Pre-Banquet Paddle from Mercer Park

22 paddlers enjoyed a gorgeous Spring day with temperatures in the sunny high 50's. We paddled upstream with the wind at our backs (for a change), for about an hour, then turned around and paddled downstream into quite a good headwind. Waves under the bridge were pretty good, and in some places whitecaps were visible! About half of the group were out for the first time this season, including a much appreciated appearance from Gary Ritchie, prankster extraordinaire. Also joining the group was banquet speaker Scott Stenberg who got his money's worth paddling (sprinting) with Kitt, as the two prepare for the upcoming NYMCRA racing season. The banquet was attended by 82 paddlers, the buffet was delicious, the beverages were cold, the new CNY Kayakers embroidered patch was well received, as were the 2008 season membership cards. Camaraderie abounds as we enter our 8th paddling season as a club - there were many new faces who have a great experience ahead of them if they commit to joining the paddles - learn, laugh, love to paddle!