Re: [Paddlewise] Newbies Frustrations

At 07:23 AM 5/3/00 -0400, LedJube_at_aol.com wrote:
>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. 

We do something very similar in Ithaca.  One of the other features is that
often we'll switch boats to give others a chance to paddle a boat they
haven't tried before.  I'm a firm believer in trying out every model of
kayak that I can.  Otherwise, how can I be sure that I have the best kayak
for *me*.   I imagine that I'll be spending most of my time this season in
my Northbay but I'll still take the opportunity to paddle something that I
haven't been in before if given the chance.   I'm looking forward to trying
out a few of the Seaward boats my kayak shop owner friend has, as well as
Bill Hansens modified Seguin, another friends Laughing Loon Northstar ( a
cedar strip baidarka) and anothers Arctic Tern.  

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