Re: [Paddlewise] Night paddle lighting...

I read Wes's night paddle story with interest as I have become a fan of
this nocturnal aspect of our sport.
The lake that I paddle frequently is a dammed section of the Colorado
river that has been re-named "Town Lake" and runs right through the
middle of  Austin Texas.
Zilker park,one of Austin's largest, oldest and best loved parks is on
its south banks and that is where the 4th of July fireworks have been
displayed since I was a child.

Last year I got together a group of friends and neighbors and we were
going to join the many paddlers that view the fireworks from the Lake,
one of our group had to go into the hospital for emergency surgery and
we all wanted to be there for her so we vowed to get together next year
on the 4th. It is supposed to be awsome, I am told that you feel as if
you are surrounded by the fireworks because the ones in the sky are
mirrored in the lake!

I went to a party shop and got some lengths of the glo stick that you
were suggesting  only they were about as thick as a pencil and attached
end to end forming a necklace about the size of a dinner plate...I am
saving them for the next 4th so that we can wear them and keep track of
everyone in our group, as there were reportedly 500 boats on the lake
last 4th. (no motorized boats over trolling size allowed EVER on this
lake)

In the mean time I was beginning to get a bit worried about being seen
at night...Austin has a huge sculling community and I noticed that they
have small blinking red lights mounted on the back of their boats (which
are rowed backwards, and are VERY quiet).
I phoned my two local kayak shops to ask about these and they do not
carry them, it was suggested that I try a bike shop and bingo!
waterproof, battery powered, clip on to darn near anything "Cat Lights"
for bicycles. I just clip one onto the front of my kayak to the toggle
handle, flick it on and paddle on into the twilight.
If any one else paddles in the dark I would be interested to hear about
their adventures.

My best to all of you,

Rob Dee
Austin, Texas

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