[Paddlewise] Group get-together survey report

I've received over 30 responses to my posting about a possible 
Paddlewise get-together sometime next spring. I have also combed 
through the discussion about possible get-togethers that came down 
before I put out my post, and came up with about a dozen more people 
that from the tone of their posts seem to show interest in a 
get-together.

It may have been that there had already been a discussion about a 
possible get-together in New York that spurred the response, but by 
far the biggest number of respondents -- about 40% of the total -- 
are within a reasonable weekend distance of New York or might be 
willing to travel a greater distance to come to such a get-together.

The second largest response was from the southeast -- this is rather
scattered -- from Florida to Texas, with a concentration at both 
ends.

There were about the same number of west coast responses, mostly 
from southern California or the Northwest, with slightly more from 
the latter. I'd note that there does seem to be a Northwest 
Paddlewise get-together seeming to be forming in conjunction with 
the Columbia River Paddle Festival on April 15-16. Sure wish I 
could go!

The rest of the respondents were scattered, and didn't show any 
particular concentrations.

Anyway, there seems to be enough interest to have a northeast get-
together this spring. Ralph, in a post earlier this week, suggests 
Memorial Day weekend, as OpSail activities seem to rule out the 
Fourth of July weekend, at least if we're going to do New York.

Several people have commented on the desire to have camping -- 
preferably at a location on the water, and boat rental facilities 
available on site or nearby; some would like motel facilities, and
safe water for recreational paddlers is a must. Sandy has also 
pointed out that the availability of an airport large enough to have
special discounted flights is also desirable. I know nothing about
the NY area, but would think that it would be best if we could find
a campground outside the metro area, say on Long Island, the
Connecticut or Jersey shores, or up the Hudson a bit, and do a day
trip out of there to the Downtown Boathouse for a NY harbor paddle,
possibly to the Statue of Liberty.

In a back channel e-mail, Ralph noted to me that liability concerns
about having an "Official" Paddlewise event. He suggests keeping the
event totally informal, saying something to the effect that "We're
going paddling at such and such a place at such and such a time, and
maybe some people would like to come along." He's got a point. We
need to organize this as a group of friends that happen to read
Paddlewise, and not as a Paddlewise event, and avoid using the
Paddlewise name. (It has been suggested that we start a discussion
about how we can organize basically informal paddling events, 
Paddlewise-related or not, and minimize liability risks. Anyone got
any suggestions?)

Anyway, Ralph, the Violins, and Joan Spinner have expressed interest
in taking point on developing such a get-together. I will e-mail
them the list of respondents to my survey, and some other collated
thoughts. I'll be glad to help with the "organization", but I'm
pretty far from the scene and there may not be much that I can do.

In addition, I'd like to suggest that we consider a southern get-
together next winter, along about January or February, either in 
Florida, or somewhere along the Gulf coast, perhaps the New Orleans 
or Mobile area. My thinking on this is that given enough lead time 
for planning, people might be willing to travel farther -- and, at 
that time of the year, getting to warmer paddling conditions is a 
blessing for those of us in the cold lands. If someone would like 
to take point on a Florida - Gulf Coast event next winter, I'll 
also be glad to pass along the same list and comments on request,
or to anyone else interested in organizing an informal get-together.

It looks like this could be fun!


-- Wes

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************