Comments from disgruntled river rat

Longboatin · Post by **Longboatin** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:49 am

Please excuse me, I haven't been on the water in two weeks:

For all this talk of outfitting I can tell that the creeks of the east are gonna be full up wid all kinds a c boaters this season. Experience tells me though that this will not be the case. When are people gonna shut up an boat? All this endless discussion about which boat is correct, and which boat is best for first c-fied kayak, etc. Where's all the testing for this thinking taking place? Are these ideas being more than bench tested?

A guy posted from Italy, he had a question about c boating waterfalls, accompanied by a gnarly video. Nobody wrote to the guy. Nope everybody just kept yammerin on about tech this and outfit that.

Back at the 05 Armada, somebody said to a member of the longboat posse, "You guys trying to start a new sport?" Yeah, with 20 year old equipment, dude. No new sport, just a return to what many consider an obsolete design. All we're doing is demonstrating that when people abandoned canoes for kayaks, they were making a mistake. A mistake which focuses thinking on short boats. After paddling a longboat, my creek boat is an Outrage, because speed is very important when using one blade. In fact, every creek I've done I've been in a 13ft boat.

Whew, feels good to rant.
p.s. we know nobody answered that Italian guy's post, because yins don't run no waterfalls

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:46 am

i was always taugh that if you have nothing nice to say keep your mouth shut. just a thought.
yes certainly i am not the person to help beereddy with his question, you put in a suggestion great! maybe you were the only one who thought he had something to add to the discussion at this point. his question isnt going anywhere, this is a discussion 'board', and undoubtedly someone who truly understands the action, has overcome/faced similar problems would respond. there are something like 1300 members here, though not all active on a routine basis, alot for the most part avid readers, and advice lenders. i have never been let down by this website, nor the help i have received as a result.

and as for when the boating will happen, well, when the water goes up enough, and the rivers thaw, i will be there. if your last trip was 2 weeks ago im envious, but i dont have available resources to have a good and safe time.

so don't tear into your own kind.
cheers
-isaac

TommyC1 · Post by **TommyC1** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:21 pm

Hey Longboat,
First off let me say I feel your pain. I just got out Saturday after a couple of dry weeks and I feel so much better.

Now let me ask you, where else are you going to find folks who even want to talk about C boating or OC boating?
All the other boards I see are yak yak yak. Nothing wrong with yaks but I can't get much useful information on single blading unless I come here.

You don't believe these folks paddle?
Go check out Jan D's website.
Look at the stuff Craig Smerda puts up.
Then there's Kaz. I've seen Kaz boat a little. He makes the hardest thing I've run look like a stroll in the park.
Plenty of others here too. I don't see a whole lot of posing going on.

Anyway what I realy want to know is when you are going to give us the real lowdown on Longboating?
I've got an Explorer that doesn't get near enough use because for me the Outrage, Slasher and Foreplay seem to be more fun.
So give it up brother! Tell me what I need to know to get the Explorer out in the good stuff.

PS I think no one answered Beereddy because it was hard to understand his question. I'm glad you took a shot at it.

Alden · Post by **Alden** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:29 pm

When this snow melts, the NF blackwater will hopefully go, and it most certainly has waterfalls. I frequently lack WV paddling partners on Fridays - perhaps you are interested to join - longboater without a name?

Alden
Alden110@hotmail.com

TomAnon · Post by **TomAnon** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:28 pm

I kind of like it over here as there is a distinct lack of trolls. I hope that will not change.

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:51 pm

Whatever floats your abnormally and unnessarily long boat dude.

(my opinion)

This is the first post I've ever seen on this site that critizied people for wanting to move forward and try new things... untested even. Attitudes like this are why some companies have abandoned c-boats all-together imo. Why should they bother coming out with a new boat when some folks are so mired in "traditition" ? I guess you could also go cold weather paddling wearing a wool sweater and wool pants rather than a full on drysuit.... why try new things... right? I'm not going to say you or anyone else shouldn't paddle long boats because you apparently enjoy them.... good for you!

As for many others on this site... keep on checking out any boat you can jump into. Try new things, be progressive and have fun.

Craig

PS> "those horseless carriages are nothing but a fad!"

Post by **PAC** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:51 pm

Yo LB
I appoloigies for not logging in daily too. I have not been paddling lately since I've been busy with skiing, climbing and other fun stuff that add value to my life. Freezing water doesn't add value to my life ever since I saw a buddy get stuff under an ice shelf on the Top Yough

. Call it old age or fear, or both - but I'd agree with you on both counts!
As for creeking and outfitting - I personally like to hear whats going on with outfitting and such to get new ideas and stay current without having to go out and learn through the school of screw ups. I'll admit I'm kind of clueless at times

and appreciate the input and feedback those with a solid knowledge base can provide.

As for the Italian posting I think you are referencing Paolo Santoné via www.playboatingitalia.com <http://www.playboatingitalia.com> (the italian playboating portal). Now I know Alden posted as to Paolo's corsica trip April / May last year and I sent him a email on how I liked his site when he referenced it online...

