A letter from the President
Posted January, 2009

Dear fellow paddlers,
 
There is hardly a day go by that someone isn't telling me about the economy and the hard times ahead.  Sometimes we make things worse than they really are by constantly focusing on them and not enjoying each day for what it is.   This attitude keeps some people from taking that kayaking trip or buying their first kayak.  How many of us have every been o n a kayak outing and said they wish they had stayed home and saved the money?  Not many I bet!
 
Admittedly, kayaking can have expensive start up costs and disourage many from entering our sport.  If I were starting again, the first thing I would do would be to buy a top rate life jacket, something I would be comfortable wearing that would not chafe or rub.  Good, new, brand name life jackets can be found for around $60 on sale.  The next thing I would purchase would be a good paddle.  New, lightweight paddles can be bought for under $200 and my favorite paddle was bought used for approximately $100.  Most people buy paddles that are too long.  Retailers seem to want to push paddles that are 220 to 230 cm long.  If you attend a kayak symposium and talk to the "real" paddlers who push the limits of the sport, they seem to all favor shorter paddles.  I know a world class kayaker who is over six feet tall and his paddle length has been refined to 217 cm.  A shorter paddle will be easier on your joints and handier in the wind.  I would not settle for "second best" in these two areas. 
 
(continued below)

"Kathy Hakala explores Black Canyon Cave"

The purchase of a kayak itself is another matter and there are two schools of thought here.  One approach is to buy a top rated kayak to start with, the reasoning being that if you buy "good stuff" you'll always be able to resell it.  The other school of thought encourages the beginner to get anything that floats and just get out on the water.  New kayaks can range from $400 to $4000 and they all float!  Used kayaks can be bought on E-Bay, from any kayak shop or a club member who is "retiring" from the sport or "moving up" to the latest and greatest.  I would recommend renting or borrowing until I knew what I really wanted.  One common mistake is to buy a kayak that they will "outgrow" as their skills increase.  Most of you will eventually find yourself paddling a kayak about 16 to 17' long and about 22 to 24 inches wide.  I would discourage starting out with a double to save money; they are difficult to transport and they seem to lack the agility that makes kayaking so enjoyable.  If your partner is not available to paddle that day, you're out of luck.
 
In reality, the real expense of getting into our sport is probably not the dollar, but giving yourself the TIME to enjoy a sport that is good for body and mind!!!
 
See you on the water,
 
Gary Hakala
President
Valley Wide Kayak Club
(951) 990-1361

"Gary and his kayak gang at Lake Perris Sail Cove"