2008 European C-Boater Armada, May 22-25

[NZMatt]

1. English
2. Deutsch

-----------------
1. English
-----------------

Gudday y'all

The time is approaching....the season is starting...if you haven't been out paddling yet...what are you waiting for?

I'm really looking forward to our gathering in May already. I can't wait. The following is a really long email giving you all the details that we have ready. Any questions, please just drop me an email or a phone call and I'll do my best to answer them. I'll send updates as new details emerge.

The Basics

* Thursday, 22 May: Bregenzer Ache (A)
* Friday - Sunday, 23-25May: Vorderrhein (CH)


Contact info: Matt Steven 079 573 9979 (mobile; SMS only in Austria); 031 791 2350 (home); nzmatt@bluewin.ch

The Details
1. Bregenzer Ache

Meeting points and times:

1. At the old railway station in Langenegg (the takeout) at 0800 to say Hi and set up the shuttle. The Dam release starts at 1000, and it's about 15mins drive up to the putin.
2. If you're running slightly late, you can meet us (ready to paddle) in time for the release at the Dam in Bezau.
3. If you're running really late, meet us on the river at the Andelsbuch putin around 1100, but that's where the crowds start...


How to find us? Just look for the open canoes...and a Green VW T4 Multivan with Swiss (BE) plates....that's me.

Camping possibilities:

* Unofficial camping near the put-in in Andelsbuch
* Unofficial camping possible in Eck at the sportsground
* Unofficial camping also possible at Langenegg and Lingenau (not recommended for tents, only for sleeping in vehicles).
* Camping Doren : http://www.doren.at/tourismus/camping.htm

The sections:

* II/III down to Eck (9km)
* III/III+ down to Lingenau (3.5km, where the party is)
* II/III down to Langenegg (2.5km)

Post paddling pleasure:
1500: Start building cardboard boats to race
1730: Cardboard boat race
1900: Olaf Obsommer film (open air) on paddling in Pakistan & Montenegro
Party until late.

More information (in German): http://www.kanumagazin.de/news/der-wald ... 7632.4.htm
http://www.kajaktour.de/bregenzer.htm


2. Vorderrhein

Driving time Lingenau to Versam = ~1.5hrs, Swiss highway vignette required (40chf)

Meeting points and times:

* Fri 12noon at Versam
* Sat & Sun 0900 at Versam
* Good weather: meet at the LinX Beizli cafe
* Rain: meet at the shop

River options: Vorderrhein (various sections), Glenner, Landquart, many others, depending what we feel like. Various difficulty levels. River levels and options will be discussed when we meet each day. More at:
http://www.kajaktour.de/vorderrhein.htm

Fri program: My suggestion is to run the Vorderrhein from Ilanz to Versam or Reichenau, depending on time. It's a nice easy run, very relaxing after a hard night celebrating at the Bregenzer Ache festival.

Accomodation:
Thanks to "mit LinX lernen" for these options. I am coordinating the accommodation with Joe, so please direct all accommodation enquiries and requests to me.

* Option 1: "The Luxus" Bed & Breakfast style accommodation (4places available, 25chf/night without breakfast; 40chf/night with breakfast)
* Option 2: "The Mattress" Massenlager (Dormitory, 10places available, 15chf/night)
* Option 3: "The Basis" Thermarest accommodation (bring your sleeping bag and bedroll, building provided; 10places; 10chf/night)
* Option 4: "The Tent" (Tent space; space for 4 2person tents; 15chf/person/night)
* Option 5: "The Car" (Car/Camper; OK to park at Versam station and sleep in your car/camper, but not permitted to "set-up" anything external to the vehicle; plenty of space available; 5chf/day for use of WC, etc. or free if you take breakfast at the Beizli)

We have use of a social room at "mit linX lernen" in Versam for hanging out, socialising etc. if the weather is less than ideal.

Please let me know ASAP on your accommodation preferences. First come, first served. At the very latest I should let Joe and Karoline know atleast a week in advance. If we have more people than places, then I'll arrange something with one of the local camping areas for the overflow, but we'll try to keep it all down by the river.

Food:

* All accomodation options are available with breakfast at the LinX Beizli for an additional 15chf per person per morning
* Saturday night group meal - please let me know if you want to join for the group meal. I will organise one of the following: Fondue (a la Swiss) or Chilli (a la Matt). Vote for your preference. The most votes sets the menu.
* Supermarkets, etc. nearby, but not in the immediate vicinity.
* LinX Beizli - the cafe/restaurant at Versam; hot & cold drinks, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Please check out the selection. I personally recommend the "Heisse Shoggi mit Rhum und Rahm"! See www.mitlinxlernen.ch for more info.


