THE PLAN
 
Myself and Zoltan Mraz of Sugarland, Texas are planing on doing a training run on the Guadalupe River from Gonzales to Hocheim (37 miles approximately) on Saturday, April 11.

Meet at the Hocheim takeout at 9:00 AM to coordinate on shuttles. I am planning on going in a C1W the Sugarlandian  is going C-1.

RIVER & WEATHER CONDITIONS

This run could last from 6 to 7 hours. As we all know here flow Conditions are not exactly ideal. The USGS Gauge at Gonzales is presently reading 439 CFS and has been fluctuating between 200 CFS to 475 CFS.



Weather Conditions for Gonzales, Texas on Saturday is the following:

High: 79 °F RealFeel®: 76 °F
Breezy with intervals of clouds and sunshine

Note: If the expected high for San Antonio is below 60 degrees or there is a chance of heavy rain I am not going to do this run.

SOME HELPFUL LINKS

USGS 08173900 Guadalupe Rv at Gonzales, TX

URL: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08173900&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

AccuWeather – Gonzales, Texas

URL: http://www.accuweather.com/us/tx/gonzales/78629/city-weather-forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&u=1&traveler=1

That’s it for now

Gib Hafernick
210 – 492 - 7517, home
210 – 355 – 1726, cell – But only while I am in the car driving
or
Gibguy76@Yahoo.com

LOTS OF ACTIVITY

(3) C-1’s, (5) Solo Unlimited’s and (1) Aluminum participated in the Training Run from Stapbles to Luling Hwy 90 on Saturday, March 28 distance 22 miles approximately.

In addition there were reported sightings of the (2) Cowboys in a 3 man Unlimited boat on this section plus (2) other solo unlimited boats were passed along the way. Finally several boats were seen launching from Luling 90 that morning heading downstream.

A SERIOUS RIVER HAZARD

From Staples to Fentress there are (2) new Barb wire fences extending into river at the sloped part of the river on a curve. While not an immediate hazard presently they would be a definite Danger to a canoe or kayak if the river comes up 2 to 3 feet as that is the path one would take. In addition there were (2) other similar fences on the section from Stairtown to Luluing 90.

RIVER CHALLENGES.

The river has now become significantly a swift shallow channel in a number of spots. There are numerous sharp turns with overhanging tree branches which will turn one over quite easily. The fact that the river is extremely shallow 6 to 12 inches in depth makes boat control extremely difficult. Your truly here paddling a C-1 turned over once on such a turn & Zoltan had a turn over in his C-1. The aluminum had a similar spill as well when their keel caught the current sideways in a shallow section.

There were several splits in the river where the river current was flowing that had the more obvious stronger current leading one into a blind dead end with out an exit. In addition there were several places where the river was wide with no visible current and there would be a submerged gravel bar in the center that would bring my boat to a sudden halt.

I would estimate I had to portage about 10 times around serious obstacles in the river. In addition there were another 10 to 12 times where my boat would get hung up and I would push slide the boat with one foot while leaving the other foot in the boat. My feed back from the aluminum was that they had to get out of the boat at least 30 times to drag the boat around or through something.

TIME ON THE RIVER

Effective paddling time on the river was 4 hours and 28 minutes.

NEXT TRAINING RUN

April 11, Saturday there is talk of another training run from Luling 90 to Palmetto State Park, details to follow.

CLOSING NOTES

Closing Side Note 1: I would give some serious thought as to investing in good pair of river shoes as there is going to be a lot of getting in and out of the boat.

Closing Side Note 2: The USGS 08172000 San Marcos Rv at Luling, TX is presently on March 29, 2009 is reading a Dismal 95 CFS.

URL: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08172000&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

That’s it for now.

Gib Hafernick
210 – 492 - 7517, home
210 – 355 – 1726, cell (but only while I am driving)
or
Gibguy76@Yahoo.com

 
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Come out to join us for this year’s Second Annual Springsfest at Rio Vista Park!  We are so excited to have this event once again.  We will be bringing together paddling enthusiasts, competitors, and the City of San Marcos to promote Canoeing and Kayaking in San Marcos!

Do you want get started boating, or brush up on some skills that may have gotten a bit rusty during the winter!  Springs Fest will be loading with short courses designed to get you on the water, and having the most fun.  Courses include: Never-ever paddler, Kayak 101, Canoe 101, Beginning Whitewater, Intermediate Whitewater, Rolling, Freestyle Canoe, Freestyle Whitewater, Sea Kayaking, Kayak and Canoe Fishing, and many more!  We will have Junior boater classes as well, and introduction to the Junior Olympic racing program through the local Red River Racing!

Are you looking to get out of town?  We will have several presentations on amazing places that you can get wet with Red River Racing and on your own.  Vacation destinations like Mexico, and Canada, as well as beautiful local Texas Rivers!  Do you want to get that river permit that you always wanted?  Do you need to brush up on Texas River Laws?  Then our presentations are for you!

