Took Josh and Abby to the pool session in Johnson City Tuesday and a good time was had by all.  Josh had been many times in the past, but this was Abby’s first time.  Since my 7-year old daughter seems to be my best bet at raising a boater, I was really hoping the evening would go well.

 As she wedged into her brother’s green Fun1, I was a bit concerned that she might have some difficulty wet-exiting but my fears were unfounded.  I launched her into the pool and before I even got in the water, she’d paddled across the shallow end, chased her brother (who was swimming), flipped over and wet exited without even getting the top of her head wet.  Best of all - she was grinning and trying to get back in before we’d even gotten the boat to the side.

Josh tried out Wesley’s demo Sidekick and really liked it.  He was moving much faster, sitting more comfortably, and appeared to be less ‘tippy’ than in the Fun1.  I guess he and Abby have both outgrown the good ole Fun1.  Josh asked if we could get the Sidekick and I told him we’d have to see about selling the Fun1 first.  Luckily, he didn’t bring up the fact that I’ve got more than one boat!

Later, Abby tried the Fun 1 1/2 and really liked it.  Of course, it didn’t hurt that the boat was pink!  The boat was a bit big on her, but it wouldn’t take her long to grow into it.  She scooted all around the pool and I never once saw her look like she might flip (can’t say the same of her time in the Fun1).

 Looks like our good ole fun1 may soon be replaced with a sidekick!

After losing my paddle during a river rescue on the Little, I began a search for a replacement.  Let me encourage you NOT to head back to the river until you’ve checked to see if your name has worn off or your phone number has changed from what’s on the paddle and corrected any potentially costly conditions.  Losing my trusty old paddle was painful for me because (1) I am cheap, (2) my paddle was fine, and (3) it had been a great deal when I acquired it - which to me, added a certain sense of satisfaction every time I used it.  Additionally, (4) I paid nearly as much for the pogies that floated away with it as I had for the paddle itself - bummer!  On the up-side though, I am thankful for the rescue situation turning out well and for the Lendal breakdown I had stashed in the stern.

So my search began and eventually turned up a great deal on Boatertalk’s GearSwap.  Somebody was liquidating (no pun intended) their gear IF the buyer was willing to purchase said gear, sight unseen, that day.  I had planned on spending my Christmas money on a new rescue pfd and maybe some drypants but the loss of the paddle had blown that plan right out of the water.  This opporunity, however, allowed me to get a rescue vest and paddle for less than I had been willing to fork over for the pfd alone!

Once the gear arrived, I was a bit surprised at the obvious ‘experience’ of the paddle but very pleased with the state of the pfd.  All in all, it looks like a win-win where the seller got the cash he needed when he needed it and I got the stick and vest I needed before needing either for a day on the water.  I pulled them out during a sunny moment this weekend to shoot this shot of the gear that I hope will actually see water again some day soon.

On the left is my faded 3.5 year old B-22 hi-floatation vest that is beginning to unravel at the seams.  On the right is the new kid - my Astral 300R.  Hoping the paddle will last till I can afford a new one!

If you’ve got any suggestions on how to ‘mount’ a Gerber river shorty on an Astral rescue vest, please post in the comments.

 Thanks,

Stu

Hope everybody has saved some Christmas cash…

http://www.jacksonkayak.com/articles07/article.cfm?article=200801141

http://www.jacksonkayak.com/articles07/article.cfm?article=200801142

Looks like EJ has posted a few pics of the first Hero out of the mold!  Check it out at:

http://www.jacksonkayak.com/articles07/article.cfm?article=200801101

Did I beat Wesley to the post?