Re: [Paddlewise] Costco selling kayaks

From:           	rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
Date sent:      	Thu, 04 Mar 1999 11:53:25 -0800
To:             	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subject:        	Re: [Paddlewise] Costco selling kayaks

> I think it was Jack M. who mentioned his group's being pissed at REI for
> renting boats without paddle floats  to newbies.  It brings up two
> observations:
> 
> 1.  What good would come from a newbie having a paddlefloat he/she did
> not know how to use?  
> 
> 2.  I would say a goodly number of the individuals that I have run
> across who have paddle floats, have never practiced even once with
> them.  It was a suggested piece of safety equipment.  They bought one
> and dutifully carry it.  They may have seen some illustrations in an
> instruction book and said "Oh, so that is all there is to it." 
> 
Yeah, Ralph, that was me, and this was a "trip" for brand 
"newbies" --- first time on the water.  What we <thought> we were 
going to do with was to review wet exits, safety procedures, and 
the start of self-rescues.  Standard stuff with "newbies" in the CPA, 
anyway.  'Course, that was kinda hard if they didn't have --- or have 
any idea about --- paddle floats.  

What followed was the letter business, and REI's total 
understanding and willing support of our concerns.  They included 
paddle floats with their rentals from there on out.  But your point is 
taken: I wonder if anybody told them what they were or why they 
got them with the boat?  "Y'mean these things can turn over?!"

Jack

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