[Paddlewise] Gulf Coast Symposium News / Updated Feb 3

*** This message posted as a courtesy to fellow sea kayakers ***

*** Please reply directly to swkayaks_at_aol.com ***

Nigel Foster, Derek Hutchinson, Scott Williams, Dave Hadden, Chris Hipgraves
and Linda Legg will be the featured instructors at the 1998 Sweetwater
Kayaks Florida Gulf Coast Sea Kayak Symposium: February 27 - March 1, 1998,
Ft. Desoto Park, Tampa, FL.

Bill Tynen, a kayaker, and a physician in the U.S. military will be
presenting a session on first aid, and Rich Mandell
will be presenting a weather session. We are trying to arrange a saftety
session with the US Coast Guard that might have a live rescue demonstration.

Although the symposium is not a trade show, regional representatives from
Dagger, Current Designs, and Great River Outfitters
will have demo boats available as rentals for symposium participants. This
should be the best collection of "rudderless" British-style sea kayaks on
the Gulf Coast.

KAYAK RENTALS
For more information about rentals call (941) 346-1179 or email
swkayaks_at_aol.com. If you are coming to the symposium and need to rent a
kayak, contact us soon so that we can help you secure a boat for the symposium.

CAMPSITES
For those of you wishing to camp at Ft. Desoto Park and don't have any local
friends that can reserve and pay for a campsite in person at the park within
the month preceding the event (27 January - 27 February), Sweetwater Kayaks
has reserved a series of  7 campsites that symposium participants will be
able to share. We have reserved some campsites from Thursday-Saturday,
others Friday-Saturday. Call (941) 346-1179 or email swkayaks_at_aol.com for
more information about campsites.

** We do emphasize that if you want your own campsite, that you reserve it
on your own. **

WEATHER AND PADDLING CONDITIONS
If the El Nino-driven storm track that has been delivering storms to the
Gulf Coast all winter remains active, then strong winds, cool temperatures,
and exciting sea conditions could be the mode for the 1998 Sweetwater Kayaks
Florida Gulf Coast Sea Kayak Symposium. Extra fuzzy layers and paddle
jackets and warm camp clothing might be a good idea just in case. If you
bring all your "warm gear" we'll be guaranteed sunny, hot weather. There are
a wide array of paddling areas and the main instructional lagoon will remain
protected; however, exciting sea conditions will provide a wider array of
teaching and learning opportunities.

Drawing on the success of the 1997 Florida Gulf Coast Symposium, the 1998
symposium program will include instructional sessions on basic, intermediate
and advanced paddling skills, tours for beginner, intermediate, and advanced
paddlers, as well as sessions on rolling, towing, surfing, bracing,
navigation, and rescues.  The great thing is, no matter what your skill
level, there is always something to do.

The $165 registration fee includes participation in all activities, the
continental breakfasts, the catered dinner, and evening programs. Join us
for this exciting and fun weekend of sea kayak instruction.

For more information and to obtain a registration form and brochure, contact:

Sweetwater Kayaks, 5263 Ocean Blvd., #7, Sarasota, FL 34242,
(941) 346-1179        Fax (941) 346-0713.
*** swkayaks_at_aol.com ***

________________________________________________________
Robert Starling                                     Member ASMP / APSG / PPA
Robert Starling Photography, Inc.
Orlando, Florida

Phone 407 521-0041      Fax  407 521-0031

http://www.starling.com     NetGuide Magazine  Internet Site Of The Day


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