WOOD BOAT FESTIVALS

This year the Sandpoint Wood Boat Festival took place July 10th -11th and the Coeur Wood Boat Festival took place Aug. 21st – 22nd. Both event organizers say their wood boat festival is the largest in the Inland Northwest; but honestly from my view point they are both about the same size, each averaging about 50 boats per show. Both shows are well organized and well attended.

For most people wood boats are too expensive to purchase and too much work to maintain; so why then do so many people attend these shows? The answer is they are drawn to the beauty of these boats. Wood boats are more of a form of art than a product that is mass produced. Each wood boat is individually unique from bow to stern. I was dazzled by many of the boats builders’ attention to detail even with the stern flag poles. Boats at the shows range in size from 12’ to Hagadone’s 60’ sailing yacht (only available at the Coeur d’Alene show). Walking the docks to view these beautiful boats is an experience in and of its self.

Most boats at these shows are beautifully maintained but there were a few that were for sale that need some work. If you have never attended a wood boat show but love boats these two shows should be on your list of shows to attend. Many of the boat owners love to talk to show attendees about their experiences with their boats. Those that built their own boats from scratch are in my book the most interesting to talk with, giving you details of their experiences throughout the building process and even giving you local and regional history of wood boats… extremely fascinating.

The next event you can see wood boats at will be the 2011 Spokane Boat Show at the Spokane Fair Grounds, January 29th through Feb 6th, 2011. This is the largest boat show in the Inland NW and compared to the Seattle Boat Show. It’s also a more realistic show, as the boats at this show are more in the reach of the average person with a budget during in these tough economic times. Visit http://www.spokaneboatshow.com/ for more info.

For 2011 the Sandpoint show will take place July 9th - 10th, visit http://sandpointchamber.org/ for more info. The Coeur d’Alene Wood Boat Festival will take place Aug. 20th -21st. Visit http://www.cdachamber.com/ for more info.

LONG BRIDGE SWIM - Sandpoint, Idaho

The Long Bridge Swim is a1.76 mile open water swim along the HWY 95 Long Bridge that spans the northwest portion of Lake Pend Oreille before entering Sandpoint Idaho.

This year’s events showed off the local youth talent. Fourteen year old Bryce Kananowicz splashed the field of some 800 swimmers finishing the swim in an amazing 33 minutes and 53 seconds. The second place finisher Peyton Austin Layman of Littleton, Colorado, who is 16-years-old, finished 3 minutes back at an also impressive time of 36 minutes and 40 seconds. The first female finisher was Peyton Bowen of Coeur d’Alene Idaho at 40 minutes and 30 seconds, placing her at 14th place overall. Peyton is also 14-years-old showing youth in this years event as king and queen.

This event is certainly not just about who won the event but about helping people see the benefits of swimming and being safe while doing it. Race organizer, Eric Ridgway, has raced in the event all 16 times. Persons participating in this race ranged from an 8 year old girl to and 80 year old Spokane Nun and also included Jan Whitcomb of Coeur d’Alene… a person with Multiple Sclerosis who swam entirely with the use of only her arms.

This is a great event to watch because you can view it from the bridge. So not only is it an impressive event for the swimmers but also a spectacular event to onlookers.

Top 20 finishers — 1, Bryce Kananowicz, M, 14, Liberty Lake, Wash., 33:53. 2, Austin Layman, M, 16, Littleton, Colo., 36:40. 3, Donald Moravec, M, 50, Spokane, 37:52. 4, Ed Davis, M, 47, Pullman, 38:29. 5, Gus Koch, M, 15, Hayden, 38:29. 6, Chris Mann, M, 16, Sandpoint, 38:30. 7, Pat McChesney, M, 60, Spokane, 38:41. 8, Tim Burnham, M, 51, Cashmere, Wash., 39:09. 9, Rob Davis, M, 52, Calgary, 39:27. 10, Bryan Buck, M, 48, Irvine, Calif., 39:33. 11, Aaron Fullen, M, 24, Colbert, 39:35. 12, Marcos Donolo, M, 35, Pullman, 39:38. 13, William McLaughlin, M, 27, El Cajon, Calif., 40:11. 14, Peyton Bowen, F, 14, Rathdrum, 40:30. 15, Annie Warner, F, 30, Nine Mile Falls, 40:46. 16, David Lien, M, 41, Sandpoint, 41:09. 17, David Barnes, M, 59, Hayden, 42:11. 18, Mark Comfort, M, 56, Missoula, Mont., 42:14. 19, Brian Aucott, M, 45, Bothel, Wash., 42:22. 20, Joseph Hendry, M, 17, Benton City, Wash., 42:23.

Long Bridge Swim - Video Here

For more info about this event visit http://longbridgeswim.org/

Sunday, August 8, 2010
By MILES MOORE

DROWNING BY MILFOIL

Every year we hear of drownings related to people capsizing their boats in cold water and not having PFD’s on; swimming under the influence; getting caught in currents, etc. But have you ever heard of people drowning due to Milfoil? Check out this news article…

Aug. 5, 2010 - Woman dies after being caught in milfoil

A 23-year-old woman died Wednesday (Aug. 4th 2010). She spent several minutes trying to free herself from Milfoil while swimming on Horseshoe Lake.
The Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office said that Rachell Wood and her friends attempted to swim from the public launch to the waterfalls when they became tangled in milfoil.

