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NCSP is now offering all members in good standing rescue gear at a 30% discount. This includes throwbags, river knives, and caribeeners and more. To qualify for this discount you must have completed training and your 4 patrol days during the 2009 NCSP season. For details on how to get your discount contact the Commodore. |
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In August 1979, I was looking forward to my freshman year in high school, Jimmy Carter was the President, and 52 Americans were being held hostage in Iran. I was driving with friends up to play around with some inner tubes at some "cool place" on the Delaware River. I was in the back of a 1972 Dodge pickup, Credence could be heard from the radio. I threw the open window, and it was hot. This was the first of many trips to Skinners Falls, a place I remember to be as wild as Woodstock. I also remember watching these characters helping boaters get themselves back together after getting trashed in their shinny aluminum canoes. I returned some years later to kayak the same great rapid and saw the same people still rescuing distressed boaters. I became curious about who they were, asked some questions of a NPS ranger, who turned out to be Mr. Weber, and the rest is history. The NCSP got into my system and I find great pride in being the Commodore of the NCSP on its 30th anniversary. Looking back on the work of the NCSP during the past 30 years is awe inspiring. The number of people giving countless unpaid hours, the money spent on gear, the training and responsibility we take on is impressive to say the least. This is the core to the success of the NCSP, its people and their unselfish willingness to give back to the paddling community. Our society has become less friendly in the past 30 years. It may be increased selfishness brought on by a consumer driven society, the change in fluidity of communities with the ease of transportation, but what ever the cause the paddling community remains a beacon of cooperation and community. Paddlers have been, and I hope will continue to be, very helpful and supportive on the rivers we paddle. We have all helped a new paddler take the correct line, given half a sandwich to the person who forgot their lunch, or given a ride back to the put-in to someone we just met. The NCSP embraces this mindset of helping; we put our own safety at risk to rescue a boater we never knew. Personally, a season has not gone by that I haven't said to myself, "If I wasn't there, they wouldn't have made it". Thirty year anniversaries are a time to look back at accomplishments and to assess where we are going. We can all look back with a great amount of pride; we've done a hell of a job! One of my proudest statements I make to fellow paddlers is, "I'm a member of the National Canoe Safety Patrol". This reputation also carries with it the responsibility to carry on the commitment to the paddling community and the service we provide. I am excited and proud of where we are going. Here's to the next 30 years! |
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Sunday May 24, 2009 NCSP 30th Year Picnic.
Sunday night was the scene of the 30th birthday party for NCSP. Our NPS partners were our guests for this recognition of 30 years of volunteer service on the Upper Delaware. Total attendance was 140.
Troy & Dejay were the gracious host for the pig roast and ribs, etc. Our thanks to NPS for the loan of tents in case of bad weather.
Our new member liason Dick R. Rhodes was honored with The George B Hartzog Jr Individual Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from NPS, Northeast District. The brief program recognized the founding Commodore Chris Nielsen and those charter members still active. It was noted that NCSP volunteers (using their own boats, gear, gas and time) have contributed a grand total of more that 100,000 hours valued by NPS at approximately one million dollars. Recognitions, by two congressmen, of NCSP volunteer efforts were read by 2 charter members.
The party was the highlight of the social season in Lackawaxen! |
| Training Weekend |  | | | | Location: | | TBA | |
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| | Time: | | 3:00 pm Check-in on Friday, April 23rd Registration opens at 5pm | |
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| | Cost: | | Dues will be $30 per individual; $60 per family | |
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| | Training Schedule: | | Friday Check-in 1600-2300. Saturday 0730 | |
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| | Notes: | | Friday April, 23th – Sunday April, 25th are the dates for the 2010 NCSP training weekend. It’s time to pull out your gear. Air out those tents, hang up the sleeping bags, pull out PFD’s and wetsuits. We won’t even discuss the smelly booties. You won’t need to bring any boats this year as we are concentrating on other skills. Boating skills will be practiced on the river after training.
Please bring your ID badges with you from last year. We will update the valid dates on each badge rather than reprinting all new badges. So. The lovely photo we had of you last year will be the same one you’ll carry this year! New members will be photographed and receive new badges, although we may mail them rather than trying to create them onsite.
Required Gear for Training
Veteran members will bring trucks full of gear. For new members the list is a bit lighter. You are expected to have the following:
3 locking D carabineers
1 Throw Bag
Good quality PFD (rescue version NOT req.)
Boat (Canoe or Kayak) [not required for training weekend]
Wet/Dry suit (can be rented at KC if necessary)
1 good helmet
1 pair of river shoes/booties (we recommend felt sole if you can find them)
This is NOT all inclusive, if you have more that you normally paddle with, bring it. Also, you will be provided with a more complete list of patrol gear at check-in.
Camping
Please remember, Kittatinny donates Lukes Landing for our use during training weekend. We are their guests and should act appropriately. The campground will be patrolled for litter prior to our departure on Sunday. All campsites should be left as you found them. No glass bottles are allowed in the campground. RV’s are permitted but it is primitive camping. No hookups except water, which may be shared with other campers. Picnic tables and fire circles are provided. There are hot showers available across the street at the main section of the campground. | |
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