[Paddlewise] Final Gulf Coast Symposium Update

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

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

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED, PLEASE DO IT NOW!!!   TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!!

Nigel Foster, Derek Hutchinson, Linda Legg, Scott Williams, Dave Hadden
(Current Designs), Chris Hipgraves (Dagger) and Bill Tynen, M.D. 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.

The final schedule of the 21/2 days of instruction in sea kayaking and
paddling promises an EXCITING weekend.  To capitalize on the resounding
success of the 1997 event, we have expanded the paddling sessions and
de-emphasized lectures.  A strong representation of intermediate and
advanced paddlers have registered and will provide a diverse array of skill
levels among participants.  Beginners will benefit greatly from the
camaraderie and support of the strong paddlers attending.

An Eco-tour to view birds and other sea monsters will be featured Friday
afternoon.  At the same time, more challenging conditions will be featured
concurrently on the trip to Egmont Key.  Due to an expected overflow
attendance, there will be a second Egmont trip Saturday afternoon as well.
On Saturday morning Derek Hutchinson will teach his renowned Masters class,
and Nigel Foster will present a Technical Skills session. The diverse
offerings are too numerous to list here.

The tour across the mouth of Tampa Bay to Anna Maria Island and back will
present the most demanding paddling of the weekend, requiring the completion
of a 10-mile open water paddle in 4 hrs. 

DEMOS
There will be a large number of kayaks for demos: Valley Canoe Products,
Nigel Dennis Kayaks, Seaward, Current Designs, and Dagger. 

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.  Various kayak shop's will also be attending as participants and
there will be opportunities to rent boats from these shops as well. Contact
us for details.

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 a private 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 will be a wide selection of activities for you to choose from.

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
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

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
***************************************************************************