Just add water

The current drought might spell a river of sorrows for boaters this spring. But, if you happen to be of the optimistic variety – and let’s face it, most boaters are – now’s the time to bust a move for the upcoming season’s permits.

To help get you in the mood, both the Dolores River Boating Advocates and 4 Corners Rivers Sports will be hosting their annual permit parties.

First up is the DRBA event, from 6-10 p.m. this Fri., Jan 19, at the Dolores Community Center. The event will feature guest speaker and best-selling author Kevin Fedarko, author the Emerald Mile (which, incidentally, all river runners should have in thier ammo can). Fedarko will present his talk, “Beneath the River of Shooting Stars: Misery, Obsession and Grace in the Grand Canyon.”

The fun-filled evening will also include music by Last Nickel, food and beverage from local establishments, a silent auction of boating and out-door gear, and, presumably, permits.

Admission (it’s a fund-raiser) is $12 advance/$15 day of/ $5 youth/ $5 youth / and kids 12 and under are free.

The following week, Durango’s 4 Corners River Sports is hosting its annual permit party from 5:30 – 8 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 25. The event will feature all the typical trappings of a good boater get together as well as a showing of the film “Into Twin Galaxies.”

Released in January 2017, the adventure documentary follows three National Geographic Adventurers of the Year as they embark on an unreal ski and kayak mission across Greenland. Using kite skis, they tow their kayaks over hundreds of miles of the Greenland ice sheet to reach the most northern river ever paddled. Along the way, they deal with frozen clothes and a race against the clock and impending snow melt. Oh, and there’s a broken back along the way just to keep things interesting.

For most of the West’s biggies – Gates of Lodore, Yampa, Deso/Gray, Chama, San Juan and Middle/Main Salmon, Selway, Snake Rivers – applications are due by Jan. 31.

If you’re the superstitious type who likes to run your permit mission solo, while drinking from your lucky koozie and wearing your lucky booties, there is a plethora of helpful beta and links at www.riversports.com. Just click on “permits” under the “resources” tab, kiss your river knife, swear on your tattered copy of Western Whitewater, and may the best boater win.