[Paddlewise] Magazines

John asked (snip):
>Do Paddlewise people feel that the focus on paddling promoted by the 
>marketers of boats, equipment, training, and travel has a kind of 
>superficiality? Have people become obsessed with gear and travel to the 
>detriment of paddling? Do paddlers in general focus too much on the 
>artifacts of paddling (By artifacts I mean the gear and adventure culture 
>surrounding paddling) instead of  the  pure the kind of enjoyment that 
>Nicks seems to be talking about (let me know if I read you wrong on this 
>Nick).<

I know a number of paddlers that frequent the water on an almost daily 
basis. Some are gear freaks, some are not. Often the ones that are not, 
paddle on a limited budget - either forced or simply by choice. The two 
respective categories of paddlers seem to enjoy the sport equally. The 
artifacts don't seem to impede any "pure" enjoyment. I do think there is a 
draw to paddling, just as there is, say, with scuba diving - because of all 
the cool gear. I think your comments (and question) are intriguing, but of 
limited relevance, simply because the market will play out as it will, and 
what seasoned paddlers say and think probably will not influence the sport 
in any significant way. Having said that, it seems a lot of seasoned 
paddlers are the ones promoting symposia, etc, which is very much gear and 
destination-promotion oriented from my observations.

So don't know. Certainly your generation, brought forth to the paddling 
brother/sisterhood in prior years when little high-tech influence or 
adventure-travel seeking, etc, was evident, are part of a special breed 
(said respectfully). My generation was a little more influenced by the 
Gore-Tex culture. Today's new paddlers? A huge mixed bag I imagine, but 
there's probably a whole lot of superficiality.

I will say that people do benefit from paddling. A co-worker's husband was 
out in the Canadian Gulf Islands this fall on his first kayak outing, 
finally influenced to go with one of his co-workers who is a loner and 
kayaker. The guy in question who was invited out van be a womanizing, beer 
drinking lout (well you know the type - never has a perceivable serious 
moment). He was blown away by the experience, the beauty, and the naturality 
of it all. Gear, equipment, skills, etc, never entered the equation. He is 
now a wilderness advocate, to boot.

(BTW, John, remember the east coast of Canada isn't immune from tsunamis).

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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