[Paddlewise] Who the _at_%#*!

Practically last and almost least: another bio!

I'm a recent resubscriber and should-be lurker, but can't always bear to 
keep my uninformed opinions to myself.

I'm 34, a semi-native Coloradan and all-around gene jockey for a research
lab at the U. of Washington, Seattle.  Early boat experiences limited to
learning to sail a Hobie 10 dinghy in a suburban pond and a few days in
Grumman canoes in Boy Scouts.  Not a lot of navigable water near Denver.
Did a few years of (very) amateur bike racing after college, but little
other sports history except skiing, mountain biking and a little
windsurfing.  
Still, I I like the gym, and pass the PFD-ride-up test,
which I guess is appropriate as the one who injected the word 
"athletic" into the discussion a few weeks ago.

After moving to Seattle about 5.5 years ago, I followed the path of least
resistance and became obsessed with boats.  At first I didn't gravitate 
strongly to kayaking, renting a boat on the lake a couple of times but 
focusing on rowing and esp. sailing at the Center for Wooden Boats 
museum.  After a couple of years, I started instructing there, but 
had by then joined the University Kayak Club, which has gradually 
become my prime recreational focus (OK, I think about kayaking most of
my working hours, too.)  My kayaking interests include birdwatching,
developing
skills for rougher conditions, camping in scenic locations and getting
away
from "normal *&#%#_at_* people," meaning those who think recreation involves 
engines. (OK, I admit I ride ski lifts, and used to fly single engine
planes.)

I'm now in my 4th year of kayaking.  I consider myself mainly a sea
kayaker,
but have been on about a dozen river trips, mostly in the last 12 months,
and have 2 ww boats along with my (currently) 3 sea boats.  My first 
real class III river trip was two weeks ago.  No flips, no playing, one 
moment of fear.  My goal is to reach and maintain a passable class III 
skill level for the cross-over value.  After about 300 practice rolls,
my rolling is pretty good in the pool and pretty bad in action.

With the UKC I've had the chance to paddle a half-dozen polyethylene
boats.
My main ride last year was a Northwest Kayaks Pursuit RM (rudder omitted)
which I like the size and fit of, but which suffers from too sharp a
forefoot
and thus a little weathercocking.  My other two boats are Eddyline Merlin
XT and LT, the payback of a investment scheme with them last winter.  My
girlfriend used the XT a few times last year, and it did well as a ride
for a semi-novice in moderate conditions.  The LT is essentially unused,
and
I've decided I will sell it ASAP since I can rent a Mariner Coaster if I
really
need a 13.5 foot boat.  I love the Coaster.  A great boat for short trips.

Despite it's racy name, I find the Pursuit to be not impressively fast.
I want to start doing some longer trips, 15+ miles/day.  I'm going
tommorrow to demo a Mariner II again, and it's likely that I'll order one.
I'd be
tempted by the slightly more reasonable length and beam of a Mariner Max
(17 ft x 23" vs. 18 ft x 19", as I recall) but I found the deck to be a
little too full.  If I get this boat, I'll probably do the San Juan
Challenge.

I finished a Greenland paddle late last summer, but while I like to play 
with it in the pool, I can't get confident with it on the water.  I have a
couple of Bending Branches wooden paddles, which have spoiled me for flat
glass blades.  I really like the feel of the thicker blade and the springy
shaft.  I've been putting off trying to contact them to ask if they will
do custom lengths and feather angles, and to get narrow-blade model
shipped, which I can't find in Seattle.

Bleah.  Too wordy and not funny. Sorry  :_|

Mike Wagenbach
U Dub Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics (aka PBio)
w. 206.685.3201   h. 206.545.3724

Good judgement is the result of experience.  Experience is the result of
surviving poor judgement.  I'm hoping to get some more experience.


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