The Value of the ACC, For Non-Members

[Schildwache]

This is for any non-members who may be reading the message board. For members it's preaching to the choir. I joined the ACC last year in order to enroll in the whitewater school after having paddled my rec boat for about a year and a half. In two days I learned more than in the previous two years. After that I started playing boatball and was welcomed into the group as an old rookie. Since then I have been able to paddle with experienced people and have learned something every time out, and will continue to progress. I have been impressed by the tolerance of these experienced paddlers for general ineptness and their willingness to teach on the fly.

This weekend's tragedy on the Mulberry could have been prevented by adhering to rules that are second nature to ACC members. Real men (and women) wear PFDs and helmets. Moving water is incredibly powerful. While one may get away with floating around drunk in an inner tube in a swimming pool, on a whitewater stream things get dangerous quickly. And, primarily, companions who know what they are doing can save your life.

So, non-members, if you want to have more fun on the river and do it right while staying as safe as possible in a wild environment, join the club.

[painterbob]

very well put! >>>>> it's good to see the... go off!

[Victor Caballeros]

Richard I can relate to this for sure. I remember when I first got my boat I had no Idea what the Hell to do with it. I was out there without a helmet/Pdf boofing straniers like an Idoit. It wasn't till I went to my first roll session at the Jones Center is when things changed for me and Message board too! Also BOAT BALL is a Dang good place to practice and get a good workout!!!

[GN YAKN]

Lots of fun benefits from participating in the ACC.

Back in the early 90's when I first caught the whitewater bug, I would see all these boats on cars whenever it rained. I was just getting into kayaking and knew how to boat, just didn't know where to go!

Was participating in the ACC Canoe School and learned that there used to be a chapter in the Fort Smith area. In early 1995 we restarted the River Valley Chapter and I instantly had about 50 paddling buds.

Have made friendships through the ACC that I treasure and have been able to go to places that I would have never seen otherwise. Oh, and I also have learned a great deal about boating safely and helping others!

Win Win

[wiredforsound]

My first exposure to the ACC was back in the mid 80's in Little Rock when one night, with my yellow Blue Hole canoe strapped to the roof of the 77 Monte Carlo, I bumped into Mike Beard & Kenny Holmes at the gas station & they told me about the club chapter & the next meeting time. Immediately felt welcome & when it rained well my phone seemed to ring off the hook with invitations to paddle. (This was before Al Gore invented the internet for you youngsters. )

Been in & out of paddling & club involvement over the years & about 3 or 4 years ago kept wondering what this boatball thing was that I saw Fish posting about on the board here & having been without a kayak for a couple of years went out & bought another kayak & got back into kayaking through boatball about 3 years ago. Like Victor, I must say it's been a blast & boatball has been one of the most fun things & best exercise I've done in years. Maybe even starting to improve my paddling some & helping to regain some confidence I've lost from being out to the sport for a couple of years.

All that to say, my paddling experience has been significantly enhanced through my exposure to some great paddlers over the years & some great training through the Canoe School & Rescue Clinics & other activities like boatball. Highly recommend getting involved to anyone that's been sitting on the fence.

[tomOzarkVideo]

You're right.. I'm in.

My family and I are floating hundreds of miles on little more than internet training and CPR/ first aid.
We've mostly kept it on the "rec side" but, we are definitely transitioning to faster water. We ran from Byrds to Turner on Sunday. Our 5th run on that stretch and the highest level. As our ability to keep these vessels up-right increased, so did our complacency. Never having suffered the consequences of a bad swim.

We had a great day.. No carnage. But Yesterday while editing the videos from the float, the reality of the risk really sunk in.. First of all, we forgot our daughter's HELMET.. I had the rope ready at the bottom of every drop, but the Mrs and I need helmets too. and REAL SWRT!!!

I'm uploading the video and will post it soon. Notice the precautionary statement at the end.. I felt compelled to put it in there.. Not for legal reasons.. For genuine concern.


See you all soon.