Wood’s friends attempted to find her but the water was murky and infested with Milfoil. After trying to retrieve her for a few minutes they flagged down a boat and pulled her from the water.

Wood was transported via Med Star to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where she was later pronounced dead.

Every year swimmers get trapped in Milfoil and drown. In the Inland NW in 1992 a 50 year old women drowned on Lake Pend Oreille. In 1999 a 10 year old girl & 12 year old boy drowned in Red Rock Lake due to milfoil. And in 2003 several triathletes almost drowned on the Columbia River near Wenatchee.

Here is how it happens… As milfoil matures it creates a thick canopy where if a swimmer is not aware he can get caught in it. Once a person begins to struggle to get free, the milfoil basically acts like quick sand and pulls him under the water.

If you do accidentally swim into an area with thick Milfoil it is best to stay calm and float still on the surface. Call for help and if you can not get help its best to float flat on the surface and slowly exit from where you came in. Of course the absolutely best thing to do before you swim in any area is to check the area you will be swimming in for hazards and keep clear of it.

In many instances drowning can be prevented via wearing a PFD or taking precautions and knowing your limits. In the case of Milfoil, how many people would think they could potentially drown via getting stuck in it? So now you know. STAY AWAY FROM MILFOIL.

ELSIE LAKE, Idaho

On Aug 8th I traveled with friends and family to Elsie Lake, Idaho from Coeur d’Alene Idaho (about 50 miles from Coeur d’Alene). From Coeur d’Alene you take HWY 90 east past Kellogg Idaho and exit the HWY at Exit 54 (Big Creek Exit). Then one travels at first southwest after exiting the HWY on Big Creek Road to the lake. This road is paved a short distance before it turns to a smooth gravel road for a few miles and then into to a very rough road suited only for 4x4’s with good ground clearance (you will pass over big ruts in the road as well as pass through a slide area). Once you come to a wooded saddle near the top of the mountain you will descend down a 9% grade to the lake. The road is not well marked but staying on the main road will get you to the lake.

Elsie Lake is in a beautiful setting of heavily wooded area with steep mountains. Fishing, swimming, and hiking are the popular activities here. Even in the summer months the water is still quite chilly. This lake is stocked with Rainbow & Brook Trout. Only electric motors are allowed on this lake (no gas). There are camp sites all around the lake except on the east shore line where there is a steep mountain and cliffs. There is one restroom at this lake with no running water. The lake is about 80 deep at its deepest and visibility in the water is about 20 feet. The lake is a round shape of about 200 acres in size.

I took my Hobie Adventure Island (Sail Yak) to the lake and had some great mid day winds to sail with. While I sailed I consistently saw fish jumping. The lake’s beauty is absolutely stunning. We spent the night around the camp fire listening to the sounds of the wildlife and gazing at the abundant stars.

I ran out of time to hike the area as my family and I spent all our time on the water. While there, we were told of a hiking trail that takes you along a ridge that allows you to see for miles in any direction and to look down on the lake. We will do this next time we go there. Since its only 50 miles from Coeur d’Alene it’s an easy enough trip to do in a day.

For more info about this lake got to www.boatingtheinlandnw.com; click on Lakes & River Guide and then click on Shoshone County in the north Idaho section.

Written by Miles Moore, 8/11/2010.

AUGUST EVENTS NEWS!

This is the start of my first posts on this marine blog to help you all know what is going on within the Inland NW.

This month we have the mini hydroplane races on the Pend Oreille River in Iona. Then there is the worlds longest swimming event along Sandpoint Idaho Long Bridge. Then its the Coeur d'Alene Wood Boat Show. And the last event of August is the Sailing the Inland NW - Sailing Festival and Regatta on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Also if you have ever wanted to learn to sail this is the month to do it via It's Tiller Time Sailing School. So check out the calendar at http://www.boatingtheinlandnw.com/ to get more info, etc.

Many of us got a late start to the boating season this year due to all the rain... I grew up on the Washington State coast in Westport WA. The saying there is "if you wait for the rain to stop then you will be waiting a long time." For me I still went boating during the rain but I have to admit even I was starting to go a little nuts with all the rain.

Once the rain did stop I went crazy going to various lakes and so for this season I have been to Potholes Reservoir, Lake Cocolalla, Lake Coeur d'Alene, Lake Pend Oreille, and the Spokane River. For me as a sailor the winds have been pretty consistent. My friends tell me the fishing has been great as well. I will be posting pictures shortly.

If you have had any marine experience you would like to post here please send the text to me at info@boatingtheinlandnw.com and I will check it out... It is my hope we will all use this site to stay connected related to all things marine. I would love to hear about your fishing trips, boating adventures, etc. Remember all stories have to be from within the Inland NW.

Stay tuned I will be updating the Lakes & Rivers Guide related to the Pot Holes Reservoir. Check out the Spokane River section as I just finished that section in the Lakes & Rivers Guide. This winter the plan is to start creating downloadable maps so I will be really busy this winter. Go to www.boatingtheinlandnw.com and click on Lakes & River Guide...

Miles - Boating the Inland NW...