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Racing Alternatives (JeffB)
Following the Winter Meet, where I picked up a copy of 'Rushton and His Times in American Canoeing' by Atwood Manley, I was rather surprised at the relevance of the following, regarding the prominence given to racing in the late nineteenth century in America and the effect this was having on the sport. Writing under the name Retaw, a correspondent to the Forest and Stream Magazine complained: "When, however, its [the canoe's] future destinies passed into the keeping of an Association [the ACA] not unaffected by the racing mania, the danger that it would be ruined by being specialised arose... To such a point has the specialization of the wooden canoe been carried that two classes have been created and are generally recognized, the cruiser and the racer, whereas there should be but one class, the canoe. Worse than that the racer is the popular craft, the spoiled child of the Association."
The replacement of the sailing canoe that developed in America from the Rob Roy type, with the open 'Canadian' canoe is all the more surprising given the vast quantity of lakes and rivers in North America to be explored. In the UK there is clearly a strong interest in the cruising side of things, but we do not have the same opportunity for expeditions and so racing should, in my opinion, continue to form part of our core activities. Nobody is forced to race and less than half the total duration of meets is set aside for racing, but still it seems to be perceived as the major obsession of our club. Perhaps what is needed is giving some more thought to what people who choose not to race could be doing instead, rather than just let them organise themselves. I am not offering my services in these regards since I am definitely in the racing camp (when not cruising).
Does anybody have any ideas, beyond visiting the same cafe as yesterday?
Film Review - Mr Hulot's Holiday (NigelC)
Directed by and starring Jacques Tati.
Watch this if you get the chance as there are shots of a wooden (obviously) Canadian with a huge gaff rigged sail off its single mast and a rigid, single open cockpit kayak, which Mr Hulot paints and then folds in half twice, both on the beach and whilst paddling it. Ha Ha Ha.
Island Trip (WalterG)
The initial plan was to rendezvous at Loch Ainort on Saturday and sail over to Rubh' a' Chinn Mhoir on Scalpay on Sunday, then make daily plans. The Expedition members & boats were, KeithM, with Mad River Explorer (see Gossip No 180); SteveR, with Solway Dory Avocet, with two small raised floats and Bermudan rig; Jan & DaveP, sailing two Solway Dory double outrigger canoes with Bermudan rig; Ellen & JeffB, with N'juzu, own designed mono hull with Bermudan main & mizzen; WalterG, with Emerald Dawn, Solway Dory double outrigger canoe with Bermudan main & mizzen; and RobinC, with a Solway Dory double outrigger canoe, with Bermudan main & mizzen, plus an outboard motor.
Sat 27th May
Friday night it rained heavily and snow lay on the mountains, today there were intermittent showers and strong winds, so we had to search for dry patches on the campsite. That evening we ate in the pub and hid from the lashing rain till closing time.
By late Saturday afternoon all had arrived at the campsite at Loch Ainort, except Robin who was to meet us on Skalpay on Monday morning.
Sun 28th
Strong winds and rain all night. More snow on the mountains. Steve found a decent launch point, but received a bad weather forecast from two kayakers. We had a consultation, in brief sunshine, and decided to drive to a campsite at Ardelve on the mainland, where we should get some protection from the strong northeasterly winds.
At the campsite we pitched our tents and set up the boats for the following day. We arranged to leave the cars & trailers, and with time on our hands spent the afternoon visiting Castle Donan, famous as a picture postcard and featured in the film Brave Heart. It was pouring down so some of us went in. Looking out from the window seat of one of the cosy bedrooms, I watched the rain sweeping down from the dark brooding mountains, and the grey swirling waters of the incoming tide. The tide pushed its fingers amongst the rocks lifting the seaweed, as if searching for lost souls. In the kitchen I felt like an intruder amongst the realistic waxwork kitchen staff, and the kitchen sound effects. It was all quite atmospheric.
Time for a wee dram! In the pub that night we discussed the following day's trip. We would try to reach Barrisdale, weather permitting. Forecast force 4-5 with rain.
Mon 29th
The morning was fine and the wind light as we set off, but the wind quickly picked up to a force 4
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