Great day for a paddle for the third annual Rocktails & Streams Saco Paddle. ELIZA COWIE photo
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONWAY – Paddling together to help progress the state’s growing outdoor economy, about 50 individuals involved in the industry across the state came together on the Saco River Thursday to network, swim and enjoy dinner and music at the Beach.
Granite Outdoor Alliance’s third annual Rocktails & Streams Saco Paddle brought state government interests, academics, ski industry officials, manufacturers of clothing and operators of various renewable energy services and guides mostly from the state’s North Country who are all working to get more people to come stay, play and work in the region.
“We combined a relaxing (but still adventurous) day on the river with an evening of networking, music, games and great food with folks from a variety of sectors, from retail to clean energy to nonprofits,” wrote Tyler Ray, who organized the event in a newsletter that followed.
The group put in for a five-mile afternoon paddle on a perfect summer day navigating by water through the heart of the North Conway area.
With the water low but with small rapids in places and fallen trees in the water, adding some distraction from the conversations and challenge, the event goers paddled along together and shared perspectives.
They passed along corn fields, with views of Cathedral Ledge, famous for rock climbers, and past views of Cranmore Mountain Resort, under a railroad bridge as the Conway Scenic Railway passed through with its whistle blasting and alongside large campgrounds filled with children and dogs and inflatables.
At a halfway spot, the group of kayakers, canoers and paddle boarders (even with an inflatable rescue dingy in the rear) pulled up on a sandy beach area for a swim.
There were, in some cases, some swamped paddlers who were helped by others to resume their floats.
Even a few rope swings hanging over deep pools in the cooling Saco were pressed into service by the group. And lots of sunscreen was shared.
Ray gave thanks to event sponsors who are also in the same field of work and whose staff participated: Saco Canoe Rental Company, Tuckerman Brewing, Buena Gave, NEMO Equipment, Burgeon Outdoor, White Mountain Ski Co., and Jackson Ski Touring Foundation.
The group discussed the UNH Developing Interconnections for Regional Trails project with the acronym DIRT, which is collecting information for a new survey with the purpose of understanding what resources and programming are most needed and effective toward helping trails-related organizations and businesses to reach their goals and form beneficial collaborations and partnerships.
Participants were urged to complete the survey by July 26.