Call for Content Submissions:
Apparently I will be going into a bit of detail about the content on the website at the AGM, however I thought I'd continue to beat this horse by putting out another call for content submissions from the GKC members. I've said this before, but I am willing to help out anyone with the technical parts of getting things together. All you have to do is open up notepad, write down some thoughts and then send them off to me or post them on the forum. Keeping content coming in and building this into a robust resource for both members and non-members is an important goal for 2009.
Here are some of the things we are specifically looking for:
Articles
Besides news, our article section is pretty empty. I think we have a very vast wealth of knowledge and experience in the club and would be awesome to get some of that down on paper (per say) to share with everyone out there. Some of the categories I had in mind were:
- Play boating skills (how to do a phonix monkey? etc etc)
- River running skills (scouting, strokes, concepts)
- Paddling related injuries etc
- Think pieces (merits of blind ferrying, dealing with fear?)
- Opinion pieces (Kipawa court case, damming of rivers, enviornment etc)
So get your thoughts down and send them to me!
Trip Reports / Stories
We have had some submissions for trip reports, but I would still like to see a lot more coming in from all you guys/gals paddling out there. This is important because it makes everyone who didn't attend the event jealous and will make sure they attend next year. Also keeps people in the loop who haven't able to paddle due to various reasons.
Additionally - the trip reports don't have to be something that just happened. They can be wild stories from days gone by or just experiences that you would like to share with everyonre.
I am getting desperate and soon I will start posting stories Maggs and Art shared at Moosefest about running dancers down class V drops blind and half drunk.
River Beta
River beta is something everyone is always asking about - especially newer paddlers and people visting the area. I know it is a pain in the butt to think back and write about rivers and features that you paddle every week, however it would be awesome to start compiling some resources about the various places we are paddling and what there is to see.
- Elora Gorge (!!)
- Irvine
- Grand River spots (Park Hill, Bloop)
- Gull
- Ottawa River (main, middle channels - different water levels
- Kipawa
- Highway 7 runs
To give a basic template for river betas if you need something to get started with:
- River name
- River level variations (seasonal, rain dependant, dam controlled, etc)
- Class (depending on level - I will put a disclaimer about levels so you are not liable)
- Rapids - paragraph plus pictures if you have some
- Play features
- Links to trip reports (I can do this)
I have a lot of pictures of most of the places we have paddled, however it would be nice to get some beta from some of the more experienced paddlers, especially about play features and what can be done on them (not everyone can do phonix monkeys).
Gear Reviews
Last but not least, we have a robust review system on the site that is just begging to be used. Until we start populating the database with pieces of equipment, it might seem a bit daunting to use. So for starters, this is what I would like to see in roughly the same order:
- Suggestions for categories of equipment that aren't there
- Suggestions of brand news that aren't there
- People adding list items (Click 'Add List Items') and populating the database with various pieces of equipment
- People starting to review these items
Having the gear reviews will help people looking to buy new or used gear as well as getting more exposure and interest from non-members.
If you have any questions, post them on the forum or email me at
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.
Thanks,
Harris
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