Phatwater on the Natchez gauge today is 29.58′, still holding 6 and a half feet above this date a year ago.  We’ll be out there again tomorrow.  I plan (have plans) to paddle the Phull Phat at least twice more before the Phatwater, October 9th.  We have a planned paddle on October 2nd, but this will be a training run, for speed, and reconnaissance, to spot any irregularities.  Such a word, irregularities.  So many applications, so much confusion.

Our friends at Ocean Paddlesports, Patrick and DeAnne Hemmens, who expect to be back on October 9th, have donated a Fenn Mako XT, designed by Patrick and Keith Fenn, and seen here with a double footwell:

I’m not sure if the one we’ve been donated has a double or single footwell, but I am sure that someone, among you, will be happy to haul it home, following this year’s Phatwater.  Only those entering and completing the Phatwater will be eligible to win the XT, which will be drawn for, following the drawing for the Phatwater Bowie. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN the Mako XT. The drawing will take place around 4 p.m., October 9th, once the Phatwater course has been secured and all have been accounted for.

The subject of boat rentals keeps coming up, so let me pass along this information.  We have no boats for rent.  In the future, this may change, but for now the only rentals in our region I know of are all on site.  This is to say, they can only be rented from concessions in areas where they are expected to be used.

Whether the proprietors of the businesses listed below will allow their boats to be taken off site, and brought to the Phatwater, is a matter to be discussed by those wishing to rent and the businesses which own them.  We play no part in this process, we’re just giving you guys the information.

Here’s what I have for possible rentals for those interested.  Though we’d like to help, we will not be able to help in the transport any such rentals.  We are not the government.  You have to do a certain amount of the work for yourselves if you plan to be a part of our plan.