Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

02-17-09 10 minutes of Freestyle Interpretive Paddling. While I can appreciate the skill, aren't we far enough out there already? :)

what

TV show on the Discovery channel. They had a 10 minute segment on freestyle interpretive paddling in canoes. It was apparently a national competition with solo and tandem divisions.

That information was vital, I can call you out on that because half of my comments make no sense.

A Savage spanke wrote:That information was vital, I can call you out on that because half of my comments make no sense.

Only half? That seems generous...

- Fish

touche.

johned wrote:TV show on the Discovery channel. They had a 10 minute segment on freestyle interpretive paddling in canoes. It was apparently a national competition with solo and tandem divisions.

I think this is why I don't pay for cable...

Did you watch the 10 minutes? At O.R. one year, I got to see someone do this up close and personal, it is amazing to watch. The people that can do this and do it well have amazing boat control and balance. I'd paddle on a creek with em!

It takes skill and control and has useful ends if applied to other water pursuits. Some folks do it for the sheer pleasure of being able to do it as an end in itself. I have no problem with them doing so, and when I see them on a river, they usually are not anyone I am having to rescue.

I compare it to figure skating vs hockey or the equestrian sports of Dressage or Western Reining vs endurance riding. Good basic training for doing other things, doesn't encompass the real world, but is an end in itself for some people.

Yes, i used to play hockey. I also took some reining and dressage classes along the way, but I had 15,000+ miles on my morgan gelding doing endurance and trail riding. Never got into competitive trail events - that seems like too many rules, and like it would take the fun out of what I was doing.

Bottom line - different strokes for different folks. Whatever floats your boat.

Eric

Did you watch the 10 minutes? At O.R. one year, I got to see someone do this up close and personal, it is amazing to watch. The people that can do this and do it well have amazing boat control and balance. I'd paddle on a creek with em!

Yes I did watch the segment, from start to finish. I think I also posted that I could appreciate the skill involved. There is no doubt that they are talented paddlers, with skills well beyond mine. Just struck me as "out there" to see them in formal wear paddling to orchestra music.

No doubt its a little different and i wasn't meaning to say that you didn't appreciate it..just commenting.

johned wrote:Just struck me as "out there" to see them in formal wear paddling to orchestra music.

I had similar reactions - appreciated the skill, would love to have that level of control, but can't see myself wearing a tux and doing it to music in front of a crowd. But most of us go "overboard" at whatever becomes our main thing. How else can we explain:

Bright colors for WW boating (and only "modern" boat designs get respect)
Camo trucks and camo seat covers to drive to the hunting grounds
Colorful nylon shorts and skin-tight shirts for road biking
baggy, too-long legs in shorts for basketball
$200 shoes for jogging
Goth
(have some fun - add to my list!)

Didn't see a link, but I guess you are talking about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSldR9yOJq8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I agree with Eric's figure skating vs hockey comparison. No doubt there is real skill involved here, but its just not for me. As a good friend commented to me one time about it: "I believe that I'll save this style of canoeing for my next life!"

Prater

a bowtie maight be agood gear addition. more style, no loss of comfort vs a drytop and it could be used as a pillow if you get caught out overnight

That guys a good boater, but I don't think I could ever boat with him... Fish is a stretch enough