I was at the show just Saturday and really enjoyed it. But mainly because I was able to meet with folk I like such as Debbie (Atlantic Sea Kayaker), Anorak, Atlantic Kayak Tours etc. and with the people I work with at Canoe & Kayak magazine. The Canoe & Kayak booth was right next to the check-out cashiers and business was really booming with long lines at what must have been six to eight registers. Boats were moving fast although I didn't see them as they went out the large back doors leading directly to the parking lot. I know some accessory dealers sold out most of what they had brought with them. Werner was running out of paddles for instance on Saturday and RapidStyle out of sizes in the different apparel items they offer. I found myself beseiged with questions on folding kayaks and I was not there officially (just a paying slob like everybody else) nor did I have a name tag. People who know me must have pointed me out and the review in C&K magazine I did drew the rest to seek me out. Feathercraft is the only brand of folding kayak that Jersey Paddler sells but was not there (they had showed at the Small Boat Shop the week before). It is not unusual that they not go to every Jersey Paddler show. They have missed just two in the last dozen years that I have been going. I think a lot depends on who factories send. If it is a principal such as the owner, manager or craftsman from the firm, then you get a lot. If it is a rep, you may or may not get as good a picture of the product. These shows are also limited in nature. Don't forget, Jersey Paddler will only let in producers or reps of products they sell with the small exception of some novel accessory that they may later start stocking. The clubs often can get a lot out of the show. They don't pay for the space they ocupy and it is a good way to get themselves know to thousands of people all at once. I attended two talks that I enjoyed. One was by Stan Chladek of his and Nigel Dennis circumnavigation of Easter Island which viewed like a good PBS documentary. The other was by the H20utfitters on group dynamics on a trip. It was enjoyable but I know this stuff cold and made some contributions when the speaker picked me out from the crowd. I understand that Greg Barton was really a last minute cancelation. I was lucky to hear his two talks last year. They were truly great and memorable. 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 - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Mar 26 2001 - 12:14:18 PST
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