A big thank you to "mit Linx lernen", Kanumagazin and Paschifik for supporting this event! Thanks also to Falk for all his assistance, especially with the German translation.

As normal, please forward this to any other fellow c-boaters that you know. The more the merrier! My list is definitely not definitive.

If for some reason you don't want to receive any more info on c-boater gatherings, please just let me know and I'll delete you from the mailing list.


Cheers,
Matt


------------------
2. Deutsch
------------------


Ein "Gudday" an alle.

Die Zeit naht, die Saison beginnt. Falls ihr bis jetzt noch nicht paddeln wart, worauf wartet ihr?

Ich freue mich riesig auf unser nächstes Treffen schon im Mai. Ich kann's kaum erwarten. Folgende Informationen sollen euch allen die Details geben, die wir bislang zusammengetragen haben. Falls Fragen auftauchen, bitte schreibt mir eine Mail oder ruft kurz an. Ich werde mein bestes geben, alles zu beantworten. Neue Entwicklungen werden mitgeteilt, sobald sie sich klären.

Die Grundlagen:

* Donnerstag, 22. Mai: Bregenzer Ache (Österreich)
* Freitag bis Sonntag, 23. bis 25. Mai: Vorderrhein (Schweiz)

Kontaktdaten: Matt Steven, mobil +41-79-573-9979 (in Österreich ist nur ein SMS-Empfang möglich!); daheim +41-31-791-2350; nzmatt@bluewin.ch

Die Details:

1. Bregenzer Ache

Treffpunkt und Zeit:

1. Bei der alten Bahnstation Langenegg (am Ausstieg...) um 8 Uhr um "Hi!" zu sagen und das Umsetzen zu organisieren. Der Wasserablass beginnt um 10 Uhr und die Fahrt zum Einstieg dauert mind. 15 Min
2. Falls Du ein bißchen spät dran bist, treffe uns einfach paddelfertig am Einstieg beim Kraftwerk Bezau um 10 Uhr.
3. Falls Du richtig spät dran bist, treffe uns am Kraftwerk Andelsbuch um 11 Uhr herum, das ist dort, wo auch die Massen starten

Wie man uns findet? Schau nach den offenen Kanadiern auf dem Wasser und/oder nach einem grünen VW T4 Multivan mit Schweizer (BE) Kennzeichen an Land... das ist Matts.

Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten:

* inoffizielles Camping in der Nähe des Kraftwerks Andelsbuch
* inoffizielles Camping evtl. möglich am Sportplatz in Eck
* inoffizielles Camping ebenfalls in Langenegg und Lingenau (nicht geeignet für Zelte, nur zum schlafen in Fahrzeugen)
* Camping Doren: www.doren.at/tourismus/camping.htm

Die Abschnitte auf der Bregenzer Ache:

* ca. 9 km WW II-III bis zum Eck in Egg
* ca. 3,5 km WW III (+) bis Lingenau, wo dann die Party ist
* ca. 2,5 km WW II bis III nach Langenegg

Après-Paddel-Spaß:
15 Uhr: Start zum Bau der Pappboote fürs Rennen um
17:30 Uhr: Pappbootrennen
19 Uhr: Open-Air-Kino von Olaf Obsommer über Paddelabenteuer in Pakistan & Montenegro
anschließend Party.

Weitere Informationen: http://www.kanumagazin.de/news/der-wald ... 7632.4.htm
http://www.kajaktour.de/bregenzer.htm


2. Vorderrhein

Fahrzeit Lingenau nach Versam Station ~1,5 Stunden (Achtung: Vignettenpflicht auf Schweizer Autobahnen!)

Treffpunkt und Zeit:

* Freitag 12 Uhr mittags in Versam Station
* Samstag & Sonntag um 9 Uhr in Versam Station
* bei gutem Wetter treffen wir uns jeweils vorm "LinX-Beizli Cafe"
* bei Regen am Kanuladen unter dem großen Vordach

Wildwasseroptionen: Vorderrhein (verschiedene Abschnitte je nach Wasserstand), Glenner, Landquart. Weitere Flüsse möglich, je nach Wasserstand, Lust und Laune. Schwierigkeiten, Wasserstände und andere Optionen besprechen wir jeweils am Morgen beim Treff. Weitere informationen:
http://www.kajaktour.de/vorderrhein.htm

Programm für Freitag: Ich empfehle den Vorderrhein von Ilanz nach Versam oder Reichenau, je nach Zeit. Das ist ein relativ leichter Abschnitt, sehr erholsam nach einer langen Partynacht beim Bregenzer Ache Festival.

Unterkünfte:
Ein herzlicher Dank an "mit LinX lernen" für diese Optionen. Ich plane die Unterbringung gemeinsam mit Joe, also richtet eure Wünsche direkt an mich.

