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Noob question....

Now, having read this soap opera up to page seven it's clear to me that there can be a tremendous disconnect between your average shopper on the sporting goods aisle and your dedicated canoeist. I'm not suggesting that there any villains here, just people who are frustrated trying to give help or receive it. And what ought to be beyond any argument is that a lot of effort has been expended on what will prove to be a one shot thing.

Back in post #4 I tried in my usual club-footed manner, to suggest some central place where someone who is thinking about getting started in canoeing could be exposed to what most of us mean when we talk about canoeing. There has been a glancing reference to being "elitist" and I understand that but somehow it doesn't seem quite the right word. When my dog and I are on out favorite local pond trying to get the canoe to act as described in the instructions on some paddle stroke or other, I don't feel very elitist but more just a guy trying to do it right. Now of course I've got physical limitations and so does my canoe but within what is possible I try to push it over to a more polished performance. (without falling out of the canoe) I would suggest that such an effort is by and large alien to most of the instant gratification people who woke up this morning thinking "Gee, I think today I'll become a canoest". I don't fault the guy but at the same time it ought to minimize frustrations on our part if he could be exposed to an introduction(s) that could give him a little perspective.

Here is where I'm starting to wade in water over my hip waders; I invite suggestions, corrections, whatever, but what I'd suggest is that we establish a thread that's "NEW TO THE CANOE" and each of us, depending on what we think we might have to offer make a short write up on something that might be of use to help ground the new guy in our world of canoes.

Arrrg....that sounds like such a pompous arse, I know there are folks here who have buckets and tub fulls of more knowledge and experience than I do and I would gladly yield the field, but the need is there.
Is this just one more of my dumb ideas or with a lot of repair could it be made into a useful tool?

Rob
 
Part of the problem is the need for instant gratification for some. I don't see that Robin needs to reinvent the wheel.. There are plenty of articles elsewhere on what to look for when buying a canoe. Here is just one on the Internet.

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/

Of course probably none of us agrees with all that is written there, but I don't have the inclination to write another article. We might have better served the OP by just shutting up. Information overload sometimes leads to paralysis.. there is something to be said for getting something that floats, is safe and going out and finding why it works/doesn't work for you. What did we DO before the Internet.. (hee hee..many of my boat purchases were made before the World of I)

Elitist is a nasty term. Over the paddling years, we evolve as paddlers and find craft that are right for us. Our needs DO change. I can think of Robin tripping with his wood canvas Chestnuts with envy. I can barely pick one up and stagger 200 feet. Over 44 years I have found that the Grumman worked for twenty, then it didn't.. and got more into canoeing. I still take canoe lessons each summer! And prefer carbon fiber craft in the 20-30 lb range for portaging. I do use my wood dacron boats for day paddling..and its hot so you betcha there will be some of that today.

Nothing wrong with starting at a sporting goods store. My Grumman came from Liverpool Sports in Liverpool, NY. But its best to know what the disadvantages of the presented craft are. And in that setting there are often many!

Not too worried about sounding PC.. the Internet is a very one dimensional means of communication. Were we all professional authors I also think we would not shoot off posts but make sure our sentences are well nuanced. The post would be then a two or three day long piece of work.
 
Well upon reflection Yellow Canoe, I believe you've got it just about right. Anyone arriving here with a question obviously has access to the internet; and so there you go. Have at it.

My stars! Did I turn into a milksop bleeding heart there for a minute?
Thanks Y.C. for a needed reality check, hope you have a good paddle today.
Rob
 
For the record - my reference to the "E" word wasn't meant as a reflection of anyone here. It was just based on feelings expressed by past posters on other forums.

Rob - getting soft? ;)
 
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