[Paddlewise] Seakayaking - Growth vs. Loss of Exclusivity & Clubs

I went back and re-read the posts and admit guilt to reading things into 
some messages that probably were not intended.   My apology to all.    I 
need to be more clear in my writing and my thoughts.

Scott:
Thank you for providing the history of CKF and Southwind.  Now things are 
clear.  I agree - TANSTAFL - There ain't no such thing as a free lunch and 
having been involved with other clubs/organizations I can attest that there 
always seem to be a few that keep things going for the majority to enjoy.

The question/discussion or thread was along the lines of the growth of the 
sport and the addition of new paddlers.  Again, Southwind and yourself 
should have a vested interest in seeing the number of sea kayakers 
grow.   Good for the sport and for business.  The question at hand was 
rather growth of the sport is good or bad due to over crowding of paddling 
areas or loss of privacy in our own "personal" waters and what types of 
clubs are available for folks to join.

A question was not raised  nor did I mean to imply  a question regarding 
the "Ethics" of CKF or a local shop.  Your  outline of the founding of CKF 
and Southwind show that two enterprising people saw a need and an 
opportunity to turn their avocation (love of the sport) into their 
vocation.  They are to be commended for such not criticized in my book.  If 
most were honest there probably is a degree of envy that we haven't turned 
our passion into a living regardless if it is kayaking, fly fishing or 
mountain biking.   To paraphrase a bumper sticker I have seen on 
fishing:  "A Day of Paddling is Better Than Any Day of Working"

Scott, I do take exception with your last paragraph.  I was not suggesting 
that CKF is bad, just different.  Nor am I looking for something for 
nothing.  One can pay good money for guided trips and have a nice time, but 
not build the friendships and/or relationships that come with participating 
and working with a larger group in pursuit of common interests.  Just as in 
a family - time spent together working and sharing the ups and downs of any 
endeavor build bonds.  In my opinion:  Relationships with friends and 
family are far more valuable than any other thing that we might have in 
life.  This discussion is brought to us by technology and unfortunately it 
is the same technology that is possibly preventing us from discussing this 
face to face over a cup of java and keeping us from building a 
relationship.  And in the case of how this thread began, getting together 
to paddle.  I extend an offer to any to join me for coffee in Laguna Beach 
or ?? - I'll buy the first round.  Better yet, let's go paddle.

Hopefully this has clarified my comments.  The responses show the sincere 
and heart felt beliefs of those "participating"  in PW.  I encourage all, 
self included, to carry that to the next level.  Get together and paddle 
and/or share a meal!  Let's build relationships and the sport where it 
counts - Out On The Water!   I accept Scott and Doug's comments as a 
challenge to get off my duff and do something constructive.

Fred
Ca Kayaker





At 08:47 AM 4/30/2000 -0400, KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote:

><< Inviting others into the sport.  If what I hear about CKF is true, it was
>  founded by one of the owners of a local kayak shop.  I think that most shop
>  owners, as would equipment manufacturers, have a vested interest in
>  attracting the largest possible participation.
>  Conflicted? >>
>
>Fred,
>
>    Please allow me to set the record straight. California Kayak Friends was
>founded by Joanne Turner as you apparently have heard. I don't have the exact
>date, but I'm guessing that she started the club close to twenty years ago.
>At the time there were very few kayakers in Southern California, and Joanne
>was looking for people to paddle with. I remember taking my kayak to the
>beach in those days and drawing a crowd since most people around here had
>never even seen a kayak before. I am quite certain that when Joanne started
>the club it had never even entered her mind that she might be making a living
>at the sport someday.
>    Joanne met up with Doug Schwartz, another local paddler, and began 
> leading
>trips and clinics for the club. They were both pretty green themselves, but
>at least they were willing to try. I remember those days, and I can tell you
>first hand that as a result of their efforts Joanne and Doug did more for the
>sport of sea kayaking in Southern California then everyone else who has come
>along since -- combined!
>    I was a member of CKF back then, as well as a couple of other kayaking
>clubs. What I discovered was that you got out of the club as much as you were
>willing to put back into it. The more involved I got, the more rewarding it
>became. I went to the house parties, and hosted a few myself. I got involved
>with the newsletter, printing it and putting it together. Eventually I
>started leading trips for the club. It was a lot of work, but I got to know
>the local paddlers, and do something positive for my sport.
>    As the sport grew, Joanne and Doug's trips and clinics became more in
>demand. It was only natural that they started charging money for their
>classes, as they were putting a lot of time and effort into them, and slowly
>develop a business out of it. I really think it was more the idea of the
>paddling community, then it was of Joanne and Doug's. The business took off
>like wild fire and they soon drafted me into their ranks as an instructor. I
>have been working for Joanne and Doug / Southwind Kayaks part time for ten
>years now. It's only in the last five or six that they have moved from
>teaching and leading trips out of their house, and started working in the
>retail end of this sport as well.
>    As the business took off, Joanne no longer had the time to devote to the
>club. CKF was her baby and she hated passing it off to someone else. But
>today it is run and operated totally independent of Joanne and Southwind
>Kayaks. I can assure you there is nothing unethical, and no conflict of
>interest between the club and Southwind. I think very highly of both
>operations.
>    Frankly, if you are not happy with the current state of your local club,
>then why don't you get involved and try to do something about it? That's the
>way it works, you know. I don't mean to rag on you as I understand exactly
>where you are coming from, but I do get tired of all the people who lay back
>and expect somebody else to entertain them for free. If you don't want to put
>forth the effort, then sign up for some commercial trips and we'll be more
>then happy to take care of you. Otherwise, you will have to pay the price
>with your own time and effort. Nothing in this life is free. It all comes
>down to how bad do you want it, and what are you willing to pay.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Scott Hilliard
>Senior Instructor
>Southwind Kayaks

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