Eddy Lines

BY JOHNLANE

COP will be purchasing 9 sea kayaks from Current Designs this year. Our fleet will consist of 3 tandems and 6 solo boats. All will have rudders and plastic hulls. We will be purchasing paddles, skirts, etc., from NRS to completely outfit the boats. We will have 3 Crosswinds and 2 each of the Squall, Storm, and Breeze. These will be available for member rental. We will also be developing an introductory sea kayak class that will probably be held in late June. Be on the lookout for sea kayak roundups at Alum Creek. There will be some opportunities to try these out once the weather and water warms up.

Kayak I and Eskimo Roll Class News

Due to the size of waiting lists from the February Kayak I and Eskimo Roll classes, very few slots remain for the April Kayak I and Eskimo Roll class. No applications will be printed in this or the April newsletter. We apologize for that but the demand for classes has outstripped our ability to supply. The remainder of the spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you’d like to try to get in to Kayak I which will be held over Easter weekend, contact Dan Downes at 882-7616 or pdownes (AT) ee.net.

If you’d like like to try to get in to the Eskimo Roll class, which will be held April 21, contact Jeff Gentry at 836-5732 or jag43125 (AT) yahoo.com.

New Date for COP Filmfest!

Saturday, April 7th 6:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. Hilliard Village Condos Clubhouse

This is a great time to meet old friends and make new ones! We will show boating videos and have a Raffle, Paddling Photo Contest, and Gear Swap. Submit your own photo - winners get gear or supplies (limit three entries per person no larger than 5"x7" or panoramic please) Bring your photos, videos, and gear to sell, - or just attend, view, and vote for your favorite photo!

Admission $5.00 per person (kids 12 yrs. and under - free) includes sandwiches, snacks and soft drinks.

Directions: Take the Rome-Hilliard exit north. Turn left at the light (Renner). Turn right past the Meijer store (Tanglewood Park). Note: speed trap! Turn left on Winthorne. Winthorne dead ends into the clubhouse. Enter and enjoy!

Questions? Call Bill Minot at 777-6151 or willnot (AT) columbus.rr.com.

Volunteer Spotlight

Dan Downes

Dan has the kind of face you could see in a Patagonia catalog. Rawboned and wind-burned, with dark intense eyes scrutinizing the next rock hold or axe placement. He has the quiet competence of many mountain folks I’ve met. Not a braggart, just someone who accomplishes and becomes more polished, like wind-worn alpine granite over time.

Dan is originally an Ohio boy but his soul belongs to northern California. Sierra Hombre, you could call him. Dan’s rock religion is climbing, ice, rock, more altitude is more better. Loves paddling too, on flat or foam. Has some subterranean experience as well. Aerobics is running and pedaling.

Dan has been on both sides of the COP experience, both as student and volunteer. Of COP, he says, "Certainly some of the finest folks I have had the pleasure of being around." Dan has been helping with COP kayak classes and trips for a while now. This April he is coordinating a Kayak I class. Dan has a history of education and educatin’ outside COP as well. He is a high ropes and initiatives instructor with the Adventure Education Center at Camp Mary Orton. An ex-social worker and current carpenter, he dabbles in graduate school.

Two other things: He has one of the greatest smiles and infectious laughs. When Dan is in the room, there is a noticeable vibe. And I’ve never seen anyone so skinny wear so few clothes in the winter. Maybe it’s good training but when he eschews shoes for sockless sandals, it makes ME shiver!