An international organization of builders, paddlers, and admirers of wooden and bark canoes.
The WCHA is a charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The President's Deck
We made it! It’s spring and that means it’s time to open the garage
doors, remove those hibernating canoes nestled in their racks and head for water. What a glorious moment. Having not been out on
the water since August because of my back surgery, being able to set the canoe in the water, climb in, and paddle out, gliding effortlessly across the mirror-finish lake during the early morning hours looking
for largemouth (but being completely satisfied catching pickerel) was a magical moment. A lot of hard work and perseverance culminated with that simple paddling excursion, and it was truly special (not to mention crushing my son in total fish count for the day – two-fold!).
A lot has transpired since the last issue our Wooden Canoe Journal. As everyone should well be aware by now, due to unforeseen circumstances with Paul Smith’s College, we will be gathering at Keuka College, New York for this year’s Assembly. The planning team has already done some reconnaissance and is very excited with the
Photo Credit: Betsy Wilson
prospects of being in New York’s Finger Lakes region this year. You will find the Assembly program and a link to registration on the WCHA’s website. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this July.
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Traditionally during Assembly, the Norumbega Chapter donates to the auction a canoe that they have skillfully restored, with all proceeds going to WCHA. This year they have another exciting restoration making its way to Keuka. We’ve been posting pictures and progress on social media and the website. New for this year is the chance to bid on the canoe even if you aren’t able to be present in
person at the auction. We will offer absentee bidding as well as phone-in bidding when the Norumbega canoe is up for auction. This is an exciting way for additional people to have a chance to bid on the canoe, even those who may not be able to make the
trip. If you win, just make sure you have a method to get your canoe home!
Enjoy your spring. Get out there, practice those paddle strokes, and make sure you look up every now and again from that gorgeous canoe and enjoy the outdoors.
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Nick Dombrowski, WCHA President