Tune-up Trip Report

image/jpeg iconPaul On the Stony

  Last weekend, March 31st and April 1st, eight RSCK paddlers traveled to Pennsylvania for the annual "Tune-up" trip.

  Friday, Dan Lehner and Andrew Wise arrived at Slippery Rock creek just in time to get a shuttle from a lone paddler.  They paddled Rose Point to Eckert bridge.  The level they claimed was 6 inches at the Mill.  They claimed the weather Friday was warm, upper 60's and pleasant. 

  Saturday morning, the rest of us, Lee Green, Doug Heym, Paul Lange, Karen Frank, James Blackburn and Peter Bundarin woke up at the luxurious Budget Host motel to cloudy skies and mid 40 degree weather.  It had rained overnight, bringing the Stonycreek back up to 3.0 on the 601 Bridge (~4.5 at Ferndale), a great play level.  After breakfast at the Summit Diner, we all put on the Stony at 11 a.m. and surfed and surfed and surfed and surfed and surfed, taking a swim or two or three in between to practice rescue skills and getting out of our boats.  The waves in Surf lab, under the railroad bridge at Locomotive and Hydro were all in prime form.  Johnson's ledge was not as retentive at this level.  After more surfing and surfing, we were off the river at ~3:30.  We all went back to the hotel to shower, nap, hang up gear, have in room "happy hour" and then enjoy dinner at the PIne Grill.

   Sunday brought sunny skies and temperatures reaching mid 60's.  The level was still a great play level of just over 2.5 on the 601 Bridge (~4.0+ at Ferndale).  We put on at 10 a.m. and were off the river at 2:00p.m.  Everyone paddled more "tuned", surfing and surfing much better.  Johnson's ledge was great at this level, Hydro not as well formed.  The waves in the section between Surf Lab and the RR bridge were more plentiful and easier to get on, better eddy service.  Because the weather was warmer and sunny, no one wanted to practice any swims and decided to just surf and surf and surf.  We were all on the road home by 3:00 p.m., stopping for dinner on the way home at Chipotle's off the Cranberry exit.

   We are now feeling more "ready" for the 2012 paddling season!