Season Recap

The paddling season is officially over, and it's time to recap on the glorious season we had here in Gunnison. With the water high all year, there was plenty of paddling to go around, and we saw to it that we got as much possible in this year. All told, I personally logged 48 separate trips, and accumulated 288.5 river miles. I had somewhere around 350 going into this summer, which brings my career total to somewhere over 600. I have the official mileage somewhere, I just need to find it, and when I do I will bring that information to light.

With this year firmly behind us, its time to honor some folks with some awards for this season.

Swim Team Captain: Kevin Brooks
Kevin racked up an incredible EIGHT swims this summer. A few on the Taylor, a few on the Gunny, some his fault and some not his fault, Kevin showed this year that he is NOT afraid of the Gunnison River, even when it's freight-training at 3350 cfs.
Honorable Mention: Gerilyn Williamson

Dead Man Walking: Ben Hendy
After flipping his cataraft in the flood-swollen Psychadelic Falls, without a life vest, Ben nearly became the state's 4th high water victim after the runoff laden river sucked the life out of him and made him a rag doll. If not for the timely assistance of Marcus, we might have lost our portly but beloved companion.
Honorable Mention: Nikki Williamson

Boofmaster 2008: Aaron the Old Man
In true Aaron fashion, he launched his sturdy Wavesport of every rock in sight, sometimes with positive, and sometimes with negative, but always with comical results. On the few times he pulled them off it was pretty rad; watching him sail off the last ledge on Farmer's Bridge is one of my prize days from this year.
Honorable Mention: Nate Hardy

Rookie of the Year: Corey Hartman
Corey only went once with us this year, and the day he chose to go the Gunnison hit 4750 cfs, three days before it's peak of 5100 cfs. It was the highest I ran the Gunny all summer, and Corey betrayed no ounce of fear otr trepidation, and instead tore it up and did great.

Freestyle Award: Paul Muirhead
Whether he's surfing, splatting, cartwheeling, or spinning, Paul is a blast to watch on the river. He plays in any wave he can find, wave wheels and cartwheels downstream through wave trains, splats or spins on any rock he can find, and just generally has the best time possible on the water. It's fun watching Paul because he really shows how versatile a kayak can be!

Bitch Award: Marcus Elich
Marcus started the season strong, going 8 for 10 to start the season. Then, he randomly decided the family motorboat was more worth his time, and his battered craft, in need of simple repairs, sat unused for the rest of the summer. What happened Marcus? Where'd ya go??

Here is my total log from this season. Every trip has it's details but I will spare you those in favor of this simple list:


4/05 Rio Grande R- Orilla Verde
4/06 Rio Grande R- Orilla Verde
4/19 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
4/20 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
4/26 Taylor R- Upper
4/27 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
5/03 Gunnison R- Middle
5/11 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
5/19 Gunnison R- Middle
5/21 Gunnison R- Middle
5/25 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
5/29 Gunnison R- Middle
5/30 Gunnison R- Middle
5/31 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
6/01 Gunnison R- Extended Lower
6/14 Arkansas R- Big Bend - Salida
6/15 Taylor R- Middle + Lower
6/21 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
6/22 Taylor R- Park Run
6/27 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
6/28 Taylor R- Park Run
6/28 Taylor R- Lower
6/29 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
7/03 Gunnison R- Extended Lower
7/04 Taylor R- Lower
7/12 Taylor R- Lower
7/12 Gunnison R- Extended Lower
7/13 Taylor R- Park Run
7/24 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
7/25 Taylor R- Lower
7/26 Gunnison R- Upper
7/27 Taylor R- The Slot + Upper
7/30 Gunnison R- Middle + Lower
8/01 Taylor R- The Slot + Upper
8/02 Taylor & Gunnison Rs- Scouts Honor to Lost Canyon Resort
8-03 Taylor R- The Slot + Upper
8/09 Taylor R- The Slot + Upper
8/10 Gunnison R- Rockey River to McCabe's
8/14 Taylor R- The Slot + Upper
8/15 Taylor R- The Slot/Upper + Middle
8/18 Taylor R- The Slot + Upper
8/21 Gunnison R- Middle
9/13 Taylor R- Upper
9/20 S Fork South Platte R- Chutes x2
9/20 South Platte R- Waterton Canyon
9/27 Taylor R- Upper

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So there ya go! Looking forward to another great year next year.