Do you need to find that perfect boat?  Is it time for something new this season?  Don’t miss all of the boat demos at Springs Fest.  We will have local boat dealers with all kind of boats and equipment for you to try before you buy. You will also have the benefit of their extensive the industry knowledge to help guide you to your new best friend!

Are you ready to try your hand at some fun competitions at Rio Vista Falls!  There will truly be something for everyone!  The polo tournament returns at the base of the San Marcos River Pub, while the freestyle rodeo, and Sladeo will be held down on the beautiful Rio Vista Falls!  On Sunday, come join us for a fun slalom race that will double as our Texas Junior Olympic Qualifier!  The local Junior’s from the Red River Racing Team will be showing us how it’s done, while they secure their spots to compete this summer in Ottawa, Canada!

With something for everyone, Springs Fest is not to be missed?  So come enjoy the warm, welcoming waters of the San Marcos River, and get your paddling season off to a great start!

Check out WWW.KayakInstruction.org!  Schedule of events soon to come, and you will be able to register on-line for classes!

Memorial Day Weekend – Going to Seadrift - May 22th  through the 25th

(Reserve your rooms Now!!!!!!)

I am planing on going to Seadrift and Stay at the Seadrifter Inn the Memorial Day weekend of May 22nd through the 25th with the intention of doing some fishing and just hang out down there.



The Seadrifter Inn
106 W Bay
Seadrift, TX 77983
(361) 785-2031

The Seadrifter Inn is located almost on San Antonio Bay. Immediately across on W. Bay Ave. is Seadrift City Park and the Marina which are good places to fish, launch kayaks or just sit in a lawn chair and goof off. There are only 12 rooms at the Seadrifter Rooms 1 through 8 and then the Annex, Rooms 9 – 11.

I have reserved rooms 9  & 10 for myself on the first floor of the Annex. Margarita Benevides has reserved Room 11 in the Second Floor. Rooms 11 & 12 are connected with an upstairs shaded balcony overlooking the bay. The ideal arrangement is to have someone grab Room 12. Rooms 1 – 8 are pretty nice as well with Kitchenettes in most of the  rooms. Rooms 1 & 2 and 7 & 8 connect together

Immediately adjacent to the Seadrifter is a pretty good café for breakfast and lunch.

Rooms 1- 8, 55 Dollars per Night for 2 people plus Tax, Each additional person is 5 Dollars per night

Annex Rooms 9 -11, 65 Dollars per Night for 2 people plus Tax, Each additional person is 5 Dollars per night

My plan is as follows:

May 22, Friday

Leave San Antonio by 6:00 PM with the intentions of eating at Barkets Seafood Restaurant by 9:00 PM and staying at the Seadrifter Inn (361-785-2031) for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

May 23, Saturday

There are several options that are available for fishing

 Launch from Fulghum Camp (live bait is generally available) and paddled out to Shoal Water Bay to do some fishing on the South side of Shell Bar and just north of Steamboat Island in a cut that the locals refer to as Steamboat Cut. The water depth on my charts shows this cut is about 5 feet deep. The distance is about 5 to 6 miles of paddling from Fulghum Camp.
 Launch at Cavasso’s Creek and Highway 35 and paddle into Saint Charles Bay to fish there.
 Launch from Mosquito Point in San Antonio Bay working back into Seadrift.

Eat out once again at Barkett’s Seafood Restaurant in the evening.

May 24, Sunday

Repeat of Saturday Options for Fishing

Repeat Dinner at Barkets Seafood Restaurant. Hang out on the Seawall and have a couple of glasses of wine afterwards and maybe do some fishing in the evening.

May 29, Monday

Do some running in the morning departing for San Antonio by 3:00 PM.

Other Options:

 Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (about 20 mile drive from Seadrift)
 Paddling the Guadalupe River and Delta (about 10 miles from Seadrift)

Here are the only hotels in Seadrift:

Seadrifter Inn, 361-785-2031
12 Rooms Total

Bay Motel, 361-785-2226
8 Rooms Total

Captain’s Quarters, 361-785-4982
21 Rooms Total

Seadrift has only three hotels and virtually no Condo’s so when they fill up that is about the only place to stay.

Hope to see you there.

Gib Hafernick
210 – 492 – 7517, home
or
Gibguy76@Yahoo.com

There will be ZERO tolerance for abusive posting. What does that mean? No swearing, no flaming, no bashing of other members, no offensive posting (e.g. racial, sexual, etc.)

There are no second or third chances, one offense...YOU WILL BE BANNED FOR LIFE!

Come on down to San Marcos, Texas for the annual river cleaning.... do your public works duty and help us take care of the river!!!!

NOC - Bryson City, NC
This will also be the US National Junior & Cadet Slalom Team selection

This is a great boat, used for two seasons, normal wear and tear, my loss is your gain. $500 firm
Cal Mike @ 972-632-8830