Thanks to the efforts of our volunteer trip leaders, school directors and other helpers, 1999 saw the continuing of boating program offerings in line with Columbus Outdoor Pursuits mission of providing low-cost outdoor education and recreation.

Roll sessions - both winter and summer - were well attended.  Perception Kayaks lent kayaks on occasion for the winter pool sessions.  We have Chris Copeland and Ryan Clark to thank for these arrangements.  Roll sessions we held last year at Galyans' Easton were discontinued due to low attendance.  Alum Creek continued as the summer site.

Canoeing and kayaking classes had full rosters.  New instructors and directors helped insure students' successful skill acquisition.  We attempted to offer several additional classes for fall but low reservoir water conditions nixed release requests.  Jon Blake, Sharon Hsu and Dave Seslar are commended for offering to run these classes and in fact an altered kayak class will take place courtesy Hsu and Seslar.

Drought conditions during the summer caused cancellation of several trips and one major school, Keith Finn's Weekend of Rubber.

Funds raised from member contributions towards Yough Stop portable toilet purchase topped one thousand dollars.  Final purchase, transport and installation should take place this November.  Two COP members, through employer volunteer recognition programs, directed employer contributions totaling four hundred and fifty dollars to the boating program.  A newer used stove donated by a member's friend will also be installed at the Yough Stop, replacing our old, nearly non-functional unit.  Application was made to Boat/U.S. Foundation last fall.  Boat/U.S. supports boating safety programs with small grants.  Our request for several thousand dollars to replace life jackets and other safety equipment was denied.  Lowe's was solicited for a materials donation that would have been installed this fall in conjunction with a Boy Scout service project at the Yough Stop.  Although Lowe's indicated the project met their philanthropy guidelines, 1999 donations had been exhausted.  Our request will be resubmitted in February, the start of the next donation cycle.

As of this writing, final financial information for the boating program is unavailable.  It appears most likely that 1999 was a break-even year.   Discussion will take place during the boating planning meetings this fall regarding attempts and desire to increase revenues modestly.

Boating is an activity that utilizes much costly equipment.  It is evident that we need to replace all or most of our PFD's next year.  Our helmets and first aid kits also need to be replaced or upgraded.  Estimated replacement cost for these items is approximately forty-five hundred dollars.  The inflatables and kayaks seem to be in generally good shape.  Four whitewater kayak paddles were purchased.  In response to member requests and in keeping with COP board direction, a junior kayak was purchased and another purchase is planned.  Our canoes are functional but will need both repairs and replacement over the next few years.  One aluminum canoe is still on long-term loan to The Highlands Nature Sanctuary.  One aluminum canoe has been badly damaged and will be decommissioned.  The boat shed received a new roof and a fresh coat of paint.  Thanks to Jon Blake for the roof and to multiple helpers with the paint job.

David Ranson ran introductory kayak sessions in conjunction with the Bexley Parks and Recreation Department at the Bexley pool.  These were well attended.  A growth area for boating could be co-programming with other recreation departments although this may take more volunteers than we can muster.

Leader training is an important part of the boating program.  The boating budget supported eleven members' tuition for the ODNR rescue for paddlers class.  Half tuition for American Red Cross Standard First Aid training was given to eight participants.  Several boaters attended a leader training seminar hosted by Mike Wadkowski.

Goals for next year include:

 * maintaining present class availability with possible increase
 * maintaining leader training support
 * increase diversity of trip availability
 * develop organizational chart for boating
 * fill organization positions and implement responsibilities
 * increase revenue slightly
 * attempt fall canoe and kayak classes
 * develop canoe instruction manual
 * pursue grantmaking efforts towards developing sea kayak program

Respectfully submitted,

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