Dallas Downriver Club

Urban Paddle

Date: March 22nd, 2014 Time 3:00 PM Sponsor: DDRC
River: Elm Fork Trinity Trip Leader: Dale Harris
Reach: Trinity River Kayak (1601 E. Sandy Lake Rd., Coppell 75019) to TW Richardson Park Phone: 972-814-2633
Difficulty: Flat water / easy / this trip is good for beginners

E-mail: Dale Harris

Rendezvous: Trinity River Kayak, 1601 E. Sandy Lake Rd.  Coppell 75019) Required Skills: Basic winter flatwater paddling and camping experience
Backup Plan: We’ll cancel in case of high water

Confirmation Deadline:

Trip Description:

Meet at Trinity River Kayak Co. at 3pm.  On the water by 3:30pm.  Paddle down to TW Richardson Grove Park ~ 5 mi. We will be going downstream only and plan on getting off the water by 6:30pm. We will take a shuttle back to Trinity River Kayak Co. There is a $10 charge for this Urban paddle.  Also Trinity River Kayaks will have rental boats available to those who need it. Contact Jeff Varnell for details 214-714-5051. 
For those interested, once we’re back at  Trinity River Kayak Co. we’ll have a picnic dinner and sit around the camp fire. Please bring a picnic lunch/dinner; we’ll have a BBQ grill going for those bringing hotdogs or hamburgers. So bring your family and enjoy a good old fashion river trip and visiting & reminiscing while sitting around the camp fire.


Gear requirements:

Basic items; life jacket, canoe or kayak, water, sunscreen, lawn chairs, and light jacket for the evening.


Meals:

Dinner will be picnic - we will fire up the grill for those wanting to cook out.  


Back-up Plans: In case of  low water we will launch from Hebron Parkway and paddle down to McInnish Park (1/10 of a mile away). In case of foul weather or flooding we will reschedule the event. Be sure to check the DDRC WEB page and Meetup for any cancellations.
Driving Directions:  I-35E or President George Bush Toll Rd to Sandy Lake Road, go west on Sandy Lake Rd to Trinity River Kayak “1601 E. Sandy Lake Rd

Please RSVP if you are planning on attending:
Trinity River Kayak

214-513-0649

Event is

“March 22nd Urban Paddle”
or to
President@down-river.com

 











* International Scale of River Difficulty

Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is highly recommended.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.

Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than Class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run.

 

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Last updated March 21, 2014