OCR Text |
Show Saturday, July 1, 2000 Tfte ParIf Record Light, fast kayaks wash ahead of canoes CLOVERDALE. Ind. Jack Mitenbuler just wouldn't pet out of the kayak. Long after his companions had beached for lunch. Mitenbuler kept pushing the skmnv boat under Lower Cataract Falls The cascading water pounded his floppy hat and thumped his fiberglass fiber-glass craft like a drum. Backwards, forwards, sideways. Mitcnbuler maneuvered under the flow as dozens of fascinated and envious onlookers along the shore watched him. Finally, he took a break. "It was just too much fun," the Indianapolis man explained, a wide grin washing over his face. If one word describes getting in a slender, pointy boat and hitting the water, that's it: Fun. That's one big reason why the high-tech craft based on designs used a thousand years ago has pushed to the front of the paddle-sport paddle-sport industry. Another reason is that the sport is beginning to overcome its reputation reputa-tion earned by whitcw ater enthusiasts enthu-siasts that kayaking equals danger. dan-ger. "People realize kayaks aren't these tippy little death traps they think thev might be. They're actually actual-ly quite stable and easy to paddle." said Corbin Baird. who sells peddling ped-dling boats at J L, Waters & Co. in Bloomincton. "Your center of cravi- ty is so low. much lower than a canoe, so they're really stable." Or. as Mitenbuler puts it: "Kayaking just gets you so close to the water." He was one of a party of six pad-dlers pad-dlers touring Cagles Mill Lake recently in sea kayaks. Those boats more refined than a recreational kayak and more stable than a white-water white-water version are used by lake explorers or those who wish to carry camping equipment with them. Most of the boats in the group that day w ere 18 feet long and about 22 inches wide a sleek paddling platform that glided silently across the water. Faster and lighter than canoes, sea kayaks are perfect for sneaking along the shoreline looking for wildlife. The lake's bald eagles, which nest in the upper reaches, were not visible visi-ble the day the six paddlers were visiting vis-iting Cagles Mill Lake. But swallows swooped low over the water and great blue herons soared overhead. Kayakers can explore areas unreachable by other types of water-craft. water-craft. Try getting a canoe let alone a motorboat into the hollow ed -out cavern behind Lower Cataract Falls without swamping. Mitenbuler and other members of the Hoosier Canoe Club explore Indiana reservoirs in their sea kavaks on a regular basis. Monroe, Patoka and Brookville are among their favorite destinations. Reggie Baker, the canoe clubs "skipper," built his own folding kayak in the early 19S0s but later switched to canoeing. Until December 1991, that is. While vacationing in Florida, he and his wife. Debby, borrowed a couple of sea kayaks to explore the intracoastal waterway. "That's where we encountered dolphins for the first time. 1 mean close 10 feet away. A w hole pod of dolphins. dol-phins. That was pretty much it for us," Reggie Baker recalled. "To see one right by the boat, that hooked me right then and there." Debby added. Before the Greenwood couple left Florida, they returned the loaners and bought their own sea kayaks. Since then, the Bakers have trekked all around Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal North Carolina area. They've also paddled their sea kayaks on four of the Great Lakes, which Reggie Baker described as "the greatest inland seas in the world." The Bakers became certified kayak instructors and now teach others about techniques and safety. Sea kayaks have watertight water-tight compartments for carrying camping equipment and sealable cockpits to prevent water from floodine the boat. Some are outfitted with foot-operated foot-operated rudders or a keel like panel called a skeg to help the boat remain on course. The sleek kayaks zip around the lake with little effort, powered by a double bladed paddle. "We can cover much more area." Reggie Baker said. "We can travel in chop and waves that will keep canoes back on shore." Sea kayaks are easy to handle, too. A newcomer with only a few minutes of instruction can zip down the lake at 3 to 4 mph on a straight course. "To handle a canoe correctly takes a fair amount of skills. Touring kayaks go straight ahead very efficiently." Reggie Baker said However, he added that anyone interested in kayaking should plan on taking a course and should practice tipping the boat upside down and learning to roll it back up. Another benefit of sea kavaks: no shuttling required. River canoeists must plan a way to return to vehicles left upstream at the put-in. Sea kayakers just paddle pad-dle back to where they started And there's one more thing. Baker added: "There's a mystique that kay aking is cooler than canoeing." canoe-ing." No doubt about it. One glance at Mitenbuler under the waterfall proved that. Environmental group questions ski areas' charter CONCORD. N H (APlTwche of New Hampshire's ski areas have joined with others around the nation in signing an environmental charter that voluntarily commits the resorts to taking better care of the environment. It's an agreement one national cnvuonmental group says is more talk than action. But that puts Trout I'nlimitcJ at odds with one of New England's top env uonmen-tal uonmen-tal groups, the Conservation Law Foundation, which helped drafted the charter. The charter, made public by the National Ski Areas Association