Introduction: New to the State

[raysuf]

Hello,

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Ray and just moved to Arkansas from Maryland. I've been paddling for 5 years now and consider myself a solid class III paddler and reasonable class IV. My "home" rivers back east were the various sections of the Potomac, Lower Yough, Cheat Canyon, and Lower Gualey to name a few. I wish I could say Upper Gualey, but I was never able to make it the weekend those friends were head down to Summersville.

I'm hoping to find some people to paddle with in Arkansas. I'd like to make it to a few roll sessions or a few meetings to get to know a few people, but I live in the eastern part of the state and only see things posted in the western areas. I not that familiar with Arkansas, so I could be wrong about that. I don't mind a 4-6 hour road trip for a reasonable paddle, but for a roll session or meeting, that's tough to get excited about.

Anyway, I'll keep watching the site and getting my geography down.

SYOTR

T. Ray Sufczynski
advposer@mac.com

[Tmuse]

Welcome to the state Ray, Tim muse

[Renee H]

What city are you in? Little Rock is central and has roll classes. Depending on how far east you are, Memphis may be an option. They play boat ball a lot and I think they have some roll classes. Anyway, welcome to Arkansas. Renee

[JTarver]

Yea Man, welcome to Arkansas. This is the place to be for all your whitewater advice/trip report/scheduling needs. Plus mtn, biking, hangliding, parcheesy, pretty much anything else you can think of.
Glad to have you,
Joe Tarver

[T Yamashita]

Hey,

Welcome! Looks like from where you live, ASU in jonesboro is the closest for roll sessions. But, I don't think there's one going on there. You might want to get in touch with roger head as he's somewhat close in heber springs. From where you are, you'll have a bit of a drive to get over to the ozarks to the prime creeks. It's usually not a problem as there's camping available nearby on most of the regular runs. You are also close to the spring river, which is class II at best but runs all year round. Up in MO you are about 2 hrs from the saint francis river, which as class III and IV. Look on the MO whitewater page for more info.

http://www.missouriwhitewater.org/


If you want to meet all the ya whos in the ACC at once and have some good food, come to the board meeting at Lake Ft smith state park. You're going to have fun exploring the state. Don't tell anyone else though, it's a hidden secret....

ty

[raysuf]

I want to thank everyone for their welcomes and information. It looks like I have a lot of options if I'm willing to travel.

Tmuse: Thanks for the welcome

Renee H: I'm in Paragould and work in Piggott. I looked into the Memphis club website and will probably try to catch up them them occasionally.

JTarver: Thanks for telling me I can get parcheesy info here. I was looking for that forum too. Now I can stop.

T Yamashita: Thanks for the Missouri Link. Class III/IV 2 hours away sounds good to me. I'll do my best to get to a Club meeting.

I looking forward to meeting more people seeing new places and running more rivers. .

I'm in the mood for sharing so here's some pictures

Me at the campsite at Cheat Fest, WV


Me on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, ID


Me on the New River Gorge, WV


Me on the Upper Big Sandy, WV


Thanks for looking

[Fish]

Wow, Ray, are you sure you didn't take my class at Canoe School? You and I sure do have a similar paddling style! :)

Man, I'd boat with you anytime!

- Fish

[Tmuse]

Looks like that paddle has seen better days

[JTarver]

Grat pics man, I laughed my butt off. I have a few pics of me in the same position on the washing machine at the cossatot. I'm a fish counting type of guy.
Joe