When I paddle, I normally could not wear shoes, as the heel rand stuck out too far and caused the heel cuff to dig into my Achilles tendon (not to mention bent my toes backwards). Other than pricy ultrasticky highdrain FiveTen Nemo's, I will recommend contoured heel track shoes. I found an end of season sale on track shoes and picked up a pair of ugly ass Nikes (purple and yellow). They have crazy traction on the bottom, grip tape type on heel/midsole and toe cleats. Most come with two different choices of screw in spikes if needed. I selected my paddle shoes based on price $100Reg/$4.99 Sale, material (felt + foam + plastic = quick drain, dry and no polypro stink) The hideous colors match my Perception accessory colors perfect. I waited until the end of the trackseason and looked for a deal, They fit great, wear well, and are low cut in the heel so they can keep me in my thighbraces without aggravating my ankle. However, there is always a comedian at the put in/take out. While scouting a route through Pelican Rapids, MN in full paddle regalia I was pulled over and questioned by a cop. A buddy and I were crossing small town main street wearing dripping skirts, rental Protec helmets (pink), purple and black full wetsuits and our cheapo purple and yellow trackshoes - when traffic stopped for us. There was no crosswalk, no light, just a bunch of families in pickups who were waving at us to cross the road in front of them. We walked, they stared, we laughed at how stupid we probably looked. Through an alley, behind a bar, and around a sand pile we went. When we saw a police officer coming around the block in our direction. We nonchalantly walked past when he flipped on the siren and rumbled up to us. He asked " Just where are you boys going dressed like that?" "We are paddling the river, sir" I told him. " That don't look like any canoe outfit I've ever seen" he said - seeming to want to take the conversation further. " Well, sir, we are having a crazy get up show at a gettogether afterwards, so we just wanted to be ready" I continued, alluding to the takeout. "I see...(pause)... will everbody be dressed like clowns?" this is where two local folks started snickering, and all I could do was speak local "Yep" Ouch, even the local law enforcement makes fun of our outfits. Of course, now all of my well dressed kayaking friends choose to bring this story up whenever my clothes are a little off color. humbled again, Phil Huck thekayaker_at_yahoo.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Here in the San Francisco Bay Area you've got to do a lot more than wear purple, a helmet, and a sprayskirt to get attention. Barbara, south of SF where the thermometer is pushing 64 degrees. -=-------------------------------------------------------- > A buddy and I were crossing small town main street >wearing dripping skirts, rental Protec helmets (pink), > >purple and black full wetsuits and our cheapo purple >and yellow trackshoes - when traffic stopped for us. >There was no crosswalk, no light, just a bunch of >families in pickups who were waving at us to cross the >road in front of them. > We walked, they stared, we laughed at how stupid we >probably looked. Through an alley, behind a bar, and >around a sand pile we went. When we saw a police >officer coming around the block in our direction. > We nonchalantly walked past when he flipped on the >siren and rumbled up to us. > He asked " Just where are you boys going dressed >like that?" > "We are paddling the river, sir" I told him. > " That don't look like any canoe outfit I've ever >seen" he said - seeming to want to take the >conversation further. > " Well, sir, we are having a crazy get up show at a >gettogether afterwards, so we just wanted to be ready" >I continued, alluding to the takeout. > "I see...(pause)... will everbody be dressed like >clowns?" > this is where two local folks started snickering, >and all I could do was speak local > "Yep" > > Ouch, even the local law enforcement makes fun of >our outfits. Of course, now all of my well dressed >kayaking friends choose to bring this story up >whenever my clothes are a little off color. > >humbled again, >Phil Huck >thekayaker_at_yahoo.com > > > >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ >*************************************************************************** > > Sea Kayak Italy http://www.seakayakitaly.com tel. 650-728-8720 fax 650-728-8753 bkossy_at_igc.org *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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