Maybe I missed something....

[kaz]

.....so can you please tell me again how YOU, personally, are going to help grow the sport?

thanks,
JKaz

[scott curtis]

i'm fly like a g 6 , peeps will want to hang out wif me

[kaz]

That's what I thought.
I don't really have any new ideas. Getting the kids involved has been tried. It works up to a certain age, then they discover other things.

[FullGnarlzOC]

kaz are you drinking?

[kaz]

yes.

[Wendy]

I think getting children and young adults on water- flat water first, play games, polo, then move to WW- can be in tubes, duckies so they have fun, learn to read water and finally put them in OC1s or C1s. The L'Edge and Blackfly are great for this. I taught at camps growing up and this approach works. Sure, they will quit when cellphones and dating take over, but young people can be re-engaged in college.

Learning to read WW and OC1 paddle strokes all on WW is too much for most.
My 2 cents

[FullGnarlzOC]

me too. u should try the kool aid. I spiked it.

[kaz]

Those are great ideas Wendy. Over the years I've seen literally hundreds of teenagers paddling, albeit mostly slalom. They disappear around age 16 or 17, never to be seen paddling again. Priorities change. Change is constant. How do we get them re-involved at age 25 or 26? Some of this is the Keystone Ice talking but I know everyone has ideas for growing the sport, it's a great idea.



JKaz

[FullGnarlzOC]

If everyone that open boats converts 1 kayaker every year... Assuming we have start at 200 openboaters... yr 2 = 400, yr 3 = 800, yr4 = 1600, yr5 = 3200....ect...

Now...unfortunately not everyone will be able to meet that goal and even more unfortunately...even attempt it. But it's worth a shot. I've met my quota since I've started boating... Anyone convert a kayaker last year? speak up!

[FullGnarlzOC]

Kaz - i think the only way to keep people involved is to lead them to love canoeing and all the things u can do with it, and all facets.

some will love the thrill of the race, some will love the thrill of freefall, some the tranquility of a wilderness run, some will love the people involved in what they do; as it is a social sport - for most

[Wendy]

IN Birmingham alot of boaters go to a local small lake for roll practice in the spring, summer. Folks go by on their bikes, walking hiking and ask about our boats. I let folks demo mine all the time when I lived there, or on any river. So, going to places where multi sports occur should be able to snag the twenty somethings.
On the river the kayakers use to see me in the Spanish FLy, Prelude now L'Edge and think- "look at that overweight middle age woman in that boat. If she can do it I can do it" I use to laugh to myself when they would climb into the Prelude and flip immediately. Now- they get in the L'Edge and want to buy one.
Kaz- I would love a composite WW 10 foot boat that is stable and hold 220#s rather than slalom- we could get woman into the sport more easily

[kaz]

Forget the kayakers. Let's each get a raw recruit, someone with no bad habits. I think that's it, McGnarly. I'm going to make it a point to get a complete newbie interested in canoeing this year. Thanks.

Jkaz

[FullGnarlzOC]

Wendy poses another question...how do we get more women in the sport... lets focus on that. seriously.

[FullGnarlzOC]

I vote that it doesnt 'really' count if you convert a kayaker or newb...unless they r female. anyone second that?

[Mr.DeadLegs]

put up better prizes for OC in any race that is out there. Kayakers will take up open boats if nothing else just for the race if there is proper incentive.