: Jeff Prycl. Phone : 724-925-9675 W 724-331-9566 C Email: prycl@rockymountaingarage.com
Meeting Time: 9:00 a.m. Beginners, please note: In order to go on Sunday’s trip, you must attend Saturday’s trip/lesson first.
Directions to meeting place: From Pittsburgh, take Route 30 east past Latrobe to the intersection of Rte. 217 (Kingston Dam) to the Municipal Water Authority Bldg., on the river right side. Call Jeff with questions.
Trip Description: How to organize a whitewater paddling trip, safety discussion, proper paddling gear, basic to intermediate whitewater instruction, ferrying, eddy turns, peel outs, and paddle strokes.
Experienced boaters, feel free to help with safety and encouragement for the new paddlers. If you have extra equipment, please bring it. Prepare for cold to warm weather. Clothing can be borrowed from experienced paddlers. If you don’t have proper clothing, Rocky Mountain Kayak has wet suits for rent, booties, farmer john, short sleeve paddle silk, and splash top for $10.
Please call the trip coordinator if you plan on attending or have any other
questions. Check the message board for last minute information.
Remember to bring a lunch and something to drink!
The 45th annual Red Mo Race. This is an annual favorite for local paddlers. This is a 7.5 mile downriver race on the class II+ Red Moshannon Creek. There is usually a large turnout of canoes and kayaks even though it is usually cold and wild with a fair number of swimmers! Race applications are available online at Tussey Mountain Outfitters.
The Paint Creek Regional Watershed Association’s third annual litter clean-up. See earlier previous post.

This is shaping up to be an exciting year for local paddling. We will try to keep you informed of as many events as possible.

Paint Creek Road & Stream side clean up

rickb — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:14:18 +0000

The Paint Creek Regional Watershed Association’s third annual litter clean-up will be held Saturday, March 31, which is two weeks before the opening day of trout, from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM. We will again focus on Berwick Road, but new this year is our commitment to
clean-up a 2-mile stretch of Route 160 between Windber and Elton, along Little Paint Creek. For several years, a fraternity from UPJ did this section, but, for some reason they stopped, so PCRWA decided to pick it up! (Pun intended!) We’ll likely meet at the pull off along Route 160, where L. Paint passes under 160 and then split into two crews – one to do Berwick and another for 160. More details and reminders will be sent closer to the date.
Thanks,
Missy
PCRWA Vice-President

2012 Memberships

rickb — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:18:27 +0000

If you haven’t sent in your 2012 membership form and dues; please do so ASAP. And please make sure to add any changes in personal data so that our roster can be as accurate as possible. We will have membership forms at the first roll session on February 12 at the Johnstown YMCA (6:30 to 8:00 PM).

Boats for Sale

rickb — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:55:03 +0000

Dick Reeves has 2 Mohawk Rogue whitewater canoes for sale. Cost is $350-$375.
Call (814)793-3395 if interested.

Roll Sessions

rickb — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:22:06 +0000

Kayak roll sessions will begin at the Johnstown YMCA Feb 12 at 6:30 PM till 8:00 PM. This will run for 4 consecutive weeks. Please RSVP on the BCC Hotline at 266-4276. Cost is free to members. Rentals will be $5 for boat/gear per session. Contact Rocky Mountain Kayak to reserve a boat and gear.

TRPC Race Series – Stoneycreek Sprint

rickb — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:19:33 +0000

TRPC’s weekend race on Saturday (January 21) will be the Stoneycreek Sprint. Starting line will be at the pool above Showers rapid upstream of the Rt. 601 bridge put in at Foustwell. The race will be about 1 mile long and end at the beach on river left before the railroad bridge. We will do mass start for this race, unless the number of participants in a race would be unsafe due to the stream width at Showers rapid, in which case we would do a couple of heats.
The races will start at noon, order of the events will be decided upon after the number of participants is known. If you plan to race please show up at 11 to register. We’ll have as many different events as we have participants assuming everyone can handle the cold temperatures. Bring your warm gear and drysuits, high’s are only supposed to be in the 30’s.
Turn out to help a neighboring paddling club with their event; either as a participant or spectator.

River of the Year

rickb — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:53:14 +0000

After a lot of work, on the part of many people, the Stonycreek has been named the River of the Year by the state Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and Pa Organization for Watersheds and Rivers. See Dave Hurst’s article in the Tribune Democrat. Thanks for voting!