AMC
2001 Annual Report
CANOE COMMITTEE

(Edited for Web Posting - March 2004)  

After many years of much appreciated service as Chair of the Canoe Committee, Ron Chase stepped down last year and Dave Lanman and Bob Sheckley agreed to serve as Co-chairs for the 2001 season.  A meeting was held in November 2000 to pass the torch, so to speak, and was followed by the “winter picnic” and meeting with Bob and Cyndy Sheckley acting as hosts.  Issues for the Committee included, transferring the Committee’s autonomous income/budget back to the Executive Committee, and updating and use of paddler rosters and the internet. 

The group decided to spend down residual cash held by the Committee, but otherwise to become part of the Chapter budget effective this season.  A 2001 budget was submitted and approved by the Executive Committee.  

Our thanks to Ed Bossom for updating the paddler roster.  A number of issues remain to be discussed regarding the use of the roster at a meeting to be held on September 27^th.   

It was an old fashion Maine winter with a big snow pack leading to a later start to the spring paddling season and high water once it started.  Some earlier trips were cancelled or postponed due to water levels or ice not being out (one trip report said they cross-country skied instead).  Trip reports abound with statements about the high water.  There was a lot of swimming both early and into the season, and some concerns about experience levels of several participants, but all trips ended safely.  

Brent Elwell and Dave Lanman assembled a great paddling schedule with input from many others. Events included a five-day canoe trip on the St. John, another successful and well attended instructional at Limington Rips, rolling sessions, and multiple trips to the Dead.  An effort was made to expand the number of joint trips with other clubs and there were a number of successful events with MOAC, PPCS and the Singles Network.  

In all, about 72 trips were planned with 28 leaders and co-leaders.  Our thanks to all the leaders, and a special thanks to those who led three or more trips.  Those leaders are:

John Gates
Heidi Gates
Doug Field
Morrill Nason
Laura Higgins
Dave Lanman
Carolyn Welch
Ken Gordon
Gary Cole
Brent Elwell
Don Skolfield

Thanks to Suzanne Cole for continuing to provide trip report blanks and safety information to leaders in advance of their trips.

Committee plans for the coming year include finalizing the paddling roster to include e-mail information about events and changes in schedules, and developing another exciting trip schedule perhaps to include some more out-of-state jaunts.  

Respectfully submitted, 

Dave Lanman and Bob Scheckley
Co-chairs