[Paddlewise] new member

Hello Everyone,

I cannot help but be a little overwhelmed at all the continued star-this,
rating this-and-that, technical roll discussion, bracing etc. and I wonder
if the forest becomes lost amongst the trees.  And the comment "if you can't
roll you are not a kayaker" I've heard before, as well as that, wide,
folding kayaks are not really kayaks.  I think that came from somewhere in
England. If that were true then it follows that a British Airways Boeing 747
captain is not really a pilot because he doesn't roll on the way from London
to New York.  My 2c introduction.

I am a newcomer to Paddlewise.  I am a transplanted Dutchman ( I see I'm not
the only one on Paddlewise) living in Billings, Montana.  I own/paddle a
double Klepper folding kayak which I bought new in 1973.  It is still in
great shape. Even though it has been refered to as a Good Year blimp, a
barge even, I enjoy the heck out of my boat. I can move around in it, even
sleep in it, go swimming, snorkeling or birdwatching.  I do not worry about
rolling, bracing, hopefully stay within my nautical limits and have a good
time.  A comfortable forward stroke seems to get me where I want to go. I
prefer paddling on lakes and open rivers, have paddled throughout most of
the West, including Puget Sound.  When young I learned to paddle in an old
wooden (read HEAVY) kayak in Brazil, and, once, in a dug-out canoe (really,
really heavy) on the Araguaia river in the interior, too young to know
better.  Obviously I am an old-timer, will celebrate 65th this Halloween and
hope to paddle for another good number of years.

Any other seniors out there who are fortunate to have good health and a FK?
I am unabashedly a folding kayak fan.
   
Beste groeten,

Edouard "Dutch" Trautwein



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