THE FEATHERS may seem like a strange name for this little handbook for New York - North Jersey Chapter Appie Paddlers, but it is not. In fact the way many of us were taught to paddle technical whitewater was to “follow the feathers”, and that's what we'd like for you to do also. We've tried to put everything you'll need to know about the AMC NY-NoJ Chapter's Canoe Program in THE FEATHERS so that, if you want to get the most out of our program, please follow THE FEATHERS.

This booklet is dedicated to Corny King, repeated his advice to “follow the feathers” to many hundreds of neophyte paddlers over his very long and active Appie paddling career. Corny paddled with us for over 40 years. That means he started BA (before aluminum, or ABS), and he always had lots of stories he loved to tell. Corny was a paddler, a teacher, a good friend, a singer and a valuable resource for the AMC.

In technical (low) whitewater, Corny's “feathers” are the little wavelets that define the lines between fast moving water, and the still or back-flowing water (eddies) behind rocks or other obstacles. Close to these “feathers” the water is the deepest, and it is often the best route. When the water is high, Corny's “feathers” are called “standing waves”, and are often the most enjoyable place to be.

On the water, and off, please follow THE FEATHERS.

. . . Cornelius King passed away, May 6, 1999, 86 years, 6 months.