Re: [Paddlewise] Who Got me Started Canoe/Kayaks

On Thursday 24 April 2003 01:57, Ann Rougle wrote:
> This isn't so much about who got me started as who got me started
> _safely_.
>
> Several years ago, work-addled, hobbyless, slave to a 24x7 beeper, I
> decided to save myself and retire early.  But I knew it would be
> insanity to retire without first finding something positive to fill the
> void that tyrannical beeper would leave.  So I took up the clarinet. 
> Well, it didn't take too long to discover my lack of talent in that
> arena.  OK, something different...  Hmmm, I know, I'll buy a kayak!
>
> So I trotted down to the local kayak store and announced my intentions. 
> It was an especially warm March in Maryland and I was dying to get out
> on the water.  Soft breezes, sun-spangled ripples, (and, oh yeah,
> 50-degree water), I couldn't wait!
>
> But wait I did.  For 6 weeks.  The folks at the kayak store gently and
> politely let me know that they did not want to sell a kayak to someone
> of my ignorance in March!  They convinced me I should try before buying,
> and yet they refused to let me demo any of their boats because the water
> was dangerously cold.  They suggested I wait until __May__ for the local
> "demo days".  This was the first inkling I had that kayaking is not as
> safe as playing scales on the clarinet, and it was a lesson I'll never
> forget.
>
> Now, is this any way to treat customers?  You bet!  I'll be forever
> grateful to the folks at that shop for tipping me off to the dangers of
> paddling in cold water, even at the risk of losing a sale.  I did
> eventually buy my first kayak from them.  And they will always be my
> first stop when I need gear.  Or another kayak.  (Although maybe 6 is
> enough....?  Nah!)
>
> Ann


Great to see you over here Ann. You are on our Backwoods_Epitaph
group.

Do you get out much since your retire, as far as paddleing?
Sam
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