10 Questions with Doc Stephens

I’m pretending to enjoy a glass of Courvoisier with Doc Stephens, in what would charitably be described as a shack in the middle of a field, 15 miles off the Atlanta Highway.

The Doctor is in.

I really enjoy the aroma of your tobacco smoke during the paddles. The cigarillos reminds me, amongst other things, of spaghetti westerns featuring Lee Van Cleef. None of that John Wayne aqua-net and spotted ‘kerchief nonsense. What’s your favorite tobacco product?

I prefer Backwoods Sweet Aromatic™. I’ve gone through a lot of expensive and cheap cigars to find something I like. Evidently I have cheap taste in cigars…

Let’s see… America’s number one selling all-natural cigar. Natural tobacco in a Connecticut Broadleaf which has been aged for at least 12 months. So you’re in good company -plus they say it’s all natural. Works for me.

People who see you driving a clip board at every takeout may assume that you’ve been there, done that. How long have you been paddling?

I bought my first kayak, a Wilderness Systems 12’ Pungo in March of 2005. It’s a great, stable boat to learn how to read water and begin paddling in. I owe a lot to Richard for getting me out on many different rivers and paddling situations.

I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.  I was distracted by some of the promotional materials on the Backwoods Sweet Aromatic™ parent company website. Smoking! Sadly, GA is not on their promo’ tour stop this year. You were saying Richard owes you for getting you into many situations? The smoke’s people are encouraging people to try out their “pipe-cleaners”. It’s like that is it? I’ll try anything twice.

Cleanups or clearings?

This is a tough question but I have to say clearings. There is evidently not a lot of paddlers that like to chainsaw trees while standing in a river, except for Richard and I and we have had plenty of good help. Clearings open up river routes and clears up potentially dangerous strainers. Hopefully, this will allow more paddlers to enjoy the river and pick up some trash every time they paddle.

I agree.  Clearings. The more people that are able to access the trash, the more likely it is that a cleanup will be organized. Having nearly drowned after getting trapped under a strainer (PAGA 2006), I say rather safe than sorry.  Besides, yet another great reason to mail order those leather chaps…

Early or late?

I prefer to paddle early in the day. There is a better chance of seeing wildlife early in the day before the more boisterous groups get on the river. It’s cooler and enjoyable to be ahead of both road and river traffic. You have to be at the Huddle House at 6:00 am to paddle with the dedicated.

Yes, the earlier, the better. Pre-dawn is my preference. Grits ‘n eggs over easy floating in Tobasco™. That’s worth gettting up early for -oh and the company of course. Let me eat first.  We can chat at the takeout; or better yet, at the post-paddle feast.

We’ve all seen you pack-muling the group’s water and gear in your canoe. On a group paddle, which of your boats would you prefer to paddle?

As long as it is not a windy day, I would say the canoe. It is a Wenonah 15’ Prospector, very stable and easy to turn. Hopefully people will learn, by experience and observing veteran river campers, what to bring and how to be self sufficient. Too much gear in the bow of the canoe is like having a 150lb friend that watches you do all the work! The Tsunami 125 with it’s two dry hatches is sweet though.

Yeah, there’s a fine line between tough love and neglect. I guess that’s where chauvinism -I mean chivalry kicks in. I say that because it appears that you carry a lot of  gear that clashes with the buzzsaw chaps and cigarillo…  You’re a good man Stephens.

Best/worst gear investment?

Without question the best would be my Kokotat™ hooded Gore-Tex™ paddle top. While it is not a dry top with the neck gasket, it is almost like paddling in a tent. It is the main reason I can paddle year round through snow and rain. The 9’ kayak paddle I use in the canoe is a close second.
The worst investment, albeit a cheap one, would be the ankle high, zip up neoprene booties that everyone else seems to love. They were just uncomfortable to me. And yes I had the right size.

What’s on your trip wish-list?

I would love to go on a guided raft trip through the Grand Canyon for a couple of weeks. I am fascinated by some of the video I have seen and it would be the safest way for me to float some REALLY big waves. Throw in three prepared meals a day and I’m there. No Richard Grove breakfast of champions Beanie-Weenies™ for me!

What advice can you give to someone just starting out?

Start and maintain a relationship with your local outfitter/paddling store. These people are obviously in business to make money but their hearts and souls are in helping you and having you as a return customer. Some have rental boats for you to try and will apply some of your fees towards a purchase. Don’t let a few dollars savings lead you to a big box store. It is great to walk into my local store and I feel like Norm on ‘Cheers’ -everyone knows my name. I have bought three boats from the same people. We are friends.

Start out by buying a PFD that is comfortable. Then buy a paddle. These are things you will always need. Do not rush out and buy a boat. Try a few rentals and ask paddlers you see on the river questions about their choice of boats and what the recommend for a someone new. Most are friendly and will talk your ears off and offer to let you paddle their boat. Knowledge is power. Stay out of the discount stores! You get what you pay for.

Can you recommend an exceptional river section for a beginner kayak camper?

I would say the Lower Flint and the Chattahoochee below Newnan. There are more sandbars and islands where you can camp legally and enjoy a true camping/nature trip. I have avoided naming my favorite paddle shop but I have to say that everyone needs what I call the “Georgia Paddler’s Bible”: ‘A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia’. You will be amazed at the wealth of paddling information.

I guess I could link to the book. There is a new edition out.  You realize that the clearing we’re doing is dating parts of the book? We should get a cut of the book sales!

Camping guilty pleasure?

I am at the age where I feel no guilt about anything that makes me comfortable when I camp. Others would probably say my memory foam pillow, battery powered fan and earplugs. Pitch your tent away from Grove’s -he snores.

Away from Grove, yes. Away from me too.  I toss and turn as I re-order my list of names… [UPDATE: Richard did call me to protest that no-one else has ever mentioned his snoring.]

Well those are the 10 questions. Thanks to Doc for playing along. If anyone has any other questions for him they can always send them in. As usual, Doc can be relied upon to show up on time and do at least what he said he’d do; so keep an eye out for him at your next paddling event. He likes the Backwoods Sweet Aromatic™ brand of smokes, available online or via your local smoke shop/QT gas station. If you do go to a QT gas station, try the beef Taquitos for a delicious taste of the South. Don’t forget Doc’s smokes.

Doc Stephens, for the win!

[APPLAUSE]