* Option 1: "Luxus" - Bed & Breakfast (4 Plätze, 25 CHF/Nacht ohne Frühstück; 40 CHF/Nacht mit Frühstück)
* Option 2: "Matratze" - Massenlager (10 Plätze, 15 CHF/Nacht ohne Frühstück)
* Option 3: "Basis" - im Gebäude auf dem Boden (10 Plätze, eigenen Schlafsack und Isomatte mitbringen, 10 CHF/Nacht ohne Frühstück)
* Option 4: "Zelt" (es hat Platz für 4 Zweimannzelte; 15 CHF/Person/Nacht ohne Frühstück)
* Option 5: "Auto" (es ist OK auf dem Bahnhofsparkplatz zu parken und im Auto zu schlafen (Achtung: Parkgebühren!). Nicht geduldet wird jeglicher Anbau ans Fahrzeug (Vorzelte, Markisen etc.). Es hat ausreichend Parkraum. 5 CHF/Tag fürs Benutzen der Toilette falls ihr kein Frühstück im Beizli nehmt)

Wir können den Schulungsraum von "mit linX lernen" mit benutzen, um sich anschließend von den Paddelabenteuern zu erzählen, falls das Wetter nicht ganz so ideal ist.

Bitte so schnell wie möglich die Übernachtungsoption bei mir anmelden. Wer zuerst kommt, schläft besser. Letzte Möglichkeit zum Anmelden ist ca. eine Woche im Voraus. Falls es mehr Leute als Plätze sind, organisieren wir etwas mit den umliegenden Campingplätzen. Schön wäre es jedoch, wenn wir alle zusammen am Fluss in Versam-Station nächtigen könnten.

Essen:

* Alle Übernachtungsoptionen kann man wahlweise mit Frühstück bekommen. Das Frühstück am LinX-Beizli kostet 15 CHF pro Person.
* Am Samstag Abend soll es ein Gemeinschaftsessen geben - bitte möglichst gleich dafür anmelden. Wahlweise könnte es Fondue (á la Swiss) oder Chili (á la Matt) geben. Stimmt für eure Vorliebe ab, das, was den meisten Zuspruch bekommt, wird gekocht.
* Es gibt Supermärkte, etc. nahe, aber nicht gleich um die Ecke.
* Das LinX-Beizli in Versam-Station bietet heiße und kalte Getränke, Frühstück, Mittag- und Abendessen, Snacks. Bitte schaut euch die Speisekarte an, meine Empfehlung: "Heisse Schoggi mit Rum und Rahm"! See www.mitlinxlernen.ch for more info.

Ein herzliches Dankeschön an "mit Linx lernen", ans Kanumagazin und an Paschifik für die Unterstützung für dieses Event! Danke vielmals auch an Falk für viele Mithilfe und sonderlich die Deutsch Übersetzung.

Wie immer die Bitte, diese Mail an alle anderen wilden Kanadierfahrer weiterzuleiten, die ihr kennt. Je mehr es werden, umso lustiger wird die Sache und meine Liste ist definitiv noch nicht definitiv.

Falls ihr aus irgendwelchen Gründen keine Infos mehr über Treffen der WW-Kanadierfahrer möchtet, dann antwortet kurz und ich streiche euch aus dem Verteiler.


Cheers,
Matt

[funkidreadz]

Sweet I am for sure keen for the whole thing.
Thanks for your organising Matt and Falk if you need a hand with anything let me know
Stay safe
James

[fez]

[Taniwha]

Yeah, it's finally coming up fast. I'm really looking forward to meeting old buddies and new c-boaters from all over Europe and beyond.
The price for the longest trip to the armada will probably (there might be a challenge to beat that!) go to my friend Angus from New Zealand, who's coming half around the globe to join us. The Armada although (unfortunately ) is not the only reason for the trip, but love is.

All credits to Matt who did all the organizing. I just added a few drops of knowledge and some translations, no big deal.

I posted the invitation on some other German c-boater-forums, put a news bulletin in the coming KANUmagazin (due out April, 10th).

Please don't forget about the help from all our sponsors, especially Karo and Joe from http://www.mitlinxlernen.ch, who so generously offered a place to meet and stay at their facilities in Versam Station. Thanks!

Not to forget Philipp from http://www.patschifik.ch, Euro dealer of Esquif, Level 6 and Jackson Kayak. He supplied the armada 2007 with a trailer load of Esquif boats to demo and he will do it again this year. Thanks, too.

50 days to go! Be there!

[insolence]

"Hey, this sounds as if I could ride the beloved esquif Spark agin!!!!"

just joking....I'm thankful for Mat organizing this, last year the armada was such an amazing time.......I'm thrilled and looking forward to it for months now.....meeting so many nice C-Boaters and rocking interesting rivers.