June 14. holds the IN) resorts 70 percent of the country's ski and snow boarding industry to a broad set of principles aimed at protecting the environment. It also commits the resorts to working with interest groups and communities in planning and designing their facilities, and to educating people about the environment UorAs Don Rubalcava Ceramic Tile Installation Phone (435) 655-9093 25 Years Experience. Have you met this agent? J ' ""i5 'K 7 You should meet him, get to know him. He has the answers for your insurance problems -Auto, Life, Business, Home. He may save you money, too. Call him soon. Rick Perry Perry Insurance Agency 1745 Sidewinder Dr. Suite 101 649-0152 The charter reflects a recent trend of industries to do more to safeguard nature. Such agreements increase an industry 's marketability marketabili-ty with consumers concerned about the environment. But some people question the sincerity of these agreements, charging that industries sign on to feel-good charters that make them seem environmentally friendly, but have no meaningful effect on the companies' practices. But Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association, said his group's charter char-ter is the real deal. As operators of an outdoor sport whose appeal depends largely large-ly on the beauty of its environment, environ-ment, our members have long thought of themselves as good environmental stewards," he said. "But this initiative marks the first time we collectively have sought out the cooperation of many groups who should be our natural allies." Bern said. "The result is a document that demonstrates demon-strates the sincerity and commitment commit-ment of this industry." Mark Sinclair, a Conservation Law Foundation vice president, agrees. "Collaborative processes can be tremendously useful in solving ski development issues in creative ways." he said. "CLF believes the new environmental charter will allow ski resort owners and environmental envi-ronmental groups to work more closely together to improve the sustainability of the ski industry." But Trout I'nlimited doesnt buy that. The group tried to help draft the charter but walked out of negotiations over a disagreement about allowing snow making by drawing water from rivers and lakes. "Trout unlimited was anxious to reach consensus on language about snow making w ater w ithdraw als." said Mehnda Kassen, the groups Western w ater director. "We wanted a provision that would have ensured enough water in streams to allow fish to surv tve." The group complains that the charter's directive on snow making mak-ing is too vague. It commits the resorts to ensuring that minimum stream flow is protected, but many states have yet to define minimum stream flows. "On its face the charter language might sound reasonable." Kassen said. "Howev er, if y ou were a fish you wouldn't feel as though you had taken much from the negotiation negoti-ation table." Stacy Gardner, a spokeswoman spokes-woman for the National Ski Areas Association, said many resorts already are working to protect their resources and the charter will help guide them. The charter "is only a first step. We donl expect to have all of the environmental groups signing on initially." she said. "But we do hope that as we progress Trout Unlimited will become a partner." . -r - ---iLr - -J U i There's a New View in Tbum! R.VJCH Estates Ovm.ocusG Prh City s Old Rncm Road ifonntrtin Ranch Estates is a brand new group of 81 three quarter ai re home sites overlooking Park City's Old Ranch Road. Each lot enjoys remarkable 180" v ioT otVark City and an-a resorts. This is a secluded community with a rare combination of litt-Mv Ie and landscape. Mountain Ranch Estates offers Old Ranch Road charm and prestige with lot priies from $135,000 to $250,000. 1 ! k u.txu.o'u"1l94 fc'p , j MUM j a J i mimu-' Kit Cirri :"S . - u. t. .' V.'. II Vvf 1 - j - J V" uti I 1 FT 3 kan wiw -fc4 hi) r ftt. Nancy Erni, .uwim Bmi Em lusive LiMing rnt nam VirtSskiiesoitproppny.rom m mountain ram hestatrs-rom Direct: Main: TbllFrre: 43V647-3231 435-649-3000 888-649-3983 f. to Uwvs 0 t dur m J m A s V ."0 Oivsnn mAliHW Surnnj a prtmt I - iS lot kik cc CRESCENT - 1 , tl I I ivMhm Ml Jis Rtii) i : Is i Prices range from: $4.00 appetizers SI 2.00 ertLrees T,rrMRS A Fr.va:e C!;;b for Members Now featuring live entertainment Thursday, Friday. Saturday, and Sunday. Come try our "smothered" fries or BBQ smoked sandw iches. Heme ot the famous rotis.ene and smokehouse menu and !ea:u:'.rg Voters bread 1895 Sidew inder Drive Park City. LT 84 060 (435) 649-2900 Located in the Park City Marriott 1 Tom Ward 1 www.slcfproperty.con - j I Tom Ward 1 I 800-647-3727 VHM ! 1 :-'--V ! I our Kea! Estate rYorevsional 800-647-3727 or wardSijsa.net Alice W ard One of a Kind - Free Standing Condo ? Bi ? 5 Bath 2 Firtpixf s Living and Fxr.ily R.xms LuvuruxisK FtirnihJ More Photos at www.jBkfproperty.com Aspen Springs Ranch I I CVn'.lc Iwnhi!l Li VsuaMe L.vaiion ' " f'- 1 5 Actrs l-:wig' -.. . InsiJe Cit Ltnuts ' . ' ' . . 'C., c . : - Sweeping ies y , Ea.v Voess More photos at www.fiiclproperty.coin In Town Location New Carpel ind Paml Allowance Sl.vage Closet ... 1 On Bus Route wwwfclproper ty.com Location, Location! 2 Beds Loti 2 Baths Fui'v Furnished I'pjradcd I'nit VaJlev and MvHintain iews Easv Access to The Canvons More photos at www.fkfproperty.cora n7 JESS REID 'rim hi in (.,ik.Mri..jnt-il.,R'.i-" v-M-jm6.0: i nr m.M..t n -r,.rf-n-n--.yi-.,,p.i.i n.m.,. lmm0mthmjJktmtMiJLmjm B-9 |