Re: [Paddlewise] Newbies Frustrations

Dear Anxious to paddle but still on shore,

    (so Dear Abbey-ish, isn't it?) Our local (north-of Boston) solution to 
your dilemma is a series of regularly scheduled "skills sessions" where 
novices and experienced boaters alike can gather for a couple of hours to 
just practice skills and play on the water. We don't really paddle anywhere 
but rather energetically practice basic skills and various rescues. I haven't 
met a paddler yet that wasn't so proud of what they knew that they wouldn't 
be happy to demonstrate their skills to a student of the sport.
    One undocumented feature of these sessions is that people get to meet 
other paddlers in the area. The club that I belong to is heavy oriented to 
inclusion of new paddlers and teaching in general. Some of us even bring 
extra boats so non boat owners, like yourself, can at least get on the water 
and play too. Like I said, we don't actually go anywhere during these 
sessions, but it is a couple of hours of paddling, playing, demonstrating, 
learning and talking about anything related to kayaking be it sea, touring, 
white water or recreational.  All in all a free way to gain immeasurable 
knowledge from experience but not necessarily expert paddlers.
    A recent call to paddlers to participate in sessions in my area drew 40 
names or varying skill and expectation. Try to contact you local clubs again 
and ask if such an opportunity exists in your area. Save your money to buy 
the boat and all the accouterments. For an example of the kind of things that 
are available (at least north of Boston) check out the depth of services 
offered at North Shore Paddlers Network (www.NSPN.org)

Good Luck

Jed 
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