Thereâs no arguing that 2020 couldnât let go of the year without packing in one last punch, with gas outages and a collective held breath among the business community, wondering what arithmetic symbol will get added to the COVID-19 restrictions level. Thatâs also especially true for the paddling community this week. What is usually a vibrant and joyous event among paddlers, the annual Shoshone New Yearâs Day Paddle, which kicks off the paddling season for 100âs of boaters, has fallen victim to the 2020 wrath as well. Every year since about the early â70s, the annual event is held at the Shoshone put-in to the Grizzly Creek takeout, and boaters brave the elements of nature â frigid temperatures in dry suits to connect with longtime paddling friends. A sea of brightly colored river crafts enter the snow-covered Colorado River with smiling paddlers as far as the eye can see.