[Paddlewise] Authors I would like to see

Matt Broze wrote:
> 
> Doug wrote:
> >>>That was a good letter you sent him at the time Matt. I remember it, and
> I remember Derek's response at the time: "Who in the hell does this Matt
> guy think he is, to tell me how to write my books." Ahh, for the old
> days, Matt! <<<
> 
> Funny he should have said that. In 1982 I asked Frank Goodman (Nordkapp
> designer for those who don't know) who I'd just met at the first sea
> kayaking symposium ever in Maine, "What's with this Derek Hutchinson"? I
> won't repeat what he said here but I still remember it. I have a lot of
> respect for Frank.
> 
> Actually I wrote Derek an 8 page letter with comments on his manuscript to
> try to help him write a kayaking book I could wholeheartedly endorse. SNIPPED

I sometimes think that the wrong people are writing the sea kayaking
books, or better stated (so that I don't get into trouble) I sometimes
wish certain people would write their take on sea kayaking.

My candidates follow.  This is in no particular order and does go into a
bit of why I feel they could write something of enormous value. Also,
BTW, some of these fellows don't see eye to eye on many of the issues
and aspects of sea kayaking and that is why their books would be great.

1.  Matt Broze.  His webpage is core stuff on sea kayaking with a very
practical stance and a healthy amount of debunking the many old wives
tales that permeate much of the "wisdom" tossed around in sea kayaking
circles.  Matt would not dance around a subject nor be mealymouth in
writing about it.  The book would, of course, have to be written on
fireproof paper for the scorching things he would have to say. 

2. John Winters.  Much of the same comments about the value of a Matt
book would apply also to one of John's.  It's that iconaclastic they
both share (although often in opposite directions :-)) that would make
John a worthwhile-read author on a book about sea kayaking.  John takes
conventional wisdom and turns it on its head.  So much of what is
written about sea kayaking is baseless and John knows this and strives
to debunk it.  His book may even have a foreword from Dr. Inverbon.  Or
maybe the good doctor would write the book and John the foreword.

3. Ken Fink.  To say that Ken is a contraversial figure would be an
understatement.  But he is so with great charm.  I have been on the butt
end of his statements but he posits these with such aplomb and
devilishness and with great articulation that I can't get angry about
it.  Derek thinks he has such charm but his wears thin.  Ken's never
does; you always wonder "what is Ken going to come up with next?"  Ken
knows his stuff in sea kayaking as one of the early US importers of
kayaks and a founder of the sea kayak symposium concept.  Trailside has
several video shows with him as host (or guest, depending on how you
look at it); get one and you will appreciate what a good commentator he
would be in a sea kayaking book.

4. Bill Lozano.  I know I am showing my provincialism in listing his
name and there are no doubt equally capable people in other regions. 
Bill runs (with his wife, Janice) Atlantic Kayak Tours in New York
State.  He has been in business for some 15 years starting with, of all
things, folding kayaks (Kleppers) and now pretty much deep into the
British world and a top (if not "the" top) US grown BCU coach.  Bill has
savvy and brilliant observation of what boats and paddlers are doing as
they meet the elements of the sea.  If he were to write a book, it would
be a knock-out and a must-read.

ralph diaz

 
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************