QWS News - Fall 2003

Wow! What a season it was with student numbers almost doubling over 2002. Our Beginner Plus class was by far the most popular of our mix with more students showing interest in safety along with instruction. For 2004 we plan on adding in a little more time at the end of both the QS Beginner and the Beginner Plus to allow students to paddle different kayaks. We've added two new brands to our fleet to give a broader selection of boat types to test paddle. This will pay off when students go in to buy a kayak as they can zero in on what works for them (Below you can find some re-caps of the new kayaks and gear we have evaluated and added to the fleet.) Our website will contain more links to kayak shops that we feel do the best job of meeting paddlers needs. We also plan to list select tour operators who can take care of you when you leave home base to paddle. Special thanks to all our students for your suggestions on how we can make your paddling time with us the most productive. We know some of you drive a long way to get here and appreciate you choosing QWS Kayak Learning Centers.

New Material Changes Everything-TRYLON
Well it only took two years of wheedling and cajoling but we got our first Hurricanes for testing back in July. I had spotted these kayaks at a major trade show and mistook them for high end fiberglass kayaks. "It's about time there were some ultra light kayaks made in the 11-14 foot lengths we prefer at QWS. " I thought. "But I bet they cost a pretty penny" After poking my head inside a 10 foot Santee I was shocked to see it did not have matt lay-up but was totally smooth indicating this was not glass. I lifted it and was astonished at its 32 lb weight. Now if only I could paddle one! Well we now own and have paddled four models from 10 ft to 16.6 ft and they simply are extraordinary as they look like glass, weigh like glass but cost a fraction of the price. And they are tough as nails! (We a..sorta..like forgot to tie one down and dropped it off the truck) We know there are a good number of paddlers who have been looking to move up to a composite boat but the $2300 price tag is just too much. Now for less than half that you can get a Hurricane Tampico that checks in at 38 lbs and delivers composite performance. We will have several Hurricanes in the fleet so if you are coming in for a class and lightweight is crucial to you, call in advance and let us know. The Santee LT at 10 ft comes in at 31 lbs and is only $550 so if you are going to car top your kayak but are petite or lacking upper body leverage, this is your boat!

Sea Dart Sit On Top Available
So we'll openly admit we never really liked the way most sit on tops paddled even though we appreciate the comfort and convenience they offer some paddlers. An afternoon spent in the Heritage Sea Dart changed our minds about sit on tops as it was very efficient gliding through the water and acted like a traditional sit inside. Sure you are still gonna get wet if it's rough out there but then again, most paddlers will park their kayak if conditions get choppy. The Dart would be a great choice for river travel where hopping on and off would be a snap. We will have Sea Darts for classes so if you've avoided taking a class due to "cockpit phobia" call us and arrange to use a Sea Dart. Or if you've tried sit-ins and found you don't have the mobility to enter and exit safely then the Dart could be your ticket to enjoying kayaking. Heritage also has a very nice tandem sit inside that is the lightest roto-molded one we've seen. Tracking and seating comfort is excellent and we are kicking around the idea of offering a class or two for families so parents can get a chance to take a lesson and see what the kid's think at the same time.

Branches Unveils new Dripless Paddle
There are thousands of you out there with wet crotches due to water dripping off the paddle and into the oversize cockpit of your kayak. (Wow, that sentence should be a screaming headline in the tabloids) While you thought the huge opening was a good idea at the time, now you see the drawback as water simply overloads the drip rings and falls in your lap. Well how about a paddle that is Dripless and drop-dead gorgeous? Bending Branches sent us their new wood paddles with special grooves and notches in the blades and they work! Best of all the dripless design in no way messes up the other paddling characteristics you also want like smooth entry and exit, along with flutter free drive. These paddles are available in shops right now at about $159. Pretty fair price considering these paddles are hand shaped and hand tuned. Branches also has developed paddles in wood, glass, aluminum and carbon that have smaller shafts for smaller hands. This not only provides the paddler with better control, it makes the overall weight of the paddle lighter and that's always a bonus.

Loose Ends
Many students have noticed that our staff uses Northwater safety and rescue gear exclusively but can't find it at your local dealer. We understand that quite a few paddle shops are going to stock Northwater in 04 so ask for it at your favorite shop. Roger Stevens at Sports Connection here in Jackson (517-782-4040) has some amazing clearance prices on Swift composite kayaks as he makes room for the Hurricanes. Walden will be releasing a totally new boat called the Escape for bigger paddlers in the 14 ft range next spring. We will be the first to paddle one even if we have to chop holes in the ice. Check out the new revisions in our Chain of Lakes Tour for 2004. Special thanks to Mike Toma for coming in and helping out during some of our busy times this summer. We are going to scour the planet this winter for info to publish on this site for those of you who get sleepy feet, numb legs and creaky elbows and wrist. There are several fixes we use but there needs to be more information on how to battle getting older. This winter why not call Ben Carr at Michigan Snowshoe Center (989-275-0300) and he'll send you out to some fantastic places up near Roscommon. We still have a great supply of Nigel Foster videos and with the days getting shorter and the season coming to a close it's a great way to enjoy a rainy afternoon when you're not paddling. Well if you're Todd, paddling IS a great way to enjoy a cold, rainy afternoon!