I (and many others) had the same impression as Joe. When I spoke to the Kokatat and Lotus dealers about a tow harness/rescue vest, the items I asked about evoked the response "Oh, we didn't bring any because the Jersey Paddler isn't going to carry it." The isleways seemed unusually spacious. The vendors brought very limited inventory. The exterior walls, where the clubs/outfitters/magazines are set up, seems to be getting more crowded while the interior space, where the vendors are located, seemed sparse.The presentations seemed very focused on new paddlers (how to pick a boat, what gear do you need) with just a few talks on distant expeditions. I realize that volume sales are with new paddlers, but in the past there was always enough topical information and cutting edge stuff to draw in the experienced paddlers as well (new gear, new materials, fascinating presentations, . . .). This year definately seemed different to me. Debbie Reeves Atlantic Sea Kayakers > ---------- > From: Joe Federici[SMTP:fedo_at_hudsonet.com] > Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 1:00 PM > To: paddlewise > Subject: [Paddlewise] paddle Sports 2001 > > Over the weekend I helped work at the ANorAK both at paddle sports > 2001 held in N.J. After walk around on Friday I thought the the > vendor turn out was poor at best. It's sad that a paddling area as > rich in people and $$$ as this area has such a poor show. Many of the > vendors didn't even bring there 2001 boats and gear because the > Jersey paddle wasn't going to carry it. I guess that's fine but then > you shouldn't have to pay to see what's going to be in the store. > It's like paying to go into a car dealership during a sale. > > JFF > ************************************************************************** > * > 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/ > ************************************************************************** > * > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
To continue this thread - I have been to this show four times in the past five years and this was the first with which I was very disappointed. I traveled 2 hours and one of my primary objectives was to hear Greg Barton speak on race training. For business reasons, I was told, he was a no-show. My friend was looking for a high end paddle - with Greg not there, Epic was also a no-show. ZuZu was a no-show. One vendor not carried by Jersey Paddler said they were treated poorly by J.P. I agree that this show was definitely not up to par. When I found out Greg wasn't coming, I was tempted to ask for a refund. Regards, Ellis >This year definately seemed different to me. > >Debbie Reeves >Atlantic Sea Kayakers >> ---------- >> From: Joe Federici[SMTP:fedo_at_hudsonet.com] >> you shouldn't have to pay to see what's going to be in the store. http://www.magnus.net *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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/ ***************************************************************************
--- ellis_at_magnus.net wrote: > I have been to this show > four times in the past five > years and this was the first with which I was very > disappointed. I gave up last year. I went specifically to buy an Extrasport Hi-Float PFD. Not only were there no Hi-Floats, but there were no "old fashioned" canoe PFD's there. There were plenty of medium floatation PFD's designed for kayakers, but I wanted more bouyancy. I left the show without buying anything and drove to Campmor where I found everthing I needed. I got the impression that the show is where Jersey paddler "auditions" new products with little investment on his part. The show is where the clubs meet the public and the public learns about the paddling clubs. Without that interaction there will be more untrained idiots getting themselves killed on the water, to the detriment of all that enjoy the paddling sports. I hope JP gets the Paddlesport show back on track before it's too late. ===== Sincerly Bev Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
And those vendors that didn't appear at all such as Boreal, Feathercraft (so I missed Ralph), Walden (wanted to see the new Foster Rowe boats)- also didn't see any slalom boats. Did get the pleasure of seeing Debbie (and her new skin boat again) and meet Joe Pylka. This was worth it...CLC was there, didn't know that Jersey paddler carried them. "Reeves, Debbie (Debbie)" wrote: > > I realize that volume sales are with new paddlers, but in the past there was > always enough topical information and cutting edge stuff to draw in the > experienced paddlers as well (new gear, new materials, fascinating > presentations, . . .). This year definately seemed different to me. > > Debbie Reeves > > > > Over the weekend I helped work at the ANorAK both at paddle sports > > 2001 held in N.J. After walk around on Friday I thought the the > > vendor turn out was poor at best. It's sad that a paddling area as > > rich in people and $$$ as this area has such a poor show. Many of the > > vendors didn't even bring there 2001 boats and gear because the > > Jersey paddle wasn't going to carry it. I guess that's fine but then > > you shouldn't have to pay to see what's going to be in the store. > > It's like paying to go into a car dealership during a sale. > > > > JFF -- Gabriel L Romeu http://studiofurniture.com İİİİİ furniture from the workshop http://studiofurniture.com/diary İİİİİ life as a tourist, daily journal http://studiofurniture.com/paint İİİİİ paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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