New ice boat helps Adventure Recreation offer more winter activities ...

(Photo: Doug Carty)

by Joseph Bevilacqua
edited by Joe Sousa

Over winter break the Adventure Recreation department added a new toy to their arsenal of offerings with the acquisition of an ice boat.

?I?ve been looking for an ice boat for the better part of three years? said Doug Carty, Director of Adventure Recreation on campus. Carty traded some of the departments old kayaks, which were in the process of being replaced, to expand their winter activites.

?I?ve noticed the snow is hit or miss, but the ice is always there? said Carty. ?I wanted another Adventure Recreation opportunity on campus that could replace lost opportunities from a lack of snow.?

Carty found the boat on Craigslist, listed by its owner, located in Winchendon, Massachusetts.

?The boat has about a foot wide compartment that you sit in with a mast, boom and one sheet.? said Brad Arena, a junior and Trip Leader for Adventure Recreation.

The boat is mounted on top of three large ice skates, one for steering, and the outer two for stabalization. There is also a handbrake to slow down the boat if needed, but the primary way to stop is to head into the wind.

?You can also use the boat in up to three inches of snow. Any more is too much resistance,? said Arena.

Since the boat is only a single seater, it is difficult for Carty and his team to give lessons. ?It certainly requires some training before it can be used,? said Carty. A knowledge of basic sailing techniques is extremely helpful, however, and makes it much less intimidating for first time users of the ice boat. However, any student is more than welcome to give the boat a try, should they desire to do so.

For now, Carty only plans on using the boat on Pearly Pond, but may explore making trips with it in the future, since it also came with a trailer.

Anyone with questions about the ice boat can contact Doug Carty at cartyd@franklinpierce.edu.

?

Source: http://www.fpujournalism.org/theexchange-2013/new-ice-boat-helps-adventure-recreation-offer-more-winter-activities-to-students/

montrose marshawn lynch earthquake bay area clear channel drexel dale george will