Fowlersville Falls, the first rapid of the day
Moose Fest. held annually in Old Forge, New York has been part of my calendar of paddling events for over 15 years. I’ve been attending the annual gathering of paddlers since high school. Moose Fest. has always been special for me because it’s a chance to get together with old friends and paddle some amazing whitewater. Now that I live in the great white North the event has become even more special to me because it signifies the end of the paddling season. It’s hard to believe, but they are already forecasting snow for our area this week.
Jared cruising the P&H Hammer downstream in practice.
This year’s festivities kicked off with a fundraiser for the Strand theater. Small movie theaters like the Strand, and all theaters are being forced to switch to digital projection systems. These systems are far too expensive for tiny businesses like the Strand to handle themselves so everyone is chipping in however they can. Paddlers piled into the theatre, kicked in a few bucks, and watched some awesome paddling related edits from all over the country as well as the world. In all, almost $400 was raised for the Strand in under two hours. Afterwards, the local bars filled up with paddlers, and I think you can guess what heppened next…
The crowd at the Strand Theater
The Pyranha van rollin in
Saturday was all about the paddling, and the final race of the King of New York Series. Jared Seiler won a close battle with returning King, Justin Beckwith. Jared took home the Moose Race win in a P&H Hammer, as well the overall crown. This new tyrant’s cruelty was felt all over Old Forge on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
Jared sending the Hammer over Agers Falls
After I got my race lines dialed in on Saturday morning I took a casual lap down the river, and took in all of the silliness that typically goes along with a festival type of atmosphere. When I came through there were people all over the river. There had to be at least a hundred people scouting the first two rapids alone. It was really neat to see so many people exploring the Moose River, which is otherwise fairly empty on a normal weekend. I got to watch some pretty classic carnage, and also tried to capture the action from some atypical angles.
The crowd at “Funnel” rapid
A little carnage at Knife’s Edge
As we put the wraps on Moose fest. I look back, and I am truly grateful for all the great paddling that I got to do. I am already making plans for 2014 and I can’t wait!!
A great shot by Scott Martin of me on the Beaver from earlier in the summer.