@ Mat: If you need a translator the next time, tell me (french, english, spanish, german)


C you soon!!!!

[beereddy]

I will be

[jakke]

I really love this initiative!!

I'm really sorry I don't have enough hollidays this year to join! It takes me 2 extra days to drive up and down.

And maybe I need an extra year to bring my paddling skills up to a level that is good enough to really enjoy the rivers.

I will be joining the 10 International Canoe Symposium, this time in Belgium from 1-4 May. Anyone who will be there? http://members.chello.nl/water3/ -> site is not up to date at this moment, unfortunatly.

[Taniwha]

@ insolence: Not english, don't make me loose my job!

But a translation of the main details into french and spanish would be great, for all the cboaters out there. There probably are some forums where they meet in their home language, so it might be an idea to post the details there.

@ jakke: could you put some information about the armada on your website for the Belgian and Dutch cboaters? Would be much appreciated!

[jakke]

@Taniwha,

It's not my website, I just do the development and administration of it and try to promote it a bit. I join the trips and assist a bit in the trainings.

But I'll ask the owner!

I'm also working on a OC website, err, registered the domain name. If it's online on time I will add some info there as well and I'll be happy to add a report with some pictures on that site as well.

Maybe it is interesting to mention the countries of gathering Switzerland, Austria? Eg, I don't know which country the locations are, and Alps wont do I guess

Is there a website on the previous editions or pictures? (haven't searched the forum yet!)

[Taniwha]

Thread about the 2007 Euro armada:
http://www.cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=5511

Pictures from the 2007 Euro armada:
http://www.koru.de/Bilder/2scba07/
http://www.riverrunner.de/wp-content/DA ... index.html
http://www.riverrunner.de/wp-content/DA ... index.html
http://www.cboats.net/gallery/index.php ... Armada2007

Thread about the 2006 Euro armada:
http://www.cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=4793

Pictures from 2006 Euro armada:
http://www.cboats.net/gallery/index.php ... %2Feur2006
http://www.pbase.com/marcusthiel/swiss_ ... 6&page=all
http://www.koru.de/simme1.htm
http://www.koru.de/simme2.htm
http://www.koru.de/saane1.htm
http://www.koru.de/saane2.htm

[Taniwha]

Sorry, the countries/locations:

Bregenzer Ache is in Austria. Map shows the take out at Langenegg Station: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... =UTF8&z=12

Vorderrhein is in Switzerland. Maps shows the meeting point at Versam Station:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g ... =UTF8&z=12

[NZMatt]

Hiya Falk
Great summary of all the Armada info and links! AWESOME!

Hiya Jakke
Bummer you can't join, but could you send me details of the Symposium? I'm still working out where I'll be that weekend. (sking or paddling or something!) If you are ever in Switzerland, do look me up.

As to difficulty, the Vorderrhein is a class II. There is one or two harder rapids, but easily portageable. There are other harder runs around, but it's also possible to just do the Vorderrhein a few times if that's what folks are looking for.

Looking forward to this!
Matt

[jakke]

Hi NZMatt,

I've been overlooking my hollidays. If my new job allows it, I might be able to come over! Though the first day looks a bit hard to start with (if I understood correctly class III - III+?). Don't know if I can handle that, never tried it . Anyay, I'm seriously considering to join you guys!

The symposium is organised by paddlelife -http://members.chello.nl/water3/ -

This will be the 10th and last edition. I don't know for this year, but they used to attract an international public -including Bob Foote and Karen Knight, BCU representants, ... -

It will be near Maasmechelen in Belgium, I don't know the exact location yet. But the region is nice.
Don't expect whitewater as you know in switserland though! As far as I can guess what you can expect:
- flatwater: freestyle?? sailing with canoes, ...
- River: Maas. If water levels are good, there are some nice play-spots there, according to what we are used to
- BCU star assessments, I think you can go up to 4 stars(3 stars you can do there, 4 star only preparation, water levels aren't hard enough there), I'm not sure.
- second hand market on sunday for paddling stuff.

Oh, and the dates are 1-5 may of course.
You can contact Mark-Jan on this e-mail address: paddlelife/AT/dse/DOT/nl

I'll be joining the symposium -hope it will be fun- and really trying to join the Armada too.


Jan

[jakke]

dam, my girlfriend just reminds me I have a dinner with her family the 24th, all day long event.

I won't be able to join the armada this year . Hopefully next year, or maybe I can plan a trip to the alps by the end of august or september. I'll see.

[Taniwha]

I had a nice t-shirt once which read:

"My girlfriend said, if I go canoeing one more time, she'll leave me. - Gosh, I'll miss her!"



Or: bring her and the family...