New lay out for playboatingitalia.com
Take a look.
<http://www.playboatingitalia.com>
_________________
Paolo Santoné

www.playboatingitalia.com <http://www.playboatingitalia.com>
the italian playboating portal

Paolo seems to be a really stand up and knowledge guy based on his posted and a couple PMs. I'm also impressed on his sik runs both open and decked! I'd would love to go visit and paddle with him one of these days if I had the time and $! Too many rivers and not enough time (...this means you too Jan D. I've seen some of the runs out there on your pretty island and would love to chect them out. Please keep updating your site so I can enjoy from the East).
As to to the "new sport" comment that was most likely me in my vintage 70s Gemini C2 with my boy. I thought it was great to see some longer boats out there surfing and smiling.

And yes, just because its old doesn't mean its bad - just different! I just re-aquired my old Cascade from years gone by and look forward to runing a drop or to in it.
But new is fun too! As with most sports being one dimensional leaves you with knowledge gaps and does not push the sport to new more fun levels. Heck 20 years ago folks were not wearing helmets and PFDs and running the Lower Blackwater or Great Falls was unhear of. It's nice to see you are taking and old school and pushing it in a different direction! I think that is way cool - just like Adam bring on the Maven and making us re-think who we are a paddlers.
Once the water comes up again (and the temp more my liking) you're welcome to hook up and head for the Meadow, Indian or Jacobs! Oh and if your around for next years Falls Race I have an extra spot in the C2 to run that drop.
Glad you got the rant out and I'll CU out there! Don't let the cool weather get you down we'll be out boating soon enough!
Paul C.

Thought for the day (from K2 Telemark Freestyle Skiing)...
"Take something hard, make it harder, then make it look easy!"

Larry Horne · Post by **Larry Horne** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:05 am

hey LB, i didn't reply to beereddy's question because;
1. i couldn't understand it, and
2. my computer would rather freeze up than play a video for me, and
3. i've been too busy paddlin! -- temps in the 70's ---perfect flows in the sierras and coast range....12 days of classic california class IV and V whitewater since newyears (i do have to work full time)

so who needs to "shut up and boat"?

come on out here and i'll show yins some good stuff

btw- it's all about having fun bro.---nobody really cares how long (or small) your boat is.

JFD · Post by **JFD** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:05 am

Alden,
I can boat almost any friday in WV. (this friday looks good for a snowmelt run). give me a shout if you're heading this way.
Jay

Alden · Post by **Alden** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:19 am

jay,
excellent - matt i and i got on the upper b again the other week. i scouted sticky fingers from river left. it did not look good. hope chile was fun. my roommate is down there right now on the Fu. Friday might be a go, we'll see about the temps.
Alden

JFD · Post by **JFD** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:40 am

Alden,
who is your roomate? we probably ran into him. we had a great trip (speaking of running waterfalls, i've never run so many in one trip). pucon is surrounded by creeks with magical crystal clear waterfalls into deep plunge pools. you can melt down a lot of them and they all seem to have soft landings. and you can pretty much bite off as much as you feel like you want, they come in all sizes down there from 5 ft to 80 feet, your fear is the limit. the futa is also spectacular, with huge water features and whirlpools and holes that would swallow even a 13 ft boat. the Z was a perfect C-1 for the creeks and the futa. hope to see you at the blackwater this week. (by the way, matt has scored a beautiful house about 2 minutes walk to the upper savage, it might be a good place for you to know about when you travel up this way).
jay

beereddy · Post by **beereddy** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:42 am

JFD

And where is pictures and video!!!

Tiggy · Post by **Tiggy** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:01 pm

sHEET, ALL i CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS talk LMAO. iM BURIED IN 13 FT OF SNOW!!!! WHERE THE HECK IS THAT 11FT BOAT SHOOT, ONLY THE 13 FT IS SHOWING, BETTER USE THAT ONE!!! FORGET THE CBOATS THEY WERE BURIED IN NOVEMBER.

i WAIT, AND i WAIT, THIS FREAKIN SNOW WILL MELT ONE DAY AND I WILL BE FREE!!!! UNTIL THEN I PLAY WITH THE 18 MONTH OLD AND SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR TOWNS WITH YEAR ROUND WATER.

DONT FORGET, THE WEST IS THE BEST

UNLESS THE RIVERS ARE FLOWING BACK EAST

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 4:07 pm

tiggy what part of colorado are you from? i was in breck a week and a half ago, and the colo was looking good along most of 70. looked like there were a few play spots to work on eddy turns, and s-turns. i wish i had that so close.

cheers
-isaac

Tiggy · Post by **Tiggy** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 4:34 pm

Steamboat Springs. Some good stuff along I-70 (Eagle, Shoshone near glenwood springs). Upper Colorado is pleasent, Yampa is alot of fun, Got the Green 2.5 hrs down the road, and a few other smaller creeks and rivers locally. Just need the snow to melt. Im out there every day with a bag of salt

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