State of the Paddle Address - Short's Brewing Company

State of the Paddle Address:

Greetings Short’s 2 Short’s Paddler! First off I want to say thanks for joining me on this adventure; I look forward to meeting all of you (if that’s possible). We spent a lot of time organizing the event this year in hopes to provide an efficient, enjoyable and safe adventure, for Free! The future success of this event largely depends on the paddlers’ cooperation and safe outcome, so please review the items below very carefully and plan wisely.
I’ve compared the grueling nature of this paddle to what it’s like operating Short’s. Both the paddle and Short’s require stamina, perseverance, and tenacity to survive. Although it’s very hard work, it can be enjoyable and rewarding. It can also be unpredictable, and the best way to accommodate the unpredictable is to be prepared. The river sections represent the reprieve or little breaks in between the madness, and help you prepare physically and mentally for the bigger challenges ahead (Torch and Elk Lake). Take advantage of those opportunities. Please read through this check list carefully as it may save your life! The goal here is to keep this simple safe and fun. SAFE, SAFE, SAFE being the number one thing to focus on.
Thanks again for being safe and participating. Your cooperation and enjoyment are appreciated and encouraged.

Please consider tomorrow’s forecast – is supposed to be mid 70’s and WINDY! (20-30mph) – This pretty much means Torch and Elk Lake are both going to be Brutal! A skirt is highly recommended to keep water out of your boat.

Dress Appropriately – It’s highly recommended you avoid wearing cotton clothing as it absorbs water. Granted the air will be warm but the water is still very cold, and with the wind could be potentially hypothermic if you happen to fall in.
- Wear any wicking layers like smart wool so you can peel them off when needed.
- Windbreaker and or rain coat – something to cut the wind and waves!
- Mittens and extra gloves – in the morning it will be cold and comfort is key. Stay dry and stay warm!
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Hat
- Skirt
- Wear HI-VIS clothing if applicable so we can easily identify you from afar, or affix hi vis to your boat!

Dry set of clothing – if you do not have a dry bag to pack your back up clothing in (your boat), you can leave your bag with ground support. Just leave your name clearly marked on your gear so we can deliver to you at your destination. Remember a COMPLETE SET OF CLOTHING!Please Wear Your Life Vest! – As previously mentioned it will be windy and wavy – heightening the risk level, making it even harder for safety boats to see you, especially if the waves turn you over.

Paddle with at least one person! This will make it easier for safety boats to monitor you. It will also allow someone to make a phone call in a distress situation. It is going to be windy and wavy so the bigger the group the better. We can find you and rescue you easier in the event a boat becomes turned over. Partner and groups are a must!

Safety Contact Info – I’ve noticed on some of your registration forms that you put your safety contact info as a person who is also going to be paddling. If you are one of those people, I recommend you send me an email with a back up name and number to someone who will not be paddling. Attached to this email is your map with the safety contact info on it. Please program this info into your phone. Here it is again: 5 total!

- Safety Boat Captain’s: (If you’re signed up, you got this information in an email with phone numbers)
  - Kurt Koerber
  - Curt Guntzviller
  - Nick Fairbanks
  - James Short
  - Mike and Char Anderson
- Ground Support
  - Kevin Karpinski
  - Mark Poe
  - Shannon Karpinski & Josh

Registration Updates or Changes – please email me and let me know if you have any updates to your registration or any other changes you have, especially if you have changed your mind and do not plan on attending. I have seen a few already and sorry we’ll miss you!

Registration Packet – VERY IMPORTANT – contains a map of the course with safety boat and land support phone numbers, as well as your 2010 S2S sticker and participating business coupons. We’ll have it in a small dry bag provided by Green Planet

Porta Pottie – has been ordered for the launch site thanks to the Village of Bellaire!

Friday Morning’s Schedule
- 6:00 – 7:30 am – late registration sign up
- 6:30 to 7:30 am – Registration Check In – once you arrive, please check in so we know you will be on the water. At check in you will need to sign the participation waiver, get your info packet, and stage your boat in line to launch (very important)
- 7:30 – group photo (there are 90 registered paddlers!)
- 7:40 – Pre launch meeting
- 7:30 – 8:30 Launch Time – stand next to your boat and wait your turn to hit the water. It’s important we do this swiftly

The Course officially ends at the Elk Rapids Boat Launch in Elk River (some of you may want to hit up the Riverwalk Grill for your free pint). Totally fine, just coordinate with land support if you have requested a shuttle and don’t want to be left behind.

T – Shirts! – The Short’s 2 Short’s shirts are being shipped today for delivery in Elk Rapids tomorrow (Friday). If you don’t make it to the plant, I can mail your shirt, or hand it off at the Anniversary Party. If you didn’t request a t-shirt and would like one, we should have some left over or we can put in another order. If you have ordered an XXL Tee, we will have to special order those. I apologize; the shirt order was in before I received all requests so I guessed on size and quantity. Small through XL tee’s are $18.00. XXL Tee’s will be $20

80’s songs – I try to think of the crappiest 80’s songs to sing while treading through the river section. Come with a few stuck in your head to share.

Pickin’ Up Litter – Short’s Brewing Company will donate a $50 gift certificate to the person who picks up the most trash along the way. Leave your name and your collections with a safety boat, land support or the Elk Rapids facility and we’ll hash out the winner when we get it all.

Elk Rapids Plant Tour – 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Participating Businesses along the way: your packet includes coupons to a few
- The Clam Shack – The start of Clam River, off to your left at Dewitt Marine – Look for the S2S Banner! Coffee, water, snacks etc.
- The Dockside – See you registration packet for a $2.00 off coupon!
- Fabiano’s at Torch River – Excellent Sandwiches, and great retail store.
- The Riverwalk Grill – Free pint with purchase of a lunch or dinner item
- Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen – See registration packet for coupon
- The Moose downtown E.R. will have pizza by the slice as well as other deli favorites if you’re hungry. They also sell Short’s six packs.

Return Shuttle: This will be managed by Kevin from Green Planet. We’re suggesting a $5.00 donation to cover the expense.

The Dockside to Torch River Shuttle: since it’s going to be windy, my guess is a few of you may opt to do this. Please let Kevin or myself know ASAP so we can try to accommodate you.

The Skegemog Drop Point – is actually just before you enter elk lake on your right hand side after all the stumps and such. Please make a note on your map. From the land it’s at the end of Chippewa Trail (off of Cherry Ave by the Elk Farm) in Rapid City. Let me know if you need any more info about this point. We’ve never used it, but if you’re second guessing the push up Elk, you might want to consider it.

Attached is your participation waiver – please review this document and bring a signed copy with you. We will have extras at check in, but if you can bring your own copy we’d really appreciate it! Click here to download.

I look forward to another epic adventure. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Joe Short