Laserfiche WebLink
March 20, 2006 <br />Mr. Jack Rogers <br />Director of Public Works <br />City of Durango <br />949 East Second Avenue <br />Durango, CO 81301 <br />Re: Paddling on the Animas River <br />Mr. Rogers: <br />In response to your request for information on paddling experiences on the Animas River <br />in Durango I would like to let you know my experience. <br />I am a coach for the Durango Whitewater Center of Excellence. I work with groups of 3- <br />15 young paddlers year- round. Most of our activities are located in the section of the <br />Animas from Trimble to High Bridge. The Smelter Rapid at Santa Rita Park is the most <br />essential section for our training. <br />As a former member of the Swiss National Team, I have paddled for many years in many <br />conditions. The Animas River in Durango provides an excellent situation for recreation, <br />training and competition due to the reasonable climate, miles of accessible river, and <br />natural water flow. <br />In order to reach the top, a slalom athlete must be able to train daily on the water, 12 <br />months of the year. Smelter Rapid on the Animas is ideal for this. It is possible for <br />paddlers from Durango to reach the podium with the training available here in Durango. <br />The process of achieving excellence can be long and difficult, and the Durango <br />community has the necessary resources to support athletes on this path —good <br />community atmosphere with respect for sports and competition, great kids and parents <br />who are passionate about outdoor activities, experienced coaches and mentors with <br />backgrounds of excellence, a great river with the World -Class Smelter slalom training <br />site in a high - altitude setting. <br />I enjoy the opportunity of contributing to the community of Durango as a coach of young <br />whitewater paddlers. I believe that sport should be available to all kids as a healthy <br />activity which cultivates life - skills. I look forward to a future where all local kids will <br />have the opportunity to experience kayaking and canoeing and will have access to the fun <br />and challenging currents at Smelter Rapid throughout the year. <br />Year -round river flow is an essential item for the continuation of these activities and for <br />the realization of the potential held by the Animas River, Durango and its youth. <br />Sincerely, <br />Heinz Roethenmund <br />