Major Milestones and Players
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 4:05 pm
I've been incredibly bored at work and got to thinking about how passionate canoers are about their sport. I dare say canoers, as a group, are more committed to their masochistic ways and ignorant to the error of them than about any other group of people I've ever met. I'm not knockin' it, I'm just sayin.' I mean, I've tried for over a year to become a better kayaker, but when it comes down to it, I still prefer my C1 and still feel more comfortable in it (mentally, not physically of course). So in my attempt to deepen my daydreamstate at work, I'm trying to pin down some of the events and people throughout the history of whitewater canoeing that really represent this passion. I think this could be an interesting thread, especially with the depth of knowledge (read: all the old farts 
) available on this forum. So...
What have been some of the major milestones of whitewater canoeing (and I mean OC and C, squirt, freestyle, fringe, monumental undertakings, etc...)?
What have been some design/materials changes that have shaped the future of the sport?
Who are the people that have driven this innovation/passion/craziness and deserve to be recognized for their hard work? Paddlers, Designers, Advocates, Activists, etc...
Also, what are people's thoughts on what drives this passion and keeps people climbing back in the saddle decades after decades. What drives people like Adam and Kenneth and Sara to build and maintain this archive of history and know-how for the thankless price of nothing? What drives people like Jeremy to be unhappy with the other boats they see out there and build their own? See what I'm getting at? I can't wait to hear the responses. Is there a Louie translator on hand that can help moderate this post?
) available on this forum. So...What have been some of the major milestones of whitewater canoeing (and I mean OC and C, squirt, freestyle, fringe, monumental undertakings, etc...)?
What have been some design/materials changes that have shaped the future of the sport?
Who are the people that have driven this innovation/passion/craziness and deserve to be recognized for their hard work? Paddlers, Designers, Advocates, Activists, etc...
Also, what are people's thoughts on what drives this passion and keeps people climbing back in the saddle decades after decades. What drives people like Adam and Kenneth and Sara to build and maintain this archive of history and know-how for the thankless price of nothing? What drives people like Jeremy to be unhappy with the other boats they see out there and build their own? See what I'm getting at? I can't wait to hear the responses. Is there a Louie translator on hand that can help moderate this post?
