NW Chater Meeting New Location 8-31-09

[Ryan Center]

It's that time of month again. We are going to try out Jim's Razorback Pizza on Monday (8-31-09) at 6:30 for our new meeting place.

For this months meeting we would like you to bring your emergency kit that you would have on you or your boat during a paddling trip. If you don't have one already this would be a great time to come and see what other folks are doing and maybe it will help you decide how you would want to make one for yourself.

We also will be talking about future event's and trips that are going on. So, come on out and lets talk about boating since we haven't been getting much lately.

Here we will be........
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Hope to see you there,
Ryan

[DMG]

Great meeting idea! I'll bring my drybag with the stinky Capilene.

[Ryan Center]

Great meeting idea! I'll bring my drybag with the stinky Capilene.

Can't take credit for the idea, it was Steve's.

[paddledog]

He means the safety kit, not the stinky capilene.

[Fish]

You don't want to try to compete with Ryan on stinky capilene...

[Bob Bo]

It would be a great thing for your chapter to make a list of items that would go into a emergency kit and post for us green horns.

[painterbob]

come on bob, that would be too easy.... ........... so, guess will see you Monday night?

[paddledog]

It would be a great thing for your chapter to make a list of items that would go into a emergency kit and post for us green horns.

If it was that easy, you wouldn't need us old crusty guys.
What is in your kit is about 25% of what you need......
The other 75% is in your helmet.
I can't put that in a list.
Come out and join us for a hearty cuss 'n discuss session.

[OzarkTom]

Well said, Mr. Paddledog!

It is important to have the "tools" but even more important to know what to do with them. Assuming that you'll magically know how to make a shelter, use a compass, start a fire in wet conditions and other such things when you've never practiced in controlled conditions can lead to some unpleasant surprises when you actually need these skills.

Being confident in your abilities to manage challenging situations can help you make WAY better decisions when things don't go as expected. Being prepared mentally and having a few useful items with you can take away that potentially dangerous urge to keep paddling when it could be wisest to wait till morning for better light and/or for the water to drop back to a more reasonable level.

Many of us have stories that include paddling that last mile of flooded creek after dark, or losing paddles and boats due to sudden surges in levels that we probably knew were more than we had bargained for.
Sometimes the best choice is to wait. Having items and knowledge that make that wait more comfortable can help influence us to make better decisions.

Looking forward to Monday night!

Cheers,

Tom

[Ryan Center]

Man, great turnout tonight and thanks to all who came and made it such a success. I'm loving the new location. We could actually hear each other talk.
Thanks Tom and Steve for doing the gear presentation. It was just like being in a class or something. You guys did great.

[DMG]

Couldn't agree more! Great location and very informative presentations. If you're looking for suggestions for next month, I'd like to see something on kayak outfitting tips. Just a thought...

Great job, Steve and Tom!!! Ryan and John were OK too.

~Dave