Thanks to the efforts of our volunteer trip leaders, school directors and other helpers, we were able to continue boating program and community outreach offerings in line with Columbus Outdoor Pursuits mission of providing safe, low-cost outdoor education and recreation.

• Winter pool sessions were extended into early spring
• Potential leaders were identified and offered training
• Leader training and equipment investment continued
• Trip diversity was increased
• Sea kayak class offerings were increased
• Continued involvement of boating council in decision-making

• Maintain positive budget

Local functions were well attended.  Winter pool sessions were held at the Greenhouse Aquatic Center.  Pool session fees were unchanged at $5 for members and $7 for nonmembers.  The Alum Creek Beach sessions continued to be popular.  Wednesday Night Paddles enjoyed continuing popularity.  Full Moon Paddles were added as a new monthly local trip.  20 people attended the first FMP.

This year's classes were well attended with the exception of Kayak III which was cancelled.  Jon Blake's Canoe I and Solo Canoe classes were well attended.  Eileen Troutman's Canoe II classes were popular as well.  Larry Krall and Dan Downes hosted Kayak I pool classes in the winter.  These as well as the Eskimo Roll classes were full.  Sharon Hsu had two dozen students in Kayak II.  Three Sea Kayak I classes had full rosters.

A variety of trips was offered.  Guy Sheaffer ran Red, White and Boom again.  One of our new leaders, Doug Eldridge, put together two trips to the Grand River.  Another new leader, Jeff Rhoades, organized a trip to the Muskingum River.  The Mad River, Shenandoah River, Upper and Lower New, Lower Youghigheny, Lower Gauley, Licking River, Big Darby Creek, Cheat Canyon, and other rivers were trip destinations.  Jennifer Thurmond's kids trip on the Mad River had many paddlers.

Thanks to Ann Gerckens and Kim Sacksteder, we had boating leaders attend COP leader training and first aid classes.  Jeremy Oyen from Cleveland provided kayak teacher instruction at a local pool.  Fernando Caro attended an American Canoe Association coastal kayak instructor development workshop.  We hope to send some of our canoeing instructors to an ACA workshop in early fall.

The 2001 revenue produced a $802 net.  This gives the boating program a $5,670 balance over the years.  2002 figures aren't available yet but a red-ink year is likely.  We have had another year of expensive boating purchases which should moderate over the next few years as most of the major purchases to replace aging boats and other equipment have been made.  2002 purchases included tandem canoes to replace the aged Blue Hole fleet.  We purchased 4 sea kayaks to increase the availability of solo boats for classes and rentals.

The Yough Stop roof will need to be replaced in the near future.  This will be a major expense.

Ann Gerckens and other volunteer leaders taught canoeing and kayaking to New Albany High School students.   Jon Blake and Andy diPalma led canoe trips at Gahanna Creekfest.

Jon also taught canoeing at the Wild Turkey Federations Women in the Outdoors series.  Bob and Elaine Mravetz journeyed from Akron to present a demonstration and workshop on freestyle canoeing.  Jim Shaffer organized a group of kayakers to demonstrate and give a taste of paddling to participants at the Columbus Metroparks Darby Creek Days at Battelle-Darby Creek Metropark.  A handful of COP kayakers provided support for the swim leg of two different area triathalons.

Rental rates are $10 for whitewater kayaks, duckies, rafts (per seat/person) and aluminum canoes.  The plastic canoe rates are $15.  Sea kayak rental rates are $25 per day, $45 per weekend and $15 for WNP.  Kayak rentals are available by contacting Sharon Hsu and Dave Seslar.  All other rentals contact John Lane.  Rentals are a privilege of COP membership.  Right of rental refusal is retained if paddling skills are questionable or a safety risk is perceived.

• Maintain positive budget
• Identify and train potential leaders
• Invest in equipment and leader training
• Maintain trip diversity
• Institute FMP as a regular monthly event spring through fall
• Maintain current level of school offerings
• Continued involvement of boating council in decision-making

Respectfully submitted,

John Lane
Boating Activity Leader
614-486-4548
lane.30 (AT) osu.edu