Hulls and Hops Lecture Series-1968 Churchill River Kayak Expedition as told by Geoff Jones

In 1968, at the age of 19, Jones and three fellow UNH students, using homemade fiberglass kayaks, paddled 70+ miles up the Clearwater River from Waterways, Alberta; traversed the 12.5mile Meythe Portage to the headwaters of the Churchill River, where they paddled a series of lakes and stretches of river to Port Churchill, Manitoba. On the last 300 mile-leg of their 1,200 mile journey, on August 14, 1968, they had an accident at a spot in the river known as “Mountain Rapids”. When they got to the bottom of the two mile-long class V+ rapids, there were three boats, two people, and one paddle and 150 tough miles of uncertainty to the safety of Port Churchill, their destination. At high noon, on August 20, 1968, they completed their 70-day journey, when they limped their way to the shores of Port Churchill. This was a defining experience that in the words of paddler and former CBS correspondent Eric Sevareid “was an example of what very young men can do—-once in their lives—-but never again.”

Guest Brewery: to be announced

Doors open at 6:30pm