Brad Fisher
LOVES Wooden Canoes
Groundhog Greetings, paddlers!
Is anybody doing any hard-water canoeing these days? Fred and Lee sent me this photo of them out on their pond in Chalk Hill recently. Fred also reminded me that 2026 is the 20th anniversary of the Chapter’s first on-water event. See the attached newsletter from back in the day for more info. Birthday candles will be lit at Moraine this spring.
Upcoming Meeting February 12
Next week, take a break from the winter blues and join us for the year’s first Inside Outing via zoom. The presentation will be on the history of canoes, rowboats and other hand-built human-powered craft on Chautauqua Lake. I gave this talk at our Chautauqua outing last fall, and am happy to share it with those of you who couldn’t be there in person.
Human-powered craft on Chautauqua Lake
- February 12, 2026
- 10:30 am: Social zooming (BYO coffee)
- 11 am: Presentation
- ZOOM link to come early next week.
2026 Events
For your convenience, here’s a (slightly updated) schedule of the events we have planned for this year. No dates are changed, just a couple of logistical details.
February 12 - zoom presentation
Human powered boats of Chautauqua Lake - Brad Fisher
March - date TBD - zoom presentation
Wedding Paddle Art - Murat Vardar - Canadian/Northern Lakes Chapter
Murat is an accomplished paddle carver and authority on the history and culture of canoe paddles.
April 24-26 - Moraine State Park, PA
Our traditional first outing of the year. Join us for a paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Fred Capenos and Aleta Grubish.
May 15 - Big Run State Park, MD
Paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Mark and Ruth Zalonis
Arrive 5/15, Paddle 5/16
June 6 - Cooper’s Lake, PA - Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous
This is an annual event sponsored by the Western PA Solo Canoe Rendezvous group. It’s a chance to test drive the latest solo designs … and eat delicious pancakes!
June 26-28 Canada Mini-Assembly - Peterborough, Ont.
Craig Johnson is working with the Northern Lakes folks on a multi-organizational gathering at Beavermead Park, right next to the new Canadian Canoe Museum.
Late June - No Octane Regatta - Blue Mountain Lake, NY, Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts
We’re doing something a little different from our usual outing format. We’re hoping to participate in this event with a canoe display with educational info on wood/canvas boat design and history. Of course, we’ll be paddling in the events as well.
July 14-19 - WCHA Assembly - Paul Smith’s College, NY
September 9-11 - Chautauqua, NY
Paddle/picnic/campout hosted by Brad Fisher
Paddle 9/9 and 9/10
October 10-12 - Mini Assembly
This event, hosted by the Delaware Valley Chapter, is always a great opportunity to meet with other chapters in the area. The event will be held at Black Moshannon State Park this year.
November 16 - Planning/Annual Meeting - St. Clairsville, OH
