Katie Williams and Kristal Mackey, who handled the Tie-Dye booth did a fantastic job and I think everyone who participated had a great time. It was good to see this event BACK at Rendezvous! Marcell Jones, Steve Gabbard, Chris Martin and all of the other volunteers who helped set up the Rescue Rodeo, should also be commended...That event is always great fun and a good opportunity to freshen up on some river skills. Thanks to Vicki Jones for setting up the potluck and to everyone who brought so much good food! I especially LOVED the kayak cake brought by Holly Herrell and the KICKEN beans that were brought by the Crawford Clan! A big big big Thanks to Luke Coop for handling the Dutch Oven Cookoff this year. The smells that were wafting down by the vendor tents was Amazing and there was even a really cool clinic this year put on by the Arkansas Dutch Oven Group!!Now on to the sponsors of this years event, who were not only instrumental in helping keep Rendezvous FREE for ACA members, but definitely showed their support for this club! Saline River Canoe, Sandbar Manufacturing, Dynamic Earth Equipment, Pack Rat Outdoor Center, Ozark Mountain Trading Company, Dam Goode Pies, and Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters.
Congratulations to Gary Mooney! Who won the raffle this year of the Remix XP "just add water" package donated by Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters, Werner Paddles, ShredReady Helmets, Immersion Research, Stohlquist, and Liquid Logic. This years' raffle brought in over $1700.00 that was split between the ACC Conservation Fund and Education Fund. A big thanks goes out to Dynamic Earth Equipment and Pack Rat Outdoor Center for hooking the ACC up with an NRS PFD and "paddler's package" for the runners up! That was a surprise and definitely a cool thing to do!
Another spontaneous fund raiser happened courtesy of Chuck Bewley and Arkansaswhitewater.com. Chuck donated several copies of Arkansas Whitewater and set up and fund raising box for Dave Reid and his recovery, which netted 200 bucks!! Big Thanks Chuck!!!!
Overall we would consider this years Rendezvous a great success, boasting over 250 in attendance throughout the weekend. All which would definitely not have been possible without the help of Marion, Eva, and the great staff of Camp Couchdale. We're really fortunate to have such a great place to hold this event! Also to the City of Malvern for their use of Porterfields side, which some took advantage of for pet friendly camping!
This year's Rendezvous Hometown Throwdown, set a record not only for attendance but for participation, boasting over 50 people participating in all forms of watercraft, from Rafts and Canoes, to Kayaks and Boogie Boards...This event is always a big time, especially since we had our youngest competitor Audrey Bewley who styled it up in the Shredder with Lance and her dad, Chuck! AWESOME to see our kids getting excited about and exposed to a sport that we all love!!
Now....A special thanks to the folks from ArkansasOutside.com who came in and covered this event! These guys, Joe and Lisa do Arkansas a fantastic service by posting and covering almost every outdoor related event in the state!! Read their accounts of the weekend: (with a special photo credit going to Todd Whetstine and Wildwood Photography!)
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http://www.arkansasoutside.com/do-you-rendezvous/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I'm sure I've left something or someone out of this breakdown and for that I do apologize. Great Weekend! Great People! Great Club! Great Sponsors! Great FUN!!!!!!
Thanks!!
