Well they are not quite ‘in’ yet, but the task of assembling and attaching the docks is nearly complete and on May 31st members will be parking their boats on the water.
Empty docks after sunset May 29th
Thanks to everyone who helped put this together. There are a number of new members this year who I am sure are ready to get out there. Everyone is excited to have a place to go in this time of lockdowns but we do need to follow the current health regulations so the socializing will have to wait.
Summer on the river is wonderful, let’s get started.
The weather did not fully cooperate but over the last week it was good enough to get all the docks in the water. Thanks to all who helped and especially Chester for running the operation.
There are still some details to finish off but boats can get in the water and tie up as of tomorrow June 8th. The weather may not cooperate with that however.
By the end of the week the sun will be out and there may be a lineup at the launching pad. I for one am excited about another summer on the river.
The process of putting the Redboine Boating Club docks back in the water has begun. And to celebrate that, I will share the story of one dock in particular. Dock #1 is located at the east end of the row closest to shore and has a well engineered notch for one of the posts that hold the docks in place.
Last year ended with a sudden rise in the river due to record September rainfall and with the rush to get the boats and docks safely out of the water dock #1 was left chained to the post with only a corner of it visible above the surface. The river froze at a very high level and although attempts were made there was no chance to rescue the dock. It spent the winter in the ice.
Spring came and the ice broke up and more attempts were made to rescue the dock. It was tied to shore with a strong rope and plans were being made while the quite high spring flood was happening. The dock broke free of the ice, snapping the rope, and started floating down the river with the ice. Luckily it did not get far and was tied up to the shore just west of the club.
As the spring flood receded, dock #1 was brought to shore and included in the spring repair ritual. After much straightening and board replacement it was put back in the water, the first in, after being by far the last out.
This of course is only a small part of the story. If you want to hear of all the adventure and heroics I think Pat Bohme is the member to ask.
With record rainfall in September the waters of the Red River have risen to the point where it was dangerous to have our boats attached to the rising docks, so the boating season came to an abrupt end last week. Thank you to all members who helped out and got their boats out of the water on short notice.
Redboine Boat Club 