New dock makes life better for rowers

Getting into a boat or a kayak on the lake shore at Suttle Lake is fine and dandy in the height of summer.

But rowers of human-powered craft like to hit the lake early when the water is quiet, and when the seasons turn, it can get mighty cold and unpleasant.

Now that problem is solved, thanks to the efforts of rower Bethanne Kronick and Sisters Ranger District recreation services director Bob Hennings.

Hennings secured and attached a new $1,600 Connect-A-Dock system to extend the boat dock at the west end of Suttle Lake.

The dock is long enough to accommodate a kayak or a "single" row boat and low enough that a boat's outriggers can fit over it and allow the boat to snug up to the dock.

That means kayakers and rowers can get into their craft without wading.

Ironically, it was an improvement to the existing dock that created the need for the addition. Kronick recalled that when she first started training at Suttle Lake, the old dock listed over so far that a rower could use it. When a new dock was built, it was too tall, and the rails for motorboat tie-offs prevented rowers from using it.

"In the early part of it, I wasn't really sure there was a need," Hennings said. He was proved wrong.

According to Kronick, there's a growing need for facilities for rowers.

"Every time I'm out here, there's more and more kayakers," she said.

Kronick said Henning was tireless in his efforts to make the new dock a reality.

"It literally took him three years to make this happen," she said. "He was always there for my phone calls. He was really committed to making this happen."

Hennings is happy with the results.

"It's being enjoyed already just by kids swimming," he said. "I was out there this weekend and I saw a couple of different rowers using it, so it's kinda cool."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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