Surf & Turf

[Renee H]

Where are you coming from? You can see the ledge from I-30 when you cross the Ouachita River. Also, directions depend on if you plan to park at Porterfields or the normal parking on river left for access to the park.

[GN YAKN]

Pungos are definitely the rec boat variety. Looks like skirts would be handy but not required. I think if you ran the rapid at Rockport you would take on some water but probably wouldn't get swamped.

Basic differences in rec boats and a whitewater boats deal with the hull design and the outfitting.

Rec boat: has a keel to make it track straight, has high volume with minimal structural support inside to keep if from collapsing, skirt is optional, appropriate for moving water where there are no "must make" moves to avoid danger such as strainers, hydraulics or waterfalls, etc.

Whitewater boat: smooth hull with no keel to make it turn fast, idea is it helps you be able to turn fast to manuver and miss obstacles. Usually have built in supports to keep the hull from collapsing on your legs, outfitting is more restrictive to allow for boat control using your lower body and a skirt is necessary to keep from sinking due to the lower ride in the water.

Rec boats are super for getting people into the sport and they can be less pricey than whitewater boats. You sacrifice manuverability for comfort and stability. You do gain a lot of storage space making them nice for overnight trips or fishing. Just have to make sure the conditions are appropriate for the boat on any given day.

You'll see tons of rec boats and whitewater boats at the SNT. I encourage you to go and meet everyone and see what all is available in boat design, etc. Take the float trip from Remmel to Rockport!

I'm sure there are other threads with GPS coordinates, directions, maps, etc. to get you there. Where are you coming from?

[Gink]

The wave won't be much fun -- or should I say it will entail more work -- to play the wave at Rockport -- great for the float and any fishing you might do -- but the multichined hull just isn't designed for play-baoting.

What that means? It means your boys are going to want a playboat once they see folks out there playing the waves -- and if that be the case -- Surf and Turf still be a good place to begin. For if the boys indeed catch the bug -- you can probably find someone who would just love to lend you a boat or two some weekend -- ideally one would try 2-4 different boats to get the feel of the type and style that seems most desirable before laying out the bucks (hint: lots of bargains in used boats). Even drop me a line -- my weekends and evenings are mostly free and I'll be glad to drag a few boats out for you to try out -- maybe even work on getting the boys (and you) rolling and surfing.

[jvickery]

got to http://www.ouachitaoutfitters.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and click the map link to find it.

enjoy!

[Lupe]

If you want to come straight to where the cookin' is set up, you'll need to drive to the "Porterfield Property"

For the GPS-inclined, the gate to Porterfields is located at

N34.39272 W92.84739 (that's degrees and decimal degrees)

Coming from Little Rock, take Exit 97 off I-30 (after you cross over the Ouachita River), at the top of the ramp, reset your trip odometer. Turn right; then turn right again in less than 100 yards. You will see the gate, hung with ACC banners, on your right about the same time that your odometer hits 0.5 miles. Come through the gate and on down the hill.

If you go to the Whitewater Park side on the other side of the river, you'll need to ferry yourself (and any side dishes or beverages you are bringing!) across the river to the pavilion at Porterfields.

See y'all on Saturday!

[Nature Lover]

Thanks for All the great responses. Most helpful and informative. We are coming from the ALMA, AR area so will be a bit of a drive. I will punch in the Coordinates and see what the GPS comes up with. How does the food work on this. Do I need to bring a dish, Single guy here not the greatest cook or bring HB meat, drinks or cash? I guess we will show up at the food spot to start with and maybe get our bearings,and I guess we can go to the water park after or do the float. Does that sound like a plan.

Thanks all

John

[Jeremy M]

Just show up hungry and ready to have some fun...

[jvickery]

I'm with Jeremy, show up hungry and ready for fun!!! Weeeeeee....I can't wait!!!

[jvickery]

I am trying to get a welcome ACC sign put up in my back yard, so if you see the sign you are passing my house. wave and yell for the kids, and if your thirsty I will have free water bottles in an ice chest down by the rope swing. Take a water if you need it.

