Editorial: Bridging Constituencies

April-May 2003

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Alan Wilson

The challenge we set ourselves with this issue was to present material that would impart some of the basics to novices, while also being of interest to experienced paddlers. We always try to bridge both constituencies since WaveLength is picked up by many people who have never paddled before, as well as by thousands of experienced paddlers and boaters who regularly read us in print and online.

But if there's a bias this time, it's toward the beginner. We've attempted to provide good advice on the basics - selecting kayaks and gear, learning skills, preparing for trips, etc. At the same time, experienced paddlers should find the articles in the latter half of the magazine of interest to them - paddling tidal passes, navigating, etc. And we hope that everyone will find our Paddling School Directory useful .

Certainly we know that paddlers are always learning. Every time we paddle we experience something new, develop our skills to a new level, and learn more about the wonders of our watery world (and why we must protect it). Spring is an especially exciting time of year, as we all wake up to new possibilities.

Spring kicks off the season of paddling events here in the Pacific Northwest, on both sides of the border. It starts with the Port Angeles Sea Kayak Symposium (in April) on Washington's spectacular Olympic Peninsula. This is followed in May by the Coast Kayak Symposium in British Columbia's beautiful Gulf Islands, involving many paddlers from Washington - typical of the active cross-border traffic of paddlers in our region, in part because of the high value of the US dollar in Canada.

Throughout the spring and summer there are a series of paddlefests in BC, and kayak races on both sides of the border, leading up to the big season finale in mid- September, back on the Olympic Peninsula, with the world's biggest sea kayak event, the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium at Port Townsend, organized by the Trade Association of Paddlesports. For contact info on all these events and more, see details in the articles and ads throughout this issue, and especially in our Calendar .

We also look forward to seeing many of you at some of these events.

A Few Words About Paddling Equipment

When I started out paddling, I didn't have my own boat or gear, so I begged, borrowed and stole... well, ok, I didn't steal. But I was cheap, and fortunately, my friends Howie and Peter were generous and tolerant. When I did finally buy some gear, it wasn't high quality and it didn't last.

Since then I've come to learn that high quality equipment is worth the price. Take my beloved AquaBound graphite paddle. It wasn't cheap but it's lasted the better part of ten years. And it's still as good as new!

I don't normally give testimonials, but my paddle deserves rave reviews, and this seems like the right issue for doing it.

It's light as a feather and makes paddling a breeze. It's been through a lot and has stood up to every bump and scrape. I've used it to prop up tent flys and as a mast for tarp-sails, testing its strength to the max. I've tossed it and dropped it, and squashed it under other gear. Not that I'm careless, just that over the years a paddle gets its share of abuse - accidental and otherwise.

Best of all, it's taught me that good equipment is worth the price, especially if it's essential gear on which your safety relies. It's ok to scrimp starting out, but before long, you should invest in the best.

Happy paddling!