Re: [Paddlewise] Magazines

John replied (snip):
> Really?  I haven't noticed the Brits attending the smaller symposia much. 
> :-)<

Yeah, those Brits do seem to have a lot of fun, especially as paddlers, 
don't they. I'd love to be in a position to afford a trip to Wales or 
somewhere like that, do a course/assessment, and down a pint or two with the 
lads. Though, I hear via the grapevine that certain American paddlers are a 
real hoot to be around too, for after-paddle activities, like Duane and 
Steve, et al, and their singing/harmonica playing.

> The skills symposia that I have attended *do* typically seem to be smaller 
> though.  I believe registration was limited to 70 or so people for the AKT 
> symposiums and the Sweetwater symposium I attended was of similar size. 
> Any larger than that and the class sizes would get too large or the 
> coaches would have to teach more classes.<

I don't imagine symposium size has any real bearing on the discussion at 
hand (my fault for classifying it that way). Each symposium has its own 
flavour with respect to how intense the perceivable level of 
commercialism/adventure-promotion/superficiality can be. I've attended small 
paddlefests where there was a nice, buoyant but not overbearing, 
seeker-friendly attitude to potential newbies, with a good emphasis on 
preliminary skills, wilderness-appreciation/conservation ethic, and 
something I'd categorize as "just plain fun." The symposium at Ladysmith 
here on the island in the Spring comes to mind. Yeah, there's a fair bit of 
gear and commercialism, but talking with guys like , for example, Kirby 
Stevens of Coastal Recreation Maps (he goes to most of the paddlefests here 
on the west coast), one senses a balanced state of grace and winsomeness in 
their promotion of the sport of paddling. Promotion of paddling as a way of 
life, with it's concomitant pureness of sustainable paddling activity by the 
individual, is a subjective element I'm not sure can be fully fleshed out 
here in a discussion group with any relevance, nor perhaps one's individual 
opinion about a paddling magazine's alleged mandate.

While I certainly do not agree with all the convictions of John W. and Nick 
S. here on Paddlewise, I do admire their ability not to be intimidated by 
the tyranny of their peers and the insightfulness exhibited in their 
postings. Both these individuals are highly intelligent men, but 
intelligence without courage is certain bankruptcy, so fortunately they lend 
a real richness to the list, as do others like yourself. I certainly offer 
to all of you, a Happy New Year!

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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