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From: Joe Brzoza <joebr_at_burton.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] LLBean Symposium (was New England)
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2000 12:21:32 -0500
Is there a website for this Syposium?  And have people found these to be
worth-while?  

I'm kind of a hands-on type of guy and like to be participating in something
rather than just watching someone else do stuff, so I don't know what to
think about this sort of thing.  That, and I don't like to go drool over
stuff I can't afford (I have a wedding to pay for - no wise cracks please).

I will be attending the Paddling Expo held at UNH 3/31 - 4/1 though (it's
real cheap).  Maybe that's a warm up to the Symposium?  I thought I'd at
least go and see what this Derek guy is all about.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe - who doesn't even watch sports on tv - I'm out doing it.
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From: John Fereira <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] LLBean Symposium (was New England)
Date: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 13:13:31 -0500
At 12:21 PM 3/3/00 -0500, Joe Brzoza wrote:
>Is there a website for this Syposium?  

http://www.llbean.com/outdoorsOnline/odp/kayak/courses/symposium.html

>And have people found these to be worth-while?  

I have.  Definately.
>
>I'm kind of a hands-on type of guy and like to be participating in something
>rather than just watching someone else do stuff, so I don't know what to
>think about this sort of thing.  That, and I don't like to go drool over
>stuff I can't afford (I have a wedding to pay for - no wise cracks please).

Well, I just got back from a two week vacation (which included a week in
Hawaii) and signed mortgage papers last night for a house we're buying, and
I still am planning on going.

The nice thing about all that stuff you can drool over is that you can try
it out as well.  The first year I demo'd about 20 different boats from a
variety of vendors.  I could talk to the reps for each and get the inside
scoop on everything I tried.  I found that there were only 3-4 boats that I
would have rather had than what I owned, and I felt that I didn't have the
skills then to fully appreciate them.  Last year I demo'd fewer boats but
found about the same number that I liked more than what I have now, and if
any of them came up on the used market I would be very tempted.   Instead,
I'm building a CLC Northbay this winter.

One of the big advantages of the symposium is that I was able to try out
some boats that I would likely never have a chance to paddle otherwise.
I've paddled several of Nick Schade's boats and last year demo'd a baidarka
in a kevlar layup from a small shop in Maine.

The seminars are also quite informative and can be very entertaining.
There are also about 500 or so other paddlers in attendance and it was fun
meeting so many other paddlers.  Last but not least, Castine is a very
pretty place to spend a few summer days on the Maine coast.

>
>I will be attending the Paddling Expo held at UNH 3/31 - 4/1 though (it's
>real cheap).  Maybe that's a warm up to the Symposium?  I thought I'd at
>least go and see what this Derek guy is all about.

I'm afraid you'll probably have to listen to him too.   He's a funny guy.

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From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] LLBean Symposium (was New England)
Date: Sat, 04 Mar 2000 00:00:21 -0800
Symposiums are a good way to be informed and romanced about the sport. 
The bigger ones have some of the icons of kayaking show up to lecture or
tell their stories.  As you sit around listening to Derek Hutchinson
comically tell of his crossing of the North Sea or hear him tell the
tale of what he and his companions did when paddling a river in the UK
and running across a coffin, you start feeling like a child at summer
camp hearing the stories of Indians (native Americans) who once wandered
the woods around you.  You see all the bright clothing and other
kayaking gear and try out boats and talk to those more experienced.  It
is indeed very much like summer camp.

But when you have heard Derek tell his tales so often that you could sub
for him word for word.  When you have bought your 3rd paddling jacket,
and 5th paddle.  When you have no more room anywhere to put a new
kayak.  Then it is time give the symposium route a rest for awhile.

Incidentally, I can't imagine that any symposium held in the Northeast
or MidWest in late March could possibly let you test boats on the water
unless they are ready to enforce some cold water garb rules.

ralph

Joe Brzoza wrote:
> 
> Is there a website for this Syposium?  And have people found these to be
> worth-while?
> 
> I'm kind of a hands-on type of guy and like to be participating in something
> rather than just watching someone else do stuff, so I don't know what to
> think about this sort of thing.  That, and I don't like to go drool over
> stuff I can't afford (I have a wedding to pay for - no wise cracks please).
> 
> I will be attending the Paddling Expo held at UNH 3/31 - 4/1 though (it's
> real cheap).  Maybe that's a warm up to the Symposium?  I thought I'd at
> least go and see what this Derek guy is all about.
> 
> Any comments would be appreciated.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Joe - who doesn't even watch sports on tv - I'm out doing it.
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> PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
> to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
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> Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
> ***************************************************************************

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"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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