Marilyn Kircus said: <<<Thanks Doug for telling my your side of the paddle with Natalie. She'll be camping witn me this weekend at Houston Canoe Club's Rendezvous. Did she tell you she was going to give a workshop on making paddling clothes and other accessories?>>> <snip> Thanks for the thanks! It was a real hoot. Yes, Natalie talked a lot, but I could have listened to the lovely lady for a week of paddling days, easily. And, she _did_ let me yak at her too. Guess she had more to say than me, 'cause my life has already been an open book on Paddlewise :-) Yes, she did mention the workshop upcoming. Our club here in Victoria does a dry bag workshop and making your own paddlefloat, too -- but I've never hear of someone instructing paddlers how to make other paddling gear, lifejackets (DOT unapproved :-) ), etc. This is an awesome thing. I've bumped into a few friends from high school, and they all have families now. When I mention current hobbies with them, they all respond the same: "Hey Doug, that kayaking sounds like a great sport, but there's no way I can afford to get into it!" This is kind of sad. And many feel this way, I'm sure. Look in any outdoor or paddling magazine, and the pages are full of "Gortex and gear pornography". Adverts bombard one's eyes with technical eye candy. The latest this, the latest that, must be had. Head to the retailers, then its sticker shock. That's where folks like Natalie come in. They provide an alternative option to spending big bucks. I knew a fellow a few years ago, who I have lost track of now. He made all his own gear. You name it. He'd take a little glue, get some wet suit material, and viola, a spray skirt. He bought non-sports specific gear cheaply, and then modified it for kayaking by adding wet suit gaskets at ankles, etc. If I remember, he used a lot of ex-military surplus gear. His tent was not the best, but with a good tarp over it, who cared? I think kayaking can be done on the cheap, if you want it badly enough. You just got to shop carefully. A used plastic boat, second hand paddles from an outfitters end of season sale, etc, all can cut overall investment signifigantly. I've even seen wet suit farmer johns in the pawn shops for as little as $50.00. Renting kayaks can add up, however (another reason for me to get my wife a used boat soon). I bet there are lurkers on this list who haven't the money for a fancy new boat and all the latest paraphernalia. I say, get going, go cheap, but do go soon. Do buy new flares, however. BC'in Ya Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Oct 08 2000 - 00:11:29 PDT
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