Did anyone want to put together a shuttle for the morning? My big canoe trailer is out of town but I have a tube trailer that holds a few canoes and would hold plenty of whitewater kayaks. The van is a 15 passenger but 2 seats are taken! I could maybe do a later time if needed, but need to know Friday. Let me know.

John

[GN YAKN]

Nature Lover John,

Suggested route to SNT. Since you're in Alma, my recommendation would be to take I-40 to Little Rock, take 430 around the southern side of town and get on I-30 headed south toward Bryant & Malvern. Exit past Malvern at Exit 97 (Tanner Street, Hwy 171, 84). Turn right to take Hwy 171 towards Lake Catherine and go about 1 mile. You should see a chain link fence on the right with a gate. That is the entry to the Porterfield property and I'll bet there will be some sort of ACC banner or sign there. Take the long gravel drive down the hill to the SNT site..

(You can get there the Hwy 71 route to Hot Springs but the four-lane route is faster, IMHO.)

Have fun, go early and maybe get hooked up for any float trips from the Dam back to the ledge. Wish I could be there but I'm laid up from knee surgery + have a wedding to go to that evening. Will miss the paddling, burgers and music at the OOO party!!!!

Dave

[Michele Jackson]

What a great event!! Thanks so much to Jeremy for organizing the event and for all that OOO did. The Versa board was a blast! Great food, burgers, water, music, and a great group of people!

[Richard]

I echo what Michele said. I would like to add a couple of comments. I brought three grandsons and all the way home they kept thanking me for taking them. They had the most fun they have had all summer and I just want to thank everyone who personified what the ACC is all about. You made their day. Being of an older generation I prefer background music but if it is a choice between enduring loud music and being there, I will endure. I am so grateful to be a part of an organization that when I take grandkids, I know that they will be with good people doing good and fun things. Thank you Gordon for starting this and thank you Jeremy for extending the tradition one more year. Thank you Jim for your leadership on the Remmel to the park float.
THANK YOU ALL

[Jim Krueger]

Thank you Jeremy for stepping up to organize this year's Surf&Turf! Marlo and I had a very enjoyable day! I would also like to thank Chris M. and Steve G. for running the grill operations yesterday, the burgers were cooked very much to my liking!
On the downriver trip afterward, I must first thank Debo, David, and I'm sure others, who shuttled several of our vehicles back from the dam! It's always great to have shuttle assistance, but on a hot and busy day, even more appreciated!
I hope everyone on the downriver trip had a good time, it's a treat to have so much company to visit with along the way. Richard's grandson with the squirt gun was priceless. Thanks to you all.

Best Regards
Jim

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks Jeremy for hosting another great S'nT! Steve Gabbard and Chris Martin did a great job with the burgers and dogs! Thanks to those who brought the other goodies. It was a hot and exhausting day, but the water was cool and refreshing! There were several good memories that I'll take with me from yesterday, not the least of which was Richard's grandson just having a great time with his water gun while some adults quickly reverted to their childhood to join him. Another great ACC day on the river with great folks!
Thanks all,
Marlo

[jvickery]

No takers on the shuttle service, hmmm thought for sure some of you would take me up on that one.

I wanted to attend but got to see everyone from a far all day, when I get calls to shuttle customers (and it was all day) I have to go to work. I can say, there was nothing more beautiful than when I walked out back of the house and saw around 10 of you going by. That's as nice as a sunset for me! I was hoping for a Saturday-Sunday event with some camping, my wife works at the Heart Hospital and had to work this weekend and wanted to come with me to meet people. But I guess we have the event on Catherine coming up soon. I really hope we can shuttle some of you on a trip. I have a 15 passenger van with front and rear air conditioning - that's hard to say no to! Our trailers will hold over 30 canoes and that means a ton of kayaks & gear!!! Get with me early so we can organize a float trip.

See ya in September.