Esquif Demo's out West- input please

[Pierre LaPaddelle]

My goal is to help Esquif by getting their products in front of more people, in areas where there isn't much active exposure and to introduce more people to open boating.

Full credit to Smurf for his initiative -- THANKS, Jeff!

I doubt the initial plan is a perfect blueprint -- but it's a start.

If, as Jeff suggests, Esquif is willing to support this, it's hopefully the first suggestion they're beginning to listen to our rants, and psych out the western market (which, as Einar confirms, is mostly dominated by old-school designs.)

One comment to the boat manufacturers: It's not the handful of top-level boaters who are going to filll your jeans with nickels -- it's the vast population of anonymous Class II - III duffers. You want to sell boats? Don't depend on dealers to build the market -- it starts when the company makes demos available, through their reps, for try-outs. And the demos have to show up at Club-level events, not World championships.

But while I wait for this to happen, I'll be taking up Jeff's offer with gratitude.

Utah ain't exactly the west -- but it's sure as heck closer than North Carolina, and thanks to Jeff's generosity and initiative, I'll soon be a Bulldog richer.

And while I'm picking it up, Smurf, I'll be thrilled to look at everything else you have to show. AND I'll pass along all my favourable comments to the rest of the best in the west.

(Hey Jeff -- got a Spanish Fly? How 'bout a Prelude? Or a Blackfly? Or a Sith? The B'dog needs company, and I can fit more than one boat on my racks. See ya soon!)

Rick

[cheajack]

I met Jeff for the first time at ALF and found him genuinely approachable and willing to help anybody in any way. Jeff, maybe you should post a picture of the gypsy F350 as it left Lenoir City.

[Smurfwarrior]

Thanks for the kind words. Is this the pic you are talking about?

[Smurfwarrior]

I see someone's Bulldog hiding in there.

Ref club level events vs the bigger events.... I've got to start somewhere, and offering the demo program here will help those in remote locations I think. I'll even be at some kayak/SUP only events just to try and dip my fishing line into the neighbors pond. Can't hurt to generate interest from those who already paddle, but don't open boat yet. The L'Edge is the perfect boat to convert people with.

As for my location, I think I'm "Out West" enough to be able to be effective in a few different directions. Heck, there is only one state between Utah and California and this is the center of the outdoor manufacturers universe for two weeks a year (one in summer, one in winter) when the Outdoor Retailer Show is held in SLC. Thousands show up for the summer paddling demo session held in conjunction with the OR Show at a local lake here. Pretty cool if you ask me.

[Yukon]

Good plan and hopefully get more people into newer designs. We need more similar plans though as imo you are more central western- not west or northwest- like us. We live in 2 huge countries that sometimes get forgotten. Here in the Yukon we have 12-14 hr drive south -800 Miles to the next closest major paddle desintation Smithers BC and then we are still pretty North. I am guessing it would take about a week for us to drive to ALF.

Sounds like boats are at a premium even in a place like Vancouver. I am happy that I have a Taureau, L'edge, Aftershock, Viper 9.5, Viper 11, Viper 12, Probe 12, and a few others and people are welcome to try them all in Whitehorse.
My paddle buddy has a Prelude and a Cu-Fly- if you can fit in em.

Now to make a truly adjustable bulkhead for demo boats. We are so far behind kayaks for adjustability it is not funny. In Mexico I was amazed at how quick kayakers could select and adjust their boats. In the canoes it was cut, or try to glue and tape and when adding u often only got one shot a day as soon as the boat got wet- nothing new was sticking to it...

On my new Ledge I am going to try out my Bloodpressure cuff idea for adjustabilty and a few other ideas. I better do it soon so I can paddle it in the pool- my son(12) and my friend are almost begging me to not trim it out for me....

[djutzi]

Hey Jeff -

(Dan here, we paddled the Little together on Monday at ALF - great to meet you and paddle with you!)

Wondering about the Esquif paddle...which I never actually saw at ALF (we won't get into why...). What's the deal with it (ie materials/availability/etc.), and do you have a picture you can post?

-Dan

[Cheeks]

It's great to see people trying to expand the sport, and it's great to see canoe companies willing to take a little risk to get canoeing out there.

Good luck Smurf, I hope it all works out!

[FullGnarlzOC]

No wonder why you brought out the F-250....

[Smurfwarrior]

Dan- it was great to meet and paddle with you too. Did you see the paddle I had on Monday? (the first 3/4 of the run) That was the Esquif carbon ergo paddle. From then on I was using the fiberglass ergo shaft, which has more flex and the one I prefer for that reason. My feedback on it, after getting lots of quality time using it at ALF is that it's a great composite paddle with tons of 'catch', and ergo hand position that's location on the shaft is perfect for me. It comes full length with loose tgrip so that you can cut to whatever length you want. I cut down two of these over two days and it was easy. I love the taper on the ends of the tgrip and how large it is. I havent weighed it yet but it's quite light. I'll publish the weight of mine later today. It has an interesting blade face, which really helps with how much catch it has yet it feathers well for underwater recoveries.

A few others demo'd the paddle when they paddled with me and all feedback was very positive.

I have a picture posted on my Facebook note concerning the demo program. Add me on FB and you'll see it there. I'm Jeff Young and my email is ducatismurf@hotmail.com which will help you find me on there. For you non facebookers, I'll post a couple pics here when I get back in front of a proper computer tonight.

As for availablity, they are available now for order from your local
Esquif dealer.

[Smurfwarrior]

I'm also developing a demo feedback survey form that people can fill out and give Esquif feedback on what they tried and what they thought. On that form will be a removable section for the paddler to take with them that has the local Esquif dealers contact information.

Esquif is constantly improving their products and this will be a good method to capture input from a variety of paddlers.

[djutzi]

no i missed it...only heard after the fact that it was an Esquif paddle you were using...didn't know they made them up until that point.

anyways I'll have a look around town here.

Dan

[lagow8]

Are you going to bring a fleet of Esquif boats to the CKS paddle fest? You might have some interested raft guides.

Actually, I am in interested raft guide. I don't oc-1 anymore (c-1) but with the ledge out, I might be interested in getting back in the oc-1 saddle.

Cheers,
John

[Smurfwarrior]

I am planning on being there. Not sure what boats I will have there yet, but the Ledge for sure. Here is a pic of the Carbon Ergo Esquif paddle.

[djutzi]

well ok then...no excuses for not seeing it, considering thats my boat in the background!

[Smurfwarrior]

Hows that for evidence! ahahaha