Jackie has asked me to report on this show. It was discussed on rec.boats.paddle as not being what it used to be, full of stuff from the Jersey Paddler store, not worth going to, etc. I disagree. The show does contain the bulk of the stuff from the store. BUT with a major difference that would be worth it to any one seriously buying gear and boats: the manufacturers all had their people there. That means you can talk to someone other than a clerk or rep to find out a lot about the products and get your 2 cents in that make for better products in the future. For example, the principal owner of Wilderness Systems was there along with a number of people who actually make the gear and boats. If you were in the market for something, you would get a pretty good idea of differences in models from them. The same with Feathercraft which had two individuals all the way from Vancouver. They both make the boats. You would have gotten a lot of insights. And not to blow my own horn, but I was there. I am impartial regarding the brands of folding kayaks. Anyone who came and asked got a low down on the strengths and weaknesses of the Feathercrafts and a similar run down on competitive folding kayak brands. Plus advice on accessories to get and not get. Also, a number of clubs were represented there. In a casual walk around you may have discovered some group you might want to paddle with. And info on where to get lessons. I discovered one that I will join...should have done so then but got waylaid into other things to do there. A friend of mine had a problem with her paddle and paddle style and was able to discuss remedies with several paddle manufacturers that help point toward some solution. Someone else was having a problem figuring out what to do with his new Yakima racks and was contemplating buying the TLC type cradles. I told him that the simple pads work just as well and that saved him some cash. That kind of exchange was going on throughout the weekend, as masses of paddlers met each other and the guys and gals that build the equipment they use. A couple seeing this on r.b.p, wrote privately to me telling me that they set out to buy one model of a a particular brand of boat but in talks to the manufacturer (not a sales rep) found that another model would be better. And then in talking about Ainsworth paddles for awhile with someone very knowledgeable, discovering it was Helen Ainsworth! BTW, I got not a cent from Jersey Paddler to be there (I was one of the speakers...on folding kayaks). The only break I got was not to pay the admission fee. Big deal! It is not at all like walking into the store. Yes, it has changed from 20 years ago when it was run and organized by the clubs and had several stores represented along with some manufacturers. Could it be better, of course. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I dropped by the paddlesports show on Friday night and picked up a few odds and ends and had a nice long talk with Andy Bridge of Dagger about my new race boat (Predator II). Didn't make it back later in the weekend (downriver race and Tohickon release) but would probably have just spent more money. > Also, a number of clubs were represented there. Yes, indeed. My favorite: Paddling Bares, a naturist club from somewhere in New Jersey. > And then in talking about Ainsworth paddles for awhile > with someone very knowledgeable, discovering it was Helen Ainsworth! I was surprised -- but happy -- to see David and Peggy Mitchell of Mitchell Paddles there as well. Tried to tempt them into paddling the Tohickon, but they stuck to their booth. I was very surprised to find out that the Thule people didn't bring any of their pads to the show. They kept trying to sell me cradles, which are useless as far as I'm concerned: I can get 4-5 slalom boats on my roof if I stack 'em, but only 2 if I use the cradles. *And* I'd rather have 'em on edge anyway (don't catch the rain so much). I wound up ordering them and even paying the $10 to have 'em shipped straight to me so that I don't have to drive all the way to Brick, NJ for them. One thing Ralph didn't mention: the entrance to the Expo Center is easy to find if you just look for the, uh, Gentleman's Club which is located right next to it. Cheers, Rich *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Rich Kulawiec wrote: > > Also, a number of clubs were represented there. > > Yes, indeed. My favorite: Paddling Bares, a naturist club from > somewhere in New Jersey. I'm too much of a Puritan to take notice of them :-). Besides their table was too crowded with people leafing through their trip photo album. > I was very surprised to find out that the Thule people didn't > bring any of their pads to the show. They kept trying to sell > me cradles, which are useless as far as I'm concerned: I can get > 4-5 slalom boats on my roof if I stack 'em, but only 2 if I use > the cradles. *And* I'd rather have 'em on edge anyway (don't catch > the rain so much). I wound up ordering them and even paying the $10 > to have 'em shipped straight to me so that I don't have to drive > all the way to Brick, NJ for them. Jersey Paddler's pad set is cheap enough and quite wide. I have them on my rack and they are holding up well since they have an acrylic cover that won't UV damage/disintergrate as do the nylon covered ones. I hate advertising the Jersey Paddler though (unless they want to pay me), so I have their name turned inward. > > One thing Ralph didn't mention: the entrance to the Expo Center > is easy to find if you just look for the, uh, Gentleman's Club > which is located right next to it. I'm too much of a Puritan to have taken notice of that :-). I did, however, spot a car with 4-5 slalom boats parked just outside. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> I'm too much of a Puritan to have taken notice of that :-). I did, > however, spot a car with 4-5 slalom boats parked just outside. Ummm...err...<gulp>...I was recruiting appropriately well-conditioned and limber athletes to paddle bow with me in C-2 mixed. The extensive screening process involves an assessment of overall physical ability combined with a study of upper torso flexibility. No, really...wait...come back! Come Back!! COME BAA-AA-AAA-CK!! ---Rsk Rich Kulawiec rsk_at_gsp.org *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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