Ohio River Foundation

ORF would like to thank the volunteers who make this event possible!

Paddling duo -- Kayakers make 140-mile trip down the Ohio River

from The Sentinel

Monday, October 20, 2003
By Tracy Ezolt

COOLVILLE - George Richards and Chuck Donaldson spent eight days paddling 140 miles down the Ohio River during the first Great Ohio River Paddle.

Richards, a Coolville resident, and Donaldson, who lives in Clay City, Ky.,each traveled from Portsmouth to Rising Sun, Ind., in a kayak.

The duo paddled about 18 miles a day, camped along the way and competed with weather that proved difficult at times. Richards recalled one rain storm where winds averaged 20 mph and waves crested at 2 feet on the river during the trip, which was Sept. 20-27.

The Great Ohio River Paddle began as way to draw attention to the Ohio River, Richards said.

The event was organized by the Ohio River Foundation, a group dedicated to promoting the education of adults and children about Ohio River ecology, the importance of conservation and protection of the Ohio River and the heritage of riverside communities.

"They can't restore the Ohio River to what it was, but what the Ohio River Foundation can do is work hand in hand with other conservation groups and the Army Corps of Engineers to create a long-range plan for the Ohio River," Richards said.

The two, who paddled five to six hours a day, were followed by a support team, which consisted of one or two individuals who organized events in the Ohio River cities where the two kayakers set up their camps. During the stops at Ohio River cities, professors and experts from that area taught children about the ecology of the Ohio River.

Richards said the teachers showed microscopic samples of species in the Ohio River.

Richards and Donaldson also taught a Girl Scout troop how to use a kayak during one of their stops.

Richards received about one meal a day and ate fruit, vegetables and granola along the way. Keeping a supply of drinking water was the biggest challenge for Richards, he said. The crew stopped in 10 cities in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, which took members a week. Along the way, several individuals paddled with Richards and Donaldson for a day.

Richards said he became involved with the trip after learning about it over the Internet.

Richards, who only would acknowledge he is older than 65, said he was concerned he would not be allowed to participate in the event because of his age. However, his experience and endurance superceded his age.

"Kayaking is something I've always wanted to do, but I never had the time," he said. "When I retired, I bought a kayak."

While he was working, Richards found he had a passion for the water, taking his family on canoe trips. However, after he retired for a second time, he decided to attempt kayaking for the solitude and ability to take long-distance trips.

Richards trained by using the kayak in his pool and eventually took his first trip 18 miles down the Hocking River.

"I thought my arms we're going to drop off," Richards said.

After a few more months of training, Richards set off for a 190-mile trip along the Ohio River.

In September 2001, he began his journey in Pittsburgh and paddled into Parkersburg eight days later. Long-distance kayaking is a hobby for Richards.

"I like flat water," he said. "The whitewater portion never has appealed to me."

Richards said some of the residents in the cities at which he stopped talked with him about kayaking. Donaldson pointed out Richards' endurance to those who greeted the gentlemen.

"George, you talk about kayaking in miles; they talk about it in minutes," Donaldson said of his partner's ability to paddle for days.

"I like the longer trips," Richards said. "I'm just out there with nature. In places, (you) forget there is anyone or anything around except you and mother nature. I can't wait to see what is around the next bend, that is what keeps me going."

A journal of Richards' and Donaldson's trip is available at www.ohioriverfdn.org.

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