I would like to thank the few people who gave me the info on where to paddle in NYC. Your help is much appreciated as my wife and I begin to finalize trip preparations. Also, in a previous letter, R. Diaz mentioned that 23 is a little young compared to the avg. member on this list... He is right, and for some reason, nearly all of paddling consorts twice my age. Which is cool, but on longer trips, over 25 miles, I usually end up trying to tow the ones who bonk. (the older guys are always heavier) I am 23 years old and age is definitly a qualifier for experience. However, I am only beginning to assemble the paddling part of myself. As a WW and SK paddler with 4 years experience boating (>10 boat hrs a week year round), 2 1/2 years selling outdoor retail (last year and current top camping salesman for a 50+ boat shop). I sell boats for Scheel's in Fargo, and manage the paddle shop. In my spare time I have spent countless hours passionatly researching paddling via libraries, the internet, 4 years on this list (various addresses) as well as spending quality time with reps and other dealers I have made quality friendships with. Despite corporate connections, I am an independent paddling industry badger in my own right. Sometimes, my work frowns upon me spending so much time with the competition, but hey, financially I gain nothing from it, and argue that Scheel's can only gain from my widening experience. -Attention wiser people, am I erring here? From my friends in the competition, I learn tons and I love paddling all their boats at demo's. I am always invited - but not recruited. I am loyal to my turf. Industry-wise I am known by name by the reps, and for some reason, most can recognize my voice on the phone. I never hesitate to give them the grill when I have a question or comment about their designs. I am always either taking or teaching kayaking classes. I have 2 years of teaching basic classes through adv. rolling and river safety for the local university and community education. Out here in western MN - eastern ND we don't get much respect for paddling, but I aim to be the big fish in the little pond - even if I am only 23 years old. In the grand scheme of things, I am currently fighting through the stages of being a young "know-it-all" who needs to work more on relating to people, consumers and reps. This will come as I gain more work experience. I find my honesty can be a little blunt as my youthfulness has yet to be tempered by age, continued experience and overall wisdom. I find most customers like when I can tell them from experience "I am not saying this is a bad boat for you, I am saying that this one over here will better suit your needs". I value boating experience over marketing hype, and that is why I faithfully read this list. I love this list, it often provides honest, unbiased answers to real-life paddling problems. I find that older people usually have a much better idea of what is really going on which makes this list into a gold mine for me. Thanks for reading, please keep submitting, Later, Phil Huck thekayaker_at_yahoo.com _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free _at_yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Apr 29 1999 - 12:09:09 PDT
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